Grill in the Garden
Diamond Decks Partners with Bull BBQ to Customize, Upgrade Outdoor Entertaining
By Amy Morgan
Outdoor living spaces continue to gain popularity in South Texas as they add value to a home – an estimated 84-88% return on investment – and that doesn’t even factor in the enjoyment of use! Whether it’s a patio upgrade or a place to grill and gather, today’s outdoor living areas are designed to enhance a home’s appeal.
The heart of a home is the kitchen. Diamond Decks has been taking the kitchen outdoors for the past 10 years and is now one of the largest outdoor living construction companies in the state of Texas.
Owner Donnie Ferguson listens closely when he meets a client at one of Diamond Decks’ showrooms located inside the Stone Ridge Market HEB at Highway 281 and Evans Road or at the HEB plus at Bandera Road and Loop 1604. He’ll ask about entertaining style, number of guests, countertop or table seating and what type of food they like
to cook.
These answers help Donnie design the outdoor living space of their dreams. Diamond Decks can add stamped and stained concrete to enlarge an existing patio footprint and construct a covering to offer shade from summer’s relentless sun. Many clients are asking him to wire heating elements into the ceiling that can be switched on to add just enough warmth to make watching an evening game or hosting a winter party outdoors pleasant – even during one of San Antonio’s chillier nights.
Of course, the star of an outdoor area is its grill. Diamond Decks partners with Bull Outdoor Products for stainless-steel grills and components. The American company has been producing grills since 1992 and patented a ReliaBull technology to ensure their grills heat evenly and work reliably and consistently. They’ve since expanded to pizza ovens, power burners, sinks, drawers, refrigerators and ice wells. They even offer grilling tips and recipes on the company website, https://bullbbq.com/rbc-heritage-and-bull-bbq.
Bill Blanchard has been a wholesale distributor for Bull BBQ Outdoor Kitchen Equipment for 12 years. Because he and Diamond Decks share a close relationship, Donnie is able to pass along wholesale prices on Bull appliances to his clients. Bill keeps grills and components in stock and delivers in a timely manner at no charge.
“I’ve known Bull for 12 years, and it is always a reliable product,” Bill said. “Diamond Decks was one of my first customers. They have such great design ideas. Their vision of what works best in somebody’s back yard always complements the home.”
While a built-in refrigerator is handy to keep menu items ready to fire, Donnie and Bill both prefer an ice well for serving cold beverages. Or Donnie suggests installing a kegerator, so you’ll always have a cold mug of your favorite beer at the ready. Another trend is the power burner, perfect to handle a large pot for a crawfish boil. And people are requesting Bull griddles to cook everything from pancakes to vegetables quickly and easily.
Diamond Decks handles all the details of a project from start to finish – design, slab pour, building, appliance installation, electrical, plumbing, audio, along with all the designer touches that make your outdoor space a showstopper.
Donnie’s worked with one Sonterra homeowner recently to completely transform a dated living space. He enclosed the existing patio with screens and added a covered porch floored in stamped concrete. Stacked stone counters topped with granite wrap around to include a high-top bar facing the golf course and a stainless-steel Bull grill, power burner and ice well. Diamond Decks wired the ceiling for heat lamps and fans and illuminated the perimeter and steps leading to a hot tub on a lower level.
The result upgraded the backyard with a sophisticated look that will be marveled at from the Sonterra golf course, Donnie noted.
“It’s very rewarding when you start in the beginning with a great idea, bring it all together, and smile and rejoice with everyone when we finish the installation,” Donnie said.
Diamond Decks has an A+ rating from the BBB, an Angie’s List Super Service Award and is Top Rated as an Elite Service provider by Home Advisor. Go to Diamonddeckstx.com to get started on your wish list, then call for an in-home design consultation or showroom visit.
