Time to start thinking preseason patio prep

Look at all that snow and slush covering your beautiful patio — hard to believe it was just a few months ago that you were flipping burgers by that grill and congratulating yourself on getting the lawn mowing all caught up for another week.

No yard work today, though. Just you in your bunny slippers, sipping hot apple cider and reassuring yourself that that in just a few more months, you’ll be back out there again, feeling that warm flooring under your feet.

Ahhh.

But that doesn’t mean you can lounge around all weekend. Even now, it’s time to start thinking about preparing that patio for the coming sunny season.

Here’s a little preseason checklist, courtesy of Stephanie Larkin, writing on Articlesbase:

• Spruce things up. Patios, decks and porches all take a pounding during the winter months. So early in the spring, the article reminds, sweep off the debris from the past few months, then wash down the railings, floor and steps with warm, soapy water (or whatever the manufacturer recommends). Just don’t waterlog the wood — that’ll do more harm than good.

• Inspect for needed repairs. Give the whole patio a good going-over. Look for signs of cracking and general wear and tear (don’t forget to check undersides, too), and secure loose boards or steps now — before you roll out the furniture and plants.

• If needed, add a fresh coat of sealant or paint. It’ll be a great excuse to get outside and breathe in those first semi-warm days of early spring. (Hey, while you’re at it, you can even listen to a little baseball by then!)

• Final thought: Don’t overlook getting the patio furniture and grill back in midseason form, either.

OK, we might be getting a little ahead of ourselves here — but even though you can’t do too much of the work just yet, there’s no time like now to start planning out (and stocking up) for the projects ahead.

The days are already getting longer, which means the time’s getting short.

Come to think of it, you’d better put down that cider and get started on your list. Next thing you know, it’ll be time to gas up that darn lawn mower again.

As usual, contact us if we can help.

Patio covers need to be designed for sun and snow

When there’s snow flying in Denver, it’s hard to think too much about an outdoor living space. Or, maybe it’s too easy to think about it so that we have something to dream about to get us through the long nights and cold days.

One of the things to think about for your outdoor living space may actually help you enjoy the winter more. What? We’re talking about a patio cover.

This is where being an architecturally oriented deck designer and builder comes in handy. In the summer, we think about patio covers from the perspective of the winter, making sure that they can withstand a big pileup of snow and maybe even make it possible to do a bit less sweeping and shoveling of snow by keeping the fluffy stuff overhead where it can eventually melt and drain off through a properly designed storm sewer system.

And in the winter we think about patio covers in the summer, designing them so that when the sun is high and the days are long you’ll be able to get just the right combination of shade and sun so that you can get maximum enjoyment from your outdoor space.

Want to learn more about your outdoor space from the cozy inside space? Check out some of the other posts on this blog, or contact us. We’d be happy to make a no-obligation visit to your home to talk about the kinds of solutions that will work for you all year round.

Hardscapes: A Beautiful and Practical Alternative to the Dream Lawn

When we think of a deck, we often think of a grassy yard to go along with it. A lush, green lawn is the American dream. Or so we’ve been led to believe.

The trouble is, we don’t all live in climates which naturally lend themselves to traditional grasses. A lush green lawn in the wrong climate can be a drain on natural resources–and on a homeowner’s valuable time as they turn to season-long watering plans and fertilizing schedules, which can be not only costly but damaging to the pets, children, and the environment.

But what if the dream were tinted in granite instead of green?

When considering alternatives for your properties outdoor spaces, consider hardscapes. Stone, brick, and concrete features such as patios, walkways, walls, and fire pits, will enhance your outdoor living areas with less focus on water use and chemical maintenance.

A recent article in Property Magazine quotes Edwina Stuart, landscape consultant:

Remember that hardscapes should be designed to complement the rest of your garden. Edwina recommends versatile options such as artificial turf, concrete or stones.

Dream of a deck looking out over a beatiful brick patio decorated with container gardens, or a stone terrace under a pergola or trellis. Archadeck can bring that dream to life. A free design consultation is just the beginning. Contact us today.

