Tag Archives: deck and porch design
Dog friendly deck gates prove that man’s best friend can also benefit from outdoor living enjoyment
These Atlanta homeowners chose to install a dog gate to gain more control over their pets surroundings.
Dogs by nature are companion animals. Throughout history dogs have been touted as “man’s best friend”. Dogs play a crucial role in our lives, and are considered to be part of the family unit. At Archadeck, we are seeing a trend with our owners asking for customized dog gates for their outdoor living areas such as decks, porches and patios. The dog gate serves a dual purpose for Fido and dog owners.
Custom dog gate at top of 2nd story deck
Dog deck gates can give you and your dog all the benefits of enjoying the outdoors, while having complete control over their surroundings. Let’s say for example your family and the neighbors family are enjoying a day by your backyard pool. The only dilemma is that the dog keeps jumping in the pool. In an effort to appease your guests, and to make everyone happy you opt to enclose your dog inside the house for the afternoon. This means that Fido will miss the exercise, fresh air and camaraderie of being part of the family. With a custom installed dog deck gate, you can opt to keep Fido in the backyard but away from the pool deck area, or keep him in close proximity to the action within the deck. The choice is yours.
This deck features a sliding gate perfect for the family, and the family dog.
Dog gates offer safety, security and the convenience of having the freedom to spend more time with your pampered pooch. Our dog gates can be custom built alongside your deck’s railing system, so they offer functionality as well as aesthetic appeal. Not only do the gates offer a safe haven for your dog to take in the wonder of the great outdoors, many of our gates have become a choice for homeowners with small children as well. The gates can keep your toddler from straying away from the security of the backyard deck while you are busy cooking those hot dogs on the grill. This feature offers homeowners peace of mind, and more family-time for outdoor living enjoyment. It’s a win, win situation.
Archadeck of Greater Atlanta can custom design a dog-friendly deck gate best suited for your needs and individual taste. Contact us today to learn more about our innovative and functional outdoor living designs. (770) 377 – 2900
greateratlanta@archadeck.net
Archadeck of Greater Atlanta Jeff Mullins and Sol Elisha
A new deck and screened porch and double pergola in Sandy Springs, GA
This stunning new deck and double pergolas is just one facet in the amazing design of these Sandy Springs, GA combination of outdoor structures.
These homeowners in Sandy Springs, GA are loving their new deck and screened porch combination outdoor structure and the twin cedar pergolas are like icing on the cake. These structures were built with keeping the view in mind, so these homeowners can take in all the beauty that mother nature has laid out before them within their beautifully landscaped yard. The surrounding trees add to the effect as you journey into the backyard via the newly constructed stairway.
The screened porch also serves as a 3 season room for more enjoyment season to season
This outdoor structure design was created for these Sandy Springs, GA homeowners, one of which is a doctor. The couple had an existing deck and screened porch which they inherited with the home. The dilemma that was facing the homeowners is that the previous builder had placed the detached porch on the opposite side of the deck and it sat squarely in front of the home’s bay window and blocked the beautiful view. Our goal was to come up with a design that would not only restore the homeowners lovely view, but would also require little maintenance because the homeowners were looking for a solution that was as low maintenance as you can get. We came up with a design that incorporates all they were wishing for and a whole lot more.
This photo shows how the three outdoor structures flow and harmonize as one.
The first obstacle we cleared was to demolish the detached porch and deck and restored their view. We then put the new screened porch on the left side of the new deck which made it possible to see the entire backyard but still keep the privacy which was important in the new design because the residence is just a short distance from a busy private school that brings in traffic and onlookers.
Zen design incorporates nature and open spaces through these pergolas by Archadeck of Greater Atlanta.
Removing the old porch and deck and redesigning the entire area opened up a world of outdoor living possibilities for the homeowners. The new deck is 300 square feet and the new screened porch is 250 square feet. We also re-built the stairs and added a pair of cedar pergolas placed in an inviting zen design within the new deck. The homeowners chose the beautiful and super low maintenance AZEK PVC decking for the porch flooring, rail cap and the new stairs. The AZEK color they chose is called Sedona and harmonizes
The pergolas also serve to provide added shade for these Sandy Springs, GA homeowners.
perfectly with the wood used throughout the structure. On the interior ceiling of the screened porch we used vinyl beadboard which is also low maintenance, and we topped it off with a charming metal roof. On the columns used in the structure we chose to use laminated columns because they offer a nicer finished look than that of wooden posts. The screened porch was constructed with the added benefit of having PGT industries Eze breeze four-track windows as well. This enables the homeowners to convert the structure into a 3 or 4 season room on demand. The octagonal lines used in the deck create a Zen effect when paired with the appeal of the twin cedar pergolas and also offer further privacy. Built-in bench seating is another part of the deck’s charm as well. These elements used together invite you to linger a while longer on the new deck.
