Newsletter Archives - Page 10 of 12 - DeckTec Outdoor Designs

Inside Out: Defining The Outdoor Living Room

April 1st, 2016|Deck Design Tips & Trends, Decks & Backyard Features|

Here’s a little bit of a trick question for you: What’s the difference between an indoor and an outdoor living room? Answer: The walls! This may seem like an obvious answer, but there really is no big difference in what people do in their living spaces, whether they’re inside or out. They like to eat (barbecue), relax with their favorite beverages — possibly in front of or around a fireplace — and they like to entertain with friends and family. But instead of being surrounded by walls covered in tapestries or pictures, you’re looking at beautiful landscapes and extended views. Things just feel healthier and more relaxing when you’re outside enjoying the open air. Of course you can enjoy outdoor living on a nice deck or patio. However, to create a true outdoor living room you need to incorporate a deck or patio roof addition. Only then will you be [...]

Freshen Up Your Spring Cleaning

March 28th, 2016|Life On Deck|

Two Tips for an Even Cleaner Home It’s that time of year again — time for some spring cleaning! We have a couple of tips to ease your cleaning burdens, particularly for those things that often get forgotten in the rush. Here’s what you can do to have the freshest … Garbage Disposal This tends to be one of those appliances that gets forgotten until that smell starts to invade the kitchen. While specialized cleaning capsules are available, they aren’t something you typically keep around. What you probably do have is citrus: oranges, lemons, and limes. Toss citrus waste into the garbage disposal with a few ice cubes. Turn on the appliance for 20 to 30 seconds. Once the disposal sounds clear, run hot water for another 30 seconds to rinse. Done! Not only will your garbage disposal be nearly as clean as the day it was installed, your kitchen [...]

Deck-Worthy Delicacies Irish Soda Bread

March 21st, 2016|Life On Deck, Outdoor Recipes|

Ingredients 3 ½ Cups of Flour 1 Cup Sugar 1 Teaspoon Salt 2 Tablespoons Baking Powder 2 Eggs 1/3 Cup Butter 1 Cup Milk ¾ Cups Raisins Directions Soak raisins for a few minutes to plump them, drain, and then dredge with ¼ cup flour in the recipe Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream shortening and sugar; add eggs and mix Add dry ingredients alternately with milk Mix in raisins. Bake at 350 degrees in a greased pan for about 45 min to an hour depending on the pan you use. Use cake pans (8”-9” in diameter) or tube pans.

Considering the Critters: Your Deck and Wildlife

March 14th, 2016|Animals Out the Back Door, Deck Design Tips & Trends, Outdoor Living|

At DeckTec, we care deeply about the environment, which is why we continue to be the leading crafter of natural wood outdoor projects. We know that you enjoy spending time on your deck or patio, but we also know that other creatures might, too! It’s spring time, and besides a blossoming business season for deck construction and service, that can mean baby animals. Most common visitors are birds and squirrels, who after having spent a long, hard winter collecting nest materials, are just about to give birth to a batch of (soon to be) bushy tailed babies or feathery fledglings. Wooden structures placed off a warm home, like decks or roofs, can seem to be the perfect lodgings for wild animals looking for a place to nest. While you’re getting your house ready for a change in the season, make sure it’s wildlife- proofed as well. Scheduling your deck service [...]

Maintaining Your Outdoor Centerpiece

March 7th, 2016|Deck Care & Repair, Decks & Backyard Features|

You’ve created a stunning outdoor space. You’ve made your deck into an outdoor centerpiece using beautiful exotic wood. At Decktec we’re very familiar with many exotic woods but the two we work with most frequently are mahogany and ipê. Mahogany According to eHow, mahogany is “commonly regarded as the world’s leading wood for fine-quality furniture, cabinetry, sculpture, carving, interior trim, and other applications.” The mahogany used for building decks typically comes from a tree called Swietenia macrophylla, also known as the big-leaf mahogany tree. These trees grow in tropical environments and they get huge. Rainforest Alliance says they can grow at tall as 200 feet. Reminiscent of a tropical oak, the Mahogany tree yields a gorgeous auburn colored wood that’s quite durable, which makes for a tough, long-lasting deck. Ipê Another exotic tropical wood called ipê comes from a tree known in the scientific world as Tabebuia spp.. These graceful [...]