Paver Patio in Colorado’s Front Range Makes Huge Visual Impact
We at Archadeck love to see all of the custom designed projects that our franchisees create for their clients. Like we’ve mentioned before, whether it’s a patio, porch or deck, each of our outdoor living spaces is created with the customers’ tastes, budget and lifestyle in mind. Recently, Curtis Crays, the owner of Archadeck of Front Range, created the perfect paver patio for clients who had been saving for 10 years for the backyard of their dreams.
The patio before
The before picture to the right shows the not-so-special outdoor living space they had before. There was a small area that was covered with rocks and a stone path going through it. There was nothing special or comfortable about the space that invited you to spend additional time outdoors overlooking the beautiful foothills of Golden, Colorado. The homeowners knew they wanted the perfect outdoor space and saved for years to make it happen.
When Curtis initially visited the homeowners, they had a clear idea of what they wanted in the space: a large paver patio, stucco wall, an iron gate and some kind of fire feature. And boy did they get it. Look at these after pictures! Wow!
This paver patio in the Denver area is now a place to want to spend time in
“They deserve to have the space they always wanted,” says Crays. “And we were happy to give it to them.” The Santa Fe style space includes a 160 foot long stucco wall in Valparaiso Clay that provides a clear border to the space, creating an outdoor room. Adds Crays; “that wall is such a focal point to the space. It’s visually interesting but still defines the space and provides additional privacy.”
The patio, constructed with borgert pavers, includes neutral greys to provide an even base and sporadic red pavers that complement the vibrancy of the red stucco. And with 1,000 square feet of patio, the homeowners now have the perfect place to relax or entertain friends and family.
The finishes of an outdoor living space often “make” the space and that’s the case with both the iron gate and the fireplace of this project. The iron gate, with its intricate design, is the perfect “door” to this outdoor living room. An outdoor fireplace was a must for these homeowners and it became a standout feature of this space. Adds Crays “most outdoor fireplaces are low to the ground, but we wanted to do something different. 
By raising it a few feet it becomes a piece of art on the wall and the lights on either side enhance it even more.”
Although we think this paver patio in Golden, CO is absolutely stunning; in the end it’s all about how the client reacts. In this case, the homeowner had a very clear and concise reaction to the space: “This is exactly what I dreamed of…, we absolutely love it.”
Outdoor Dining Rooms – the Perfect Place to Host Friends and Family
This past Tuesday I got together with a bunch of my girlfriends for dinner. It had been a while since we were all in the same place at the same time, and we decided to take advantage. We all went over to my friend Kerri’s house where we prepared the food together while nibbling on appetizers and sipping on some cocktails. It was a great time until I realized, there really wasn’t a whole lot of room in her dining room for all of us. Just when I was about to say something, Kerri ushered us outside.
Off the back side of their house, Kerri and her husband have small deck that is set up perfectly for outdoor entertaining. It has a large dining table that easily fit 8 chatty ladies and the tree lined fence along the side of the yard provided privacy. It was lovely.
Outdoor rooms, as opposed to just some plastic furniture on a deck, porch or patio, have been gaining popularity in recent years. With all of the furniture and accessories that are now available from both big box stores and specialty store, it is easy to create the same homey feeling you have indoors, out. In the case of Kerri’s outdoor dining room, the table was lovely and she had placemats and accessories that were made to stand up to the natural elements. She finished off the space with candles and flowers that made it feel like a true room.
In warmer months it’s nice to spend time outdoors and the opportunities are endless. Check out some of these outdoor rooms that were created on some Archadeck Outdoor Living Structures:
This outdoor living room looks over the backyard of this homeowners property
This Archadeck deck has both living and dining spaces to entertain outdoors
And this covered porch in Austin? With an outdoor kitchen, fireplace and TV, why would I want to go inside?
