on deck with Steve Sparhawk Archives - DeckTec Outdoor Designs

A Season of Gratitude

December 12th, 2018|Blog, DeckTec News & Updates, Life On Deck|

It’s that time of year again, when we collectively pause and take a moment from our busy lives to reflect on the many things we have to be grateful for. No matter the ups and downs of our lives – and we all have some – there’s always so much to appreciate if we just look. We’re blessed to live in an unusually beautiful place full of cultural and recreational riches. The economy is strong and has allowed DeckTec to grow and even expand. (And, if you’re anything like me, you’re probably grateful that the elections are over!) It’s hard for me to believe that 30 years have passed since I founded DeckTec. I was just a spry pup when I started this thing! I still feel young at heart, but the reality is that I’ve grown older and hopefully a bit wiser. With the holidays, I find myself reflecting [...]

29 Years and Still Going Strong

July 18th, 2018|Blog, DeckTec News & Updates, Life On Deck|

This month, July, DeckTec officially entered its 29th year of business. It’s not a milestone anniversary like a 25th or 30th, but another year to celebrate nonetheless. Over the years DeckTec has managed to survive and grow through more than a few boom and bust cycles. However, nothing compares to the crazy demand we have been experiencing this year. In fact, after the economy tanked in 2008, my father grew concerned and asked me what I planned to do if no one wanted a non-essential home addition like a custom deck anymore. Honestly, I didn’t have an answer for him. I just couldn’t imagine doing anything other than continuing to create premium unique outdoor living environments. It turned out custom outdoor living additions are more important and essential than I could’ve ever imagined. While so many people endure jobs that they don’t really care for, I enjoy my work every single day. [...]

Coffee on Deck: I Take Mine with Honey

November 22nd, 2017|DeckTec News & Updates, Life On Deck, Outdoor Recipes|

One of the nice little perks of my work is good, and frequent, coffee. Whatever time it is when I go to a perspective client’s home to consult with them about our custom decks and outdoor additions, whether it’s morning, afternoon, or evening, I’m often welcomed with an offer of coffee. This is never a problem, as I really enjoy the brew. I have memories going all the way back to early childhood of going to my grandparents’ home for a weekend breakfast or brunch, and bring served “coffee milk” made with coffee, sugar, and milk, while the adults drank cup after cup of the real thing. Fast forward several decades and it seems like today the country runs on coffee, for better or for worse. I can remember when coffee was just coffee (and beer was just beer). Now the choices are endless, just like the controversies. There is [...]

Where Did Summer Go?

September 27th, 2017|Life On Deck|

Wow, isn’t that what we always say at this time of year? As I get older, time seems to go by faster here in Colorado, where the weather and the seasons don’t often appear to be in sync. Labor Day is generally considered the milestone that defines the end of summer, even though the “official” end of summer is September 22, according to the calendar. I’ve lived in Colorado since grade school in the late 60’s, and I’ve noticed that the seasonal climate dial seems to have moved with winter pushing into spring, spring into summer, and summer into fall, and fall into winter. Long term Colorado residents know our climate can be unpredictable. Nevertheless, my calendar has winter ending around Easter, summer beginning around the 4th of July, fall begins around Halloween, and winter around the New Year. So, with milder days and nights ahead, let’s get ready to [...]