New Decking Materials To Improve Your Outdoor Living Game

One of the jobs I’ll be tackling this fall is replacing my deck. It’s been 25 years since we built it, but with all the new styles and materials available these days, I think my wife would agree that it could use a facelift.

Did you know that 85% of homes in the U.S. have a deck, porch, or some kind of outdoor living space? It’s true, and yet many of us don’t take advantage of enjoying the fresh air as much as we should. 

Back when I built my deck in the 80’s, I went for the most popular option available – wood. Sure, it was pressure treated and looked great at the time, but after years of constant exposure to the elements, it’s seen better days. And to be honest, the upkeep is a killer. Staining it is a real pain, but if I don’t clean and recoat it, the wood looks old and faded. So I’ve decided it’s time for something more modern and easier to manage.

Much like the house materials on the market, today’s decks are often made of composite materials, which last longer, are more durable, and are a breeze to maintain. Plus, unlike the wood decks of decades past, you don’t have to worry about termites getting in and taking over your backyard. So if you’re ready to trade in that retro deck for a something that will allow you to enjoy your backyard with ease, here are some ideas to consider.

As I mentioned, a lot of deck materials today are made from capped composite, a material that’s flexible and virtually unbreakable. Capped composite is usually a mix of PVC or polymers and wood fibers. While the initial cost of this kind of deck is higher than the wood variety, consider the fact that the maintenance is virtually non-existent. What I like best about capped composite is that it won’t fade in the sun, and it comes in a variety of colors that can mimic and hardwood, or any other color if you’re feeling artistic. What’s also interesting is that many new decking products have interlocking technology which means that every board fits perfectly together, allowing for optimal drainage and airflow. Imagine, no nails popping up that need to be hammered back down and no splinters!

The best part about having a deck is the ability to extend your living space and make optimal use of the great outdoors. Newer materials make customization easy – whether that’s building a curved deck, a multi-story feature, or installing more personal add-ons. I love cooking outside, so a simple outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill is a real draw card for me. You can customize your space to fit your lifestyle too, whether that’s incorporating a hot tub, building a pergola for a more permanent outdoor dining room, building a safe fire pit for toasting marshmallows by the fire, or even creating a separate space for peaceful yoga practice. 

If you really want to enjoy the outdoors, two additional things to keep in mind are light and shade. The summer sun can be brutal, so you’ll want to ensure that some permanent and wind resistant protection is incorporated into your design. Also, say goodbye to those tiki torches. Recessed lighting is an excellent enhancement to ensure your outdoor space is as comfortable as the indoors. There are some great solar powered options to consider which are inexpensive to install and won’t leave you with any surprises when your energy bill arrives.

Thinking about putting in a new deck this summer or fall? Get in touch today to request a quote. 

Reduce your home maintenance to-do list with vinyl siding

As a siding contractor who came into the industry when aluminum siding was popular, one of the best enhancements I’ve seen in home remodeling is the evolution of vinyl siding. It’s now the number one exterior cladding choice in the United States, and for homeowners in our area, installing vinyl siding is an excellent investment due to its durability, no fuss maintenance, energy efficiency, and overall esthetic. If you’re looking for a way to update your home that will require minimal upkeep, vinyl siding has my vote. Here’s why:

It looks great. When vinyl first starting getting popular, some people shied away from it because it looked a bit, well, plain and ugly. But vinyl siding has come a long way in the past few years, with manufacturers listening to the call to create a product that’s more visually pleasing. Believe it or not, you can now find vinyl siding that comes in a variety of profiles such as fish scale, shake or scallop shapes – plus there are styles to mimic the look and texture of natural building materials such as wood.

It’s incredibly strong.  Winters here in Central Connecticut can be brutal, as can the summer sun. Vinyl siding is made to withstand winds of up to 110 mph and won’t fade or deteriorate as the seasons change. Most products come with a prorated warranty of up to 50 years for peace of mind, so you know your siding will stand up to the test of time.

It’s easy to maintain. Imagine a lifetime free of painting, staining and caulking the outside of your home.  One of my favorite things about vinyl is that it doesn’t need much maintenance, other than a soapy sponge bath and garden hose shower once in a while. Plus, unlike wood, you never have to worry about splitting, rotting, or termite and insect damage.

It will reduce your energy bills. Insulated siding is energy efficient and works like a blanket over your walls and wall studs. More than 75% of homes I work on are under insulated, which means that heat is escaping in the winter and cool air is getting out in the summer. By installing vinyl siding, you’ll be able to keep the air in your home regulated at a more comfortable temperature without running to the thermostat.

It pays for itself. With a 50-year warranty, no cost maintenance and the savings you’ll reap from your energy bill, installing vinyl siding is an investment worth thinking about. Plus, vinyl consistently ranks as one of the highest returns on investment for remodeling projects. 

Have you ever considered vinyl siding for your home? Do you have questions about making the switch to vinyl? I’d love to help – get in touch or check out our siding page for more information.

Hearty Veggies to Plant in Your Summer Garden

This summer my family has been enjoying the crop of vegetables and herbs that have been flourishing in our garden. There’s nothing better than making a salad from your own fresh lettuce and jazzing up your steak with rosemary plucked off the bush.  If you didn’t get a chance to plant a spring garden but crave the joys of straight from the source produce, there are a whole bunch of delicious veggies that you can get in the ground today to enjoy before the first frost.

Before you start, make sure you check the ground temperature. Get out into the garden a few hours after sunrise and use a soil thermometer to see how warm the dirt is. Most of the vegetables I’ve listed like the temperature to be between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. If your garden gets a lot of sunshine, your soil could be too warm and you might need to shade it.

Remember, summer seedlings will germinate quicker and will need more water in order to survive and thrive.

There are too many fall favorites for me to list, but johnnyseeds.com has a great round-up of picks for a weekend plant. As a general rule of thumb, hearty greens, most varieties in the cabbage family, and root vegetables are a safe bet. Here are the ones at the top of my list.

Swiss chard is an amazing vegetable to enjoy in the autumn. It needs a ground temperature of about 86 degrees Fahrenheit and will be ready for picking in six to eight weeks.  If you’re not familiar with this veggie, collard greens and kale are more popular produce picks that have a similar flavor and grow time.

Spinach is one of my favorites because of its tough to beat in terms of iron and vitamins K, A, and C. I love that you can enjoy it raw in salads, sautéed as a dinner side, or cooked in an omelet for breakfast. Plant this one now to enjoy in between six to ten weeks. 

Beets also love the warm soil and if you put them in the ground now they’ll be ready to eat by the end of summer. My wife is an amazing cook and she loves roasting the bulbs and sautéing the greens, which are high in beta-carotene, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Finally, everyone loves carrots, which are a slow growing vegetable but most definitely worth the wait. Carrots will take up to 12 weeks to be ready for picking, which means they’ll be ready for slow roasting just in time for the cooler October weather.

If you don’t have time to plant your own garden, you can enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of our local farmer’s labor by visiting the new Bristol Farmer’s Market every Saturday at The Patch Downtown from 10am to 1pm. It’s a great way to support the local community and get a taste of what’s in season.