It Can All Happen Under One Roof
Sunroom addition by Archadeck of Greenville/Spartanburg showcases the choice to use a gabled roof to continue design fluidity
I am sure each one of us would agree that a roof is a pretty important detail in any structure. It keeps us dry and out of the elements. It helps secure other structures that are attached to it. It becomes a component of the stability of a structure it is atop. All these explanations are “no brainers”. A roof is so much more than all of these. A roof can add character and presence to a structure. What type of roof you decide to put atop your structure can really determine how sound it is, and how attractive your structure ends up. That is why it is so important to pick the right roof for the right structure.
One important factor when you decide on the addition of a structure such as a covered patio, screened porch or sunroom is to choose a roof style that matches and fits with the existing architecture of your home. For instance if you have a hip roof, it is usually a good idea to carry that through when building your addition, this will keep the structural integrity of your home and the additional roof will flow into your existing roof. This “flow” is most crucial when the structure is going to be directly connected to your existing house.
Beadboard ceiling in sunroom with track lighting
The same rules usually apply when you have a gabled roof. If you want to add pizazz and originality to your new addition with a gabled roof there are gable-end designs now available to add a custom look with a lot of flair.
The use of a gabled roof also lends space for higher ceilings which can be a canvas for arched windows, bead-board ceilings, the addition of ceiling fans and unique lighting choices. The design choices available to structures with high ceilings are endless nowadays.
Covered Patio by Archadeck of Austin showcases gable-end detailing
Whether you are anticipating the addition of a sunroom, patio or screened porch Archadeck can show you all the choices and design a roof and living area plan to fit with your home’s architecture beautifully. Give us a call and we can make your dream come to life under one roof.
Take a look at our website at Archadeck.com to see lots of pictures and learn more.
Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are the perfect way to welcome the cooler weather
Last night was a very cold Halloween so we carted our very small but wonderful portable metal fire pit out around to the front of the house and made a big fire to keep us warm as we sat out and gave out candy. My husband, not knowing all the beautiful jobs I write about every day, was wishing our portable outdoor dream environment could somehow have a big screen TV. He mused about how nice it would be to have a permanent outdoor room.
Although the portable fire pit does make for one nice evening, an outdoor room is what’s needed to enjoy many evenings outdoors. Our Archadeck location in Charlotte just finished building a screened porch over a deck. Here is a quick video overview of the project.
Charlotte deck - before picture
This house in Charlotte had an existing deck that needed to be torn down. The homeowner knew they wanted a screened porch with an outdoor fireplace. They also knew they had some drainage issues that they needed addressed during the build.
Archadeck of Charlotte proposed a screened porch with a corner fireplace and Eze-Breeze windows.
Here is an after picture.
Charlotte NC screened porch with outdoor fireplace
You can see that part of the design was also to build an extended portion of the deck that was open. When building an outdoor living space, that’s precisely the time to explore creating a space with multiple “rooms” or multiple unique living areas. This can be accomplished by having a portion of the deck or patio covered. It can be done by having a portion of the deck screened in. It can even be accomplished with multi-level decks and patios. Just the same way different members of your family have their own favorite room of the house, this allows multiple outside living areas for different pursuits.
Here is another after picture from inside the screened porch.
Inside the screened porch with a view of the fireplace
This screened porch is a nice generous size – 17′ x 19′. There’s plenty of room for furniture and to still have some open floor space. The fireplace is a functioning gas fireplace.
Here is an image of the second section of the deck which is the uncovered section.
Deck with adjacent screened porch
Again, this area is large enough to easily accommodate furniture and still provide walking and other room.
As I mentioned before, the client was concerned about the slope of his backyard. Archadeck installed some drainage counter-measures to make sure the rain didn’t rush against the house. They installed a catch basin and drain tile to work in concert with river stone placed under the deck and porch.
When looking for a builder for your next outdoor project, it’s important to have them explore all of these different ideas and considerations with you. Tell them how you want to live and if you have concerns about things like drainage. A good builder should be able to explain the choices of materials and give you the pros and cons. They should be able to come up with creative ideas you might not have thought of as well as create to the specifications that are important to you.
In Charlotte, you can call Archadeck at (704) 944 – 1350.
You can visit the Archadeck of Charlotte website here or read their blog here.
How about a detached screen porch?
