5 Ways to Prep for a Backyard Bash

Among the true joys of summer is the opportunity to spend more time outside relaxing, entertaining, and playing. But you’ll have less time for all of these seasonal pleasures if your yard isn’t quite summer-ready. Here are five simple things you can do this weekend to revive outdoor living areas in time for your backyard bash!

1. STAIN THE DECK

Photo: paintsource.net

Before settling comfortably into an Adirondack chair to enjoy your summer soiree, consider giving your deck some TLC. If it has wood construction, sweep the surface clean and see if the boards need sealing or staining, or both. If water beads up on the wood, the sealer is fine. Otherwise, seal the deck now and rest comfortably knowing that your deck is in good shape for the traffic and heat it will see in the months ahead.

2. REPAIR OUTDOOR FURNITURE

Photo: Flickr

You’ll be a poor host—and a regretful neighbor—if you have outdoor furniture that is rusted, covered in mildew, or in need of repair when guests arrive for a backyard bash. You can paint metal and wood furniture easily enough, and tightening screws on wobbly legs takes no time at all. Proper care of outdoor furniture not only improves its appearance, but also promotes its longevity.

3. CONTROL BEES AND WASPS

Photo: stunningbackyard.com

Few things halt summertime festivities like an unexpected swarm. When dealing with outdoor pests, the best defense is a little offense.

4. MAKE GARDEN LUMINARIES

Photo: indulgy.com

Since outdoor entertaining often extends into the evening hours, be sure you have sufficient lighting—for mood and safety. Sure, you can buy and install landscape lighting, but you can also add light and charm with homemade luminaries. Whether hanging from tree limbs or sitting along the length of your deck rail, easy DIY tin can lanterns illuminate outdoor living areas in down-to-earth yet enchanting style.

5. READY THE GRILL

Photo: grassrootsblog.ca

If you’re getting ready to play host for a neighborhood barbecue, apply a critical eye and a caring hand to your grill. Remember, regular maintenance is the key to extending the useful years of your trusty, charbroiling party-pleaser!

Clearing the Fog

Your Glass Doctor can diagnose whether a fogged IGU window can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.

IG units are windows made from two or more pieces of flat pane glass separated by a sealed air space. If your home already has double-pane windows, but there is condensation or a “milky” appearance between the panes of glass, Glass Doctor needs to diagnose whether or not we can repair the foggy windows or recommend replacing the windows. Glass Doctor can upgrade your existing IGU windows with new energy-efficient glass replacements.

Foggy windows cause your home to lose energy efficiency. If you have an older home subject to frequent temperature changes IG units can help balance the indoor climate. In the winter IG units reduce cold transmittance at windows and help maintain a consistent temperature in the home. In the summer IG units reduce heat gain from outside. As a result your home’s air conditioning and heating system should run less, saving energy and money. In general IG units may cost three times more than single pane glass windows. But that cost can be recovered in a few short years through lower energy bills.

Glass Doctor of North Vancouver can help you select the best IG units for your home’s climate, from a wide variety of manufacturers. Call 604-984-4527  for an appointment today.

To Repair or Replace?

Windshield Repair - Fix minor windshield chips before they turn into cracks that compromise vehicle safety.

Windshield cracks and chips can impair driving visibility. Repairing the chip restores the structural integrity of the windshield and it’s cheaper than replacing a windshield. Getting a chip repaired is:

• Convenient - Glass technicians can repair a windshield within an hour.
• Inexpensive - Most insurance companies will reimburse the repair charge.
• Safe - Repairing your windshield helps keep the original factory equipment intact.
• Environmentally Friendly - When a windshield is replaced, the old windshield ends up going in a landfill, where it will stay forever.

Contact us today and we can will diagnose your windshield chips to determine if they can be repaired first, or if the windshield needs to be replaced. 

Glass Doctor of North Vancouver 604-984-4527

www.glassrepairnorthvancouver.com