Fire Pit Pads — Do They Really Protect? Maybe Not
You can go online and purchase a "fire pit pad" for less than $75. Will it protect your deck or patio under a fire pit? It might be all you need if your fire pit does not radiate too much heat or if your deck or patio is not too sensitive. It is less expensive than DeckProtect so it may be the right answer for you.
Frank from Atlanta sent us the photo below of his patio and explained why he is ordering a DeckProtect™. Originally, his patio was plain concrete. He used a fire pit pad under his fire pit, and the concrete showed no visible damage. But then he had the concrete painted to be more appealing than plain concrete.
Frank from Atlanta sent us the photo below of his patio and explained why he is ordering a DeckProtect™. Originally, his patio was plain concrete. He used a fire pit pad under his fire pit, and the concrete showed no visible damage. But then he had the concrete painted to be more appealing than plain concrete.
How a fire pit toasted the "fire-proof" pad
While the concrete showed no damage, Frank noticed serious deterioration of the pad. The top layer had burned through. (photo at left).
"We recently painted our concrete patio with Benjamin Moore Porch and Patio paint. We decided our existing protective pad would be inadequate to prevent paint blisters. You can see the heat damage at the center of the pad from prior use. The pad was ok to prevent stains on unpainted concrete, but we needed a superior heat shield to protect the paint."
"We recently painted our concrete patio with Benjamin Moore Porch and Patio paint. We decided our existing protective pad would be inadequate to prevent paint blisters. You can see the heat damage at the center of the pad from prior use. The pad was ok to prevent stains on unpainted concrete, but we needed a superior heat shield to protect the paint."
DeckProtect is different from other ways to protect your deck
So how do we justify asking customers to spend more for DeckProtect™ than the cost of a pad? There are several factors to consider:
1. There are disadvantages to any solution, such as pavers or pads, that will sit directly on and in contact with the surface of a deck or patio. They can trap moisture, which, over time will result in mold or staining.
2. DeckProtect is made with a weather-proof aluminum frame that is raised 3/4" above the deck or patio surface by hard rubber feet. This provides critical air flow and prevents trapped moisture.
3. DeckProtect™ is specifically designed to protect a deck or patio from the heat under any fire pit.
4. Only DeckProtect™ has been recommended by the leading manufacturer of composite decking.
5. Only DeckProtect™ is available in 26 different sizes and shapes plus custom sizes to match any fire pit.
6. Only DeckProtect™ incorporates boards made of volcanic rock (basalt) fiber.
7. DeckProtect™ is designed to be unobtrusive. The size, shape and color will keep it close to your fire pit or fire table. Despite its ability to block heat, it is only 2 inches high.
1. There are disadvantages to any solution, such as pavers or pads, that will sit directly on and in contact with the surface of a deck or patio. They can trap moisture, which, over time will result in mold or staining.
2. DeckProtect is made with a weather-proof aluminum frame that is raised 3/4" above the deck or patio surface by hard rubber feet. This provides critical air flow and prevents trapped moisture.
3. DeckProtect™ is specifically designed to protect a deck or patio from the heat under any fire pit.
4. Only DeckProtect™ has been recommended by the leading manufacturer of composite decking.
5. Only DeckProtect™ is available in 26 different sizes and shapes plus custom sizes to match any fire pit.
6. Only DeckProtect™ incorporates boards made of volcanic rock (basalt) fiber.
7. DeckProtect™ is designed to be unobtrusive. The size, shape and color will keep it close to your fire pit or fire table. Despite its ability to block heat, it is only 2 inches high.