Add Square Footage to your Home – Outside
A new show that has recently caught my attention is Interior Design with Jeff Lewis on Bravo. If you aren’t familiar with Jeff Lewis (you’re missing out) he is also the star of Flipping Out and a high profile interior designer, house flipper and remodeler. He’s a character to say the least. In Interior Design, he and his assistant Jenny (who is great in her own way) move in to the clients’ home and remodel a room or two (along with addressing some of the clients’ personal issues). It is incredible to see what they are able to accomplish in just 5 days.
In Wednesday’s episode, Jeff and Jenny worked with Ross the Intern and his partner Sal. The couple lives in California in a small house that didn’t have the square footage to accommodate the company they liked to entertain. Instead of remodeling a room inside the house, Jeff decided to redo the garage and driveway (which they didn’t park in) and create an outdoor dining room that could fit all their guests, increasing their living space. Over the course of the week, Jeff, Jenny and their team tore up the existing cement driveway and installed large concrete pavers to create a large, and beautiful, patio. They finished it with an outdoor dining room set and bar. Needless to say, Ross and Sal loved it.
The outdoor living industry has grown over the last decade and has really turned into just that, living outdoors. I have experienced this transition first hand. Growing up, my family and I had a simple deck on the back of our house. We sat outside in a few plastic Adirondack-style chairs for a little while and then would go back inside. Although nice, I wouldn’t say it was a great outdoor living space. Now that my parents are retired and live in South Carolina, that’s changed. They have great outdoor living spaces where we spend a significant amount of time when we’re visiting. They have a great outdoor kitchen for preparing, cooking and serving dinner, a dining area where we can eat and a few different lounge areas to enjoy a nice day.
The reason we spend so much time outdoors now is that the spaces we have are truly outdoor living rooms, not just decks, porches, patios, etc. There are so many options for outdoor living now: outdoor furniture, rugs, accessories and more that create a comfortable, homey atmosphere.
Outdoor structures have transformed into true outdoors rooms where homeowners want to spend time. Additionally, by creating these extra spaces, they increase the useable square footage of their property. Last year, for instance, my husband and I decided that we wanted to have our rehearsal dinner at my parents’ house. This would have been a problem had it not been for the outdoor spaces. The house itself just couldn’t hold enough people, but when the doors were opened, guests flowed inside and out and sat wherever they wanted.
At Archadeck, we’ve helped create thousands of outdoor rooms for our clients. It is important to us to understand how you are going to use the space so we can design the perfect project for you and your needs. For some, a screened porch works, for others, it’s a covered porch and patio. Every space is different. If you are interested in increasing your home’s square footage by moving it outdoors, please contact your local Archadeck office.
Spring Has Sprung. Are your Outdoor Spaces ready?
The time for barbecues, outdoor games and deck sitting is almost here. The grass is turning greener and the flowers are starting to bloom. Just like your house, it’s important to prepare your outdoor living spaces with some spring cleaning and upkeep so you can enjoy it all season long without worry or work. Here are a few tips:
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See the difference some cleaning can do to your patio
Sweep and hose off (or power wash if necessary) your outdoor living structures. Leaves, dirt and other grime can build up on your structures during the cooler months. Wash all of it away and start fresh each spring.
- Check for safety. If you have an older deck (5+ years), have a professional come out and conduct a deck safety inspection as the winter elements can weaken outdoor living structures. The inspector should check all aspects of the deck including the boards, railings, stairs, etc and give you recommendations on if or when you may need to take action. It will give you piece of mind knowing that your deck is safe when you have guests at your next barbeque.
- Scrub your outdoor furniture and rugs. No matter where you store your patio furniture, cushions or rugs, they will need some cleaning, but be careful to clean with the proper solution. Wood furniture will require a different cleaner than aluminum or plastic furniture. Read the directions on the bottle to make sure you aren’t going to harm your furniture or outdoor fabrics.
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Don't let overgrown plants take over your outdoor living space. Cutting them back will make your space fell more open.
Take notice of your landscaping. Are there bushes or trees that have grown into your outdoor living spaces and need to be trimmed? Are there flowerbeds lining your structures that need to be tidied up or freshly mulched? If you do need to do some work, watch out for flowers that may bloom in the spring. For instance, we have azaleas alongside our deck that need to be trimmed, but I’m holding off until the blooms are gone and before they get their buds for next year. Here’s a great guide on when to prune different types of plants.
