You have made the choice to have a custom deck built with Trex composite decking material. You know it is low-maintenance, better for the environment, resistant to insect infestation, and makes winterizing your deck a breeze. You’ve got heating elements like a fire pit or outdoor heater to keep your deck usable even through the winter months, but what of the deck furniture? You need something just as durable as the composite decking itself.
Most deck furniture is designed to withstand the elements to a degree, but some materials are more weather resistant than others. Plastic furniture is great for the budget-conscious, but can lack aesthetic appeal. Some furniture made of strong woods, like teak, are more resistant to rot, water and sun damage. Teak furniture can last up to 50 years, but is high maintenance. A popular choice for outdoor furniture is synthetic wicker. Unlike wicker made from natural fibers, synthetic wicker furniture is quite weather-resistant. Metal deck furniture is the most durable material for outdoor furniture, and with some care, can last a long time. Treated aluminum also is particularly weather-resistant and makes a great choice for outdoor furniture. Removable cushions, often made with mildew resistant materials, make metal deck furniture more comfortable and can be stored indoors when not in use.
All deck furniture materials have their pros and cons, so think about what you need most from your deck furniture and pick one that will fit your needs. Having a deck in northern Virginia means thinking about getting the most of your deck throughout the year, and you want the deck furniture you have to be as durable and long-lasting as your deck itself!
Presidents’ Day weekend is a great time to visit Washington, DC and pay tribute to America’spast leaders. The national holiday, Presidents’ Day, was originally a commemoration of George Washington’s birthday (February 22, 1732). After Washington’s death, our nation began celebrating his birthday as a way to remember his life. After Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, America began celebrating Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th. In 1971, President Richard Nixon combined the two holidays into one and ever since we have honored all past presidents on the third Monday of February. Special festivities are held in the Washington D.C. area throughout the weekend, many with free admission.
Utilize your outdoor deck to make the perfect secluded spot for a special Valentine’s Day. In northern Virginia, it can be cold out there in February, but as we’ve discussed in a previous post, having a fire pit or outdoor heater can make your deck enjoyable even in the chill of winter. A fire pit will give off an ambient glow and create a centerpiece for you to cozy around. Make sure you have plenty of blankets and pillows for comfortable seating and added warmth. A bench or love seat would be the ideal seating for two.
Northern Virginia in winter offers excellent bird-watching opportunities. With the right environment, you can transform your deck into a perfect winter wonderland for the variety of birds that call Virginia home in the winter months. Backyard bird feeders can be a life saver for small birds when the food sources are scarce in the winter. Even more important for attracting birds than a feeder is a water source. So make sure you have an unfrozen source for clean water on your deck and the birds will come from miles around. Winter gardens can provide both food and cover for birds like the Winter Wren, who eat the ample supply of bugs found there. Small birds, like the Brown Creeper, whose diet is primarily insects found in the bark of trees, will eat seeds from a feeder when bugs are in short supply. Some might hesitate at the thought of attracting birds that could make a mess on their deck, but with a Trex composite deck, any clean up is a finch, er, cinch!
Naturally, all the small birds enjoying the water and seeds you place out on your deck, attract larger birds of prey such as the Cooper’s Hawk. Keep an eye out for these larger blue-gray to reddish hawk’s with red eyes. Some consider it to be one of the greatest fliers on earth!