Free Estimates | Toll Free (800) 447.1949

Welcome to summer! Memorial Day is the official start of summer and grilling season. Remember that safety is key when using your grill. People know that a grill can pose a serious fire hazard if not used properly, but nobody ever really thinks it will happen to them. Regal Home Improvement offers some safety tips for grilling this summer.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends keeping your grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any building. Grills can cause your wood home to catch fire if left too close. If you have vinyl siding on your home, a grill can melt the vinyl siding if it is too close. Do not operate a grill on a porch, garage, breezeway, carport, or under a surface that can catch fire.

If you have been thinking about building a deck or re-designing your current deck, call Regal Home Improvement. Remember to use caution when grilling outside your home and enjoy your summer!

Summer is here. If you haven’t cleaned off your deck and gotten it ready for summer, it is time. Algae, mildew, dirt, and water stains can give your deck that weather-worn look. Cleaning your deck on a regular basis can keep it looking new and it is an easy do-it-yourself project. Regal Home Improvement has tips for you on cleaning your deck:

Tools Needed:

Hand scrub brush or stiff bristle broom
Garden hose with a garden sprayer
Deck cleaner (see below)
Bucket
Gloves
Goggles

The best cleaning agent to use for cleaning your deck is water mixed with oxygen bleach. This product kills mildew and algae, but does not remove the natural wood color or harm plants. Do not confuse this with chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach removes the natural color from wood and it is toxic to the surrounding vegetation. Deck cleaners are another option.

To get started, sweep the dirt off the deck surface and scrape the buildup from between the floorboards. Scrub using a stiff bristle brush and your cleaning agent. It is a good idea to use your goggles and gloves for protection. Once you have finished scrubbing the entire surface, use the garden spray nozzle to rinse the deck and wash away debris from cracks and crevices. Let the deck dry completely.

What features are you looking for in a deck? What’s your personality? Multi level decks that accommodate multiple uses are some of the new trends in deck designs. A deck has become an extension of one’s home. It’s the new outdoor room for spring, summer and fall entertaining.

Multi-tier decks can be designed to cater to your outdoor personality:

The Lounger:
Create storage under the seating areas to store cushions for your deck. Add an outdoor fireplace at ground level for cool, fall evenings.

The Chef:
Create an outdoor kitchen and eating area on your deck separate from the sitting area. Screen in a portion of your deck for late night eating.

The Gardener:
Create a potting bench area on the ground floor of your deck close to your yard. Store gardening tools and have a counter to pot small flowers for your deck and garden.

The Film Buff:
Add outdoor speakers to your deck and set up an outdoor screen or watch movies along the back side of your home. Make sure you have enough outdoor electrical plugs.

The Star Gazer:
Create an area on your deck that will accommodate a telescope so you can spend the evening watching the stars.

Whatever your personality, there is a deck for you. Regal Home Improvement has been building decks in the Richmond area for years. Talk to them about building a deck or redesigning your old deck.