When you live on the lake, home decks can be a wonderful addition to your home. Living on any shorefront, you want to experience the full view of the lake and more. So, you need to have a place to embrace the full wonders of living on the lake. Just like with other decks, the deck can add something special to your home. Furthermore, it can increase your quality of life!
Many of the reasons to have a deck on the lake is the same as getting any other deck. Decks can be an amazing investment by adding value to your home. It can provide additional living space and a new area to relax. Furthermore, it allows you to spend more time outdoors. This is especially important when you live on the lake. After all, you are not able to get full use of your property. Most of all, it gives you an area to enjoy quality time with friends and family. You can enjoy the full view of the lake alongside your friends and family.
So, what types of decks and docks can be built at the lake? First of all, let’s talk about the materials that can be used in conjunction with a dock. Out of all the materials used, cedarwood and PCV wood is popular. Just like regular decks, these materials give the natural feeling of wood. All the while, they also have different pros and cons. At Miles Bradley, we build wood and composite decks made out of the same material. As for dock options, there is a large number of designs. These designs include:
If you are looking for lake home decks, then contact the professionals at Miles Bradley! Our company has full-service custom design and building deck builders, who can help you create your dream deck. If you need a custom deck to match your dock or a replacement, then you can rely on our professionals. We are licensed and insured, meaning you do not have to worry during the entire building progress.
During the winter, it is important to know how to keep ice off your deck. While people are always scraping ice off their cars and shoveling snow, your deck is facing possible damage. Unlike those items, decks can incur damage if you are not prepared. After all, it takes a strategy to fend off Mother Nature. While decks are built to withstand the weight. So, what methods can you use to protect your deck from winter woes? How should you maintain your winter deck?
One of the best to remove a light snowfall on your deck is using a broom. It is important to avoid scraping against the deck harshly. After all, you can cause damage to your deck if you are harsh. A broom’s soft bristles will prevent scrapes and damage to your deck. However, it will not be ideal when it comes to heavy snow.
Softwood decks like redwood or cedar are vulnerable to scratches and damage. While composite decks have more resistance, they are not immune to scratches and damage either. That is why the type of shovel you use is important. When dealing with snow/ice, you should not use a metal shovel on your deck. Metal shovels and sharp tools can cause significant damage to your deck. Instead, you should use a plastic, rubber-blade shovel. The shovel is gentler on your deck surface compared to other shovels. Although all shovels can scratch your deck, plastic shovels will reduce those chances.
An important tip for shoveling snow and ice off your deck is the way you do it. When shoveling, you should go with the grain of the wood. This will reduce the chances of scratches and damage from shoveling.
It is important to reduce snow weight from your deck. After all, the buildup can cause stress on your deck. Yet, there is a benefit for leaving a few inches of snow behind. This layer of snow can protect your deck from damage or scratches. As stated above, all shovels can scratch your deck. When you shovel extra snow, this layer will prevent the shovel from contacting the deck.
Salt is one of the best ways to get rid of ice. Salt is able to lower the freezing point of water, causing ice to thaw. In fact, road salt is able to reduce ice-related accidents by 85%. While there are some downsides to salt, it is effective. However, you should never use salt on your deck. Salt is has a chemical composition of sodium chloride or calcium chloride. As a result, it can corrode nails, screws, and joints. In addition, salt can dry out the deck’s woods. This can lead to increase chances of damage.
So, what are some other things to avoid? Salt is absolute no. However, there are plenty of other methods and materials that you should avoid using. First of all, you should not use any products that can grind against the deck. This includes salt substitutes like salt, gravel, and rocks. Just like salt, it can damage your deck. However, it impacts the surface instead of the components of the deck. Another thing you should not use to remove ice from your deck is a colorant. These dyes can be fun for kids to play with, especially in the snow. However, never use colorant on your deck. This dye can stain your wood and composite material, even though the snow and ice.
