From the Builder
Greetings!
Can you believe this wet and wild spring we have had so far? We still have snow in the mountains, but don’t let the weather fool you…warm and sunny days are sure to arrive any day now.
I have been itching to get my yard and patio in tip-top shape so my family and myself can really enjoy those lazy dog days of summer. If you find yourself in this same scenario, you’ll really enjoy the articles in this month’s newsletter.
With our ever-increasing busy lifestyle, the time needed to maintain your wood deck has become a serious chore. In response to customer feedback, newer, lower maintenance decking materials have been developed. Hibbard construction has been using these materials for some time and our clients couldn’t be happier with the outcome of their projects as well as the almost maintenance free aspect of these products.
When the warmer weather does finally arrive, the majority of Idaho families tend to move most of their activities out doors. Family dinners on the deck or patio, sipping coffee and watching the sun come up or just having friends over for the annual July 4th celebration. With those activities sure to take place in the very near future, we have included some great articles to help you get the grill ready and the outdoor living space perfectly decorated for such an event.
And, if you are looking at purchasing a bank owned or distressed property, be sure to check out our “Dollars and Sense” section. We found a great calculator to help you get a rough estimate at the cost associated with purchasing this type of property.
As always, we hope you enjoy this newsletter and we love to hear feedback or comments on our efforts. If you have a particular subject you would like more information on, please feel free to e-mail us and we will have our team research the answer for you. And, if you have any tips, ideas or suggestions you would like to share, please post it on our blog http://hibbardconstr.wordpress.com/ and share your insight with other homeowner’s like yourself.
Sincerely,
Jeff Hibbard
Back to top
New Trends in Decking Materials
While wood decks are traditional and still a common choice when constructing a deck, new materials can make building and maintaining an outdoor living area easier.
The redwood deck that you had attached to your newly built home back in 1986 may have served you well at the outset. Over the years, though, as your family’s size has increased, the demands of entertaining may have surpassed the deck’s capacity. Meanwhile, the elements may have taken their toll, and the natural rot resistance of the redwood was finally overwhelmed. Maybe the wood has fallen victim to the deck’s location (north side of the house under the shade of trees); the seasonably wet winters of Idaho; and built-in planters filled with damp soil. When the rot can no longer be ignored, consider this your opportunity to start fresh with a deck that would meet your current needs and your approach to outdoor living.
A Focus on Entertainment
If you have a large family and a large extended family your old deck may not have been adequate to entertain large groups. Design elements and space may have created a bottleneck. Working in collaboration with a builder or designer can help you utilize your outdoor living space to accommodate all types of social gatherings.
To read more, click here...
Back to top
Let’s Get Ready to Grill!
It’s that time of year and cooking outdoors is one of the great American traditions we look forward to every year. And, let’s face it…for some; it’s the only time you can get your husband to cook!
Before you fire up that grill for the first time, you may want to spend some time cleaning your grill and doing any necessary repairs to ensure your meal will turn out as tasty as your family is expecting it to be.
You can save significant amounts of money by cleaning your existing equipment and shopping for replacement parts, rather than buying a whole new cooker. That’s because grill parts and simple cleaning supplies cost a fraction of what you’d spend on a whole new barbeque. And a grill makeover is an especially smart and cost saving idea.
Clean It Up
The first step in a total barbeque makeover is a good scrub. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to clean your grill properly. Still, be sure to set aside a few hours this weekend to take care of it. Regularly cleaning your grill will not only make it look great but will ensure a long life of top performance.
To read more, click here...
Back to top
Outdoor Decorating Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank
From inexpensive lounge chairs to easy-to-make decorations, here are some simple and cost effective ideas that will turn your backyard into a festive entertaining space for family and friends.
Decorate with a Casual and Comfortable Feel
The key to creating a good space -- indoors and out -- is making sure the environment allows for relaxation and enjoyment.
Start creating your backyard escape by surrounding yourself with items you love. Whether it's placing a collection of small glass bottles filled with daffodils on a side table or decorative flower pots filled with your favorite annuals, your styling choices should reflect your personal taste. Treat your outdoor area as an integral part of your home. Break the psychological boundaries of the walls of the house by bringing indoor elements such as drapes, pillows, mirrors or candelabra out to the patio or yard.
Soft pillows and fabrics can be used on your outdoor furniture to lend a comfortable “feel” to your plastic or wood furniture. Use bright and cheery fabric colors to create a vibrant environment or use subtle colors to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. What ever your decorating style is indoors, you can take the same look and feel outdoors as well.
To read more, click here...
Back to top
Is it Redwood or is it Composite?
Given the significant maintenance problems relating to wood decking, various composite materials have gained popularity and acceptance over the years. Composite decking is made from a mixture of plastic chemicals and sawdust/wood, and it is normally given a wood grain so that it looks somewhat like wood on the outside.
Composite decking material stands up better to the harsh environment decks face -- no painting or staining, no splinters, no cracking or warping, no insect damage, slip resistant, UV resistant.
The two projects shown below and completed by Hibbard Construction, are fine examples of how composite decking materials such as Trex, Evergrain and Timber Tech brands will look as a finished product. The homeowner's are very happy with the end result and are thrilled with the idea that maintenance will no longer be an issue.
Back to top
Composite Decks By Hibbard Construction
Back to top
| 
