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 :).

Why Behr makes us and all reputable Deck Contractors CRINGE!

Picture of a deck with Behr Stain after weathering from http://www.diychatroom.com/f4/why-you-dont-use-latex-deck-stain-73415/

Ryan can spot a Behr Deck a mile away, in fact it has caught many customers off guard and they are impressed.  We hear it time and time again "I had some one come out and do my deck last year but they must have done it wrong because it is peeling off and chipping."  The only thing that was done wrong was that the wrong product was used...Behr, about 90% of the time and Olympic, the other 10%.  When interviewing potential deck contractors you can easily "weed out" the true experts from the ones who think this is a quick way to make a few bucks.  Experts in Deck refinishing and maintenance will NEVER recommend Behr or Olympic...EVER!  

Consumer Reports consistently rates Behr as a great stain, so why do contractors with true knowledge and expertise in the area of Deck Refinishing and Maintenance curl into the fetal position at the mention of Behr?  Consumer Reports tests their deck stain products in an accelerated test on one board.  They do not use real world testing.  Behrs Acrylic formula leads to chipping, peeling, cracking on decks, we have seen this occur often in decks that have been done in as little as a year ago.  Beyond the appearance problems of Behr, their formula is not good for wood. It smothers the wood not allowing it to adequately breathe.  Once it starts cracking, peeling and chipping it allows for moisture to seep in under the stain and into the wood with no way to dry out in a timely manor, leading to rotting.  

Once a consumer realizes the lack of quality they received with Behr, the process in order to remove the product is time consuming and can be expensive.  In order to remove most Behr finishes it often takes an extremely harsh paint stripper and/or extensive sanding.  After removing the finish, damage is sometimes discovered, resulting in having to replace joists, headers, floorboards and railings.  

The overall cost of using Behr, in the long run, is almost tragic!  We want all deck owners to have the best and we know that some people love to get out and stain their deck themselves.  Our professional advice to every deck owner is to steer clear of Behr and Olympic.  Choose an oil based Transparent or Semi-Transparent Stain.  We use TWP, which receives the highest ratings from professional deck contractors, and Armstrong Clark for Hardwood decks.  We also would recommend the use of Ready Seal (must purchase online) and Super Deck (Available at Ace and Kwal stores in Denver).

For Deck Stain Reviews by contractors in real world settings, please see the link below!

http://www.deckstainhelp.com/behr-premium-semi-transparent-wood-stain-review-2013/

Sherwin Williams 2013 Paint Color of the Year!

Our homes are a direct reflection of who we are as people, stylish, relaxed, classic, country, minimal or modern.  There are so many routes to go when it comes to interior design, but paint and color are the backbone of any interior design.  I found this great article and picture on the Sherwin Williams website about their choice for the 2013 color of the year.  Personally I see a lot of potential with this Aloe color, from painting a whole room to an accent wall it is a color that really could be used in any style of decor!

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/painting-contractors/color/color-forecast/2013-color-forecast/color-of-the-year/

Great Article on Deck Maintenance

It may be snowy but we are booked for the next two weeks, it's time to start thinking about these Summer yard projects and call to get on our schedule soon!


http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/decks/deck-care-and-maintenance/

Dry Rot Explained

Here is a great article from our friends at Home Advisor on Dry Rot. Our stain is a great stain to help preserve exterior wood and seal out moisture to prevent Dry Rot.

http://www.homeadvisor.com/article.show.Protect-Your-Deck-from-Dry-Rot.8570.html

Half Way through Summer!

4th of July is upon us this week and for me that means running around like a crazy person getting my daughter ready to go back to school (Yea year round schools!) trying to catch up on things that haven't gotten checked off the to do list yet and squeezing in those last few activities before our school year starts!  So this blog is short and sweet.  Simply put...stop by our facebook page to check out updated pictures.  The last few days I have been trying to release all those trapped photos of jobs and projects off the camera.  So Swing by, take a look and leave a comment!!  Just click on the link to the right ------->!

Hoping everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July!!

Our Back Yard Retreat

As many of you read in a previous blog post The Armstrong house has been working out our outdoor space spruce up this spring!  I wanted to share with you all the relaxing retreat that is as close to done as it is going to get for now :)!  I am an ongoing project person so no project is ever fully complete, just complete for now...there are always new ideas to try, right!  Both Ryan and I have so many ideas and thoughts of what we want to do with our outdoor space I am not sure we will ever be fully done.

I am ashamed to share with you how this space looked as the spring began, but in order to truly appreciate how this looks now you must see where it began.  Our deck was in desperate need of some TLC, and this spring it got it.

With the deck not only defining our space but it being the back drop and "bones" of our space it needed a face lift.  We took our deck through the same process we use on all of our clients' decks.  With the trend in dark wood tones I decided the Mahogany color would give us the look and feel we wanted for our outdoor room.

Once the deck refinishing was complete it was time for my favorite part...the decorating!  There are so many great products in stores for outdoor spaces now.  Being "Martha Jr." there are so many great things you can make as well!  Our space is filled with things that have been made over the years and purchased.  With the goal of putting them all together to create a cozy, inviting and relaxing space where we can spend many summer evenings.

