It’s A Wonderful Life On Deck
Each year, the team at DeckTec is proud to help plan and build many beautiful decks in the Denver area. We know that we're constructing more than just a platform out someone's back door. We're creating the opportunity to build family memories, and make great Outdoor Living moments a reality. Some of our clients get so caught up in the construction process, though, that when the job is done, they're not quite sure how to make the most of their new deck. So here are some wonderful ways you can more fully enjoy your new deck experience: Enjoy the Sounds of Being Outside In our rushed world of text messages and kid chauffeuring we can sometimes forget how nice it is to sit in our own back yard and enjoy the sounds of nature. The bees this time of year present a delightful hum, and children playing create a special music of their own. When you sit on your deck for even a few moments you can listen past the sounds of traffic and zero in[...]
Composting: Dirt Easy and Great Rewards
Anyone who gardens for more than a year or two has heard of composting. Some may even have dabbled in it with varying degrees of success. If you've ever been curious about this green thumb practice, we have some great information for you. Recently, we talked to two composting experts in our area and asked for the low down on the humus under our feet. Here's what we found: A Process and a Product Cara Ablin, the color department supervisor for Wilmore Garden Center in Littleton, and Judy Elliott, education specialist and lead trainer for the Denver Master Composter training and outreach program sponsored by Denver Recycles, have a wealth of knowledge and resources for you to make this the year composting becomes part of your gardening life. The first lesson they pointed out is that composting is a process and not just a product. "Some people get a bin and dump things into it, expecting the bin to do something miraculous," said Judy. "Composting doesn't work that way. For a gardener to be successful, he[...]
Made in the Shade with a Custom Roof Cover
When was the last time you spent a lunchtime propping your feet up and listening to the wonder of Colorado breezes around you? Did you hear the soft coos of a mourning dove or see the ripple of aspen leaves as they clap for you? In our hectic world of noise and bustle, it may seem that a quiet afternoon outdoors is beyond reach. But wait. You can and should enjoy the tranquility of being outdoors. And what better way to do this than in the comfort of a roof-covered deck? (More: Custom Roof Covers) "This is a great time for a roof addition," said Steve Sparhawk, president of DeckTec. "It is one of my favorite projects to help homeowners build a better lifestyle in their backyards." Steve had some great reasons for every deck owner to evaluate the potential of adding a solid roof cover and spent time with us to outline them. Increased Home Value "Today, we're experiencing a sellers' market in the Denver area," said Steve. "Houses are selling as fast as people[...]
Give the Dog a Groom
What kind of dog do you have? Is yours a Rin-Tin-Tin in the making or Tramp, the smelly pound runaway? After you pet your dog, can you grab a potato chip, or do you run to the sink to wash your hands? Maybe it's time for Poopsy to have a bath. With the warmer weather, a lot of dog owners will be thinking of taking Fido out to the back deck for an annual bathing event, but if you listen to the grooming expert of Littleton's Wag 'N Wash, your key watch phrase is, "Be Prepared." "Everything needs to be right with you," said Mike Gacek, manager of Wag 'N Wash, "because the last thing you want to do is tell your dog, 'wait here, I need to run to the store for more shampoo.' "Working with dogs is like working with a two-year old. You have that window of opportunity, and once they say 'I'm done'--you're done," said Mike. We asked him to give us some pointers for the do-it-yourself fans who are planning to[...]
A Good Book On Deck
It's official—summer is here! Kids are finishing the school year, our days grow longer, and thoughts of getting outside capture our imaginations. Wouldn't it be nice to take a mini-vacation every day? You can, and here's how. Grab your favorite lemonade or summertime drink and head out to your deck. This is the best time to enjoy an investment that has added real value both to your home and to your lifestyle. If you have a roof cover over your deck, you can relish hours outdoors without worry of being over exposed to the sun's UV rays. And while you're on deck, why not spend some time with a great book? At DeckTec we investigated the opportunities to read recently released books from local authors as you enjoy your Staycation. What we found gives great fun for the whole family... For Her There are an abundance of writers focusing on women's literature in this geography. Slip off your high heels and take a look: In Jeanne Quigley’s All Things Murder, unemployed soap actress Veronica Walsh plays[...]