- Check your outdoor lighting. Whether you have coach, deck, landscape or overhead lighting, make sure that everything is working properly. Do you need to have any bulbs replaced? Is anything obstructing the light spread?
- Get the grill ready. Grills often need a good cleaning or tune up after a long season without use. Make sure everything is working properly before you are ready to throw on the burgers and hot dogs.
- Get rid of any standing water. Unfortunately the warm weather has brought out the mosquitoes earlier this season than usual and they breed in standing water. Tossing over object like dog dishes, kids’ toys and loose tarps will cut down on the breeding sites in your yard (if you have a bad mosquito problem, check out our sister company Mosquito Squad).
Enjoy. By spending some time checking and cleaning your outdoor living space you are ready to sit back and enjoy your space throughout the spring and summer months.
Outdoor Living is Here to Stay
We all know the recession and current economic situation has changed the way we buy. In general, consumers are taking more time with bigger purchases. Despite the uncertain economy, the National Association of Home Builders recently announced a five-year high in the remodeling index in the past fourth quarter. It seems that many homeowners are continuing to spend money updating their current home rather than moving.
According to the Chicago Tribune there are three remodeling trends that are growing in popularity despite tough economic times:
This multi-level Archadeck deck is the perfect place to entertain friends and family
- In- Law Suites,
- Smarter Kitchens and
- Outdoor Living Spaces
Prior to the recession, many homeowners were investing significant money in creating their dream backyards and many still are, just to a lesser extent.
“The recession many have dinged this corner of the remodeling industry, but the concept survives. In fact, investing in outdoor living spaces has been a major part of even budget-minded upgrades within existing home footprints. Consumers may be scaling back their wish list, but they’re not cutting back on outdoor entertaining and family time.” – Chicago Tribune
The outdoor living industry is one that continues to grow in popularity. In the Spring and Summer months, it’s hard not to see advertisements or news about outdoor games, recipes, accessories and more. And let’s face it, with barbecues, hammocks and corn-hole, who wouldn’t want to increase their outdoor time?
While the majority of our customers enhance their outdoor areas so they can truly enjoy it, it will add value to their home when it is time to sell. Some experts say that a seller can expect a 75% return on the investment of a new deck for instance.
If you have any questions on how a new outdoor living space can add value to your home, please contact us at Archadeck.com.
Plan Your Dream Backyard Now – Built It In Phases
We’ve said it before and we will say it again, but at Archadeck Outdoor Living, we want to help you make your backyard dreams come true. You want a new deck? Great! A patio off that deck? No problem. How about an outdoor kitchen for the chef in your family? Sounds wonderful. We can design a custom outdoor living space that encompasses all of that, but that doesn’t mean you have to build it all at one time.
Outdoor living spaces that include multiple pieces, like the above, can be built in phases
Building new structure or updating old structures in your outdoor spaces can be expensive and something that many people save for for years. Spreading the build across a few years may make more sense for you and your family. This is called staged building and it’s something that we think is an important part of the design process.
When you are looking to change your outdoor living space, designing the dream backyard from the start will save you time, money and frustration later. Although you may not add the second piece to the space until a year or two after the first, you don’t want it to look like an afterthought. Instead, you want every aspect of your backyard to work seamlessly with each other. In the initial design phase, it’s important to see how the pieces work together to make sure everything “fits.”
Developing your backyard design in advance may also save you money in the long run depending on what you may be building. For example, if your end goal includes a fire pit, fireplace or outdoor kitchen, you will want to run your gas lines early if they run under your other projects. Small things like this will save you from having to tear up parts of your existing structures to include others.
Running the gas line at the beginning of this project allows the outdoor kitchen to be added later
When talking to your outdoor living contractor, it’s important to mention everything that you eventually want to include in your yard. Ask for “staged” plans showing you how your space will look after each part of the project is built. If you aren’t exactly sure what you need or want, ask yourself questions like “how do I envision myself using the space?” Our design guide will give you further direction on what may fit your needs and lifestyle and give you the best backyard you can imagine.
