Passionate about Outdoor Living
Ever since I can remember, every holiday, birthday and family event were held outside on the deck and patio if the weather allowed. Beginning with landscaping as a summer job in high school, my career evolved through landscaping, sunrooms and cedar homes before I came to specialize in decks and outdoor living. Not everyone sees a deck and patio the same way. Builders and architects usually see these additions as a necessary extension of the house (if they give any thought to it at all). Typically in the past its main function was as a way to get out of the house with a little space for a grill and table. Mostly square and very generic, this is what we currently refer to as a “builder deck.” Having begun my career in landscaping, I have always viewed a deck and patio area differently, more a part of the overall outdoor living environment, or at least a transitional space that blends the home into the outdoors. I’ve always wondered why anyone would settle for just a deck,[...]
Meet Our Hardy Hardwoods: Mahogany and Ipe
With decks such an important space in today’s homes, it makes sense for quality-conscious homeowners to seek out premium materials to enhance the appeal and durability of their outdoor living additions. Clients are rediscovering the unique qualities and value of certain tropical hardwoods like red balau mahogany and ipe (pronounced “ee-pay”). In addition to the rich, natural beauty, longevity and scratch resistance of these hardwoods, Colorado’s increasing frequency and severity of hail storms make ipe and mahogany great choices. There can be a lot of confusion about the names of these materials. Like cedar, pine and other types of wood, there are many different varieties of mahogany, and many different common names, in addition to the scientific botanical names. For example, ipe is also referred to as Brazilian walnut, Brazilian redwood, and ironwood. (Start Planning: DeckTec's Buyer's Guide) While there are many other types of hardwood available, DeckTec focuses on mahogany and ipe because of their overall availability and because of their availability in the specific dimensions of lumber needed for our custom construction projects. Ipe[...]
Plan Your Perfect Southwest Road Trip
Relative newcomers to Colorado may have experienced relatively mild and dry winters, however, to long-time residents, this last winter season has been more like we remember (in the past) with regular snow and consistently cool, if not cold, temperatures. Now’s the time to chase the winter chills out of your bones under the warmth of the beaming southwestern sun! The good news is that here in the metro area we’re within a day’s drive of some of the most beautiful and interesting places on earth, popular destinations such as Santa Fe and Taos, the Four Corners area with Mesa Verde National Park, Utah’s Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, and Moab – a jeep and off-road mecca – and lots more as you’ll in our “Southwest Attractions” below. These are high desert areas that can be quite hot if you wait till summer. In the spring, everything is green and if conditions are right there are incredible trails for hiking and biking. The not-so-good news is that there are millions of people living here and most everyone[...]
Deck-Worthy Meals Cheddar BLT Burgers w/ Russian Tarragon Dressing
Ingredients 1/2 c. mayonnaise 1/3 c. ketchup 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar 1 tbsp. grated onion 1 tbsp. chopped parsley 1 tbsp. chopped tarragon 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 12 oz. thickly sliced bacon 1 1/3 lbs. ground beef chuck 1 1/3 lbs. ground beef sirloin 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted 3 oz. sharp cheddar, cut into 6 slices 6 hamburger buns lettuce, tomato and red onion slices Directions In medium bowl, whisk mayo with ketchup, vinegar, onion, parsley, tarragon and Worcestershire. Cover and refrigerate. In large skillet, cook bacon over moderately high heat until crisp, turning once, about 6 mins. Drain, cut bacon into large pieces. Lightly grill and fill large bowl with ice water. Gently mix meats, salt and pepper, form into six 4-in. patties, 1 1/4 in. thick. Soak patties in water for 30 seconds, then grill immediately on high 9 mins. for medium-rare, brushing with butter occasionally and turning once or twice. Melt cheese atop burgers at very end. Spread dressing on buns. Put[...]
The Seasons of Life
Spring has always been a season for renewal, new growth and fresh optimism about everything from this year’s garden, home improvement projects and vacation plans as well as the Rockies new baseball season. I have to admit that I’m more than ready for spring. Sparkling white snow can look so beautiful, especially atop the divide, but I’ll tell you – I’m just about done with scraping my windshield and shoveling the walk. I bet you might be feeling the same way! It’s been a cold Colorado winter and it’s a welcome relief to see some green grass growing and even some flowers blooming lately. The cold and dark of winter can be tough on all but the hardiest among us, and sometimes it can just seem like Old Man Winter lasts forever. Warmer weather and longer days are re-energizing and remind us that nothing, even a long winter, lasts forever. Spring is also a time for new beginnings. I’m currently reminded of that as my youngest and last single child, my “baby,” is getting married in[...]