Detached screen porch Charleston SC
When Clyde Hess of Archadeck of Charleston SC met his client, they were exasperated. They were told by four other contractors that a screen porch could not be permitted on their property. So Clyde suggested a detached screen porch. Perfect!
They went right to work. Here are the details:
- 12’ x 12’
- hip roof
- Yellow pine Pressure treated with stain
- Knee walls
- Exposed ceiling rafters
Although the screen porch is detached from the house, the homeowner sometimes enjoys sleeping there at night.
Detached screen porch with sliding windows
Here is a larger picture:
Detached screen porch picture - Charleston SC
The Archadeck office in Charleston also builds attached screen porches, elevated attached screen porches, sunrooms, decks and much more.
Click here to see more:
Here’s how to contact them to discuss some design ideas for your home:
Email: charleston@archadeck.net
Is overlooking the 14th hole on Briarwood Club of Ankeny better from a screened porch or deck?
AZEK deck overlooking golf course in Iowa
If you look closely, you’ll see the 14th hole on Briarwood Club of Ankeny golf course in Ankeny, Iowa. The view point is different from a deck than it is from a screened porch. With a screened porch, you have more privacy but can’t feel the subtle nuances of the breeze that might affect the golfers as they try to fly from the fairway to green on this par 5 hole. On the deck, you’ll feel the subtle nuances of the breeze but you’ll also feel the rain on a wet day and the beating heat of the noon-day sun.
Often times, it’s tough to decide which to build in your back yard – a screened porch, a deck or a sunroom. Here are the factors to consider:
1) Cost – Putting solid walls and a cover on your structure will make for the highest cost. Opt for screens instead of windows and the price is lower. Forget the roof altogether and that will be your best price – but is it the right structure for you? Depending on your outdoor living style, a deck may or may not be where you like to spend lots of time.
2) Temperature control – with a sunroom, not only can you use it 365 days/year but you also have temperature control 24/7/365. Your windows will open to enjoy the breeze and depending on your sunroom, you’ll likely have heating and air extended to the room for full year-round use.
3) Relief from the sun – we all love to bask in the first bright warm sun of summer. But do we love to bask in it during the heat of the summer or the hottest hours of the day? Most likely if we love the sun that much, we’re the ones out on the golf course, mowing the lawn or enjoying other seasonal activities. For most of us, we love the warmth of the sun but prefer not to be scorched by it as we read a book, enjoy a cold iced tea (or Arnold Palmer), or enjoy brunch outside. A screened porch or sunroom will provide the sun relief to maximize enjoyment hours on our outdoor structure.
4) Bug relief – are you one of those people that bugs flock to when you go outside? Do the bees swarm to you like you’re dripping with honey? Do the mosquitoes seem to have a radar with you as the target as soon as you breach your back door to go outside? Well there are more pests besides flying bugs and a screened porch or sunroom will give you this protection.
5) Weather protection – Rain, snow, sleet, mist, lightening, and other inclemencies will force you in from your deck but not from a screened porch or sunroom.
6) What do your cat and dog prefer? These days we are seeing more and more owners select not just the right structure for the family but also the right structure for the furry members of the family. Does your dog like to bake in the sun? Is your cat OK anywhere his favorite outdoor chair is?
So what do you do if you can’t decide? Often a combination structure is best. Have half of your deck screened in – or have your sunroom walk out to a patio.
Back on the 14th hole at Briarwood, this is how owners overlooking this green are enjoying their outdoor spaces.
This combination space includes a cedar screened porch and adjoining patio overlooking the golf course. Cedar is a great material to use for your screened porch.
Cedar doesn’t shrink, warp and twist as much as other materials and it takes sealer and stain very well.
Cedar screened porch in Ankeny Iowa
This Azek deck has Azek Premier Rail with Deckorator Classic balusters. Pressure-treated wood requires the least maintenance, lasts the longest, and looks great longer than untreated wood.
AZEK deck over golf course Ankeny Iowa
Here is another picture of the deck with the furniture…
Deck with furniture overlooking golf course, Iowa
Harold and David Cross, Archadeck of Central Iowa
This work was done by Harold & David Cross of Archadeck of Central Iowa.
You can reach the Archadeck of Central Iowa office at:
(515) 266 – 8844
centraliowa@archadeck.net
Where do you find a TimberTech deck and rail, a stone bar, a TimberTech planter, a stone fire pit, an outdoor kitchen, a wood pergola, a gable roof screen porch, and a cabinet to cover the utilities?
