Home For the Holidays!

Miles Bradley can give the gift of a holiday deck to your loved one!With the holidays quickly approaching, you may be wanting to get your home ready for company. When the family comes home for the holidays, many want to get their home in tip-top shape. This can be very overwhelming as “there’s just so much to do!” We want to make sure you don’t leave a few things off of your checklist, as well as give you a good place to start.

Getting Your Basement Finished

Having a finished basement gives you a great place to keep everybody in one place. When gathering for the holiday’s spending time with each other is at the top of the list. (For some, it may be the delicious food.) But, regardless, having a finished basement is a great place to feed the family as well as keep them all entertained.Finish your basement with game room

For some Oakland County residents, finishing the basement may just mean doing the rest of the laundry, cleaning the carpet, and dusting off the bar. For others, a little more work may be needed. You may actually need our help to finish the basement! It may not be too late for you to contact us and get your basement remodeled or finished and ready for holiday company!

Clean Your Deck for guests

Yes, we know the holiday season is pretty cold. But your guests may want to step outside for some fresh air. While they are standing out on your deck looking around at your beautiful home, don’t you want to show off your beautiful wood or composite deck? If it is caked up with wet leaves, ice, or snow, all you are doing is hiding its beauty! We have some great tips on cleaning your deck off for the family that is home for the holidays! Whether composite decking or wood decking, know the proper ways to clean a deck during winter.

Save on Home Improvements Before & After the Holidays!

If you do need to have your basement finished, or want to have a deck built this winter, contact us now. Offseason deck building can save you a lot of money! We work in the cold and if you act soon we can get before the New Year. If not, we still work during the coldest months and it will save you on costs. Now is the perfect time to call and schedule a consultation with the Decksperts at Miles Bradley!

Want to outfit your game room or basement with a pool table, shuffleboard, tables, or stools? Visit our friends at Sunny’s Pools & More at their Waterford or Macomb stores. They have some great stuff and low prices in the winter as well!

 

 

 

Let Us Help Finish Your Unfinished Basement!

Have you been sitting on remodeling your basement? Renovating your basement will not only add value to your house but also gives you additional livable space for you and your family. Imagine what you could do with all that extra space in your home. Here at Miles Bradley, we can help you create your ultimate entertainment center, game room, or man cave from your dingy basement. We will help frame, insulate, and get your basement into a livable state for you and your family.

Unfinished basement framing by Miles Bradley

If your basement needs to be finished, hire Miles Bradley to help!

Finishing the room DIY can be overwhelming and drag out for months. Between codes, proper licenses and just finding the time to do it, you might as well hire a professional. We can help you get the space you’ve always wanted as we are a fully licensed and insured contractor. We’ll take your old unfinished basement and help you design the basement of your dreams.

Finish your Michigan basement with Miles Bradley!

If you’ve never heard of the term “Michigan basement” we can paint you a picture: inhabitable. Hiring a professional contractor to finish your Michigan basement is a great way to make more room for your family. Whether you’re increasing your family size and need additional room or just better storage space for your stuff, we can help. We’ve helped finish basements to guest rooms, storage space, and the best place to catch the game with your pals.  

Does your home have a second level that could use a deck? No problem! We can help create a “walkout” for your “Underdeck” from your basement area! No more wondering where you can entertain guests in a covered shaded area. Here at Miles Bradley, we help homeowners get the most out of their space. We’ll even help you with your outdoor home renovation plan! Simply contact us and we’ll give you a free quote and consultation! Contact us here

How to Safely Use a Fire Pit on Your Deck

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 DeckDeck Safety

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!

Trex vs TimberTech in 2018

Trex vs Timbertech

Are you looking for a brand-new composite deck for your dream backyard? You have a few choices on what to make your deck out of. Trex, the world’s number one decking brand, TimberTech, America’s number one in premium decking, or original wood, an easy material to use that is the go-to for many people.

Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, so we cover the great Trex vs Timbertech debate.

Benefits of a Trex deck

Trex is an eco-friendly decking material. Unlike wood, Trex decks come will not rot, split, swell, or crack from insect infestation. And because the color is ingrained within the material, Trex does not require repainting, annual staining, or sealing.

Benefits of a TimberTech deck

TimberTech is number one in premium decking. These decks are durable enough to withstand almost anything your family, friends, and the elements throw at them. They do not require any staining or sealing in their long-lasting life in your backyard.

Wood decks are the original design that many flocks to in the spring and summer months. Even though wood is in need of replacement every couple of years, wooden decks are easy to construct at a reasonably affordable price. Unfortunately, this resource is scarce and can lead to deforestation. It also splits and splinters with age. So, perhaps wood is not the best option for today’s standards.

Why Choose Trex vs Timbertech

Trex is by far the best and most reliable brand to use when constructing a deck. Your deck will last for years to come with Trex as its construction base. You can make the deck of your dreams in the color of your choice. So why wait?

Contact Miles Bradley Decks today to get a free quote! We can make your deck in any color you choose. Our main seller is Trex but we can do whatever you’d like most on your favorite deck. So, let’s make your dreams a reality, call us today or contact us through our form!

Get a New Pergola This Summer

Pergolas designed and built by Miles Bradley

Add more elegance to your life. Get a pergola addition to your home today!

If you’ve never experienced the luxury and bougies of a pergola, you’re missing out! Pergolas are a beautiful way to increase your outdoor living space. In addition to beautiful design, they also provide a shady garden feature to walkways, decks, or outdoor sitting areas.

While we may highlight the practical uses, adding a pergola to your home will increase your home’s resale value in the long run. If you’re unsure of what a pergola is, let us explain them. Pergolas are known for their vertical pillars that support either cross beams or open lattice. The most common sight on a Pergola is climbing vines, hanging lights, or curtains, all of which make the pergola stand out and look beautiful. 

Why should I get a pergola?

Pergolas are wonderful because not only do they enhance your outdoor space, but they are also functional as well. They add an extra usable space on your deck or garden that can provide a layer of shade between you and the hot summer sun. If your Pergola is big enough, entertaining your guests in a cozy and warm environment will make your next dinner party feel fabulous. Being able to lounge under the shade on your porch or back deck is a wonderful feeling. In addition to letting you be outside longer and more comfortably, pergolas add more to your home’s value as well.

Pergola Vs.Gazebo Vs. Arbor vs. Trellis Vs. Lattice

Pergola Vs. Gazebo

The biggest difference between a gazebo and a pergola is that gazebos are almost always shaped like an octagon with a roof over top. Pergolas do not have covered roofs and are generally square with exposed beams.  

Pergola Vs. a Trellis

A Trellis is different from a pergola in that it consists of latticework that is attached to a structure for vines to climb on. Whereas a pergola has larger columns and (most popularly) has horizontal planks of wood on top.

Pergola Vs. Arbor

Arbors are small archways that can be used for climbing plants to use as lattice as they grow. While pergolas and arbors both have the same vine climbing feature, pergolas are much biggest and more structurally sound.

No matter what kind of structure you’re looking for in your backyard Miles Bradley can help! We have been building pergolas, gazebos, and trellises for our clients in South East Michigan for over 25 years. We’ve had clients from Brighton, Livonia, to Farmington Hills and Southfield. So why wait? Get a free quote on your next project today!