Affordable Shade

Are you looking to transform your custom outdoor patio into an intimate space for you and guests?

Balancing function with style can be challenging with so many ideas and options available today, that is why we have put together some helpful tips and tricks that will give you the outdoor space that fits your lifestyle and enhances the appearance of your custom outdoor patio.

It’s Time to Accessorize with Patio Plants

A patio without plants is like a kool-aid without sugar, bread without butter, one without the other is just not as enjoyable. At Affordable Shade Patio Covers, we want you to get the most out of your patio.  Adding life to your outdoor space in the form of plants will enhance the aesthetics and invite relaxation if done correctly while softening the hardscape qualities of your patio.

There are many ways to add greenery and color to your covered outside space, but we have found the easiest way to integrate plants without breaking the bank is the use of pots and containers.

Container gardens are portable and easy to maintain with many different colors and style options available to fit your needs. Additionally, potted plants make it easy to move inside in the event a freeze happens in Houston (yes, we know – a freeze is a rare event!).

Additionally, if placed in the right areas, plants can help establish parameters and pathways along your custom outdoor patio.

It’s Tree Time!

More significant, more permanent plants, like trees, can be a great way to add character and shade but there are a few things to consider before planting trees near your custom outdoor patio:

If the goal is shade, the height of the tree selection when it is fully matured is essential. Choosing a tree that grows too tall, may cause problems with your patio cover if not trimmed consistently.

All trees have roots, but some trees have root systems that are more aggressive than others. Those with root systems that branch out far may disturb your patio foundation in future years.

Trees that are evergreen and are easy to maintain are your best bet for your patio. After all, you want to enjoy your outdoor space, not have to clean up leaves and branches from an overburdensome tree continually.

It is best to talk to your local nursery about the best kinds of trees for a patio.  But, here are a few of our favorite; Japanese Maple and Sunburst Honey Locust.

Decorative Water Features

In cultures all around the globe, water has been linked to relaxation.  So, it only natural that water feature options be considered when landscaping your custom outdoor patio.

Decorative garden fountains come in all shapes and sizes, from small to elaborate.  You can purchase different designs and styles from home improvement stores and nurseries or try your skill at a DIY project.  Either way, incorporating a water element into your custom outdoor patio is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

If you are currently looking for patio builders in your area to make your outdoor dreams come true, you might be wondering how to pick the right contractor for the project.

Having apprehension when choosing a contractor is common (we have all heard horror stories), but it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. There are plenty of great commercial general contractors out there who could help you out. You only have to take a little effort to look for them.

Here are a few things you want to do when choosing patio builders (or any other contractor that you might need for that matter) before having them get to work on your construction or remodeling project.

Reviews and Online Reputation

A little research on a particular contractor before hiring them can go a long way toward being sure they are the right one before you sign a contract.

Make sure to read customer reviews from multiple sources whenever possible. One thing to make a note of when doing this is to pay attention to how the contractor responded to any negative reviews (if they reacted publicly, many do respond but not for all to see).

The main thing you need to do is look at an overall ratio of the number of reviews combined with the ratings they received.

For example, patio builders who have a 4.3-star rating and have more than 30 reviews is a good ratio, whereas a company that has a 3.7-star rating and only has eight reviews might be one you want to avoid.

View Our Reviews

Warranties and References

A legible and legal warranty on all work performed should always be standard, and any contractor worth working with should not only present you with one before you sign an agreement but be able to answer any questions about it.

A contractor who offers a vague warranty contract or one who trips and stumbles over trying to explain terms or answers regarding their warranty is almost always one you want to avoid!

Likewise, asking the contractor for a minimum of 5 local references and contacting them about their experience is an excellent way to avoid the nightmare of having someone rip you off.

View our Warranty Information

Get Everything in Writing

Make your desire to have everything in writing known early on, and tell the contractor what your expectations are upfront regarding material costs, labor costs, the estimated time the project will take, and any other details you want in writing.

One significant thing to add to any signed agreement like this is to make sure the contractor knows they must inform you of any changes or additions to what is agreed upon as the project begins. This step can save you from extra charges and possible litigation fees down the road.

Never Pre-pay for Labor, Ask for Material Receipts

While having patio builders ask you for money to purchase materials before beginning a construction project is very common, you should be concerned if they ask you to pay for any labor costs before work begins.