Pergolas Are Awesome in Denver for growing grapes

It seems like we’ve finally had a freeze that has probably finished off most of the grapes growing in and around Denver.

Grapes are just a fantastic vine. Unlike some of the other fruits that can be wiped out by a spring frost, the grapes give fruit just about every year. Vines can stretch out for dozens of feet, and the big, broad leaves can provide excellent shade during the hottest times of the year.

Then in the winter after the leaves fall away the thin vines let plenty of warming sun through while still providing an intricate, lacy design.

And, maybe best of all, you get grapes. There are hundreds of varieties, some are good for eating, some are good for jams and jellies, some are good for wine. A vine that’s doing really well when it’s loaded with grapes gives off an aroma that is as sweet as anything nature has to offer.

The vines can grow quite high, also, but you don’t necessarily want them growing right on your house. The vines can get so heavy that they can actually damage the structure of your home.

So what’s the best structure for a grape vine? May we recommend a pergola?

By designing a structure that is sturdy enough to support dozens or hundreds of pounds of grapes and vines, and yet looks airy and open enough to enhance a yard, you can create a space that not only makes your deck area more comfortable in the summer, but that can add an architecturally interesting element to any home.

Outdoor living year round

Outdoor living year round is totally possible with your custom deck and patio cover, even in ice cold Colorado. You can heat up your deck with patio heaters, and your patio cover will keep you cozy year round, no matter what the weather.

Face it, Colorado weather can change in five minutes, we all know it, but your custom patio can take the heat, or the cold. We can customize your patio with roll down shades to keep out the heat of a hot summer day, and to keep you cozy during a cold winter’s day. With a outdoor kitchen, you can grill everything from summer burgers to a Thanksgiving bird, and serve it right on your custom patio.

There’s another great reason to enjoy a custom patio year round. It’s like adding another entire room to your home. In the summertime, your patio is a great place to relax after a long day at the office. You can cool down, enjoy the beauty of the garden, and maybe sip a cocktail while you enjoy the cool breeze.

In the winter time, you can build a fire in the fire pit, roast some marshmallows, and sip hot chocolate while you watch the snow fall, thinking about the upcoming holidays. A patio offers you a place to get out of the house, relax with your family, and plan your activities, and it’s a great place to entertain, as well.

Let us help you plan your patio, and expand your horizons, by contacting us. Contact us today, and take the next step in your outdoor living future!

Patio. Fire. Good.

Cavemen figured out fire, what, maybe a million years ago? (Close enough for this discussion. We’re just rounding off here.)

And then somebody invented patios … probably back in the 1800s, let’s say. (Again, just round figures.)

Now we’ve got it all: Thanks to fire pits, outdoor fireplaces and fire bowls, we can roast weenies — and keep ourselves warm — on our patios all winter.

Even in these parts.

But as much as cabin fever and a three-day snow can tempt us into sliding open the back door, slipping out and recklessly starting a fire, it’s important to hear out our internal fire marshal first.

It’s worth heeding the advice of folks like fireplacemall.com, who have issued a safety checklist for those of us who feel a primal comfort in sitting in front of crackling orange flames on a cold night.

Here are some of their tips:

• Don’t leave fires attended.

• Use dry, seasoned wood to keep the smoke minimal.

• Use screens, protective fire coverings and safety gloves.

• Be ready to extinguish the fire immediately.

They might seem like no-brainers to most of us, but a lot of cavemen probably would’ve been grateful for this kind of information back about 1 million B.C. … or whenever we figured it would’ve been.

Either way, when you contact us, we’ll make sure the safety checklist is covered. And we’ll help you invent your own modern way to enjoy the cavemen’s greatest gift to us.

Patio covers add comfort and value

With another mild La Nina year coming, The National Weather Service’s long-range outlook for the Rockies is … well, all wet.

That is, meteorologists see a slightly cooler than normal — and wetter than normal — winter ahead.

But we’re not gonna let a little snowfall chase us off the patio, are we? Still, just to keep the barbecue safe, maybe it’d be smart to think about a patio cover before the heavy stuff starts coming down.

