7 Reasons Why Savvy Homeowners Build Their Outdoor Living Addition “Off-Season”
Eliminate Hassle, Save Time, & Receive Supreme Value by Planning Like a Pro The vast majority of people don’t even begin to think about initiating their outdoor living projects until the weather starts to become consistently warm. They all wait and then rush to start the process at the same time. This produces an effect akin to everyone funneling out of a concert or ball game simultaneously; movement becomes congested and people become irritated by the slow progress. Don’t follow the herd. Instead, discover why off-season (anytime snow can affect a job) is the best time to build your unique outdoor living addition. 1) Greater Scheduling Flexibility During peak seasons everyone seems to be in a hurry to get their project underway. This can be overwhelming and frustrating for everyone. With minimal scheduling flexibility in the peak seasons, construction times can be challenging to align with all of your fun summer plans. In the off-season we have more time to work closely with you to discuss your unique needs and desires, so take full advantage! 2) Less Weather[...]
Time to Fall Back
Daylight Savings Ends this Weekend As the northern hemisphere begins its annual tilt away from the sun, our shorter days are approaching. This weekend marks the end of Daylight Savings Time and provides a great reminder of some of our 6-month cycles of home tasks. Here are four top tasks from your friends at DeckTec: TURN BACK THE CLOCK - Before you head to bed this weekend, be sure to turn back your clock an hour, and enjoy a little extra sleep in the morning. Did you know that in December, at the deepest part of winter, we will have approximately five and one half hours less of sunshine than the longest days in June? CHECK YOUR BATTERIES - Now is also a great time to check the batteries on your fire alarms and practice the family emergency preparedness plan. Kids will have fun running out into the last piles of dry leaves in your yard, and you'll feel better knowing your alarm system is in order. Just be sure to check with your fire department[...]
Preparing for The Winter Season
Prepare Like a Bear I think there is a lot to be learned from nature; as the great Albert Einstein said "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." Fall is now upon us, with a change in colors, light, and air. In my opinion, this is one of the best times of the year for outdoor living. What do animals do during autumn? If you notice, they’re all busy preparing for winter. Many of them have distinct routines, but the one thing they all have in common is preparation. Squirrels come to mind, gathering and storing as much food as they can to last through winter. Other animals, like bears, eat extra food in order to store the energy as fat and then find or build a warm shelter to hibernate through the winter. Even the birds prepare by migrating as a flock to warmer climates where it’s easier for them to find food to survive. We humans have a different set of situations to prepare for and problems to solve. Just[...]
Picture This! Photo Contest Voting
Summer is over, but don't fret, that just means that the best time to enjoy outdoor living is here! This is my favorite time of year, and I hope you join me in celebrating it. If you want some tips, look no further than our latest newsletters, especially the one we have coming out this October. Speaking of newsletters, earlier this year we asked you, our community of outdoor enthusiasts, to share with us photos celebrating deck life and you did not disappoint. We’ve seen some fantastic entries come into the office and we wish we could have been there celebrating each moment. It is time to share those moments with everyone and ask, will you help us pick our winners? Visit this link to cast your vote for your favorite outdoor moment! I know that not everyone reading this submitted a photo, but it’s not too late to participate by lending your voice. I want to thank all of you for participating and showing off your beautiful outdoor living spaces in use! Our mission is[...]
Fall Thoughts: The Best Season for Outdoor Living
Change is in the air and after a long, hot, and dry summer; fall is now upon us. People are finishing their vacations, kids are going back to school, and collectively our routines all seem to settle down as summer winds to a close. Hopefully you took advantage of the beautiful weather and participated in some of the many fantastic festivals, fairs, and other events throughout summer. The Best Season for Outdoor Living In my opinion, fall is the best season of the year for outdoor living in Colorado. Is it just me, or does it seem like the seasons have been shifting here for several years? Winter weather often extends throughout half of spring; hot summer weather seems to start yielding to fall in August. Fall appears to be the longest and most predictable season producing pleasant and mild weather that’s ideal for enjoying the outdoors. If you ask me, fall provides the perfect environment for enjoying ball games, barbecuing, and celebrating life with friends and family. Extending the Season There are many ways to extend[...]