If you have any questions on staged planning and building, please contact your local Archadeck Outdoor Living office.
Creating Outdoor Great Rooms with Pergolas
One of the many benefits of adding an outdoor living structure to your property is that it increases the amount of livable space to your home. Outdoor rooms are becoming increasingly popular and are often used in multiples ways: a living room complete with couches, dining areas, outdoor kitchens, etc. The possibilities are endless when it comes to outdoor living spaces.
Pergolas can help define outdoor living spaces
You can define different spaces of your outdoor structures in numerous ways, but one of our favorites is the pergola. Seen here to the left, a pergola is shade structure that can be added to new or existing projects.
Pergolas make a dramatic addition to any outdoor living area, creating the feel of a true room at the fraction of the cost of a sunroom or screened porch. Pergola designs vary in size, shape and finish. A fan or triangle pergola may work better for your backyard than the more commonly used square or rectangle pergola. At Archadeck, we work with our clients to not only make sure their new pergola complements their home seamlessly but also that it works well with how they are going to use their space. If the space is going to be used for dining, do you need to include an overhead light? Do you need a fan to combat the summer heat? No problem, these are both easily incorporated to make your space work for you.
Some Archadeck clients are opting to include awnings or louvered roofs to their pergolas for increased shade and definition. A louvered roof gives the homeowner the ability to let sun stream into the space or close it off for a more porch-like feel if wanted. 
With numerous options to consider, pergolas offer a lot of versatility that other structures don’t.
If you’re interested in learning how a pergola or other structure can transform your yard, visit Archadeck.com for inspiration or contact your local Archadeck office.
Backyards that Dreams are Made Of
I admit it, I’m a HGTV and DIY Network junkie. Although I in no way consider myself a DIYer (does raking your own yard count?), I am a homeowner and constantly dream about updating spaces all the time. My favorite shows? House Hunters, Yard Crashers and The Outdoor Room with Jamie Durie. Two of the three obviously have to do with outdoor living spaces, but outdoor living plays a large role in House Hunters too. How many episodes feature couples who want a great deck with a view or a nice space to spend time outdoors with their kids?
This multi-level Archadeck deck is the perfect place to entertain friends and family
I’m going to focus on Yard Crashers and The Outdoor Room for the sake of this conversation. Why do I love them? 1) Because I love spending time outdoors, 2) our yard has plenty of outdoor space with a lot of potential and 3) it allows me to dream. I dream of a large deck with a lower level patio with a fire feature in the corner. Or maybe it would be better with a covered porch for entertaining friends and family. How about having it all? Oh the possibilities.
This porch features a fully eqipped outdoor kitchen and dining area
The possibilities could be a reality with Archadeck. I work with our Archadeck franchisees every day who tell me about different projects they are designing and building for their clients. And you know what? They are truly DREAM backyards. Whether it’s a smaller deck or a project that has it all, they are all beautiful, custom and perfect outdoor living spaces for the homeowner.
Among outdoor structures the pergola rises to the top
This pergola has an arched roof that serves as a sitting area for this lovely garden
Sometimes it is the small things in your outdoor oasis that make the biggest statement. Take for example the pergola. Pergolas give you the capability of turning an outdoor space into an outdoor room for very little cost.
The pergola is among the fastest growing elements in backyard building. In addition to being able to provide a small intimate environment, pergolas provide loads of ambiance to your outdoor living area and landscape.
Gone forever are the days of two posts with a board across the top. Today’s pergolas come in a myriad of shapes, sizes, materials. Today’s pergolas often have all the electrical accoutrements that are available in outdoor areas such as patios and porches. These accoutrements include speakers, lighting, fans and much more.
Remember the pergola of the past that served as a decorative feature at the end of the pool? Pergolas today are used as hot tub covers, swing covers, garden area covers and patio covers.