When setting up our space, I worked to try to create intimate seating areas that flow together into one space.  We live in your average track home suburban neighborhood, so space is not abundant.

The heart of our space is our dining area under the pergola; this is the first part of the space you enter from the house so it has to be welcoming and very inviting.  I originally planted two grape vines years ago to cover the top of the pergola not only for appearance but for shade as well.  Our deck has southern exposure so adding curtains to the pergola not only add to the feeling of the space but provide some extra shade from both morning and afternoon sun.  We updated our curtains this year with some wonderful ones that were purchased from Ikea.  Hanging a candelabra chandelier and some lanterns we had originally purchased for our wedding from the top of the pergola provide interest and a wonderful warm glow in the evenings.

In addition to the candle light, the specially designed outdoor lamp in the corning not only makes this feel like another room of the house but adds additional light to the space as well in the evenings.  Ryan wants me to point out the Red Smoker in the back of the picture!  Let's face it digging into a big pile of smoked ribs is the perfect way to enjoy the deck!

Setting up a two person seating area across from the grill and right by the new fountain (more on that in a moment!) provides not only an intimate conversation area but a place for people to sit and chat with the grill master as we cook up some delicious grub!

When Ryan and I met we instantly bonded over a mutual love of Estes Park.  This year I decided to bring the sound of the brook that runs by our favorite place to stay to our backyard by creating this fountain.  I purchased a large urn, went to my favorite home improvement store to buy a fountain pump and used an over abundance of river rock by the side of our house to create a fountain in an afternoon and for only $42.

After removing and old and dilapidated hot tub we were left with a cement slab that we have transformed into a small patio and area for our chiminea. With two zero gravity recliners, aka Lazy Boys for the outside, a small side table, planters of petunias for pops of color and a small beach umbrella for a little shade this place is perfect to kick back and relax!  The two lanterns hung from the umbrella not only give the area more interest but are quite nice in the evening!

With a fire burning, the sound of the fountain, the warm glow of the candles and my patio containers and hanging baskets of flowers, and a beautifully refinished deck this is our favorite place to relax and unwind.  Heck since I work from home and now that everything is wireless I may just make this my new office this summer!

Tips For a Smooth and Successful Relationship With Your Service Professionals

Having worked with many homeowners, different personalities and many different situations I began thinking last night about some of our most successful jobs at The Superior Finish.  As I am very analytical I started thinking about what made those jobs so smooth and successful...the funny thing is as I thought about what those jobs had in common I found that some of those very things also made some of the Real Estate transactions I worked with in my years in Real Estate some of the most successful also.
Below are a few tips on working with any service professional!

-"Knowing that communications will be flowing freely throughout the project tends to lessen homeowner anxiety and makes getting through the remodeling process a little easier."-www.bhg.com

For years in real estate the one saying I heard over and over and eventually used over and over is Location, Location, Location.  Well I am switching this unbreakable "Law" to Communication,communication, communication.  Communicate with your service professional, a good service professional will communicate back with you.  This not only lessens the homeowner anxiety, this lessens your professionals anxiety as well.  A good professional worries about providing a great service and having an happy client as well.  Let your service professional know what it is your are looking for, if they are playing guessing games you both could end up in a miserable situation.  If you have questions, ask.  Don't be afraid to send an email or pick up the phone. When everyone is on the same page the likelihood of a happy transaction is significantly increased.

-"You certainly hear stories of homeowners springing for pizza after a long day of work, but this is hardly a necessity. In most cases, your contractors will appreciate calm, respectful communication and the occasional compliment just as much as they would a slice of pepperoni." -Servicemagic.com "The Power of Acknowledgment" by Jon Nunan

While on the same wave as communication how you communicate is just as important as how often you communicate.  You professional should communicate with you in a professional friendly manor and to have a successful and efficient transaction or project the homeowner should strive to communicate the same way.  There is that old saying "you get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar".  Work with your service professional as a team member, and speak to them as such.  The truth is you are at team, they are doing the work, you are the one with the vision on the project.  If you are short, rude, condescending and unprofessional you will immediately put your professional on guard.  Instead of concentrating on getting the job done they are worrying about your next interaction and often times trying to avoid it.  This can often lead to the professional mirroring the same tone and communication style as you portray leading to a very tense situation all the way around.  If your professional starts off communications with an unprofessional, unfriendly and rude manor from the get go question if this is the right professional for you.

