Warning signs:

As Denver’s recognized deck specialist since 1990, we recommend checking for these warning signs:

• Are joists, beams, or other structural pieces rotted or split?
• Are there loose screws or nails “popping” out?
• Does your deck have loose, warped or broken boards?
• Do your stairs shake when you use them?
• Are your rails and/or handrails firmly held in place? There should be little or no give when you push on them.
• Do you have white mildew on your boards?
• Is the overall condition of your deck affecting its usefulness or marketability in any way?

If you would like a more thorough list, here is a 10-point checklist from NADRA (the North American Deck and Rail Association). If you have these or any other concerns, call us today.

Don’t do it yourself

While many people think of a deck as the ideal do-it-yourself project; maintaining it for safety and beauty by a professional can save you money and hours of maintenance work, and most importantly, it will give you peace of mind.

Normally a full safety inspection would cost homeowners $79.99, however until the end of the month we’re slashing the price to $49.95 (applied to the balance of work). Click here and sign up today to schedule your safety inspection and enjoy the summer with the knowledge that you, your family, and friends are safe.

At DeckTec, our deck specialists are available to provide a professional look at the safety and condition of your deck. Our recommendations and an appropriate maintenance plan will keep your deck looking great and safe all year.

You look at your deck every day. Give it new life and restore the natural beauty by caring for the investment you made in your outdoor living room. Annual deck maintenance is like taking your car in for a tune-up; it gives you a chance to restore the surface to its original beauty while identifying potential hazards. Sign up today.

Along with your New Year’s resolutions, wouldn’t you agree that upgrading your deck and outdoor living area be a priority on your to-do list? January brings a fresh start, a clean slate, and is the traditional time of the year for planning, goal setting, and reflecting on the important milestones the New Year will bring. For some families there will be graduations, weddings, and family reunions this year. For many more, there will be birthday and holiday get togethers to enjoy.

Don’t let Colorado’s unpredictable weather fool you.  There are a lot of great times and entertainment opportunities to be had year-round in our great state. Early spring weather and the arrival of summer rarely match with the calendar’s dates. Will you be ready to barbeque, entertain, and relax on your deck or outdoor living area when Mother Nature invites?  Be prepared, you backyard is calling.

Meet You at the Colorado Garden and Home Show, Feb. 9^th – 17^th

Cold weather may limit outdoor activities, but it can’t prevent you from experiencing the warmth and beauty of custom gardens, water features, and outdoor living in a climate controlled environment at the 54th Annual Colorado Garden and Home Show is sure to be a pleasant break from winter.

There are tons of home improvement ideas, and lots of large and small products to learn about.  And the flowers – each year more than $100,000 of plants and trees are grown specifically for this event.

Find us at booth #117

For the 23^rd consecutive year, DeckTec will be displaying our innovative outdoor living projects and ideas. Experienced designers, deck construction experts, and renovation specialists will be on hand. We’ll inspire, educate, and assist you in expanding your outdoor living experience. Together we’ll create a relaxing and appealing retreat out your backdoor.

You don’t want to miss this event. Whether you’re in the planning stages or actively searching, we’ll help you with an expanded outdoor living addition. Act now to get a full season of enjoyment from your new deck, patio, or addition. We’ll see you at the show!

At DeckTec, it’s more than a deck… It’s an experience.

Now is also the time to change the batteries in your smoke detector to keep your family safe in the event of a fire.

Servicing your deck to clean and protect the wood against winter weather is the most important treatment you can do to extend the life of your deck. Heavy rains and brutal sun are especially rough on decks in the summer. However, it is winter weather that is the biggest threat to the life of your deck. Winter moisture sitting on the deck penetrates older raw wood and freezes causing small and normal cracks to expand.

It’s not too late to schedule this important maintenance. If you haven’t done it already, give us a call at 303.277.1550 to schedule your deck maintenance. We’ll help you protect this important asset to your home.

Thinking your deck needs more than just a cleaning and sealing to protect it from the snow? Now is the best time of the year to start on that roof cover addition you’ve been considering.

We wish you all the best in outdoor living enjoyment this season!

How can a roof addition lower monthly heating bills?

Popular Deck with Roof Cover

To understand the answer, we must first break the problem down into some of the more common parts. First, let’s look at how sunlight affects the home itself. When sunlight falls on the side of a home, its radiant energy heats the wall and warms the interior space. This effect is increased if there are any windows are present on these sides as the sunlight can now enter the rooms, bypassing any insulation. This is why blinds and curtains are so effective at cooling off a room; they provide a barrier to block the sunlight.

The next factor that needs to be considered is the material in the lawn; this includes, plant life, stone and concrete, and decking. Plant life is by far the best material to have around your home as it does a great job at scattering reflective radiant energy and doesn’t absorb much heat. Conversely, stone and concrete is one of the worst, for heating, as it reflects radiant energy into the home and absorbs, and retains heat for hours after the sun sets. In-between plants and stone are decks. Decks still reflect energy, like stone, but, depending on the material, they do not retain heat for as long as stone and can cool in as little as 15 minutes after the sun sets. The exception to this, of course, is synthetic materials, like Trex, which will heat to extremes, and retain that heat for long periods of time.