Stone Creek Ranch Charlotte NC
Where do you find all this? In Charlotte, NC at the beautiful Stone creek Ranch subdivision off Ardrey Kell.
What makes a perfect outdoor structure or set of outdoor structures is not necessarily how beautiful they are, although that’s important, but what’s most important is whether or not it fits and improves your lifestyle.
Envision the perfect vacation. Close your eyes. It’s 6PM and you’re on a wonderful vacation. Where are you sitting? What are you sitting on? What’s on the table next to you? Are you preparing dinner yourself or are you being served? Are you finally taking a load off with your favorite t-shirt and shorts showing evidence of your all-day gardening? Or in this perfect picture, are you dressed in a soft breezy linen shirt?
TimberTech Screened porch with EZ Breeze windows and Pergola
These days, especially with the economy, the best vacation moments can and should be made at home. Think of it, for the price of a extended family vacation, you can make the ultimate vacation spot in your back yard and vacation all the time at home. How perfect – you can invite your favorite friends on your next vacation if it’s in your back yard – or not!! When the kids go for a sleep-over at a friends house, your vacation in your backyard becomes a romantic oasis or a quiet treat where you can actually hear the breeze of sit down for an extended period of time.
This family went for the perfect vacation spot – their back yard. Here are the components of the ultimate backyard vacation spot:
TimberTech deck and TimberTech railing
TimberTech pressure-treated planks were used for the durability, ease of cleaning, and because structures made out of TimberTech bring a strong return on investment if/when selling your home.
This job had:
A TimberTech deck and rail using TimberTech’s Earthwoods Tropical Walnut
A TimberTech planter also using TimberTech’s tropical Walnut
- A gable roof screen porch using EZ Breeze windows
- A stone bar
- A stone fire pit
- An outdoor kitchen with stone cabinets
- A wood pergola
- A french door style cabinet out of TimberTech to cover utilities!
Tell your outdoor builder how you like to live outdoors – what the perfect home vacation moments are, and have them design an integrated custom structure for your backyard. Any good builder/contractor will come up with ideas for free – and they will come to the table with lots of great ideas. Find someone who has built many, many structures in your area. They can show you great photos, think of lots of ideas, and most importantly – a good contractor will consult with you about what you really need.
Please see a couple more pictures below.
Eric Kent is the owner of Archadeck of Charlotte, NC.
http://charlotte.archadeck.com/
(704) 944 – 1350
charlotte@archadeck.net
This picture shows all the features of the outdoor kitchen as well as the stone walk entrance to the patio
Stone walk, deck with rail, pergola and outdoor kitchen
This picture shows the french-door style utility cover cabinet that was made to finish off the job. It is made out of matching TimberTech. You can also see the firepit from this picture.
French door style utility cover cabinet
Inside, outside, or upside down? How does your interior extend to your exterior?
I was recently reading a great article from John Buenneke of Archadeck of Hennepin County, MN. I would have thought that the decision as to whether to build a deck, screen porch, or sun room would be an easy decision. I would picture myself enjoying additional living space in my home. If I close my eyes, I can see my doing yoga upside down on my yoga mat in the middle of my 3-season room in the middle of the winter. If I close them again, I can see myself lingering over a glass of wine on my screen porch while my husband finishes grilling the dinner outside on the deck. If I close them again, I can see having my June book club on some cozy built in window benches with beautiful fluffy soft cushions and throw pillows in my 3-season room. And I can totally see my kids and all their friends roasting marshmallows on my back deck after a rousing game of flashlight tag.
John contends that there are other considerations to contend with including how will this structure blend into your home and will it look “added on” or like a natural part of your home. After reading John’s article on screened porches and decks, I think I would prefer a screened porch with adjoining deck. Or, perhaps it’s the lingering picture of the lingering glass of wine while DH finishes grilled lamb chops, skewered fresh vegetables, and skewered marinated shrimp on the barby.
Cost is a consideration also but adding to our living space will have tremendous ROI when the housing market rebounds. Of course if we have as much fun with our new larger living area, we may never want to sell. That’s ok too.
As always, when planning for outdoor time in the summer in Minnesota, don’t forget about spraying to keep away those Minnesota mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other pests.!
