porches decks
Lattice. If your home is more contemporary, a lattice-like covering could be a nice addition. Unlike the traditional pergola, a lattice-like structure has thinner and more simply shaped pieces, and forms a more rectangular structure. For a structure like this, using a durable wood is the key to getting many, many years of enjoyment from the space. While a wood like cedar is good, paying extra for something like redwood or teak will pay dividends in durability over the years. In fact, one of my favorite outside woods, especially when it's left to weather to that beautiful silvery gray, is teak. Sure, you can sand and varnish teak every few years, but I'd rather just enjoy my patio. Adding fabric to the lattice structure will provide some flexibility for shading control as well as soften up its overall aesthetics.
Pergola. At the opposite end of the spectrum from the movable and casual umbrella are built structures, which can come in many styles and sizes and at a range of costs. For a more traditional style, a custom pergola of columns, rafters and purlins is the answer. These provide a real sense of having a room outside that's open to the sky and air and nature, while still being very much a part of the home. While the cost of such a structure can vary widely depending on style, size, finishes etc., expect that you'll be well into a five-figure budget for one. And don't forget that you'll more than likely need a building permit to construct one as well. These structures need ongoing maintenance, unlike a temporary umbrella, which gets put away after the season. Using low-maintenance materials, such as acrylic trim boards, fiberglass columns and woods such as ipe and redwood, will mean you'll be out there enjoying yourself rather than cleaning, scraping and painting.
Have enough shade. Sitting outdoors with zero shade on a hot, sunny day is nice … for about five minutes. After that you and your guests will be running for cover. There are lots of options for adding shade to your yard — try freestanding umbrellas, a cloth overhang, lattices, a shade tree or a pergola.
Tallgrass Landscape & Construction 15 Reviews Grand Valley Area Landscape Design Build Firm Best of Houzz 2015-2016 At Tallgrass, our mission is to bring our clients vision to life by seeking to truly understand our clients’ needs and expectations for their outdoor environment before we undertake any project.
screened porch on part of deck
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard deck in New York with a container garden.
roofing
feel more intimate. Traditional Patio by Vanni Archive/Architectural Photography Vanni Archive/Architectural Photography SaveEmail If you have the space, create different vignettes for different purposes — a table tucked into one corner and lounge seating in another. It encourages guests to wander and experience the garden from different points of view. I love how the simple peninsula of gravel defines the table area and how mis-matched pots and planters sprinkled around the space soften the hardscaping.
If you do have a bit more open space, closing in your seating area with an umbrella and close-cropped plants will make it feel more intimate.
The taller trees and ivy help make this sitting area feel cozy and intimate. If you don't have space for in-ground plantings, use large pots. Arrange your furniture so it's ideal for conversation and hanging out.
Simple metal wire fencing and posts installed against a plain concrete wall is a wonderful way to get some pattern and texture in the space. This one does double duty as a trellis for climbing vines.
Espaces Viridis SaveEmail Even a garden with mostly hard surfaces and few plants can be an urban sanctuary by enclosing the space with a tall fence and creating texture and contrast with pavers and gravel. Whether you opt for natural or stained, the fencing defines the space.
Espaces Viridis SaveEmail Even a garden with mostly hard surfaces and few plants can be an urban sanctuary by enclosing the space with a tall fence and creating texture and contrast with pavers and gravel. Whether you opt for natural or stained, the fencing defines the space.
Get creative with the fence design. Go tall but leave some negative space at the top for visual interest.
In the city we're often sandwiched tightly between our neighbors. Rather than letting this be a liability, use fencing, plantings, or the walls of the buildings on either side to create an enclosed sanctuary and secret garden feeling.
Create an enclosed sanctuary. There's something so tranquil and peaceful about being surrounding and enveloped in a courtyard garden. I love the texture of the pavers in contrast to the scale and pattern of the concrete masonry wall. This courtyard is like a modernist painting, and I'm sure it's as enjoyable viewed from the inside as it is from the outside.
Outdoor rugs are a great way to define a space and make the outdoors feel more special.
Create an outdoor room. As much as I love big expansive open spaces filled with flowers and greenery, I also adore the enclosed intimate space of an urban garden. If you don't get much sunlight or don't have a lot of planting area, create visual interest with texture, hardscaping, fencing, gravel, etc. In the city, space is often limited, and the living space we create outside can add a sense of much more square footage. Use outdoor furniture and accessories as you would decorate a room in your home. Don't be afraid to bring a few throw pillows and a table linen from inside for a special meal when the weather allows
Meandering deck. Let the deck beside your home be only the beginning — curving and snaking through the backyard, a meandering deck beckons further exploration. Consider placing a garden sculpture, a bench or another special feature at the end of the path to create a destination.
Bump-out deck. Instead of sticking with a basic square or rectangular deck, try bumping it out on one side. A bump-out can help a deck “settle” into the landscape and increase views.
Dining deck. Love eating alfresco? Plan your deck to fit your dream dining table and site it for maximum dining enjoyment — not too far from the house and under a tree (that can hold string lights or lanterns) would be ideal.
