Deck Tag Archives

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between a deck or a patio? They are very similar but one might fit or look better than the other in your backyard. It is important to understand the differences between a patio and a deck in order to make an informed buying decision.

Decks are platforms made of wood or composite materials. Also, decks work best if you have a sloped yard and you want to create a flat area. Homes that sit high above the ground are also good for decks. In addition, decks can be built as high as you need them, unlike patios.

Patio Options

Patios are normally built on flat ground. They are made of wood, concrete, or flagstone. It is also possible for them to be built on a sloped lot but building it can be more costly. If your door is ground level, then many people choose to have them built instead of a deck.

When deciding to get a patio or a deck built, you should consider how many people you want it to accommodate and what activities you want to do outside. This will help Miles Bradley figure out traffic flow, safety measures, and size estimates. A growing trend in the deck industry is to build a multi-level deck with steps leading down to a patio. This is a great way to enjoy the benefits of both if you still can’t decide which one to get.

Let Miles Bradley in Michigan build your next deck or patio. We have over 20 years of experience constructing decks on a variety of landscapes. We do great work and have excellent testimonials to prove it. A Miles Bradley deck comes with exceptional workmanship and is built with high-quality materials. Finally, contact Miles Bradley today to start your deck or patio project!

Fall, also known as “bonfire and hoodie season” is quickly approaching as we close out our first week of September. Family and friends will gather around fire pits sharing stories, laughter, and making unforgettable memories. It is important to remember throughout all of the fun, that safety still has to be a top priority.

Safely Using a Fire Pit on Your Deck

It is recommended that fire pits be used in areas that are open and away from decks or homes. With portable fire pits becoming more and more popular, it is becoming more frequent for homeowners to begin using a fire pit on their deck space. It is important to remember that both wood decking and composite decking are flammable and can be damaged from the heat if your decking space is not properly protected.

Here are some steps to take to properly protect your deck from fire or damage.

Find a safe location away from deck railings, decorations, and your home. You
want to be sure that if the wind blows the flames of your fire will not come in contact with anything that may increase the risk of starting a fire.
Never place your fire pit directly on your deck. The heat from underneath the fire pit can cause damage to the wood decking or composite decking. Damage such as warping, discoloration, or burn spots may occur. To avoid this, you can use fire pit pads, or create your barrier with patio stones. When creating a barrier, you will want to extend it about two feet in all directions from the edge of your fire pit. This will help with embers or in the event the fire pit tips over, your deck will still be protected.
Start your fire and cover with a fire pit screen. This will reduce flying embers and debris, while still allowing you to enjoy a full bonfire.

Since you are starting a fire on a wood surface, it is important to take extra precautions. Something as small as an ember can cause your deck to catch fire. Be sure to have a fire extinguisher and hose readily available in the unfortunate event that does occur.

Don’t have a deck? Are you looking to improve the value of your home by having a new deck built? Contact us today!

Are you thinking about decorating your deck, but aren’t sure where to start? There are so many ideas to choose from, but which one is right? When it comes to transforming your deck into an outdoor living space, there is no right answer. Each deck has its own style and brings its own personality to the table. Below are a few ways to decorate your deck with the style just right for you.

Decorating your Deck

Add furniture: it’s always nice to start off with a focal point and move from there. Placing your main piece of furniture in a focal area will make it stand out more. There are an endless amount of furniture items you could play around with to see which one works best for you. Also, when it comes to deciding what colors you want to use, your options are limitless.
Make it comfy: not only should your outdoor living space look comfortable, but it should feel comfortable as well. Adding a bunch of comfy pillows always seems to do the trick.
Create privacy: creating privacy is key, especially if your home is fairly close to your neighbors. Planting a row of evergreens or planter boxes with flowers forms a privacy wall for your deck. It also adds a pop of scenery to your backyard.
Lattice wall: putting up a wooden square lattice wall on one side of the deck is in right now. Planting certain plants such as climbing roses and clematis will eventually grow up the lattice and form a fragrant wall filled with blooms.
Add water: adding a water feature to your decks, such as a water garden or fountain, creates a smooth, tranquil environment. Nothing is better than coming home after a long day of work to a peaceful atmosphere right in your backyard. Adding water is a great addition when it comes to decorating your deck.

Deck Installation

As you can see, there are many options to choose from when it comes to decorating your deck. However, choose what will make you happy. If you are currently looking for a company to do your deck installation, please call Miles Bradley or feel free to fill out our quote form. We are a full-service custom decking firm that strives to see our customers satisfied.

Are you considering moving into a home that already has a deck installed? Deciding which house is right for you can be a tough choice to make. What are things one should consider upon saying, “I’ll take it”? Here are a few helpful deck tips to keep in mind before making a final decision.

Four Things to Ask Before Buying a Home with a Deck:

What is the deck’s overall condition? Take a thorough look around the perimeter and “under the hood” of the deck to see what shape it’s in. Do not just look at the surface of the deck to check out its health. Make sure that the joists and other components are supporting one another and that the deck isn’t decaying, rusting, or rotting.
Does the deck meet current building codes? If the home that you’re trying to purchase has a deck that is not up to code, this can turn ugly. The last thing you would want to do is to pay a fine for an outdated deck–or even, have difficulty trying to sell your home later on down the road. Be sure to ask your realtor if the deck meets the community’s guidelines.
What’s the age of the deck? Now, this question is super important to ask. Obviously the older the deck, the sooner it needs to get inspected. Make sure to have the deck inspected (if it hasn’t been already) and to ask to see if any part of the deck was replaced.
What type of deck is it? Is it an older composite deck? Or is it a wood deck? Whatever deck it may be, be sure to ask to know how to treat and maintain it so that it can last for a good while.

Maintaining Your Deck

So you’ve finally found the home of your dreams, but your deck needs a little bit of maintaining, eh? Maintaining your deck takes a lot of work. You have to consider all of the time it takes to power-wash, sand, stain and even, paint. However, once the work is done, it’s such a refreshing feeling knowing that your work did not go in vain.

Contact Us!

Are you currently looking for a moving company to help make your move a smooth transition? Men on the Move would be more than happy to help make your move a successful one. Are you planning on getting a deck installed soon? Contact Miles Bradley today to help you get started or to find out more information regarding the deck tips.

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Don’t let Halloween pass without decorating your deck. Incorporate your Miles Bradley deck into your Halloween party by using the following ideas.

Turn your deck into a Pumpkin patch

Deck your deck out with carved pumpkins. Scatter fake leaves and straws to give your mock pumpkin patch an authentic look. Placing a stack of hay with a scarecrow will add the perfect touches. You can make your pumpkin patch look haunted by adding red lights, spiders, and fake body parts. You can add fake blood to the body parts and pumpkins to enhance the spookiness of the display.

Candy riddled graveyard

Turn your deck into a creepy candy land. First, get a few headstones and place them sparsely on the deck. Next, grab a few skeletons and place them around the headstones. Add large fake insects and cobwebs to the headstones and to some of the skeletons. Hide candy around the headstones and in other areas of the setup. This is the perfect activity for your children before going trick or treating. It also is not as scary or gory as the haunted pumpkin patch.

Important: Write down the places that you placed the candy. This is so all the candy that was not found can be picked up. Protect your deck from the chemicals from decorations that may be hard to remove by using a deck cover.

Should I buy a Deck or a Patio?