outdoor living Archives - Page 3 of 13 - DeckTec Outdoor Designs

Still Time for the 3rd Annual Picture This! Contest

September 19th, 2018|Blog, Decks & Backyard Features, DeckTec News & Updates, Life On Deck|

DeckTec's annual Picture This Contest is about to wrap up! Don't miss the September 30 deadline!! Don’t miss out! You’ve got ‘til September 30th to submit photos for our 3rd annual Picture This! contest. Great deck pics are coming into our office everyday – the only thing missing are photos from YOU! It takes just a minute to submit your pics via email to mail@decktec.com. What have you got to lose? With your help we can make this year’s contest the best ever. Here’s your chance to inspire others with your unique deck décor, furnishings and personal touches. Just do it! Take some shots of your colorful flowering plants, birdbath and birdfeeder, outdoor art and more. We love to see your greenery and artistry as well as those dinner party “glamour shots” of you and your loved ones out there “On Deck” enjoying yourselves. There’s great prizes for [...]

Deck Worthy Recipes: Grilled Jerk Chicken

August 22nd, 2018|Blog, Outdoor Recipes|

Nothing says dinner "On Deck" like grilled jerk chicken! Try this deck worthy recipe this weekend. Grilled Jerk Chicken Serves 8 JERK MARINADE 3 scallions, chopped 4 large garlic cloves, chopped 1 small onion, chopped 4-5 fresh habanero chilies, stemmed & seeded ¼ c. fresh lime juice 2 tbsp. soy sauce 3 tbsp. olive oil 1½ tbsp. salt 1 tbsp. packed brown sugar 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves 2 tsp. ground allspice 2 tsp. black pepper ¾ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg ½ tsp. cinnamon CHICKEN 4 chicken breast halves with skin and bones, halved crosswise 2½-3 lbs. chicken thighs and drumsticks PAPAYA SALSA 1 papaya 1/4 medium red onion, finely minced a handful of fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped juice of 1 large lime 1 hot green pepper thinly sliced, seeds and all salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS Blend marinade ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth. Divide [...]

Birding on Deck: Bird Feeding

August 15th, 2018|Animals Out the Back Door, Blog, Colorado Life, Outdoor Living|

Welcome to our third in a series of articles about backyard birding “On Deck!” The first thing to know when it comes to feeding your backyard birds is that there are different types of feed and feeders for different types of birds. It can, unfortunately, be a bit overwhelming for the beginner, as there’s a seemingly endless array of options and effects. There are “loose” feeders such tray, tube and house (or “hopper”) styles, suet or seed cylinders, bark butter pellets and tubs, and specialized feeders and food for birds such as hummingbirds, orioles and goldfinches. There are various placements as well. Feeders can be hung “on deck” or from trees, on the top or side of deck railings, with or without extension arms, or mounted on poles. Some feeders are squirrel proof, and all tube feeders can be made squirrel and large-bird proof with an added cage. Yup, there [...]

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. [...]

Birding on Deck Part 2: Woodpeckers, Birdhouses and Nesting Structures

June 13th, 2018|Animals Out the Back Door, Life On Deck, Outdoor Living|

Welcome to our second in a series of articles about backyard birding “on deck!” You can find the first article here You may be thinking, “I want to attract birds such as robins, wrens and hummingbirds to my yard, but I don’t want woodpeckers poking holes in my house!” Well, of course you don’t! No one wants holes in their house, but according to Scott Menough, co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Lakewood and host of BirdTalk radio on KNUS and KDMT, there’s nothing to worry about. “We don’t look at woodpeckers as pest birds, although we may be concerned about some of their activities. We may want to modify behaviors so people can enjoy these birds. The little downy woodpecker is one that people often enjoy watching,” Menough said. “If woodpeckers start making holes in the side of your house, put up a [northern] flicker-specific nest box and these [...]