A well-constructed patio cover adds value to your home, as well as comfort to your living space. And depending on the style, some covers might even shield your home from summer heat or winter winds, resulting in higher energy efficiency and lower power bills.

They also allow sheltered, year-round storage spaces for lawn furniture and other outdoor equipment.

Mostly, though, we’re just thinking it’d be fun to be able to keep having cookouts all winter and to have a spot to watch it snow without getting big, fluffy flakes down the ol’ collar.

The styles, materials and prices range as far as the view off your back deck, and Archadeck’s got the expertise to get the work done right.

Don’t wait for a rainy day.

Pergolas Are Awesome in Denver for growing grapes

It seems like we’ve finally had a freeze that has probably finished off most of the grapes growing in and around Denver.

Grapes are just a fantastic vine. Unlike some of the other fruits that can be wiped out by a spring frost, the grapes give fruit just about every year. Vines can stretch out for dozens of feet, and the big, broad leaves can provide excellent shade during the hottest times of the year.

Then in the winter after the leaves fall away the thin vines let plenty of warming sun through while still providing an intricate, lacy design.

And, maybe best of all, you get grapes. There are hundreds of varieties, some are good for eating, some are good for jams and jellies, some are good for wine. A vine that’s doing really well when it’s loaded with grapes gives off an aroma that is as sweet as anything nature has to offer.

The vines can grow quite high, also, but you don’t necessarily want them growing right on your house. The vines can get so heavy that they can actually damage the structure of your home.

So what’s the best structure for a grape vine? May we recommend a pergola?

By designing a structure that is sturdy enough to support dozens or hundreds of pounds of grapes and vines, and yet looks airy and open enough to enhance a yard, you can create a space that not only makes your deck area more comfortable in the summer, but that can add an architecturally interesting element to any home.

Looking for that elusive 80% + return on investment? Time to consult a custom deck builder.

If you’ve been contemplating adding square footage to your home, but want to assure a good return on your investment, you may want to consider a custom deck as a economical alternative.

The newest wave of home improvement customers, looking to add value to their homes while increasing their personal enjoyment of their space, finds that adding to their outdoor space pays off.

According to a recent study done by Angie’s List, adding a deck is among the top 5 remodeling projects a homeowner may find the greatest return on investment in. Their advice?

A new deck can cost a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on size and materials used. Before you build, look at other homes in your area and build accordingly. If the deck is in good shape, your return could be more than 80 percent.It’s an economical alternative to building an addition on to their current floorplan that carries with it many of the same benefits. 

That last part makes a big difference in the amount of return you see on your investment. For homes that could really use a boost in square footage, adding a custom built deck that fits in with the look of your home adds a feeling more useable living space without having to actually build an addition.

If return on investment is on your radar as you plan your new space, it’s a great idea to consult with a Denver custom deck builder.

Outdoor kitchens add flavor to fall festivities

Most people pack away the barbecue long before the snow flies, but considering how much better food seems to taste outdoors, maybe it’s time to bring back an old American tradition: Thanksgiving dinner outside — on your patio or deck, of course.

Hey, it worked pretty well for the Pilgrims, and the only decks they had were on the Mayflower.

With an outdoor kitchen, your party takes in the fresh fall air, scented with a grilling turkey and all the trimmings. Or maybe you’d rather take one more run at burgers and hot dogs while the TV’s firing up a little football.

Either way, the possibilities are as open as the sky over your backyard.

A range of appliance options and floor plans make outdoor entertaining as accessible and natural as clustering in an indoor kitchen or dining room for holiday get-togethers.

An article in USA Today notes that even cold-weather regions can enjoy giving thanks outdoors. It just takes the right plan … and maybe an extra layer, just in case the wind kicks up.

Aside from the unbeatable ambience, guests are freer to move around, pets can play in nearby yards without feeling so left out and nobody wakes up in the middle of the night to the smell of stale grease or smoke wafting up from the kitchen.

Cleanup’s a snap, too.

The folks at Archadeck of Front Range can offer suggestions and supplies to make it a November to remember. The costs won’t put a chill down your spine, either.