Photo courtesy of MOSAIC Outdoor Living
Sunny
Surfaces
62
atlanta Home Improvement june 2009 Planning
the perfect
patio or deck
By Julie Edwards
www.homeimprovementmag.com
Photo courtesy of Outside Landscape Group LLC
I
f you are looking to extend your living space, there is perhaps no better
place to turn than outdoors. And no matter how you use it—to cookout for
a crowd on weekends or to lounge in the sun with a great book—an outdoor
deck or patio can really boost the enjoyment you get from your house during
the warmer months.
Your starting point
When planning a major upgrade to an existing outdoor space or building from
scratch, it’s important to know your needs before you talk to a contractor—the better
you articulate what you want, the more likely you’ll be to get it. Think about exactly
how you plan to use your deck or patio, what type of maintenance you can manage,
the look you’re going for, how much space you need and what kind of time schedule
you’re on. Collect pictures of decks or patios you like. See the Consider This sidebar (at
right) for questions to ponder as you start to plan.
One of the most important considerations is your budget. “Be realistic with your
budget. Adding a patio or deck is an investment in your home and should be
Consider This
Answering the following questions
will make it easier to communicate
with your contractor so you can
create your dream design within a
realistic budget.
1. What type of budget do I
have for the project?
2. What type of functions do
I want my outdoor area to
serve?
3. Am I trying to capture a
gorgeous view or hide
something like a neighbor’s
house from my line of sight?
4. How often do I entertain?
—Bernie Smith, owner,
MasterWorks Atlanta
treated as such,” says Rick Goldstein, architect and co-owner of MOSAIC Outdoor
Living. “It’s better to do less with greater quality and integrity than to do too much
with poor quality.” Keep in mind that custom-designed work costs will be higher.
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63
Cool Add-ons
If you’re looking to take your deck or patio to the next level, here are some of the
newest and coolest options:
❍ Dishwasher
❍ Outdoor TV
❍ Ice maker/beverage cooler
❍ Deep fryer
❍ Rotisserie
❍ Smoker
❍ Increased variety of outdoor appliances
❍ Stainless-steel cabinets with all-composite construction
❍ Outdoor heaters
Photos courtesy of (clockwise from top left) Decks & More, MasterWorks Atlanta, Atlanta Design & Build,
MasterWorks Atlanta and Outdoor Conceptions
64
atlanta Home Improvement june 2009 www.homeimprovementmag.com
Upgrade
Your
Outdoor
Kitchen
Here are four leadingedge products for your
outdoor kitchen from
Rick Kaldrovics, owner
of Outside Landscape
Group LLC:
Photo courtesy of Outdoor Conceptions
Elements of design
Color, materials, lighting and architectural elements, such as decorative rails and
arches, are just a few features that can add flair and integrate the outdoors with
the inside. “Consider materials that will complement the existing materials on
your house,” Goldstein says. “An addition should blend with the house—this will
add value to the home.”
Jumping into construction without a good handle on design usually leads to
trouble. “There are some mathematical equations that make a space feel natural
and comfortable,” says Rick Kaldrovics, owner of Outside Landscape Group LLC.
“Having a patio a foot or two short may make it feel crowded, or a few feet too
large can make it cold and uncomfortable.” Kaldrovics suggests consulting with a
professional to create a good flow and transition within your outdoor living space.
Material things
According to The North American Deck and Rail Association (NADRA) experts, the
quality or grade of your materials ultimately determines the success or failure of
your structure. Here are some commonly used materials to help you decide which
one appeals to you the most:
◗ Natural wood
Natural wood is among the most popular, attractive and economical options for a
raised deck. Its biggest downside is that it requires substantially more maintenance
than other surfaces. Pine, pressure-treated with chemicals to prevent rotting
and insect infestation, is a good bet for decks built on a budget. Most woods also
require sealing and staining before use and then again approximately every 2 years
after installation. One popular material is Brazilian walnut, or Ipe, an ultra-dense
hardwood that is resistant to rot, insects and fire. It can be oiled to maintain its
1. A large outdoor
cooker. This is an
oversized stainlesssteel burner that can
yield up to 65,000
BTUs! It can handle
simple saucepans all
the way up to a large
100-quart stockpot.
This makes it great for
shrimp and crawfish
boils and even as a
turkey fryer.
2. W
arming and
refrigerated drawers.
These compact
drawers fit under the
counter and work great
for smaller outdoor
kitchens.
3. Refrigerated beverage
dispensers are
becoming popular as
homeowners entertain
more in their backyard
spaces. These are
capable of holding a
half barrel and include
a stainless-steel tap
tower for dispensing
beverages.
4. Stainless-steel outdoor
ice machines and ice
chests also are exciting
options for outdoor
kitchens.
hue or just cleaned routinely, which allows the wood to fade to a rustic teak color.
