We Are Ready to Fix Your Broken Fence!

Due to the high winds and the forecast for more high winds. We have adjusted our schedule to loosen it up to fit in some emergency fence repairs. If your fence has sustained damage please call us right away to get on the schedule! We will quote over the phone or via email. thesuperiorfinishco@comcast.net 720-722-1550.

Accepted to the FedEx Small Business Grant

Vote for The Superior Finish!

We were so excited to receive this email today!  

"Congratulations! Your entry in the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest has been accepted. Now it’s time to spread the word about your business and start bringing in votes. The number of votes you receive is one factor we’ll consider when selecting the top 100 finalists and the winners. More votes can help your business become a grant finalist."

Please go to the link above and vote for us, or go to our Facebook page for a special contest!

Good news! You CAN refinish and repair your deck and fence in the Winter!!!!

Well it is that time that all Denverites dread AND look forward to every year.  The first snow fall is in the forecast.  I know I dread but also look forward to it.  The weather can be our nemesis in our line of work but I also adore curling up by the fire with my family on a cold evening watching our favorite shows and watching the snow fall.  With the weather changing I thought I would take this time to help educate people that the outdoor deck and fence projects that did not get done this year are not a lost cause.  Many people think once the snow flies they have to wait until Spring to get those projects done.  You don't!  Yes we get some interesting weather in Colorado, lets all take a minute to remember our 3 feet of snow in March years ago!  We also have a lot of great weather, we have more sunny days than most cities.  For deck washing as long as the temperature stays above freezing for the day we can wash a deck.  What we do not want is to wash it and an hour later the temp drops below freezing and the residual water on the deck freezes.  Staining can take place on days that the temp is 45 degrees or warmer.  We get quite a few of those days during the late fall and early winter months and generally get a good stretch of such days during the holidays and first of the year.  As long as the deck isn't wet we can sand it!  It is better to get a deck refinished as soon as possible even in the winter because the more you can protect it, the more life you will get out of it!

As for repairs it is ALWAYS best to get repairs done as soon as a problem is noticed.  If you have rotting wood on your deck, the longer you leave it the more damage it will cause in the long run.  The same goes with fences.  As more moisture gets into those areas it will speed rotting and will cause increased structural damage.  If repairs require cement work we need at least a 2 hour stretch of temperatures above freezing.  Even in a cold snap you can always call us and many times we can come out and temporarily support a structure to help prevent catastrophic damage.

 Once November hits we move to what we call a Flex scheduling system.  We schedule jobs on a first come first serve basis and work down that list on days that weather allows for each job.

The additional benefit to this, if you get your projects done during the colder months then when the weather warms you'll be sitting outside enjoying your hamburgers and hot dogs when others are busy "getting their yards in order" :)!!

Check Your Deck and Fence for Moisture Damage

I (Lindsay the Social Voice of TSF :)) have been glued to TV coverage of the flooding.  With the unprecedented amount of moisture we are getting it is a good time to remind people that you don't have to have major flooding in your yard to receive damage.  As the ground is saturated water can seep into gaps and cracks between posts and case-ons on your fence and deck.  Enough moisture can cause loose posts that can cause wobbling fences and structurally unsound decks.  Supports that have severe dry rot could loose what stability is left with large amounts of moisture.  We won't dry out for a couple days but keep an eye on your supports, if you notice a very loose support on your deck, call us ASAP and we can either temp support it or advise you on what to do until a the ground dries and final assessments can be made.  We are always here to answer ANY questions for you, family, friends and neighbors!  Thesuperiorfinishco@comcast.net, 720-722-1550

Neutrals That Do Not Bore!

Benjamin Moore http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/affinity-timeless-elements-entryway-paint-color-scheme

We get quite a few calls from people who want to paint but get "stuck" with color.  Some are preparing to sell their home, some just are just not ready to take the leap to teal, blue, coral or other trending colors.  When preparing to paint your room choosing the color can often times involve paralyzing anxiety for many people.  The above picture and below color samples by Benjamin Moor show some wonderful earth tone neutrals that are a "safe" choice yet are a slight bit more daring than Realtor Beige (I worked in Real Estate for 16 years I know this color TOO well).  As always you can visit our Pinterest site as well (link is to the right) and get more inspiration for your new room.

terra bella AF-195	interlude AF-135	lapland AF-410
peau de soie AF-60

terra bella AF-195

terra bella
AF-195

interlude AF-135

interlude
AF-135

lapland AF-410

lapland
AF-410

peau de soie AF-60

peau de soie
AF-60

Deck Fire Safety

BBQ Fire Stock 13 by ~Hummingbird88-Stock on deviantART

Sadly it is obvious that fire season is upon us in Colorado.  We would like to take a few minutes to go over some fire safety tips for your deck, not only will following these safety guidelines protect you and your family but your neighbors and fellow Coloradans as well.

