Increasingly, homeowners with Trex decks in Fairfax, VA are using their decks year-round. To stave off the cold, many homeowners are using portable fire pits. If you own a Trex deck in Fairfax, VA, you could cause a lot of damage to your Trex Deck by using a portable fire pit. This is because Trex decking will begin to soften at 176 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should you wish to have a gas fire pit, the fire pit needs to be installed by cutting around the Trex decking – not on top of the Trex decking. A fire-resistant material is installed under the fire pit and a protective “wall” made of stone or other fire-resistant material should installed to hold the fire pit in place and to protect the decking from heat.
According to Trex, wood burning fire pits are not recommended on top of Trex decking unless using a product called DeckProtect™. Wood burning fire pits can damage the decking due to the extreme heat from the bottom of the fire pit and/or embers “shooting” onto the decking. DeckProtect™ was evaluated on all Trex decking and there were no issues with burning of the decking surface when placed directly under a standard size portable fire pit along with the accompanying rack. However, the homeowner should understand that even when using Deck Protect™, embers could “shoot” beyond the protective mat and burn the deck. Trex does recommend that the DeckProtect™ padding/rack be moved from time to time for general cleaning underneath.
For more information on Trex decks in Fairfax, VA, please contact Halco Fence. Halco Fence specializes in deck design and construction throughout Fairfax, VA, and Northern Virginia.