“Installing tropical hardwoods or synthetic wood surfaces offers a beautiful and
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atlanta Home Improvement june 2009
65
▲ Solara Patio Covers allow you to control the amount of sunlight
or shade you would like on your patio. They can be custom cut to fit
your space.
POPULAR TRENDS
❍ Aluminum or iron spindles in railings
❍ Enclosing existing decks with a roof
and posts, creating outdoor rooms
❍ Stone patios with a firepit, fireplace or
outdoor kitchen
According to our local experts, the following are the top trends in decks
and patio upgrades in the Atlanta area:
❍ Composite decking
❍ Lighting
❍ Adding gas or electrical requirements
for outdoor cooking
❍ Building with curves: curved
archways, stone walls and decks
❍ Waterproof membranes with tile
❍ Three-season covered porches
❍ Water features and waterfalls
long-term look,” Kaldrovics says. “There is a tremendous variety to
choose from that will upgrade and enhance the new deck.”
◗ Concrete, stone and brick
For ground-level patios, particularly on level lots, there are a number of
surfacing options. Low-maintenance concrete (requiring only routine
washing to eliminate dirt) is perhaps the most economical and, if
installed properly, can last for many years. It also offers a range of
versatility when stained, scored or stamped with a variety of designs.
Depending on installation and the type of material used—from brick,
cast concrete pavers and ceramic tile to cobblestone, flagstone and
slate—masonry can create a refined or rustic aesthetic. Most stone
patios can be applied to a flat concrete base for a polished look, or
embedded into crushed granite, yielding a result that blends well with
natural surroundings. Most masonry demands little more than simple
washing to keep the stones and grout clean. Keep in mind that lighter
stones show dirt more easily.
Photos courtesy of (clockwise from top left) Outside
Landscape Group LLC, Adjustable Patio Covers Inc. and
(the last two) MOSAIC Outdoor Living
66
atlanta Home Improvement june 2009 ◗ Composites and plastics
Composite, plastic or PVC decking surfaces, which are made out
of plastic and wood or purely from plastic, are ideal for hassle-free
www.homeimprovementmag.com
Photo courtesy of Atlanta
Design & Build
Photo courtesy of Cabana Kitchens LLC
expert tipS
decks. In the past, their shortcoming has been that despite manufacturers’ efforts
to mimic the appearance of wood, synthetics have never been quite as beautiful as
natural wood. The benefits of synthetic materials are that they require virtually no
maintenance beyond occasional cleaning, maintain their original color, often are
eco-friendly because they are made from recycled materials and typically are offered
with a 10- to 20-year warranty. “Synthetic materials usually last a longer time than
traditional pressure-treated lumber,” says Steven Gamper, remodel sales manager for
CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio.
◗ Tile
Some decks, based on the way they are constructed, may be covered with a waterproof
membrane, a mortar bed installed over it and a finished tile surface applied on top.
“This construction technique provides more of a contemporary-looking product,
According
to Guy
LaMarca, CR,
general manager with
Atlanta Design & Build,
composites are gaining
popularity in the Atlanta
area and, although
more costly, are virtually
maintenance free and
usually made with
recycled materials.
and its application is usually based on the aesthetic direction of the house,” Gamper
explains.
Maintenance minimums
Nobody wants to spend all of their time maintaining an outdoor living space, but
regardless of the type of deck or patio you own or choose to build, proper installation,
regular maintenance and cleaning are key to extending its life. Goldstein recommends
hiring someone who has experience with the types of material you are contemplating.
“There is a significant difference between a good installation and a poor one—you may
not notice it at first, but over time it will become clearly evident,” he says.
According to Frank Pologruto, president of Decks & More Inc., “Once a wood deck is built
and dry to the touch, it is imperative that you get it stained.” Pologruto recommends
staining your wood deck once a year. However, depending on how much shade you have
over the deck and where your deck is positioned (East, West, South or North), you may
be able to go every 2 years.
You will also have to clean the surface periodically, typically with a power washer, and
apply a new coat of waterproofer, but how often you do this depends on the type of
coating that you applied. “Composites only need washing if dirty,” says Guy LaMarca,
CR, general manager with Atlanta Design & Build.
Armed with these tips, it’s time to stop waiting and start dreaming big. With the proper
planning, a deck or patio project can provide you with the perfect space to enjoy your
When choosing a
contractor, Steven
Gamper, remodel sales
manager with CSI Kitchen
and Bath Studio, says
to make sure he or she
is licensed and capable
of pulling a building
permit for your deck.
It’s important he or she
is also insured for both
workman’s comp and
liability. Check references
and look at photographs
of work to confirm that
the contractor is capable
of performing the task as
outlined in your design.
free time for years to come.
Editorial Resources begin on page 101.
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