A Behind-the-Scenes Peek at Your Red Rocks Seat
Here’s a good cocktail-party question for you – What are the seats at Red Rocks made of? Ipe. What??? Read on for the back-story. DeckTec spoke with Tad Bowman, venue director for Red Rocks as well as the Denver Coliseum, to get our valued customers the insider Red Rocks scoop. According to Bowman, the original Red Rocks benches were made from none other than top of the line old-growth clear heart Redwood. Those “hearty” benches were installed when the amphitheater was being built back in the late 1930s and lasted more than half a century before being creatively re-purposed, as you’ll soon see. “The Redwood benches endured the full brunt of rain, snow, and mile high sun. They also at one point had the seat numbers carved into the top. Because of changes in the seating configuration at Red Rocks there was an effort to cover up the tops of those benches with the dark, heavy preservative creosote, because the seat numbers had changed. “Eventually the creosote started wearing off, exposing the old seat numbers. The[...]
Where Has All the Heart Redwood Gone?
From ornate Victorian San Francisco homes to modern outdoor decks, Redwood has been the gold standard for exterior wood construction in the western United States since settlers headed west during the California Gold Rush. The wood has also been cherished in other parts of the country where it’s been less available and very costly. It’s no wonder heart redwood is so beloved! These majestic trees are insect and disease resistant, richly-colored and beautiful from naturally-occurring tannins, which are also found in red wine, rhubarb, cranberries, oak, tea, and other plants. But Redwood isn’t just known for its good looks! These iconic trees “tower” over other types of wood with their hardiness and durability. Redwood is naturally weather, insect and rot-resistant, and doesn’t warp or grow brittle over time. Despite efforts to preserve diminishing Redwood stands, beginning in 1910, resulting in establishing preserves at California’s Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks, by the 1960s, 90 percent of all old-growth Redwoods had been logged and reforested. Redwood National Park was established in 1968[...]
Deck-Worthy Dishes – Colcannon (Irish Mashed Potatoes)
Ingredients 3 lbs. potatoes, scrubbed 2 sticks butter 1¼ cups hot milk 1 head cabbage, cored and finely shredded 1 (1-lb.) piece ham or bacon, cooked the day before 4 scallions, finely chopped parsley leaves, chopped black pepper, freshly ground Directions Steam potatoes in their skins for 30 minutes. Peel using a knife and fork. Chop with knife before mashing thoroughly to remove lumps. Add 1 stick butter in pieces. Gradually add hot milk, stirring consistently. Season with salt and a few grinds black pepper. Boil cabbage in unsalted water with 2 tablespoons butter until cabbage turns darker color, then cover with lid for 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly before returning to pan. Chop cabbage into small pieces. Put ham/bacon in large saucepan, cover with water. Bring to boil, simmer 45 minutes until tender. Drain. Remove any fat, chop into small pieces. Add cabbage, scallions, and ham/bacon to mashed potatoes, stirring in gently. Serve in individual soup bowls. Make an indentation on top of each bowl by swirling a wooden spoon. Put 1 tablespoon butter into indentations,[...]
When a Deck Becomes a Room
Whether it’s wood floors, wood furniture or, of course, wood decks and roofs, I’ve always had tremendous appreciation not only for the durability of wood but for the warm, welcoming atmosphere that wood contributes to our living spaces. As I see it, there’s no substitute for the way that wood enhances our sense of home. Wood offers a solid, authentic and earthy feel, with subtle warm tones and natural markings that make each piece as unique as each of our customers. Nothing manufactured or mass-produced can possibly compare with what nature has provided, and that’s why DeckTec relies exclusively on quality softwoods such as Redwood and Cedar and hardwoods like Mahogany and Ipe when creating our custom decks. Over the years I’ve watched the trend toward increasing sophistication in outdoor living, with the outdoor “room” now rivaling the finest interiors in terms of design, furnishings, and material quality. Today’s homeowners want their outdoor environment to reflect their particular taste, values and lifestyle – it’s not just any deck, it’s “our” deck. And with the growing emphasis[...]
Best Local Cold Weather Micro-Brrrews
Beer is a big part of the Colorado lifestyle! For every camping trip, whitewater adventure or 14’er summit there’s beer shared on the back of a tailgate, at one of Colorado’s 300+ taprooms or on your custom redwood deck. But what to do when the temperature drops and the flakes start flying? We’re blessed with plenty of excellent Colorado craft beers for the 65 days of the year when the sun isn’t shining. Find them at your local brewery or stock up until deck weather returns in the spring. These malt-focused beers are perfect for cozying up by the fire after a long day in the Colorado cold and are guaranteed to chase your winter brrrews away! German Dunkel If you’re a fan of Porter be sure to give Dunkel a try – similar to the English favorite but with a cleaner taste from cold fermentation and lagering. Dunkel is German for “dark,” and this beer showcases chocolate and coffee flavors from its roasted dark malts. Best bet: Wibby Dunkel (Longmont) Belgian Quadruple Sugar and spice[...]
Recent Works
