summer

Spring Has Sprung!

April 4th, 2018|Life On Deck|

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to head outside, especially since we have “sprung forward” and the days are steadily getting warmer. With the Rockies home opener this Friday, I know summer is on its way. With summer comes all of the graduations, weddings, BBQs, and outdoor parties that are ideal for celebrating in your outdoor living environment. I can’t remember the start of a Colorado baseball season where the team has had such promise. Even though I’ll have many opportunities to see the Rockies play at Coors Field, I’m sure I’ll have many more wonderful evenings watching from my covered patio. With our amazing climate, there’s no better place for outdoor living than right here in Colorado. Just thinking about it gets me excited for another season. As we begin to spend more time outdoors we’re always looking for ways to enhance our pleasure and enjoyment, from [...]

Beat the Heat: Time to Get Shady!

July 20th, 2017|Blog, Deck Design Tips & Trends, Decks & Backyard Features|

There’s no contest – Mother Nature holds the trademark on the best backyard cooling system ever invented –a mature shade tree. But many of us on the Front Range, especially in new developments and out on the plains, may not have a backyard so well-endowed. So, what are some ways to keep friends and family cool during the dog days of summer? The good news is that you’ve got options, from the simplest to the most elaborate, for enjoying your DeckTec deck on even the sunniest, hottest days. Umbrellas These ubiquitous summer fixtures are either over-the-table or cantilevered –typically 8 to 11 feet in diameter with weighted bases. They can be positioned where you need them, and with bases weighing hundreds of pounds, moving them can be cumbersome but they can be easily retracted, rotated, and tilted. Trellises or Pergolas These freestanding, latticed arches covered in climbing or trailing plants [...]

Playing It Safe in the Summer Heat

July 14th, 2017|Blog, Life On Deck, Outdoor Living|

Summer in Colorado offers unparalleled outdoor fun in the sun. Who can resist walking, running or cycling on open space trails, or heading up to the gorgeous high country for a day or a week? But staying safe during the upcoming ‘dog days’ means taking extra care to stay cool – and knowing when to call it quits. Always keep your fitness level and health in mind – a 98-degree day is probably not the time to attempt your first fourteener. Set realistic goals, and be prepared to adjust them as needed. Your body needs time to adjust to the heat. Work up gradually to greater challenges. Staying hydrated is essential! Hydration packs with sip tubes are a convenient way to drink frequently without having to stop and reach for a bottle. Always bring more water than you think you’ll need. Check hydration guidelines for your activity, for instance, strenuous [...]

Golden, Parker, & Lafayette Farmers Markets

July 11th, 2017|Blog, DeckTec News & Updates|

Mid-July through September is prime time for homegrown Colorado produce, so head down to your local farmers market for juicy Western Slope fruit and a nearly-endless list of veggies – from beets and broccoli to carrots, corn, zucchini, beans and salad greens. A crop calendar guide to what you might find at the markets from month to month is available at http://coloradofreshmarkets.com/crop-calendar/. Presented by the Golden Chamber of Commerce, the award-winning Golden Farmers Market is in its 17th season, and its second year of management by the Boulder-based Colorado Fresh Markets, which also manages the Cherry Creek, City Park, and Stapleton farmers markets. The Golden market meets downtown at the Golden Public Library, 1019 10th Street, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through October 7 (except July 29, when its closed for the spectacular Buffalo Bill Days). In addition to fresh produce, the market offers prepared foods, home and [...]

Here Comes Summer

June 7th, 2016|Life On Deck|

For the Northern Hemisphere, June through August means longer days and warmer temperatures. That’s because the Earth tilts on its axis and the Northern Hemisphere points toward the sun during this part of Earth’s rotation. Here are some fun facts and trivia from our favorite time of year — summer! In Paris, France, summer heat causes the iron of the Eiffel Tower to expand, making the tower grow by more than six inches! This is an especially dramatic example, but this seasonal growth actually happens to all different kinds of building materials. Bridges, buildings, and highways expand and grow every year as they are heated and cooled by the seasons. Luckily, engineers are aware of this change and are very careful to compensate for it when designing and building large structures. Breathtaking field of sunflowers in the middle of summer. Long before the Eiffel Tower was built, the [...]