Enjoy Your Neighborhood from Your Front Porch
I have two rambunctious nephews that cannot sit still. They’re 5 and 3 and as you can imagine, full of energy. They live in a great neighborhood with a ton of young kids. Like clockwork, when everyone is home from school, the kids race outside to play. I was visiting them a little while ago and watched the outdoor antics all from my brother’s front porch.
My brother lives in a newer subdivision in South Carolina. There are five or six floor plans for people to choose from, but it’s the outside finishes which stops them from looking all the same. One of those finishes is the front porch. Some have just a simple stoop, others have a front porch that spans the width of the home and others have wrap around porches.
Front porches and porticos are a great way to add personality and function to your home. My brother’s porch was the perfect place sit back, catch up and still have a clear view of my nephews. Neighbors stopped by for a few minutes, chatted and went on their way. What can I say? Porches make great outdoor living spaces for spur of the moment visitors.
Growing up in Maine (yup, I just made the jump from South Carolina to Maine), our front porch was where we took off our muddy or wet shoes before we stomped our ways through the house. It was essential to my mom’s sanity. When it was raining or snowing, we would slip out of our boots and step right inside. We were safe from the elements and didn’t have to track dirt inside.
Beyond functionality, front porches and porticos add personality to a home. Custom porch designs make sure to add to the beauty of the home while not making it look like an afterthought. The colors, trims and finishes should complement what is already there. Here are some examples of beautiful front porch designs from Archadeck Outdoor Living:
This homeowner in Rhode Island wanted a extra space on the front of your home. The porch and added gazebo were finished with the same roofing and trim that was on the house previously.
This front porch in Arlington, VA is a little different. It’s a low to grade, meaning the drop to the ground isn’t large, so it’s a more open porch design. Instead of stairs, it incorporates a ramp in the front. A fan was added to the ceiling to make the porch a comfortable place to sit and entertain family and friends.
This craftsman style home has unique finishes. When updating the front porch, Archadeck Outdoor Living paid special attention to the details so the porch didn’t look like an after thought. The same shingles line the outside of the project and the rail posts match the posts along the base of the home perfectly.
This front porch is located in Montgomery County, Maryland. It’s curved roof and matching lanterns create a beautiful space to welcome guests. The base of the front porch match the color of the home perfectly and the bright white gives it that special pop.
If you are interested in how a new front porch or portico can enhance the front of your home, please contact your local Archadeck Outdoor Living office.
Archadeck of Charleston breathes new life into this deck in Summerville, SC
Archadeck of Charleston was able to breathe new life into this deck with new supports, re-decking and new railings.
When choosing the materials for your anticipated outdoor structure it is important to look at things from the “big picture”. I think a lot of times the homeowner makes decisions based on visualizing their completed outdoor structure from afar, like a distant wish or the way we perceive a star in the night sky when looking up above from down below. It is important to try to visualize your outdoor structure from the vantage point where you and your family are most likely to view the structure itself while in use. The main idea is to make design and material choices based on the inside looking out, rather than the outside looking in, after all you are the one who will be using and enjoying the structure. Case in point is a recent upgrade and re-decking that was completed by Archadeck of Charleston, which gives a perfect example of what a huge difference detailing can make.
Clyde Hess and the crew from Archadeck of Charleston were able to breathe new life into this 20-year-old deck for these Summerville, SC homeowners. Their deck not only had a little age on it, it also had been the victim of many amateur repairs during it’s lifetime. The existing deck was treated wood decking as well as the framing which was attached solely with nails. This situation of using “only nails” had turned into a constant problem of having to continually re-nail the structure to try to compensate for the fact it was coming apart. The structure had no joist hangers, no bolting of any manner and no columns to joist. The railing was only tied in by toe nailing and had become dangerous to lean on. This dilemma was not only structurally inept, it carried the potential to become a safety hazard.
This image shows the deck before Archadeck of Charleston began.