Getting All Abuzz About Bees
In 2006 a new phenomenon in beekeeping hit the news. Both commercial and hobbyist beekeepers saw dramatic losses of bees in their apiaries, also known as beehives. This problem became known as CCD, or colony collapse disorder, and news items began to run regularly on this threat to human food production. Bee pollination is responsible for one-third of our food sources. The story is that as the bee goes, so does mankind. Today, another problem threatens bees, in that there seems to be an overabundance of people getting into apiary or beehive management without a great amount of knowledge, according to Marygael Meister of the DenverBee.org. For this reason, her organization is approaching beekeeping interest from the perspective of education. "We have an opportunity twice a month for applied learning at the apiary and theory learning from those who come to speak," said Marygael. "We're very serious about that; that people have strong foundations in their understanding and their education. I feel it's very important that we do no more harm to bees." She encourages people[...]
Is There a Pergola in Your Future?
As summer approaches, our thoughts naturally turn to spending as much time outside as possible, and why not? Colorado has some of the best weather conditions in the country, with warm, bright days and cool, comfortable evenings. We want to make the most of these ideal conditions by turning to our backyards, oases of pleasure in our busy lives. One of the best ways to take advantage of your backyard retreat is to give it focus and purpose with a pergola. Recently, Eric Veronesi of the DeckTec team gave us a few minutes to talk about the ageless beauty and function of owning a pergola. "I have a pergola on the back of my house," said Eric. "It's south-facing and cuts down on the sun with pretty tightly spaced beams, and in the middle of the summer the space is definitely cooler." He said that this shade, while not as totally weather resistant as a covered deck, provides a nice amount shade and air circulation. Other benefits of pergolas that Eric pointed out include: Creating focal[...]
Rolling Out The Red Carpet for Hummingbirds
Wild Birds Unlimited, in Lakewood on Wadsworth Boulevard, is a wonderful shop of all things birding. There are books and videos, birdhouses and feeders. The shop has a resident cat, Oliver, and as you wander the aisles, the happy chirping of recorded bird sounds help sooth your stresses away. It's no wonder, then, that when we write a blog post about birds of all kinds, our first stop is to Wild Birds and owner, Scott Menough. Recently, we talked with Scott about the hummingbird season, which is full on at this point. Hummingbird Season "April 15th," said Scott on a chuckle. "Years ago I wrote an article for the Denver Post and I said April 15 is hummingbird day. Of course the first hummingbirds we usually hear about arrive closer to April 8, but nobody remembers that date. Everyone remembers April 15. It's much more fun to get your hummingbird feeder out on that date than to think about paying your taxes." Scott said that hummingbirds are one of the most popular first birds to watch[...]
Anticipating A New Deck
Dear DeckTec Friends, I hope you don't mind my talking in first person today. Just wanted to tell you about the new deck the team at DeckTec is putting in for us. I am so excited! Spring is a great time for new beginnings, and so it is no wonder much of the work DeckTec does is ordered in February and March. Their maintenance and construction teams are in full swing by May and are likely to be busy right through Halloween. My deck started as an annual walk through with Vince. We checked out a few backyard projects, some walkways that need maintenance and the like. As we came around front I mentioned wistfully how nice it would be if my front entry could look as nice as the back, where five years ago, DeckTec built what has become a showpiece for our back yard; a roof-covered deck. For five years we have enjoyed many happy gatherings on deck, and my husband has barbecued year round out there. Friends and family have been very complimentary[...]
Be a Water-Wise Gardener This Summer
Quick. What's one of the simplest, most effective tools to help keep a healthy lawn this summer? While you're thinking this question over, let's talk about the good news. The major drought that had us all wondering if and when we could comfortably water our lawns is on the downswing. However, whether you're new to the area or you've lived in Colorado a long time, being permanently aware of water use is a big responsibility for everyone who enjoys the Art of Outdoor Living. According to Travis Thompson, Denver Water Spokesperson, Colorado is considered a dry state, and it is up to all of us to be living within water-wise constraints. "Our customers did a really good job last year," said Travis. "We reached our conservation goals which put us in a better position to keep providing a healthy water supply to everyone. We just want to remember that conservation isn't an emergency drought response, but a way of life for anyone who lives here." Therefore, beginning May first and lasting through the fall, water use[...]
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