Mini Portobello Burgers
September might just be the last month to get the grill going, so enjoy this tasty backyard burger! Ingredients 12 Medium Portobello Mushrooms 2 Small Italian Eggplants 2 Yellow Squash 2 Zucchini ½ Teaspoon Sea Salt 12 Mini Brioche Buns or Dinner Rolls 1 ½ Teaspoons Sesame Oil ½ Teaspoon Sesame Seeds 9 Ounces Swiss Cheese Directions Heat grill or grill pan to medium- high heat. Trim stems from the mushrooms. Slice the eggplant, squash, and zucchini into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Brush vegetables with canola oil, sprinkle with salt, and grill until softened and grill marks have formed — about 10 minutes each side. Transfer to a baking pan. Heat broiler to low. Split the buns, brush the tops with the sesame oil, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Layer the squash, zucchini, eggplant, and mushroom on the bottom bun halves. Top each with cheese and broil until cheese melts, about 1 minute. Top with remaining seeded bun tops and serve hot. Recipe courtesy of CountryLiving.com
Hike The Devil’s Head for Fall Foliage
If you are a Denver native, then you already know about the amazing Devil’s Head Fire Tower hike in the Front Range. The trailhead is about an hour from town, and the hike itself — a 2.8-mile round trip — will take a couple hours to complete. But whether you’ve done this hike a dozen times or never before, you need to hike it once before winter. As September turns into October, the Devil’s Head Fire Tower route turns into the best view of fall colors near Denver. Directions To get to the trailhead, take Highway 85 south from Denver to Sedalia. In Sedalia, turn right on Highway 67 and drive 10 miles. Turn left on Rampart Range Road and go another 9 miles. The trailhead will be on the left. You’ll start seeing gorgeous aspen trees on the way up, especially on Rampart Range Road. Devil's Head Fire Lookout The hike starts with beautiful rock formations and a giant stand of aspen trees — fall colors on full display. As you climb, you’ll[...]
Bring The Outdoors In; Sunrooms Evolve & Increase in Popularity
Everyone’s talking about bringing the indoors out with an outdoor living room; however what about bringing the outdoors in?! With the high demand for quality luxurious outdoor living additions and continued interest in solar energy, sunrooms are increasing in popularity once again. When integrated thoughtfully, sunrooms produce the perfect synergistic environment for true year round enjoyment and leisure. In Colorado, we are fortunate to have some of the most desirable weather in the country; people here love spending time outdoors and it’s easy to see why. Nevertheless, weather in Colorado can be difficult to predict throughout all four seasons of the year. If you’re a long time Colorado resident, you know it’s best to always be prepared and keep a jacket or warm clothes on hand. (Have you ever been to a Red Rocks concert?) Heck, it’s not uncommon to see people walking around in shorts and flip-flops in the winter. The weather conditions can vary immensely during winter. Even on cold winter days you can always find solace in a lovely sunroom addition that allows[...]
6 Accessory Ideas to Enhance Your Outdoor Living Experience
In order to transform your ordinary back yard into a personal getaway, you are going to need to add some accessories to compliment your beautiful custom deck or outdoor living space. Back in the day, folding tables with plastic chairs or picnic tables with uncomfortable benches were often the standard for outdoor living. Now people want their outdoor living space to be just as nice as their indoor living spaces. It’s all a matter of personal taste, but in the end, the options go as far as your imagination when it comes to designing your outdoor living room. Listed below are some ideas for ways you can use accessories to enhance your outdoor living experience! 1) Furniture is First Selecting furniture that meets your desires is truly an important step to creating a complete outdoor living space. Finding an appropriately sized dining set with chairs would be a great start! A bar set with stools could be another great addition while entertaining guests. It’s important to choose comfortable seating with plush cushions to provide a relaxing[...]
Campfire Dinner
A-camping we will go! A-camping we will go! This summer, go beyond hot dogs and try out this Scout special. You’ll be more than prepared for your woodland adventures after this hot and simple meal. Ingredients: 1/3–1/2 pound hamburger 2–3 onion slices, to taste 1 cup potato slices 1 whole carrot, sliced 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon butter or margarine Salt and pepper Directions Lay down a sheet of heavy-duty tin foil. Put the onion down first. Cover with hamburger, then layer on the sliced potatoes and carrots. Pour the Worcestershire sauce on top, then sprinkle on the salt and pepper. Add butter last. Fold the tin foil to make a closed packet, and carefully place the packet in the campfire coals. Cook for approximately 30 minutes, rotating the packet 180 F halfway through. When finished, let sit for 2 to 3 minutes and enjoy.
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