Archadeck of Charleston efficiently addressed all the issues present with the existing deck and set out to make it structurally sound and also make it a feast for the eyes. Using 2×10 drop beams for the front and back for free-standing, we began adding support and strength to the deck in anticipation of the re-decking. The beams were supported and double bolted onto notched out 6×6 posts secured in a 16″ concrete footing. We then added Cox columns as rail posts in line on the deck, double bolted to the deck band and blocked. We then added stairs out to compensate for the property line setbacks and water runoff due to the steep grade of the lot. We then re-decked the entire structure with #1 premium grade Yellow Pine pressure treated wood. The homeowner decided to upgrade the wooden railing to a metal railing for aesthetics as well as strength, this decision also opened up the view where the homeowners can now take in all the lovely vistas of their backyard. These views were not as visible before with the old wooden railing.
Making the decision to replace the old style railing with the metal railing opens up a world of possibilities for these Summerville, SC homeowners and they are elated. By changing this one simple element of the deck, they feel like they have more room and definitely more of a view. This is a fine example of looking out as opposed to looking in at your outdoor structure. The new railing and new deck is certainly beautiful from the outside, but from the inside it is breathtaking and adds more style and functionality as well. Making sure your outdoor structure is structurally sound from the bottom up is crucial, as is the little nuances and changes that can certainly breathe new life into your outdoor structure. Making elemental changes within the design when re-vamping an existing deck can make a world of difference as to how you use and perceive your deck. The addition of railings, directional changes in a staircase or even using built-in benches or planters in lieu of railings if you have a low-to-grade deck can really change the feel and personality of the entire structure.
Clyde Hess owner, Archadeck of Charleston
If you are ready to transform your existing deck into a masterpiece of strength and design contact Archadeck of Charleston to learn more. Get the most out of your outdoor structure today at (843) 873 – 6236
charleston@archadeck.net
You can also take a tour of other beautiful decks by our Archadeck locations all over the country by visiting our galleries http://www.archadeck.com/pickYourProject/Decks.html
804.353.6999 • info@archadeck.net
There is More Than Than Meets the Eye When it Comes to Privacy Screens
Juan Cardona at Archadeck of Chester County
When you think of a privacy screen you think of a structure whose sole purpose is to block the view of something you don’t want to be seen or don’t want to see. Today’s privacy screens are made for so much more than just privacy. Sure, they still block the view, and add intimacy and privacy in the setting in which you use them in. Privacy screens are also used as design elements and a way to perk up a space without going overboard. There is so much more than meets the eye with today’s modern privacy screens.
There are any number of possibilities for privacy screens depending on your likes and dislikes; any homeowners associations requirements you may have; budgetary constraints; or simply what seems to fit your particular design preferences or your property. Different designs have regional popularity.
The following designs were custom designed and built by our Archadeck of Chester County office. Owner Juan Cardona and his staff enjoy coming up with creative solutions for creating privacy using a variety of materials and finding the perfect solution for each individual home.
Made from a Brazilian hardwood to match the deck, the privacy screen below uses a shadow-box design.
Hardwood privacy fence in Chester County PA by Archadeck of Chester County
Similar to above, here is another privacy screen using a shadowbox design however this one is made of composite decking materials.
Composite wood privacy fence Chester County PA
This privacy wall below uses cedar lattice with an AZEK trim
Cedar privacy lattice with AZEK trim
Cedar privacy fence in solid board style with aluminum balusters incorporated to match the deck railing that was already there.
Cedar privacy fence with aluminum balusters
In this instance, the homeowner’s association dictated this design. This privacy wall uses stained cedar with the slats on a 45 degree angle.
Stained cedar privacy wall with angled slats
A serving Bar can also provide some privacy as you see in this picture. This particular screen blocks out the heat of the daytime sun to make this area a place of refuge even when the temperatures soar.
Serving bar and lattice for privacy
The vinyl privacy fence below incorporates a decorative pergola-style top. This decorative element is also great for hanging plants.
Vinyl privacy fence with decorative pergola top
As you can see, there are a myriad of options and likely more than one option that can be right for you. The best thing to do is call your local Archadeck office for some ideas and suggestions. It’s what we do all day long.
If you live in the Chester County PA area and you are thinking of building a deck, sunroom, screened porch or other outdoor structure in the Chester County area, give Archadeck of Chester County a call. (610) 696 – 3340. Or, email us a chesterco@archadeck.net
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
