Archadeck of Austin

Austin custom cabanas

Austin covered spaces provide benefits beyond outdoor living enjoyment!

National UV Safety Awareness monthWhen you take into consideration the benefits that can be gained by making the decision to add a covered outdoor living space, such as a covered porch, or patio cover, to your backyard the first thing that comes to mind is probably increasing enjoyment. Enjoyment IS a major factor when designing a covered outdoor living space, however, the benefits do not end there. In honor of July being observed as National UV Safety Awareness month.

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. More than 1 million cases of skin cancer are found in the United States each year. Melanoma, the most deadly of skin cancers, only accounts for about 4 percent of all skin cancer cases, however, it causes about 79 percent of skin cancer deaths. Data indicates, in Texas, the odds of getting skin cancer are increased. One in three Texans will develop some form of skin cancer. Texas ranks third in the nation for malignant melanoma, the deadliest of all skin cancers according to the Texas Medical Association.

South Austin Covered Patio Builder

Since most of the melanoma and non-melanoma cases are directly related to sun-exposure, skin cancer prevention and awareness education could greatly reduce the number of those affected. This includes being cautious and limiting the amount of exposure you get on your uncovered outdoor living space.

Covered patio in Cedar Park, TX

Covered patio in Cedar Park, TX.

Archadeck of Austin specializes in both covered and uncovered outdoor living space designs. We can address your specific needs and desires in order to determine what type, or combination of, outdoor structure is the right “fit” for your lifestyle. For some homeowner’s, just having a deck, or patio, is not enough  and their outdoor living space must meet specific needs. These can include sensitivity and concern from UV light, allergies and even dealing with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Some of our most popular protected structures include screened and covered porches, patio covers, pool pavilions, cabanas and even shade pergolas. With this in mind we want to take this opportunity to point out the health-conscience benefits of having a covered outdoor space on your property to utilize:

  • Greatly enhances the look and curb appeal of your home and landscape
  • Adds value to your home
  • Is a comfortable way to enjoy the outdoors
  • Is a great place for plants to thrive
  • Provides emotional benefits of sunlight (increased Vitamin D and stress reduction) without harmful UV ray
  • Can become a party room protected from sudden thunderstorms that pop from a clear blue sky
  • Creates a room free from the irritants of seasonal allergies (screened rooms)
  • Is a dining area with a clear barrier against pesky mosquitos and stinging insects (screened rooms)
  • Is a pollen-free outdoor living room (screened rooms)

Austin_covered_porch_and_fireplace_by_Archadeck_of_Austin

Austin Porch and Patio Covers:

Austin screen porches

This combination gives these Austin homeowners the best of both worlds, a deck with a screened porch to escape the mosquitoes and keep the outdoor living rolling.

Our custom covered porches and patios are designed to protect you overhead without reducing your connection with nature. From simple front porches to complete outdoor entertainment areas, our porch and patio covers will transform your home from the outside in.

Austin Screened Porches and Patios:

A screened porch allows you to enjoy being outside without worrying about inclement weather, harmful UV rays, pollen or insects. You can relax while you take in the view and gentle breezes of your beautiful outdoor surroundings from the comfort of a protected space. Screened porches and patios can also be used in conjunction with other outdoor structures such as a deck, patio, or even incorporate an outdoor fireplace kitchen to add more “flavor” to the design!

South Austin Trex deck with overhead pergola

Yes — This is a pergola!

Shade Pergolas:

A pergola offers much potential to providing shade depending on the distance between the cross beams that cover the upper portion of the pergola. The construction of the pergola can be made more conducive to providing shade through the spacing between the cross beams located atop the pergola and by using wider rafters in the pergola design. The closer the beams are set, or the wider the rafters, the more sun protection your pergola will offer. All of these factors are influenced by the intended placement of your pergola in correlation to the direction and amount of sunlight your location receives. Archadeck of Austin can build your pergola with increased sun protection in mind while keeping the original design of your pergola intact. This may include integration of a Polygal cover into the design, curtains or blinds as we have many options available which can be customized to bring the most shade and comfort to your pergola addition.

