Month: October 2023

A deck builder is a carpenter who specialises in creating outdoor spaces. They work with clients to assess their needs and then follow blueprints or plans to build a sturdy deck.

Explore Matakana’s trusted Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures professionals on Houzz. Review their profiles, photos, work and customer reviews to find the best professional for your project.

Decking Materials

There are a wide variety of decking materials to choose from when building a new deck. Each has its own strengths, weaknesses, and maintenance requirements. While traditional wood remains a popular option, composite and plastic alternatives continue to grow in popularity.

Cedar, redwood, and tropical hardwoods offer classic beauty and resistance to rot and insect damage. But they also require regular upkeep to prevent splintering and warping. Art Metall’s custom metal and glass railings beautifully complement the rich tones of these woods.

Pressure-treated pine is an affordable choice that lasts about 15 years and resists rot, insect damage, and weathering. But it splinters and fades quickly, and requires staining to preserve its appearance.

Deck Design

A deck is a perfect way to make the most of your outdoor space. A qualified deck and patio contractor will survey your lot and home to recommend the ideal size, height, and construction materials for your needs. They will also advise you on local factors that may affect your deck’s functionality and safety, including climate, regulations, and maintenance.

This cedar clad new build in Pt Wells was architecturally designed to be a relaxed home with multiple outdoor living spaces. It features a large deck on either side of the house as well as a roof-top deck.

Ultralon New Zealand was commissioned to custom template, router, supply and install anti-slip decking into Matakana River Tours tour boat. The end result is a durable, clean, plank-look decking that’s both aesthetically pleasing and safe to walk on in the event of a water spillage. TH Construction utilised Abodo Vulcan Cladding in Protector Ebony, with vertical Vulcan Battens in a brushed finish to provide contrast and texture.

Deck Installation

In addition to helping homeowners select the ideal deck design and materials, a qualified contractor can explain how to build a safe and functional outdoor space. This includes obtaining any necessary building permits and conducting inspections to ensure the deck is structurally sound. A good deck and patio builder will also recommend additional components that can enhance the outdoor living space, such as barbecue grills, fire pits, pergolas, or outdoor lighting.

Deck and patio builders can help homeowners with every aspect of the project, from planning to completion. They can help determine what size and shape the structure should be, help choose suitable material for the decking, and provide a quote based on the customer’s budget. They can also offer advice on how to maintain the deck once it’s completed. For example, they can advise on which stain or finish to use to prolong the life of the decking. They can also offer safety tips for using the deck.

Deck Maintenance

A well-maintained deck can add value to a home and make outdoor living more comfortable. It also protects people from toxins and provides a great place to entertain guests. Moreover, it can help keep the environment healthy by keeping moss and mildew at bay. Consequently, decks have become an integral part of many homes and multi-housing units.

To keep your deck in good condition, you should clean it regularly. The best way to do this is by scrubbing it with a brush and rinsing it thoroughly. However, if you have caked-on dirt or stains on your deck, power washing may be necessary.

Be sure to remove any rust or corroded metal parts. Aside from this, you should check for loose joists and railings. It is also important to replace any broken or rotting boards. If the wood is split, you should use a board underneath it to straighten it out. This will prevent splinters from getting into your skin.

Many recipes call for granulated sugar, but if you replace it with honey, you’ll notice more complex flavors. Honey that hasn’t been heated also has a stronger flavor.

Some supermarket own-label honey is adulterated by blending costly acacia honey with cheaper rape honey, as the color of rape honey closely resembles that of acacia. More detailed country-of-origin labeling would help consumers avoid this practice.

Wildflower Honey

As the name suggests, wildflower honey is made from nectar sourced from an assortment of wild flowers in nature. These blooms range from trees and bushes to grasses and herbs. The result is a versatile honey with a flavor profile that can vary significantly depending on the season.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that eating local honey can relieve seasonal allergies. This theory stems from the belief that eating the sweet nectar of a variety of plants boosts your body’s antibody levels.

Similar to clover honey, wildflower honey offers a light consistency intertwined with fruity and floral notes. This makes it a great choice when baking delicate pastries or blending into recipes that call for a natural sweetness without overshadowing other ingredients. It also shines drizzled atop a cheese plate or as a marinade, where its mild taste balances out savory flavors. It’s also a staple in tea and coffee for a refreshing, uplifting drink.

Mesquite Honey

In March in Arizona, mesquite trees bloom and produce a honey that is sweet with a hint of smoke. It has a very high wax content that makes it very spreadable. This honey is good for seasonal allergies and is delicious in homemade granola.

Mesquite is a tree native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is drought and frost tolerant, grows in a variety of soil types, and fixes 30-40 kg N/ha (Jarrell et al. 1982). It is widely used in alley cropping and windbreaks. It also serves as a food source for livestock. The pods are sweet and contain a high percentage of protein and fat. They can be ground into flour or used to make tempe and tofu (Felger, 1977).

We combine mesquite with wildflower and desert blend for a honey that is rich, mild, and very flavorful. The result is a great tasting blend that compliments a wide variety of foods.

Clover Honey

Clover honey is one of the most popular varieties available. In fact, if you look at the label on any bottle of honey, it will most likely say clover in some way (although not necessarily specifically which type). Clover is a common flower that blooms all through summer and makes an abundant amount of nectar, so bees love it. It is a very light color, ranging from white to a light amber shade and has a mild, sweet flavor with hints of grass or hay.

Its antimicrobial properties make it a great choice for dressing diabetic foot wounds because of its ability to kill bacteria and prevent infections (9). Clover honey also may help protect the brain against aging, thanks to its phenolic acid content.

If you’re unsure which honey is which in your cupboard, try the water test — put a spoonful of honey in a glass of water and shake it. Real honey won’t foam or dissolve, and it will have a distinct aroma.

Manuka Honey

Manuka blend honey is often used to treat colds, coughs, and sore throats. It has also been found to help with the healing of wounds. It contains a substance called methylglyoxal (MG), which gives it its antibacterial properties. It is also known to have antioxidant properties.

Many studies have shown that manuka honey is more effective against bacteria than regular honey. It inhibits the growth of all bacterial pathogens tested and can disperse and destroy pre-formed biofilms.

It has been shown to downregulate some of the most potent genes of the bacteria MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It has also been shown to be effective against VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus) and ESBL (extended spectrum b-lactamase).

It has also been shown to improve oral health by reducing the buildup of plaque, gingivitis, and other periodontal diseases. It has even been shown to reduce the amount of Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which is linked to gastric ulcers.