With these facts in mind, you can see how important it is to remove sunlight from the home as much as possible. You will enjoy lower heating costs, as well as more time outdoors. Tell us about your needs for lower heating bills. Call (303) 277-1550, and setup your consultation today.

Tom sighed. “Yes, and she wants to have the memory of a lifetime in this very spot. I never imagined that we’d be hosting a wedding in our own back yard. We’ll have to call DeckTec to do some remodeling on the deck they built for us 15 years ago. We’ll have to adjust the stairs a little over here, and add some lighting…” he began pointing to different areas of the yard, describing his vision on how to transform the outdoor environment into a romantic wedding venue.

“We should have a fireplace installed over here, and a roof cover for shade. Don’t forget we should also have them freshen up the landscaping down on the lawn,” Donna added.

One of the areas in which DeckTec really shines is remodeling existing decks and patios into new and functional spaces. Does your old hot tub now sit abandoned? Turn that area into a warm and inviting gathering place with a fire pit and some cozy chairs. Does your deck need a facelift? DeckTec can also clean and refinish your wood deck to make it look like new.

Whether it’s a wedding, a graduation, or your annual rib cook-off, your outdoor living environment is more than just a deck – it’s a place where your family’s memories will be built and all occasions can be celebrated.

What is your occasion for enjoying the deck this season?

We are quickly approaching Colorado’s best time of the year, so call 303-277-1550 or click here to schedule your free consultation and start planning to celebrate any occasion.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Kevin was looking at the surface of his own deck, which he had spent most of the previous summer painting himself. The brutal Colorado sun and the winter elements had destroyed the paint, which was now peeling and the deck was an eyesore. He was disappointed that he had wasted his entire season last year refinishing the deck and there was no way he could entertain clients on that deck this summer.

As Jeff left for work that morning, he noticed the DeckTec truck parked across the street and made a mental note that the deck was going to need some additional attention and he would call around and see what it would cost to have a professional refinish his deck. He contacted DeckTec and made an appointment for one of the deck specialists to come out and take a look at the condition of his outdoor living space and provide a comprehensive proposal for him. He also called a few other companies to get bids from them as well.

A few days later, one of the deck specialists stopped by and did a complete inspection of Jeff’s deck – he checked the surface boards, fasteners, railings, stairs, and the entire support system.  Jeff received a comprehensive report back on what was going on with his deck. Not only had the dog scratched up the surface of the deck, but the stairs had not been built to code. None of the other companies even noticed this detail as their bids spoke only to cleaning and refinishing the deck surface. While the proposal from DeckTec was more than he had planned to spend, Jeff realized that it was important to keep his deck not only aesthetically pleasing, but safe for his family and friends to enjoy. Jeff spoke to his neighbor, whom he discovered had been a happy DeckTec client for over 20 years. DeckTec had originally built the deck for the neighbor and it looked brand new after the restoration work that had just been completed.  However, he decided to save money and went to the local hardware store that weekend and picked up the materials to take care of the deck himself.

Kevin had also taken the time to contact DeckTec and visited with the deck specialist, who provided a diagnostic report and proposal for Kevin to review. After looking it over, Kevin remembered how many weekends he had spent on his deck last season, not enjoying a cocktail with his wife, but on his hands and knees sanding and painting. He looked back out at his deck and saw all those wasted weekends peeling off the surface of the wood.  He scheduled the work to be completed and by the time summer kicked off, he was hosting a barbecue with all of his neighbors stopping by to enjoy his beautiful deck.

Jeff spent all of the following Saturday rebuilding his stairs. The next weekend, he power washed the deck and began the sanding process. He spent every weekend for eight weeks, taking care of his deck little by little, until it was finally finished. The problem was, so was summer. There were only a few weeks left to enjoy evenings on the deck before the kids went back to school, and Jeff was so tired from working on the deck all summer, he couldn’t really enjoy the fruits of his labor.

This season, are you going to be like Jeff or like Kevin? To schedule your deck assessment, call 303-277-1550 or click to contact us today!

The California Redwood Company Renews Partnership with Colorado Business

Golden, CO – February 7, 2012 – Golden based DeckTec, Inc., was selected for the second consecutive year to be the Colorado affiliate for The California Redwood Company Heritage Partner Program. The Heritage Partner Program is designed to provide industry-leading marketing support to contractor partners. Eligible contractors must have a demonstrated history of supporting the Redwood product in the local market and commit to growing awareness and sales in the communities they serve.

DeckTec, Inc. is a full service company and has been designing and building decks and outdoor living environments in Colorado for the past 23 years. With over 1,500 successfully completed projects, DeckTec has been featured nationally in numerous publications such as Better Homes and Gardens, Aqua Magazine, and Sunset Magazine as well as locally in the Rocky Mountain News “Spotlight Section” and the Denver Business Journal.

The California Redwood Company is located in Eureka, California and has been supplying quality Redwood products since 1890. The California Redwood Company has led the industry in new advancements and technology applications in everything from milling equipment to progressive board designs.

