Join Team Cedarbrook for Lily's Hope 5K

The 2nd annual Lily’s Hope 5K Run/Walk is an event to raise funds and rally support for Lily Weaver, a courageous young girl battling Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. The event is being coordinated with the Patty Pollatos Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization that raises funds for families dealing with the financial strain caused by cancer and other challenges.  

Lily's Hope 5K 2011 - Team Cedarbrook

The Cedarbrook team had such a great time supporting this event last year we will be sponsoring and walking in the event again this year.  Join us on Sunday, November 11th, 2012 at the West Winds Tennis and Fitness Center at 8:30am.     We are easy to spot wearing the bright yellow Cedarbrook T-shirts!

You can register online here.  Registration fees go up on November 1st so don't wait - register today!

From Potomac Highlands Distance Club blog: “This past year, we gained first-hand experience in the financial and emotional toll that a cancer diagnosis places on a family.  We were extremely lucky to have the support of family, friends and absolute strangers – but other cancer patients aren’t so fortunate.  Many have nothing or no one to help.” expressed Amy Weaver, Lily’s mom.  “We look forward to giving back to the community that rallied behind us during our most difficult time.”

Here's the really great news:

Lily Weaver is back in her New Market middle school this fall and will participate in the 2nd annual Lily’s Hope 5K run/walk on Sunday, Nov. 11. She will wear bib No.1

 Hope to see you there.
 - Mike

Deck Cleaning Products

Fall is the best time of year to clean and restore your deck surfaces and railings. We are frequently asked for recommendations on composite deck cleaning products. There are several good products on the market.  Some are specifically designed for composite decks while others can be used on a variety of surfaces.  Some can be found at your local home improvement center but a few are only available on-line. I thought I'd give you a list of some of the products we or our customers have used with good results.

•  DeckMAX PVC Deck Revitalizer -This product rejuvenates your deck color, removes scratches or marks and is plant based, making it user friendly to work with and easier on the environment.
• CHOMP Pro Algea & Mold Stain Cleaner/Remover - Good for multiple surfaces such as composite decks, concrete pavers, siding and even outdoor furniture cushions.  The product contains NO bleach and is a great value for the price.
• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser - Yes, this thing has a million and one uses but it works especially well at cleaning marks and stains off of metal deck railings.  It won't damage the paint finish either.

If you have a wood deck, you should take a look at DeckScapes® by Sherwin Williams.  We have had several customers recommend this product as a top notch wood deck care system.

If you have used any products that you think work well, please pass them along in the comments below. We are always interested in your feedback.

The pros and cons of "maintenance free" decking

With winter approaching, deck owners may find it's time for some basic maintenance  to ensure their deck remains both sound and beautiful for years to come.  During this time, you might ask "Is there really such a thing as a maintenance free deck?" I'm sure you've heard the saying "There is no such thing as a free lunch."  The same goes for decks.  While new composite decking material does eliminate the need for resealing every 2-3 years, no product that is subject to the elements is completely maintenance free.  Whether you build with wood or a composite decking product, there is always some care and feeding required.

There are a number of advantages to building with a composite decking product: 

• Wide variety of products, colors and finishes
• Low maintenance - does not require resealing
• Won’t crack or split
• Environmentally friendly – some materials include post-consumer recycled content

Keep these tips in mind if you use a composite decking product:

• Keep the deck clean of debris - leaves, tree sap and even grease from a grill can stain composite decks.  Hose them off and use a mild cleaning solution to remove sap or grease, rinse thoroughly.
• Keep pots and other plant containers off the deck surface.  Place them on trollies, available at most home improvement centers.
• Check for mold in shady areas.  You can purchase cleaning solutions specifically for composite decks either on-line or at your local home improvement center.

At Cedarbrook Outdoor Design & Build we build custom decks and patios using several products.  Check out some of our latest projects:

• Trex deck with steps to patios area, Ellicott City, MD
• Fiberon Ipe with black balusters, Maryland
• Azek deck with diagonal herringbone pattern, Finksburg, MD

If you have questions about decks, patios, porches or other outdoor living spaces, please leave us a comment below.