Archadeck’s new Design Guide puts you in the drivers seat
This beautiful tri-level pergola is an example of what your outdoor space could be
Archadeck is helping to make backyards in North America more beautiful and functional one home at a time. Archadeck Outdoor Living is inspiring homeowners with some great ideas thanks to our new Outdoor Living Design Guide. This design guide shares our expertise and knowledge and puts it right at your fingertips. It is now available for a free download online at http://www.archadeck.com/guide/index.html
cover of our new online design guide
This full-color design guide features outdoor living space photos, ideas, tips and hints to give you a starting point in planning your new outdoor space and make your backyard the best it can be. It takes you on a guided tour of where to begin in planning the backyard you have always dreamed of.
The first step begins with functionality and helps you determine exactly what you want to do in your outdoor space. For example, within the patio and hardscape portion you will be asked to answer questions like do you want to dine, entertain, garden or just relax in your outdoor space. As you answer the questions it will lead you into ways to incorporate nature into your outdoor space because after all that is what makes these spaces so special. Do you want sunshine streaming in? Or maybe an outdoor space free of insects?
A lakeside gazebo by Archadeck with the grace and beauty of the swan
The view from within your outdoor space is of utmost importance and Archadeck has made this another point of focus in our design guide as well. This guide also aids in deciding where to place your outdoor space by taking into consideration the direction your backyard faces all the way to your lot and soil conditions.
A well planned outdoor space can complement not only your home’s exterior but the interior as well. With this in mind we show you how to plan a structure that allows for easy transition from interior spaces into your outdoor space.
This wonderful tool puts you in the driver’s seat and puts you in a better position to meet with your Archadeck Design consultant by having a better idea of the outdoor space that will suit your wants and needs. For a sneak peek on how the design guide works visit http://bit.ly/dreamyards today. You can also call us at 888-687-3325 or email us at http://www.archadeck.com/ContactUs.html
The Hard and Beautiful Truth About Exotic Hardwoods
exotic hardwood deck by Archadeck
Brazilian hardwoods- they are beautiful, strong, naturally resistant against insects and durable just to name a few qualities. Brazilian or exotic hardwoods are quite popular in uses such as flooring, decking, furniture making, docks, pool houses, and even to finish out ceiling in structures like covered porches, sunrooms and some homes. Their exotic and intoxicating beauty is unique in its variation and veining as well as their coloring.
Massaranduba deck
Brazilian hardwoods include Brazilian Walnut (Ipe), Brazilian teak ( Cumaru), Brazilian cherry (Jatoba), Brazilian redwood (Masaranduba) and the unmistakable Tigerwood. The natural colors of each of these woods is so desirable and unique it doesn’t require any staining or color additive.
Ipe is possibly one of the hardest woods available on the market today. Ipe is rated to last an astounding 100 years! Ipe has a class A fire rating which is same rating given to concrete as well as steel. Exposure to weather, including moisture has very little effect on the structural quality of the wood, this is why it is a popular choice among dock owners. Archadeck of Maryland recently focused on the use of beautiful Ipe in this blog story about an Ipe deck in Potomac MD.
Tigerwood up close-breathtaking
Tigerwood is another great option when considering exotic hardwoods. Tigerwood will not rot or decay over time. It is also quite disease- and fungus-resistant which make Tigerwood another viable option for use around a pool area, or area that is exposed to moisture. Another great article on Tigerwood was done by Archadeck of Austin, to read more just click the link below…
Ipe Brazilian hardwood roof deck from Rhode Island Builder - Archadeck
Even though some hardwoods are better known to consumers such as Ipe and Tigerwood, there are many more of these exotic woods on today’s market. Exotics require different installation than a typical wood application. Pre-drilled holes are required to ensure the decking will not split due to the hardness and resiliency of the wood. All Brazilian hardwoods carry at the very least a 25 year guarantee. We do recommend treating the deck on a regular basis to maintain those rich warm tones. Eventually all exotics will weather to a beautiful silver patina over time.
Ipe Brazilian hardwood deck with galvanized steel railing
If you are interested in re-decking or new decking with Brazilian hardwoods. Archadeck has the expertise and experience of working with these exotics. We can design, plan and build your next outdoor structure. Contact us today to see the Archadeck difference. 888-687-3325 or email us at info@archadeck.net
Can a back seat car charger be the reason someone buys a $25,000 car?
Sure. Should something as small as a back seat car charger be the reason someone buys one car vs. another? Perhaps. When it comes to vehicles, the difference in price between a “basic” car and the car that fits our lifestyle is really usually not that much as a percentage. So, in doing a financial analysis, we can have a motor with 4 wheels and scratchy seats for one price and a car we enjoy riding in for 5% more. Take into account that we will use this item every single day for the next 5 years or so, the cost of having all the comfort we really want could be as little as pennies per day.
