DeckTec’s Second “Season”
It's hard to imagine that the wonderful summer weather we've been experiencing will soon come to an end. This year, particularly, homeowners have been grateful for drought relief with plenty of rain and cooler temperatures than the last few summers have shown. So, as surely as the seasons change in Colorado, it's time to enjoy that one last fling of Labor day, then return kids to school and make summer vacations a fond memory away. With this in mind, it may be tempting to think that all the outdoor fun is over. But at DeckTec, we celebrate this time of year, because it marks the beginning of our "second season"—a deck building and maintenance time that runs from September through the end of the year. We're committed to being a part of your community all year round, and have the construction and maintenance teams ready for your new dreams and visions of the great outdoors in your back yard. Our second season is here to help with that vision. Now is an exciting time to be[...]
Barbeque and a Blast
As the summer season starts to wind down, the team at DeckTec is proud to say that we've been responsible for building 65 new decks in the Denver metropolitan area this year. For those who are new clients, welcome to the DeckTec family. Meanwhile, whether yours is a new or well-used deck, isn't it time to celebrate with a barbeque on your deck? Gather friends and neighbors, colleagues or family and have a wonderful time together. We talked to some entertainment experts in the area to help you get started with these great tips: Invitations Looking for a way to get the buzz going about your party? Why not start with a creative invitation? Chris Gravely, a manager at our local Michael's arts and crafts store had lots of ideas. He said you could do something as simple as an email blast or an Internet invitation, but if you want that personal touch there are lots of ways to make a great invitation for friends. "There are so many options," said Chris, "that you can make[...]
Harvest Abundance? Give It Away!
Have you ever been hungry, really hungry? Have you ever wondered where your next meal might come from or if it will come at all? According to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture, one in seven people in Colorado are food insecure. "Food insecure simply means that people are not sure where their next meal is coming from," said Jodi Torpey, a member of Garden Writers Association and volunteer coordinator for Colorado's Plant a Row for Hunger organization. "They're not sure about tomorrow or next week. Even if they are working, minimum wages aren't enough to ensure they'll eat." Carol Ledbetter, the Program Administrator for Plant A Row's national effort concurs. "It isn't just derelicts that are going without food," she said. "It's also a lot of people working two jobs, or who can't find a job while they're taking care of their kids. We have to keep in mind that hunger statistics are often much greater in your own community than you might think." These two experts in gardening, writing, and helping[...]
Mist Away the Heat this Summer
Everyone knows that a nice summer shower helps cool the earth and makes you feel much better. But when the summer showers can't be depended on to bring relief, smart homeowners make their own, and one of the best ways to do this is with a Do-It-Yourself patio mister kit. A mister placed in the beams of your pergola or roof cover to your patio can cool that area by as much as twenty-five degrees and leave you comfortable on the hottest of summer days. Just ask Bob Loshbough of Lowe's Hardware in Littleton. Bob is a manager in the garden center there, but before that lived in the dry heat of Tuscon, Arizona. "I grew up in Chicago and never saw misters," said Bob. "But that's no wonder. It's too humid there for a mister to do any good. Here in the west, you can see them in homes and restaurants, all over." He said that misters generally work the same as swamp coolers do, by creating droplets of water in the air that are[...]
A Snake In The Grass May Not Be A Bad Thing
Even the words we use to describe one of nature's most misunderstood animals are enough to give you the creeps—slithery, slimy, sneaky, and poisonous—snakes! And summertime in Colorado is when you're likely to have a snake encounter. Eew! But wait a minute. Are snakes truly as bad as their reputation would have you believe? Recently, we talked with Victoria Sutton, Park Interpreter at the South Platte Park Carson Nature Center in Littleton, and learned more about the nature of snakes in our area. "I love snakes," said Victoria. Originally from Arizona, a state that boasts 14 species of these reptiles, Victoria learned early on that snakes are an important part of our ecosystem. "They're critical in the environment when it comes to things like population control for rodents and other small vermin. They not only hunt them, but they use their rattles to scare away rodents too." In Colorado we have about 23 species of snakes, but most people will only see a few in their day-to-day living. Snakes are, by nature, rather shy creatures and[...]
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[...]
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