Make full use of your deck for your Memorial Day cookout!
Memorial Day is this weekend and that means it’s time to get ready for your cookout! If you have a deck, you want to utilize the space as best as you can when planning to have guests over. Here is how to prepare your deck for your Memorial Day cookout.
Cleaning
During the winter months, wooden decks can swell, shrink, or warp because of the temperature changes, snow, and freezing water. You want to first inspect the deck for any rotting and loose screws. If you come across any, you may want to contact a professional to fix the problem before throwing your cookout. To clean your deck, use an eco-friendly deck cleaner and a scrubbing brush to get rid of any dirt, grime, and mildew. You don’t want to use strong chemical washes or a power washer because it could damage your deck.
Outdoor Furniture
You want your furniture to be in the best shape when guests come over. Here is how to prepare your furniture based on the material it is made out of:
- Fabric: Your fabric furniture, such as pillows and cushions, should be stored during the winter time to protect them. Still, when you pull them out of storage, you want to clean them. A mixture of mild soap and warm water is more than enough to clean your fabric furniture.
- Wood: It is best to clean and dust wooden furniture twice a year. There are cleaning products designed specifically for wood and some even made for outdoor wooden furniture. If you don’t have any, diluting a mild soap in water will do the trick.
- Plastic: This is a very easy to clean material. All you need is an all purpose cleaner and a sponge. If your plastic furniture has significant damage, it may be better to just replace it.
- Metal: First, check for any rusting on your metal furniture. If there is none, you can mix soap and water and use a soft sponge to clean the surface. If you come across rusting, use sandpaper or steel wool to get rid of the rust. You then want to repaint it to give it that fresh look and protect the metal.
Other Accessories
If you haven’t had a chance to furnish or decorate your deck, now is the time. Outdoor seating is always great for cookouts so that people aren’t forced to stand the entire time. You may want to invest in some tables to put food on and even an outdoor dining table to allow people to eat comfortably. Umbrellas or awnings are a great addition to your deck to protect guests from the sun. Don’t forget lighting for your deck so that the party can continue after the sun goes down. If you really want to make your Memorial Day cookout stand out from the rest, you could invest in a fire pit to turn your cookout into a bonfire, and even a small outdoor bar!
Contact Blair Construction Today For Your Deck!
For your deck upgrade or a beautiful new deck installed by professionals you can trust, contact Blair Construction. We have been serving our valued Maryland customers for almost thirty years and look forward to giving your roof the care it needs for years to come. Contact us online or give us a call at (410) 729-0777 to get a free in-home estimate. To see examples of our work and get updates on what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Houzz.