Know Your Material Options The two main options for decks are wood and composite boards. Historically, wood has dominated decks, but lately composite boards are more in demand. Jellema says there was a time when many homeowner’s associations didn’t allow composite decks, because they looked too plasticky and had other problems. Now it’s the complete opposite. “Many developments don’t allow wood decks,” Jellema says. “People don’t take care of them, and they can start to look ugly in five or six years when they start to weather.” Composite boards. Composite boards, seen here, are engineered products that are a mixture of wood fibers and plastic; a lot of the material comes from recycled plastic grocery bags. Some companies use old shredded carpets for wood fillers. Newer composite boards are wrapped in a thin plastic layer so they won’t stain or fade. These are more expensive than wood boards but often come with a warranty of 20 to 25 years, are low maintenance and can be made to look almost identical to any species of wood out there. Plus, they stay the same color as the day you installed them. “A lot of contractors have had problems with composites in the past, but they’re get...
Consider how it will look. When adding a deck, it’s best to consider the style and architecture of your house so that the addition either blends in with or at least complements your home. A trained professional will be best suited to make recommendations on deck style, materials, color and more.
How will you access the deck? If you currently have a door that leads outside to where you’ll want your deck, then congratulations — you’re in good shape. But if you’re adding a deck to a portion of your house that doesn’t have a door, then you’ll have to add an opening, which can increase costs drastically depending on whether you’re planning for a door in a load-bearing wall or not. If you’re using your deck for dining (which you should), you’ll want it located as close to your kitchen as possible. “You don’t want to have to climb a bunch of stairs just to go back in for some salt,” says Clemens Jellema, who runs Fine Decks and has been building decks for 20 years.
What do you want your deck to do? Typically, people want a deck that’s multipurpose, with areas for eating, cooking and hanging out. But, as with most things, the sky is the limit. So depending on your budget, consider things like an outdoor TV, a fireplace, a fire pit, a hot tub, a kitchen, a water feature and more. Figuring out what you want your deck to do will also help determine its size, safety measures and traffic flow. Do you host a lot of parties, or is it just you and a partner? Do you have a lot of kids? The last thing you want or need is a deck that’s too small or too large for your needs. Also consider privacy on your deck. If you don’t want to feel like you’re on a stage performing for your neighbors, you’ll want to think about adding an arbor, a pergola, latticework or something else to create privacy.
First thing to consider: You’ll want to decide whether your property is good for a deck or patio — or a combination of both. Deck. A deck is a platform with decking boards, usually made of either wood or a composite material. A deck is ideal for sloped yards where you want a flat area. It’s also good for homes that sit high above the ground or atop a basement, because they can be built as high as you need. If your home sits higher than about 14 inches off the ground, a platform deck is probably for you. Patio. A patio is on flat ground and is usually made of concrete, pavers, flagstone, wood or another hardscaping material. Doing a patio on a sloped lot is costlier and much more difficult, because retaining walls must be built to create a level surface. If your door opens right at the ground level, then a patio is the option for you. Many people choose to build a deck that steps down to a patio.
Wood paneling. If shade is what you need to make your outdoor zone more usable, a wood-lined pergola could be the way to go. Consider incorporating a couple of panels of clear, corrugated roofing to let some light in.
Pallet perfection. Recycled wooden pallets are transformed into a spacious outdoor sectional when topped with thick cushions and bolsters. When you’re entertaining outdoors, don’t forget the flowers — a vase of fresh blooms can make your outdoor room even more inviting!
Urban green. Missing the green grass? Bring it to where you are with a cheeky fake-grass rug and plenty of big potted plants, shrubs and even trees. With greenery up high and down low, this little city balcony feels downright verdant. Solar stake lights placed in a potted tree glow in the evening, making this a lovely place to unwind after work.
Cozy outdoor lounge. Built-in benches topped with thick cushions, a sturdy coffee table and an eye-catching Moroccan-style pendant light make for an outdoor space you’ll want to settle into and not leave. Extend seating possibilities with a pouf or two, and don’t forget the candles for even more evening ambiance
Decomposed granite has a loose appearance on the surface, but it can be packed down and hardened with a stabilizer for high-traffic areas.
The beauty of decomposed granite is that it can drain and that it feels like a surface you would find naturally in the outdoors.
Decomposed granite (DG) is the natural result of granite rock's breaking down into small, loose, powdered gravel. Common uses for DG are pathways, gardens, sports courts and nature trails. DG has excellent drainage and does not absorb heat like concrete or asphalt does. Decomposed granite is typically mixed with a stabilizer, saturated with water and compacted to keep most of the loose gravel dense.
Sophisticated and Functional in California Location: Backyard in Davis, California Size: 180-square-foot (16.7-square-meter) deck and 324-square-foot (30.1-square-meter) patio in a 750-square-foot (69.7-square-meter) backyard Designer and contractor Chris Corbett used a focused material palette and thoughtful details to create an elegant, edited patio. One-of-a-kind details elevate concrete, steel and rock in this budget-friendly and drought-tolerant California patio.
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