There are always ways to protect your deck in the winter. In fact, you can protect yourself before the winter season starts. Worried about deck right now? Contact us with your questions today!
What to look for in a professional deck builder? It is an important question to ask. After all, you need someone to be prepared and capable of getting the job done. There are a variety of different deck-building companies out there. However, some of these companies could be complete duds. So, how can you distinguish which one is a true professional deck builder? Here are a few qualities that you should be looking for.
License and insurance are required and vital to start building. A Contractor’s license proves that your contractor holds liability for the project being up to code and the safety of workers. Hiring an unlicensed is just asking for trouble. If your contract is not licensed, you can not legally enforce a contractor without a license. If something happens during the project, such as damage to your house and or a worker gets hurt, you hold all liability. Furthermore, if they do not build it code, you will be responsible for bringing it to code at additional cost. If a contractor is unable to show their license, do not hire them.
This includes if they refuse to show their insurance. There is multiple types of insurance that contractors should have. First of all, they should have worker compensation insurance. This type of insurance covers workers who get an injury on the job. While homeowners might not think it’s their problem, they will be if there is no worker comp. Also, they should have general liability insurance. General liability covers damage that may occur during the project. Without it, any possible damages to other property will become your financial responsibility. In addition, general liability protects you from lawsuits for damages. It also gives you the policy to collect on if you are injured.
While you are sorting through builders, you should look at their track record. If you go on their website, do they complete projects on there? While looking through reviews, are they scathing or glowing? These are important things to consider. After all, you don’t want to hire a company that has more negative reviews than positive ones. Furthermore, you should see if the company has testimonials. People who have a positive experience with a company typically will agree to tell their story. No testimonials might be a clear indication that most people were not satisfied.
Without a doubt, this is one of the important qualities you should be looking for. Experience matters. If you have to choose between an experienced or an inexperienced contractor, always choose the one with experience. When someone has been working in a field for an extended period of time, they gain skill and knowledge. An experienced contractor, they would be able to foresee potential issues with the project and make adjustments to avoid them. They will know the best ways to put your deck together that could make your project even better. Professionals with experience also are upfront about estimates and try to make them as accurate as possible.
Communication is key. After all, it is the foundation where all relationships start. This is why this is a fundamental quality to look for. Does your contractor not return calls to answer questions? Are they avoid giving you cost and payment conditions? Is the contractor not being transparent about the end date? If you said yes to any of these then you should look for a new contractor. When looking for a contractor, you want someone who will return your calls, be clear with the cost and payment conditions, and be transparent about when the project will end. Do not settle for anything less. If the starting communication is bad then it will only get worse during the project. And you don’t want them messing up on your deck.
When it comes to your project, knowledge is everything. Your contractor/builder needs to understand what you want. Although you could have a clear idea of what you want, a professional can always give feedback and suggestions that can improve your project. They could even recommend add-ons that can improve the quality of life of your new deck.
All these qualities are what to look for in a professional deck builder. Question is, where can you find a professional that embodies all these traits? Well, look no further because Miles Bradley has all these qualities and more! For 20 years, Miles Bradley has been providing high-quality in deck building, enclosures/gazebos,trellises, and custom deck designs. Miles Bradley has an amazing track record with testimonials to prove it. We have a nationwide reputation for being experts in low-maintenance decks and building materials.
Keeping your deck clean in the fall can be a challenge. A change of seasons leads to new deck problems for you to solve. Especially in Autumn. Leaves are falling, covering your deck. Dirt and grime can build up faster. As a result, your deck needs some fall cleaning care before the first snow and ice arrive.
After 2020, I think we can all agree that we are relieved things are returning to normal. The state of Michigan is opening up and the restrictions are being lifted. Finally, you can interact with your loved ones and enjoy yourself freely. Now is the perfect time to relax outside on your deck. Don’t have one? Don’t worry! At Miles Bradley, we do local deck installations so you can enjoy yourself outside.