-"Many of the problems that occur during building and remodeling are simply out of your contractor's control. The renovation contractor you hire has very little say in what materials his or her suppliers have in stock, what the weather is going to be like, and who calls in sick; blaming your contractor for such issues is not only unfair: it's counterproductive."Servicemagic.com "What to Do When a Job Goes Wrong" by Jon Nunan

Those professionals who take pride in their work and are looking out for the Homeowner's or client's best interests get just as frustrated with glitches beyond their control.  Those professionals make decisions in the client's best interests and that may not always be the most immediately gratifying decision.  We sometimes have to postpone a job due to poor weather conditions, a job will get delayed due to unseen poor workmanship by a previous professional and we want to get the job done.  More importantly we want to do the job right, and if the conditions hinder the job getting done right it is better for our client to postpone or for us to take our time to do it right.  This happens in many professions, if your service professional is trustworthy they will let you know if there is a problem and that the unpopular decision is for the best.  An untrustworthy person will push through just to collect a check and you will end up with a less than stellar result.  This isn't to say that you should not hold the professional accountable if the problem is clearly a result of their actions.  Everyone makes mistakes, a trustworthy professional will do what they can to make it right and going back to communication if the the communication lines are open and respectful then your professional will be more apt to go out of their way to right any wrongs.

-"The easiest way to create a good environment during remodeling projects is to treat those working on your home with the same respect that you'd treat anyone else you've invited into your house. Sure, these folks are getting paid to be there, but that doesn't mean hospitality won't make a difference. Personal space is a must for you as well as your hired crew; just as you wouldn't stand over an artist, hard at work at his easel, and ask "Why did you make that brushstroke?", you have to give your crew the freedom to do their job."-Servicemagic.com "The Best Way to a Smooth Remodeling Project" by Jon Nunan

You hired your professional for a reason, what ever that reason may be.  If you have communicated clearly, the lines are open in both directions and are respectful the service professional will be hard at work to complete your project or transaction and make you happy.  Hoovering while work is being done does not only hinder the process but can be dangerous as well.  It can be dangerous for you as well as the professionals doing the work.  If you are out hanging out in a work zone the crew can be worrying about your safety and not focusing on the job at hand.  Many home improvement projects involve tools that can cause injury if full concentration is not used.  There is often debris, tools and supplies that can easily be tripped over.  If you would like to see how a project is going approach the lead person on site and tell them you would like to take and look and let that professional get the area safe for you and them.  We have run into a few homeowners who have offered to "help" on a project, again we are looking out for your best interests.  Most liability insurance will only cover the people working for the company, if you are out there with a tool and something goes wrong the professional will not be covered, the damage will not be covered and you are not covered...everyone will be in a real mess.  We love when homeowners do come out to chat, again it's that communication thing, and there are lots of great homeowners out there that we love to get to know.  Just let your professional know when you would like to come out to make sure the area is safe for everyone.

- Finally many professionals are constantly working against a predisposed judgement of their profession.  There are a lot of great Lawyers, Sales people, CEOs, Insurance professionals, and contractors out there.  Almost every profession has a stigma.  Give your professional a chance to show they are one of the good ones without automatically assuming they are just like everyone else.  If the communication lines are open and everyone is respectful you could end up being extremely happy.  If you have a good relationship with your professional you might be surprised with how they will go "the extra mile" for you.  A good professional will do the job and will do it right.  A good professional with a positive relationship will in Disney's words "Bump the Lamp" for their client(http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2000/03/20/editorial5.html), In short go that extra mile for their client even if the client may not necessarily notice right away.

The Outdoor Space Remodel

There really is something about Spring, just watching the earth come alive again reinvigorates the soul.  For my husband and I this means it is getting closer to evening meals on the deck, lounging after a long day in our matching zero gravity outdoor recliners by the outdoor fireplace and hopefully some wonderful Family gatherings.  That being said in order to get to that point...we even need to make a few upgrades :)!

We have fully embraced the trend of outdoor living spaces!  Why not after all, what else can you do to your home that adds instant square footage without a 6 month building project.  Having just "retired" from a 16 year real estate career, I saw home buyers gobble up homes with outdoor living space.  This IS Colorado after all, we do have an average of 300 sunny days a year.  Many people are just like us and jumped right in to designing their outdoor living space years ago and just like us they too brushed off Winter's dust, started looking at their space and thought "hmmm this is starting to look a little shabby, I think we need to remodel".  That brings me to our household's latest project...the outdoor living space spruce up :)! 

Our own deck has just gone through a face lift, let's face it...it was looking a little saggy :).  Now I am looking to spruce up some of the the things that make our deck and patio our Summertime retreat.  This is not a "Yard Crashers" makeover, but just a few things to help make the space pop.  Yesterday we made our first trip to Ikea and purchased new curtains for our Pergola, today I found this picture on one of my favorite sites, Marthastewart.com, and I just HAD to share.



Ryan and I LOVE lanterns!  The warm light, the outdoorsy and sometimes rustic feel.  We even love them when the candles start to melt and drip all over our guests during our wedding!  We have quite a few lanterns left from said wedding that will be gracing our newly refinished Pergola this year (with glass votive holders inside now :)).  If you are looking for a great way to add a little something extra to your space this year, maybe try setting your sights a little higher and hang a few lanterns!  I have seen some great ones at many local retailers lately!

Hello all and welcome to The Superior Finish Blog!  I am Lindsay Armstrong co-owner of The Superior Finish.  My goal with this blog is to share information about the company but also information for homeowners.  I love to learn, I love tips and tricks.  I believe a day without learning something is a wasted day!  I hope everyone learns a little from our blog!