Our Recent Porch Cover in Riverplace is the Perfect Recipe for the Backyard Gourmet
Outdoor kitchens are among one of the most popular of all the amenities in outdoor living design. They provide an area to prepare food outdoors and save an abundant amount of time that would normally be spent running back and forth to the kitchen within the home. Based on the accoutrements they contain, these outdoor marvels can aid you in storing, preparing and even keeping food warm and beverages cold.
In the case of our most recent completed project located in Austin’s Riverplace community which sits on the back of the Riverplace gold course overlooking the greens, the homeowner’s had a lovely existing kitchen atop a stunning patio, the only facet this space lacked was protection from the elements and shade. That’s where Archadeck of Austin enters the picture. These homeowner’s contact us to design and build a porch cover specifically for their existing outdoor kitchen.
Outdoor kitchen and patio before we built the porch cover.
The covered porch we designed and built is an asset to the landscape and provides the versatility these customers were craving. With a post & beam gabled roof design and concrete tile roofing, the new space begs for attention. Archadeck of Austin “beefed” up the appeal of the porch cover with an extra-large overhang which keeps the saddle-style barstools the homeowner’s placed around the car area out of the elements in case a rain shower pops up. No stone was left unturned regarding inclusion of all the luxurious extras that make the space inviting and cozy day or night. Sconce lighting, can-style lighting and a ceiling fan allow for comfort even on those hot Texas afternoons or in the evening. The entire structure was meticulously matched to ensure it mimics the dolor tones and style of the existing home on the property. We installed a beautiful cedar ceiling to match the interior of the homeowner’s existing covered patio too.
The finished structure completes the perfect recipe for these homeowner’s to make the most out of their outdoor living enjoyment. It adds flavor and versatility to the way they now live outdoors, with a pinch of elegance and a dab of luxury, this outdoor room satisfies!
Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin
If you are ready to transform your existing outdoor space, or design and build a new one from scratch, contact Archadeck of Austin today at (515) 259-8282 or via email at jim.odom@archadeck.net to schedule a free design consultation.
Austin covered spaces provide benefits beyond outdoor living enjoyment!
When 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.
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.
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 Porch and Patio Covers:
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!
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.
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
Join Archadeck of Austin as we explore this hideaway in Westlake Hills
Spending time outdoors is something we all wish we could do more of. With such a unique layout to this Westlake Hills outdoor living space, these homeowners can live the outdoor lifestyle to its fullest potential. Combining a backyard kitchen next to a cozy outdoor living space opens up a plethora of options on how to use their outdoor oasis every night.
From hosting a girl’s night dinner party to spending a relaxing evening in the hot tub watching the game, this multiple outdoor living space becomes the main hub of the home. Nestled at the bottom of Texas’ hill country in Westlake Hills, this covered porch/patio was designed around an existing fireplace giving the impression that you are far from the city. When in retrospect it’s only a quick fifteen-minute drive to the downtown Austin area, giving the best of both worlds.
When designing this Westlake Hills covered porch the outdoor living lifestyle of the client was incorporated for easy access from the pool to the 10-person dining area. Whether planning to have a large pool party or dinner poolside with the kids, easy access ensures that having a spot to dry off and wind down after a swim is never an issue.
This spacious covered patio integrates multiple living spaces allowing the homeowners to enjoy the outdoors to its fullest potential. The fully equipped outdoor kitchen ensures no one misses out on the fun. The cupboards provide storage space for outdoor kitchen ware while the sink and refrigerator complete the kitchen’s purpose for never having to step foot back inside.
Posing as a second living room, the outdoor furniture was perfectly placed by the homeowners between the pool and fire helping them escape to their happy place. The space harmonizes to ensure that enjoying a glass of wine with your feet up next to the warm fire while also being able to keep an eye on the kids in the pool provides the perfect setting for a relaxing Friday night.
Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin
No matter the day of the week this outdoor oasis in the hills will help you escape after a long day. Contact Archadeck of Austin at (515) 259-8282 or via email at jim.odom@archadeck.net to schedule a free design consultation for your outdoor hideaway.
Top 10 must haves on your new covered patio in Austin
Are you yearning for a covered patio to grace your backyard this season? Maybe you are holding open a special place in your heart for an outdoor structure that will provide the function and beauty you have been wishing for. Archadeck of Austin specializes in creating stunning covered patio designs to help satisfy your craving.
Since the covered patio is the ultimate outdoor living structure, and you can design each patio cover with a multitude of different options, we have compiled a list of the top 10 features our customers repeatedly ask to include in their design.