Poolside pergola addition in Bee Cave TX

Poolside pergola addition in Bee Cave, TX.

If you are ready to enjoy the unbridled benefits of outdoor living while being smart about you and your family’s’ exposure to the sun. Contact Archadeck of Austin today at (515) 259-8282 or via email at jim.odom@archadeck.net to schedule a free design consultation. We can make sure your new outdoor structure is “made in the shade.”

Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin

Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin


This Versatile Pergola in Bee Cave, TX, is Nothing Short of a Modern Marvel

Bee Cave TX contemporary pergola

A pergola is often designed as an outdoor room that provides a light, airy and inviting space to relax, dine or just admire. Pergolas are much larger than arbors and are generally freestanding, but can be attached to another building. You can also add amendments for more shade and to accommodate climbing vines. Because a pergola can be freestanding, you won’t need to make any complicated connections between the house or roof and the pergola, which is a definite advantage for many homeowners looking to add an outdoor space to an area within the landscape. Though this defines a pergola from a text-book perspective, the pergolas we design here at Archadeck of Austin are far from the generic description. Case in point is our pergola addition in Bee Cave, TX, that is nothing short of a modern marvel….

When you imagine a pergola, the first thing that probably comes to mind is an outdoor structure used to generate a variable amount shade and serve as a focal point to a backyard. These are certainly viable benefits of adding a pergola to an outdoor space, however, this pergola is so much more!

Bee Cave TX pergola designs

When we met with the homeowners to discuss their vision, their objective was to get as much covered space as possible within their budget. They were also very specific about where they wanted the lines of the addition to go. This two-story home sits on a hilltop amid their 10 acre homestead with an ” old Texan” feel. The placement of the covered space was at the end of their spacious backyard pool. The design we were asked to create for them needed to provide versatile functionality and bring more than just aesthetics poolside too.

Poolside pergola addition in Bee Cave TX

Our talented design team here at Archadeck of Austin are experts at translating the needs and desires of our clients’ into our outdoor living spaces. For this project, we designed a pergola with a metal roof. The interior of the pergola is spacious enough at 20′ x 15′ to facilitate a changing area covered in cedar slats at one end. In addition, the addition serves as the perfect spot for the homeowner’s to store pool supplies when not in use.

Contemporary Outdoor Living Space Designer and Builder Austin TX

The pergola also serves as a place for respite and poolside viewing for the family. Plenty of electrical outlets, a large ceiling fan and outdoor lighting make this space right for outdoor living anytime, day or night!

Bee Cave TX pergola designs

The homeowners agree — their new pergola addition scores a hole in one for satisfaction!

If you would like to learn more about our cutting-edge outdoor living space designs, contact Archadeck of Austin today at  (512) 259 – 8282  or email us at  jim.odom@archadeck.net.

Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin

Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin


Archadeck of Austin brings the backyard fairy-tale to life with this custom poolside cabana in Austin, TX

An outdoor living structure is only as good as the amount of outdoor living you can get out of it. In the case of this cabana we recently constructed for homeowners in Austin, TX it is packed with all the functional amenities and space anyone could ever ask for in an outdoor area.

The cabana includes a gorgeous custom stone outdoor fireplace with built-in HDTV above the mantel. It also includes an outdoor kitchen area that has a grill with side burner, an icemaker, refrigerator, kegerator, and a Big Green Egg smoker. To make this cabana cool on those hot Texas afternoons we even included two ceiling fans.

Aesthetically this space has a pleasing combination of wood tones, custom stone and a floor built using CoolDeck concrete to match the pool surround. The interior ceiling of this beauty boasts soaring clerestory details that are big on Texas sized rustic charm.  Watch as the storybook unfolds on this one-of-a-kind outdoor space.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHYlSKtJ104

Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin

Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin

Archadeck of Austin can bring the fairy-tale to life for you too, by designing an outdoor space in your backyard that can make the ultimate outdoor living space a reality. Contact us today to learn more.
Call for a free consultation: (512) 259 – 8282
Austin@archadeck.net