TimberTech Earthwood Tropical Teak Deck by Harold Cross of Archadeck of Des Moines
My husband constantly tries to help me see this fact and often it takes a literal financial analysis to help me see it. I tend to get sticker shock – especially during this bad economy. I’m embarrassed to say but I can remember more times than I care to admit when I’ve purchased the cheap item only to have it break or be completely useless and had to buy the more expensive version in addition spending nearly twice as much as I spent originally.
Charlotte NC screened porch with outdoor fireplace
Our Archadeck owners tell me that they often get calls from homeowners who had a “cheap” deck built for them and not much later they realize they should have spent a little more to get the deck that they really wanted. This could be because of the size or the construction or very often as a result of the deck missing one or two critical features to make it an area that they really want to spend time.
As a recovering first-time cheapskate, I urge you to take a look at the product you really want and do a financial analysis to find out how much more the product I want really costs. These days, a new deck can last 30 years or more. That’s a purchase that’s worth spending a little more to get your “back seat car charger” type feature that’s really going to improve your quality of outdoor life in your yard.
Call an expert near you to have your deck built right the first time.
A drab deck turns into a fabulous sunroom in Olathe Kansas
When Steve Folsom of Archadeck of Kansas City first started talking with homeowners in Olathe Kansas, they were looking for replacement for a two-story rotted deck that adjoined their kitchen and living rooms. They wanted an upper sunroom above a new lower deck to replace their old two-story deck.
Olathe KS Sunroom converted from old deck
They didn’t know all the features and final design details they wanted for the room but they did know he wanted to use it as much as possible, both winter and summer, and throughout the year as much as possible.
Pella Windows and French patio doors
The planning process becomes a really interactive discussion at this point. Since the homeowners were not sure about the details, here are some of the things that Steve recommended. They wanted to install new french doors from the living room and keep them open a large part of the time so Steve suggested a fully insulated room with auxiliary heat and cooling.
Beadboard ceiling in sunroom with track lighting
Steve suggested low-e double pane energy-efficient windows to maximize comfort and year round occupancy. Then for the design details, in order to give unique architectural look to the room, Steve suggested tongue and groove cedar ceiling trim with painted beadboard wall trim.
Kansas City sunroom by Archadeck
The total project included:
- a new sunroom with new Pella french doors
- Pella low-e double pane energy-efficient windows to maximize comfort and year round occupancy
- an outside upper deck for cooking
- a larger lower deck under the room.
- AZEK decking
- Fortress railing
- Timbertech Radiance rail posts
Steve Folsom, Archadeck of Kansas City
If you live in the Kansas City area and you’re thinking about an outdoor project – whether it’s a sunroom, deck, porch, pergola, outdoor fireplace, outdoor living room or another vacation spot in your back yard, give Steve Folsom of Archadeck of Kansas City a call. (913) 851 – 3325. kansascity@archadeck.net
Do you have a deck that you NEVER spend time on?
Picture of the old deck that was too smallDo you have a deck that you never spend time on? Is your deck so old or so small or so dilapidated that you just don't ever spend any time on it? Can you imagine if there was a room in your house that you just never went in and never spent any time in? We wouldn't let that happen. Our homes are too valuable to cast off a particular room as just not functional enough or not comfortable enough. So we decorate it better, upgrade the floor, add a new piece of furniture, paint it or otherwise give it a little lift so it becomes a friendlier and more enjoyable room.
Custom gazebo in Chadds Ford PA
Yet our deck is the room right outside our back door and we let that become an abandoned old rickety un-functional room in our house. Yet, it’s the only room in our house where we can feel the breeze. It’s the only room in our house where we can smell the fresh air. It’s the only room in our house with tremendous natural lighting which is so good for physical and mental well-being.
I think a lot of times we put off getting our decks up to snuff because we fear the price of such an upgrade. But now is really the best time to get a quote. We’re going into 2011 and we will make a lot of new spending decisions. We may again decide to put off a vacation even though we annually have some money earmarked for it. We can put that toward upgrading the vacation spot in our back yard. We may put off getting a newer car even though we had some money budgeted for it. The reason we may put these types of things off is because the return on these investments is slim-to-none. At this point in the economy, we can’t afford to spend unless it’s an investment. The return on this investment is high financially and otherwise.
Old deck before picture
Go ahead and get a quote and a design from a professional who can help you envision the right outdoor space for you. These homeowners in Chadd’s Ford PA had the type of deck we’ve been talking about. It was just too small and it was very old and run down.
