If you’ve been looking into materials to use for your rooftop deck, patio, walkway, or other exterior living space, you might have come across the various benefits of porcelain paver tiles. If you’ve been researching this material, you might also be familiar now with Archatrak, one of the industry-leading purveyors of these Italian-imported porcelain pavers.

In addition to the more practical benefits of porcelain—minimal weight; durability; impermeability; ease of maintenance; frost, scratch, slip, and fade resistance; and more—the sheer beauty and craftsmanship of these tiles are undeniable, and it’s that aesthetic factor that’s on full display in these stunning Archatrak installs across the United States.

Outdoor heating is a must and and fire is......cool!  Whats the best way to heat your outdoor space and make it look great?

Things to Considerations when Building a Fire Feature in your Outdoor Space

One of the most common add-ons for decks and patios is a fire feature. Whether it’s for the ambiance, the look, the functionality, or some combination thereof, backyard fire pits are extremely popular outdoor living space accessories in Maryland, Virginia, and the District. While there's no universal standard to what makes the most effective fire pit design, there are some guidelines you can discuss with your local deck contractor about pitfalls to avoid and possible issues to consider.

If you have an outdoor living space, you may find yourself attempting to extend its use into as many months of the year as possible. Come winter, this task becomes impossible without installing some kind of heater system to combat the cold and wind. Within the heater industry, there are several options for your deck, screened-in porch, or veranda. The two most popular options are electric heaters and gas heaters. However, which one is more cost-effective and a better fit for your porch in Maryland?

How effective are infrared heaters, and how should they be used?

The most obvious questions to ask when researching outdoor heaters revolve around their energy output. This is a natural starting point, as the amount of heat an infrared repeater produces will determine the effectiveness of individual units when heating an outdoor living space. However, Infratech heaters are complex pieces of technology that go beyond simple, straightforward numbers and thus require additional thought when choosing a unit for your screened porch in Maryland or deck in Virginia.

Infratech outdoor heaters are ideal for outdoor living spaces in the Washington, D.C. metro area

Decks, screened porches, and patios have limited use in Maryland and Virginia because of the way the DMV experiences four distinct seasons so distinctly. While superb for breezy summer days and spring barbecues, it's admittedly difficult to subject oneself to near-freezing temperatures and strong winds on a covered patio during the transitional months and still be comfortable for more than a few moments.

Outdoor infrared heating systems, like those offered by Infratech heaters, offer a solution to homeowners seeking to maximize the versatility and usability of their outdoor space. It's understandbly frustrating to spend the time, money, and effort to construct a screened-in porch or veranda only to be limited by the weather and temperature; outdoor heating systems, through the use of electric outdoor heaters, extend the habitable period of outdoor spaces by months.