Both companies will be represented in booth #117 at the Colorado Garden and Home Show, which runs February 11-19 at the Colorado Convention Center.

Contact:
Eunice Brownlee
mail@decktec.com
16000 W. 5th Ave
Golden, CO 80401
Phone: 303-277-1550

###

DeckTec Booth, Feb 2011

It’s home show time! Are you ready? We are very excited about participating in the annual Colorado Home and Garden Show for the 23^rd consecutive year. It kicks off this weekend at the Colorado Convention Center and we’ll be there looking for YOU! Whether you’re a seasoned home show veteran or this is new territory to you, here are some tips on how to get the most out of your home show experience:

Have a reason.

Whether you’re attending for inspiration or you have a specific project in mind, know why you are spending time at the show in the first place. With almost 700 exhibitors, there is surely something for everyone.

Make a plan.

Now that you know why you’re going, grab a floorplan and a cup of coffee and plan out your time at the show. Have an idea of which exhibitors (or which types of vendors) you want to visit and find out where they are located on the show floor. From there, you can formulate a plan of attack. Be sure to stop and say hi at the DeckTec booth #117. We’re located right across from the Denver Botanical Gardens display.

Go back for seconds.

No one is going to think you’re a glutton if you visit a booth twice or even three times. Make another pass and if you’re interested in a product, stop and talk with the exhibitor and set up an appointment to meet at a later date.

Take advantage of show specials.

But only if it makes sense. Many exhibitors will be offering screaming deals that are too good to pass up. By all means, whip out the checkbook if it’s something you were already planning on purchasing. Be cautious, however, of the impulse buy and spending money that you could be putting toward a bigger goal, like your new deck.

Get ideas.

One of the best things that we love about the home show each year is that it’s a great opportunity for us to showcase new products and designs to spur inspiration among homeowners. Bring a camera and snap photos of ideas you like so that when it comes time to incorporating them into your own design, you don’t have to try remembering or describing what you saw.

Find an app for that.

The most convenient tool you can bring with you to the home show is your smart phone. As vendors are doing away with bulky printed materials, you’ll want to make sure you have a few apps on your phone: a camera, a QR code reader, and a notepad app. This will make sure that you can capture the necessary information and find it easily when you get home. See some of our favorite apps for both Android and iPhone devices.

Prevent writer’s cramp.

Every time you want to say, “I’m interested in learning more,” you’ll probably need to fill out a form. Save time by pre-printing all your contact information on a sheet of labels so you can just stick & go. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number and email. We recommend the Avery 5160 address labels, available at any office supply store. Print off a couple sheets and you’re good to go! Plus, you’ll never have to dig for a pen!

Bring cash.

Although you can buy tickets with a check or your Visa, Mastercard or Discover, the food court is typically cash only.

Bonus tip: Have fun!

Our best piece of advice to offer to you is to enjoy your trip to the show and have fun visiting all the exhibitors. The possibilities are endless when it comes to home design, so let your imagination run wild!

Be sure to visit DeckTec in booth #117!
(Right across from the display by Mile High Synthetic Turf)

Still need tickets? We have a limited number of reduced price tickets still available, request a pair now!

1. Pinterest. Are you pinning? This web site is the modern day equivalent of clipping all those dreamy photos out of home & garden magazines. Organize your boards by features, styles, concepts or anything else you can think of. This site is by invitation, so if you’d like to join, send us a note.

2. Evernote. This app is great because it integrates with both your smart phone and your desktop computer, allowing you to take notes on the go and access the files when you get home. One of the most handy features is the ability to tag both notes and images so you can keep them organized by type. Download the app: Apple | Android

3. QR Code readers. Everyone’s beginning to use these funky bar codes. There are all sort of ways companies are incorporating the use of QR codes, from providing quick links to fact sheets to rewarding clients with discounts, a quick scan unlocks a wealth of information. We recommend these apps: Apple | Android

4. A camera. Whether it’s on your phone or you have a pocket-sized point & shoot, it’s handy to snap a photo of the things you like. A picture really is worth 1,000 words, and being able to show your designer something you liked is powerful. Bonus: the photos you take can be uploaded to Evernote. Camera apps should be standard on your phone.

Do you have a tool you like to use when planning a major project? Share it with us!

In the winter months, the ground is still frozen which allows grass and plants to resist the stress caused by heavy traffic and material storage. This reduced impact on landscaping is a benefit to building while the temperatures are still cold.

During the winter season, our crews have more flexibility to work around your schedule and complete your project on a timeline that is convenient to you. We are available to get started on the work and give it the focus and attention needed to get the job done quickly, allowing your deck to be ready to enjoy when the season comes.

With February, March and April being some of the heaviest precipitation months in Colorado, we know that the unpredictable weather can create aggravating delays in getting your project finished. In winter, our crews typically see shorter delays from the occasional snow storm than the more constant weather issues that come in the spring.

As with any new deck project, the permitting and HOA approval process can take a few weeks, so secure your space at the front of the schedule by getting started today.