Juan Cardona at Archadeck of Chester County worked with this family to design a bigger deck that also had a nice area for shade so they could enjoy the room outside their back door both in moderate and direct sun conditions.
Here’s a note from Juan Cardona
“These homeowners were looking for a larger deck than what they had which was 12’X14’ and very square. They wanted to work with a newer material (no wood) for low maintenance. They originally wanted a porch attached to the house on top of the deck, but the house configuration did not allow for what they wanted. I suggested that she consider a free-standing gazebo as an option and this is what we finished up with.”
New large deck with a gazebo
The new deck materials are Timbertech Desert Bronze PVC decking with Timbertech radiance Railing with aluminum balusters from Deckorators.
Juan Cardona - Archadeck of Chester County PA
If you live in the Chester County PA area and you’re considering a new backyard project or want to have a free consultation, call Juan Cardona. Phone: (610) 696 – 3340. Or email: chesterco@archadeck.net. Visit http://chester-county.archadeck.com/ or visit their Facebook page.
Comment:
James commented “I really love how you refer to decks as “vacation spot in our back yard.” That’s so true! So why not take the time and make the investment to make it as great as it can be? The project that Juan Cardona did with the free standing pergola is beautiful! I’m sure the homeowners are loving it!”
Ocean view multilevel TimberTech composite deck with ocean view and bench seating
When Maurice Meagher of Archadeck of Nova Scotia starts a new deck design job, the part he looks forward to most is designing the structure to fit the way the homeowners want to live. It’s not about building the biggest deck or using the hottest new materials.
Standing atop the second deck level, gazing at the lower deck
It’s about designing the right structure with the best materials for the family. After all, this is a new part of their house. It is an extension of where they live and should reflect how they live and how they want to live.
This family in St. Margaret’s Bay in Nova Scotia had a couple requirements. They wanted a 2nd story living space so they could enjoy the ocean view behind their lovely home. They also wanted a deck on the first story to tie into the garden and backyard. They wanted no barrier or rail on the lower level deck so traffic could flow from the deck into the yard and to the beach area.
Glass railing on second-story TimberTech deck
On the top level, they wanted to dine, entertain and grill. Grilling on this ocean view property could be affected by the breeze coming off the ocean. The family wanted to be able to enjoy the ocean view but still have some protection from the wind. So, Maurice built a glass railing so as not to obscure any of the beautiful view.
The stairs were designed to be equally
TimberTech deck staircase with white picket railing
beautiful and functional. With the ocean view and the beauty of the deck down below, the scene from the staircase was exceptional. The white rail post used from the second level extends down the stairs and a decorative white picket was used on the deck stairs.
The deck itself was made of TimberTech Earthwood Teak with TimberTech Radiance railing.
TimberTech deck in Nova Scotia
The deck’s lower level included a corner bench and another bench as well as steps on both sides going out to the garden.
This deck is not only beautiful and functional but also award winning -
It was awarded “Most Outstanding Exterior Renovation” by the Nova Scotia Home builder’s Association.
Here is the “before picture”. Wow!
Deck before Archadeck re-design
Maurice-Meagher-Nova-Scotia
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact Maurice Meagher of Archadeck of Nova Scotia
(902) 444 – 3325
novascotia@archadeck.net
Depth is almost as important as length when designing your deck or patio
So here you are. You’ve decided it’s time to go ahead and start talking to contractors about building your dream porch or sun room or deck. You have in your mind whether or not your structure will be covered on top and likely approximately how much of the back of your house you want to cover. You’ve probably gone out back with a tape measure and measured the length of the area you have earmarked for your new structure.
What you probably haven’t thought about is the depth of your deck or patio or sunroom. I had the good pleasure recently to ride to some job sites built by Archadeck of Austin. Several times I learned about being able to convince customers of adding an extra two feet.
I learned that often homeowners will make a decision based on what feels or sounds about right. Or, they may even select their outdoor furniture ahead of time and base the depth on the measurements of the furniture plus adding space to move out chairs.
So I pondered this idea overnight at the hotel where I stayed. The next morning I came down to wait for my ride and noticed the furniture in the lobby
This furniture is too tight for this space
It was just too tight to effectively seat anyone that wanted to sit there. The furniture grouping included a table, a sofa and two chairs. Although the furniture fit (literally) in the area, there was only about 6 inches between the chairs and the table. The chairs could not be pulled out. This made it impossible for people to get by anyone sitting in the chairs without the person having to get up.
So, it’s a great idea to have measurements for your outdoor furniture before you build a new structure. A good contractor should also be able to help you determine how much room is needed around that furniture set to be able to use it effectively.
