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Outdoor Living Space - Decks, Porches and Patios
Outdoor spaces make or break a home in the spring and summer months. All homes have an outdoor entertaining area or at least have room for one.Depending on your property, whether new or old, the outdoor space needs to be thought out carefully.When considering a renovation or addition to your outdoor space, sometimes the smallest idea can make the biggest impact! For example, do you really want a deck in the backyard, or would a patio at grade be a better option? And in the front of the house, if your old porch/deck is in need of repair, determine if the repair is the best choice, or is a total demolition and reconstruction into a better space more appropriate for the long term?
Front Porch Repair and Maintenance issues
When looking at a repair of your existing front porch, there is only one rule to follow.The structure must be sound, or it is not worth repairing, period! Once this determination is made, you can then look at options such as replacement decking options, trim choices and stain and paint colours. In our experience, it is best to look for materials that do not require annual maintenance, either natural wood products such as cedar decking and pine trim, or man made products such as composite decking and trim products. The rule here is that good materials will last, and when the home is sold, the buyers will notice!
New construction - Outdoor living spaces must be planned out carefully
When considering a new construction or replacement of your existing outdoor living space, take the time to think about the dimensions of the space.What activities do you want to do in this space? Do you like the idea of outdoor furniture on your front porch? The best way to do plan this out is to sketch out a rough plan with your family’s input! Once you determine the activity that you need to accommodate, you can then think about material choices and detailed design. We recommend spending time to have your new project designed professionally if you really want your contractor to build what you have in mind. And if a permit is required, which in many cases it will be, you’ll need plans for your permit applications anyway (rule of thumb, any deck or porch built 24 inches above grade requires a permit). While the costs of design are painful at first thought, it is money well spent. The last thing you want is a new space that you don’t like!
And, don’t forget to consider not building that new deck at all.At grade patios are often better in many ways, normally built with pavers and interlock brick or stone. Patios avoid the maintenance issues best, and may not be top of mind for most renovators, especially if a replacement of an old deck is planned. But, then again, if the ground is sloped or the space really needs to be elevated, decks are a great option. If your new porch or deck requires a permit, you’ll need to consider structural footing details, railing height and hand rail look and feel, and other safety features.
Last but not least, before you start your outdoor project, think about drainage. Now is the time to get the water to drain away from your home properly and away from the foundation and your new outdoor space! Ask your contractor to slope the ground away from the home as much as possible before construction starts.Â
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