Fire pits and chimeneas are very popular and very relaxing, we use ours quite often.  These items on decks can be a recipe for a fire!

-Universal Forest Products recommends not using these items directly on a wood deck but rather placing them on a fire pit pad, bricks or stones.  Make sure that the fire resistant base extends at least 24 inches around the fire pit or chimenea.

-Keep a fire extinguisher close by.

-Make sure to fully extinguish the fire and all embers, a gust of wind can pick up hot embers and start a fire that can get out of control quickly.

-Do not use flammable liquids to start or reignite a fire

-Do not burn trash, leaves, paper, or cardboard and avoid woods such as Cedar or Pine as these items easily pop and throw sparks and embers.

 Decks and Grill go hand in hand, but they can also be the start of a fire!  According to the NFPA between 2006-2010 there were 8,300 fires involving BBQ Grills.

-Place your grill at the very least 2 feet from siding and railings.

-Place your grill on a fire-resistant mat, this will also protect your deck from grill burn marks.

-Make sure when you are grilling the grill is not under any eaves, branches or other overhangs.

-Never move your grill while hot

-Clean grease and fat build up from the grill, this can easily ignite and cause a grease fire.

-Always make sure the lid is open before lighting.  A build up of propane can cause an explosion.  If your grill goes out, turn off the grill and  propane and wait 15 minutes before re-lighting.

-Keep Children and Pets away from the grill

-Always keep a fire extinguisher close by!

We do not recommend the use of outdoor rugs on decks as they can lead to rotting and stain failure on decks...it is especially important to keep these rugs and any outdoor curtains away from grills, fire pits and outdoor heaters.

We wish everyone a safe and happy outdoor season!

How to prep your old wooden pallets for your next craft project!

Outdoor swing made from a reclaimed pallet
 http://www.dumpaday.com/genius-ideas-2/35-amazing-uses-for-old-pallets/

I can't remember exactly how the topic came up last weekend but while sitting with my parents at their house we started discussing wood pallets.  I do remember the jaw dropping, vein popping moment that has stuck with me and now inspired this post.  The moment my Dad said "We get tons of those things at work and just throw them away or chop them up for firewood" and think my response came out in a pitch that only dogs can hear of "You do WHAT?!?!?".  After reading the rather confused look on his face as to why his 32 year old daughter just squealed at him, I along with my Mom proceed to explain the trend of "wood pallet crafts and projects".  For those of you who just had the same reaction as my Dad, let me explain.  You don't have to be an obsessive Pinner on Pinterest (I am guilty :)) to see the slew of reclaimed wood pallet projects out there, I see at least one a week posted on Facebook alone.  If you do Pin you can find pallet projects that would blow your mind!

For those that have a few pallet projects they want to tackle or for those who are now completely intrigued by this new trend I am here to offer you a bit of help!  Finding these pallets can be as simple as looking in your garage or going on craigslist.  Once you have your pallet how do you begin turning it into a thing of beauty?  Just as with all wood, you can refinish it.  Most wood pallets are made of either Cedar, Douglas Fir, or pressure treated wood.  If you find a pressure treated pallet do not use this for any projects that involve storing or growing food as the chemicals used in pressure treated wood can seep into soil.  Better be safe than sorry!  If you pick up a graying or dirty pallet it can be prepped and restored to make you project beautiful.

Take your pallet outside and wash it with a pressure washer, if the pallet is really grey or dirty an exterior wood stripper can be sprayed on the pallet and then QUICKLY washed off with the pressure washer.  While the wood is still wet spray a wood brightener on it, this will not only brighten the wood but open the pores to accept stain.  Once the pallet is fully dry you can use a good quality outdoor or indoor stain (depending on the project) to give it some color and protection.  If using the pallet for an outdoor project I do not recommend painting it as the paint will chip, peel and eventually rot out your hard work.  If all that seems like a lot or you do not have a pressure washer contact a local deck refinishing company (for our Denver friends, I have a GREAT one I can recommend :)) or a painting contractor.  They may be able to complete the cleaning for you for a reasonable price.

Now go forth and find your next up-cycled pallet project and have fun!  For those of you who are still wondering where my Dad works so you can get your hands on some of those pallets, that is a secret I am keeping close to my heart :).