The screened porch/ 3 season room is a private oasis which offers a lot of light.
No element of the new structures’ details were left behind during this amazing transformation. Archadeck of Greater Atlanta was able to give these Sandy Springs, GA homeowners a design that offers lots of light but also shelters them from the hustle and bustle nearby. All the while, it still gives the homeowners the feeling of being the only ones around and having a private outdoor oasis all their own. This deck, screened porch and pergola combination is proof positive that designing the right structure that encompasses all the homeowner’s desires can create the feeling of being in a world all your own.
The double pergolas enhance the entire design of the structure as a whole.
If you are ready to create an outdoor oasis of your own contact Archadeck of Greater Atlanta to discuss your design options and we can begin creating an outdoor structure, or compilation of structures that work together to shelter you in quality, style and beauty. (770) 377 – 2900
greateratlanta@archadeck.net
Archadeck of Greater Atlanta Jeff Mullins and Sol Elisha
See more stunning screened porch, deck and perfect pergola designs by visiting our galleries.
What Questions You Should Ask Deck Contractors
Questions to ask contractors:
How long have you been in business?
Many home builders “framers” that build porch and deck projects, are in the market now because of the total absence of home construction. They will go back to home construction when the market returns. At that point you will not have any warranty on your project.
Are you members of the Better Business Bureau?
Why not?
Do you have a Georgia Contractor’s License?
Over 70% of the contractors building construction in Georgia do not have this license. They cannot pull permits and if caught working without permits, significant fines go to the homeowners.
What materials do you construct your projects with?
The materials that contractors buy at lumber yards are frame grade lumber because the preferred market for the lumber yards is home builders. Ask your contractor if he uses Paraffin Enhanced Kiln Dried After Treatment #1 clear boards. We believe that customers prefer superior lumber because of its looks and longevity. For the installation of composite decking or railing, the project must be built by a contractor certified and approved by the manufacturer or material warranties will be void. Archadeck is an approved contractor for every composite company.
Do you use 2×6 decking or 5/4 decking boards?
5/4 costs less and cracks and warps without the structural integrity of the 2×6 board.
How do you connect the deck to the house?
If they are going to carriage bolt through the band, will they have to cut through the drywall, redo the drywall, and repaint the entire wall in the room below the porch. Is this price figured in their estimate?
What fasteners will be used on my deck? (Screws, staples, or nails? Will they rust?)
Premium materials matter. Even the small ones!
Do you have any customers who you’ve built for that I could call?
Someone other than his mother or girlfriend.
Do you have projects that we could go see?
Again no relatives.
What are your Warranties?
Has the company been around long enough for you to believe the warranty to be of value? What is covered, how long, and who will be responsible for fulfillment of warranties or contracts if something happens to their business? If they ain’t around it ain’t happenin’.
On materials, warranties need to come from the contractor not the lumber yard. Manufacturers don’t have the man power or the inclination to recognize you to fulfill warranties, but they will recognize a large company like Archadeck.
Will you handle all of my building permits?
Have it put into the contract.
Will you give me copies of material liens?
This proves that the materials have been paid for and protects you against having a material lien placed on your home because of slow or non-payment by the contractor.
Do you carry insurance? Would you provide me with a copy of your general liability and workman’s compensation policies for my project?
Call the insurance company and they will fax you a copy to make sure that the coverage is in effect during your project. Many contractors have dropped their insurance to lower prices, lower costs, or because they can no longer afford it.
How strong is your floor structure?
Georgia code is 40 pounds per square foot live load capacity. Archadeck builds to 60 pounds per square foot live load capacity which is code in 48 states. This is another reason our projects will not need to be replaced and will last longer.
How long will my project take to build? Will you work every business day until completion of the project except for bad weather?
Many contractors will work on more than one project at a time to receive more draw payments, leaving you with gaps in the completion of your project. Archadeck will work from the beginning to the completion of your project with out break except for foul weather.
Are you cutting through my concrete patio to add support for the tremendous weight of the new project?
If not, the patio below may crack!!!
Now for the lightning round:
How are you finishing the house to block the view of the existing roof at the interior gable?
Do you use custom screen inserts?
Do you place rolled screen above the joists and below the decking to seal the deck off from insects?
The information above is intended to educate and help you make a better informed decision regarding your decking and porch contractor.
To find out more, please visit us at Archadeck of Greater Atlanta.