One way to ensure that everything is on the up and up is to ask for copies of all material receipts.

This small and simple request can ensure that everything the contract states is being followed, protecting you from inflated costs and keeping everyone honest from start to finish.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and you sure want to impress guests with some finger-licking Thanksgiving Dinner. If you have done your research well, you probably are in favor of deep-fried turkey. There are safer infra-red fryers on the market, but those big enough for a turkey are hard to find.

Furthermore, the crunchy texture and juicy meat of the deep-fried turkey hard to ignore. However, your safety during the frying process is not to be exchanged for anything. Not only do we outline safety procedures, but there is also some useful information on the right ingredients. There is also a procedural guide on safely frying the turkey.

Ingredients you will need to fry a turkey

Obviously, you a turkey. Next, you need some oil with a smoke point higher than 425F. Refined corn, safflower, or peanut oil will do just fine.

After that, you need to determine the exact amount of oil required, as follows.

• Place your thawed turkey in the fryer pot you intend to use
• Pour water until the turkey is fully covered
• Remove the thawed turkey
• Take note of the water level

That is the exact amount of oil you will need to safely deep fry your turkey.

Setting up your turkey and deep fryer

After that, you will need to dry rub and apply seasoning to your turkey. If doing it outdoors, double check you have gathered several things. You will need gloves, long-sleeved clothing, and goggles for safety. You could get cut-resistant gloves online, from websites such as Unigloves (unigloves.co.uk) and others. Similarly, you can find safety equipment from chemical supply stores. Kitchen shears help in slicing, and you might need paper towels. You will also need an oil thermometer to keep temperatures in check. A fire extinguisher also comes in handy in case a fire starts. As for the turkey fryer, make sure it has a stable stand, rack, stock pot, probe thermometer, as well as an injector for your propane tank.

How to maintain safety during the frying process

It is imperative that everything goes as outlined. Oil spillages and fires are an imminent risk. Thus, everything that is manageable should be taken care of. That way, only unforeseen occurrences could cause minimal issues.

• First, ensure your turkey is completely thawed before getting into contact with oil. Ice or sludge could lead to oil spillage. 4-5 pounds of turkey require 24 hours of thawing.
• The smaller the turkey, the better
• Turkey should not be stuffed before frying
• Before frying, make sure the fryer is stable, and not within reach of flammable objects. That includes garages, trees, among other farm structures like patio covers.
• Internal turkey temperature should be maintained at or above 165F
• Do not let oil temperatures go beyond 350F
• Always wear protective clothing
• Keep abreast with weather updates, at no time should you operate a fryer when it is raining or in the presence of snow
• Observe a space of at least 2 feet between the fryer and the tank. For cases where one is using a propane tank
• Keep pets and children away from the fryer at all times
• Never leave your fryer unattended
• It is always wise to read instructions if your fryer comes with such a booklet
• Lastly, cautiously remove the pot from the deep fryer once through. The oil should cool down for about 12hrs before disposing of it.

Step-by-step frying procedures

Now that you have the safety tips at the back of your mind let the action begin!

1. Keep the flame low before placing your pot. Once the oil is in the pot and put on the burner, increase the burner intensity.
2. Attach your oil thermometer to the pot’s side with thermometer’s tip submerged in the oil. Keep checking until you get to the desired levels, 325-350oF.
3. Use paper towels to get rid of any excess moisture.
4. Use the shears to get rid of excess fat, and slit every leg at the front.
5. Using a marinade, dry rub, or both apply your seasoning of choice. Avoid water-based marinades.
6. Hook your turkey to the lifter and remove the thermometer.
7. Reduce the flame and lower the turkey slowly into the oil. It should take about a minute.
8. For every pound, the turkey should cook for an average of 3.5 – 4 minutes.
9. Once cooked, gradually remove the turkey from the pot letting excess oil drip off.
10. Check the turkey’s internal temperature with the help of a probe thermometer. It should be at least 165oF.

Conclusion

Once done, place the turkey on a pan or paper towels. After around 15-20 minutes, it should be ready for serving.

This is Affordable Shade Patio Covers wishing you a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. And enjoy lots of turkey and pumpkin pie!