Composite deck which uses the pergola to create a covered porch effect
Pergolas can be attached to other structures such as patio covers and even screen porches. On average we see a 50/50 split of stand alone pergolas versus attached. Modern pergolas are being built nowadays to promote the feeling of a room, and a vast majority of them have lighting so it can be used in the evening as well as the daytime.
These double pergolas promote intimacy and space definition around this hot tub deck
In order for the pergola to fully function like an outdoor room you want to be able to provide shade as well as protection from the elements. Companion products are the answer and continue to transform your yard by dressing up your pergola and giving it either more sun protection, more wind protection, or both. These are things like shade fabric that is built into the roof of the pergola, curtains made of weather resistant plastic, and drop down weighted blinds to add more shade or wind protection on one side and even awnings. Once you put an awning inside the pergola, you get protection from the wind, rain and a place to provide much-needed shade which is still much less expensive than building a room. The construction of the pergola itself can be made more conducive to providing protection from the elements by the space variance between the cross beams located atop the pergola as well. The closer the beams are set, the more protection your pergola will offer.
This poolside pergola uses heavy timber to provide ample protection from the elements
Popular materials for pergolas include unique materials, and material combinations. We are getting more requests for the beautiful rustic beauty of cedar, and redwood. We also use combinations of wood, PVC and even fiberglass columns. Most of the fancy rafter detailing which is hot right now comes from using wood because PVC and other synthetics don’t lend themselves to ornate detailing. One of the unique facets of the pergola’s design is that there are no set standards so your pergola can really become a creative piece that you can add your own personal touches and character into. From shape, size, function, location and materials the world is your oyster.
Contact Archadeck to design and build the pergola of your wildest dreams. When it comes to the design and functionality possibilities of the pergola, the choices are endless! You can find the Archadeck location nearest you by visiting our locations list located on our website.
If you are still yearning for examples of the pergolas beauty and uses, visit our pergola and trellis gallery located on our website.
Archadeck turns one deck into two outdoor living spaces with the installation of their dry deck system
The addition of a dry, or rain deck such as this can create double room for relaxing and outdoor living by taking advantage of the area underneath your deck
Many homeowners ask us what to do with the unused space that is located under their second story, or multi level deck. In many of these cases the area located underneath the deck can be used as an additional outdoor living space that works like a covered patio or covered porch. It can be used when the weather won’t allow you to use your deck, or as an extension of living space perfect for reading or relaxing on those warm sunny days when all you really want is a shaded spot for peace and quiet. Being able to create that special spot is as simple as constructing or re-decking your multi-level or second story deck with the proper solutions to take advantage of your under deck space. Archadeck uses a dry deck system, also referred to as a rain deck to turn the space into an oasis for you and your family.
This project by Archadeck of Columbus shows the bare bones of this dry deck system installation
A dry deck system entails adding certain waterproofing materials and building techniques that facilitate a dry space. This also keeps moisture away from your existing home and your deck’s sub-structure. To do this we us a specialized roofing membrane that keeps moisture from penetrating the surface and enables you to have a complete, cohesive dry roof underneath the deck. By placing the roofing membrane atop the framing members and installing a gutter which can catch and divert rain and moisture off and away from the deck and home. You then have a worry free answer to creating a dry space you can enjoy for many years to come. Archadeck of Austin recently took us to a project where they had recently installed a dry deck system to a second story deck that was built with tigerwood, and we had the opportunity to videotape the details
Another example of an Archadeck rain deck
Along with Archadeck of Austin, many of our locations throughout the country recommend the use of a dry deck system, or rain deck to put the space located under their decks to good use. Archadeck of Columbus wrote an article that showed us the importance of using a rubber membrane to prevent rot and decay, you can read the article by visiting
Using a dry deck system is like having your cake and eating it too. Our dry decking system is perfect for multi-level, second story and rooftop decks as well. Contact your local Archadeck location to learn more about our dry decking system process and to create a double outdoor living area that will double your enjoyment with this simple step. Visit our locations list located on our website to find an Archadeck location near you.