Top 10 most loved covered patio inclusions
- An outdoor fireplace
- An outdoor kitchen, or “smokin hot” outdoor smoker
- A bar for eating and serving
- A floor with personality and style
- Custom columns and footers
- A wall-mounted outdoor TV
- An attached deck or patio
- Rustic stone details
- A stunning vaulted ceiling worth staring at
- Room for lots of stunning outdoor furnishings
Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin
No matter what your pleasure Archadeck of Austin can create a covered patio that is sure to become your favorite spot in the house ( even though it is outside), contact us today to learn more and begin the journey of making your dreams become a reality. Call for a free consultation: (512) 259 – 8282
Austin@archadeck.net
Archadeck of Austin reaps multiple design awards at annual event
Each year a nationwide group of Archadeck offices come together to share their best practices, ideas, new products and to review outstanding leadership in design. This year, like others, the locally owned and operated Austin location performed very well. We are very proud to have scooped up on four of twelve design awards, plus a distinguished Customer Satisfaction Award which reconfirmed Austin’s place as the 2nd best producing Archadeck location in North America.
Archadeck of Austin prides itself in being “all about design and customer experience”. Here are some of the ‘Best of Show’.
Decks
Austin won second place for this project outside the Craig O’s restaurant in Lakeway, TX. This deck uses TimberTech Earthwoods Evolutions composite decking in walnut designed in quadrants of diagonal board placement converging to the center. The deck is designed for 100 lb/sf commercial loads and has a massive concrete footing hidden behind an attractive cedar skirt. A powder coated Fortress railing system surrounds the deck and is capped in the same composite. Stairs descend down to the parking lot and play area. Patrons will enjoy many meals overlooking the serene hills East of Lakeway atop this deck.
If you are curious, the following deck from outside Boston won 1st place…
Our friends at Archadeck of Ft. Worth placed 1st for this pool-side cabana.
Porch Enclosures
First place went to our friends at Archadeck of Ft. Worth for a fabulous pool-side cabana. The Austin entry took third place, under some tight competition, with our pool-side cabana constructed in Round Rock, TX. Both of these projects are indicative of a growing trend to move the living room outside complete with integrated kitchens, outdoor fireplaces, television; everything you need to entertain outdoors.
Denver Hardscape award winner
Hardscapes
Demonstrating the diversity of Archadeck’s designs, the Austin hardscape project took the 3rd place award vs. a really unique and innovative project outside Denver that took home 1st place. The Austin hardscape project is located in the Steiner Ranch community of Austin and includes a covered tile patio up top for visiting, lunch or even coffee. The project includes stone steps that lead down to a stained concrete lower patio perfect for every facet of entertaining. The project also includes integrated lighting so it looks spectacular day and night.
Our combination outdoor structure in Riverplace stole the spotlight.
Combination Award
This new award category reflects the fact that great projects are rarely one-dimensional. Every year the very best projects combine multiple elements into a cohesive design that may include a shade structure, decking. masonry, and other elements to provide the homeowners with a complete backyard with multiple uses and gain the maximum added value to their home. We are excited that our project constructed in Riverplace took the spotlight for #1. The project was designed by our own Mark Mommsen, whom was also the winner of #1 design representative. The project brings together a very unique stand-alone roof structure with Permacast columns which are mounted on an elevated Tigerwood deck beside the pool and outdoor fireplace with stone benches on the opposite side of the pool. All this is designed to face the canyon/green belt and golf course located behind the residence.
Archadeck of Austin receives the Customer Satisfaction Award, among others.
If the customer isn’t happy, nobody’s happy!
As the owner of Archadeck of Austin, I’m very pleased to say we won the coveted Customer Satisfaction Award. To win this award there can be no, and I mean ‘zero’ negative responses in post-construction surveys. Last year we built 133 residential projects. We are not perfect and are always improving, but to have absolutely no negative responses is a testament to our desire for excellence in customer service. We were also recently added to the Angie’s List Honor Roll and we strongly encourage people to submit reviews to Angie’s list.
Jim Odom, Archadeck of Austin
We are looking forward to a great 2012 season, with more great work in Austin,TX. If you’re on the fence, the time is really good to remodel your outdoor space the way you’ve always wanted. It is a great investment.
(512) 259 – 8282
Austin@archadeck.net
When choosing a hardscape for your Austin outdoor structure stone is a natural
Among the preference of materials used to construct our Austin area homeowners hardscape endeavors, the top choice is undoubtedly natural stone. Natural stone comes in a myriad of colors, textures and variances in undulation, or waves and bends present in natural stone. Natural stone is derived from a multitude of locations within our earth, and with any material that is derived from nature and the earth, no two pieces of stone are exactly alike. The differences and variations present in natural stone only add to its charm and part of what makes it so popular among the many materials available to create a truly unique hardscape outdoor structure.
This tigerwood deck by Archadeck of Austin plays host to a stunning backdrop of natural stone ledges and the beautiful hill country terrain Austin is known for
Our signature item is the flagstone patio. Whether they are built-in unison with a decks, pergolas or one of the other stunning outdoor structures we build for homeowners here in the Austin area, the added essence of flagstone makes the entire project breathtaking. Austin is hill country which not only yields varying grades and steep drop offs which often includes natural stone, but natural stone used as a building material is common because of its natural beauty and the way it complements the natural surroundings and backdrops of Austin’s hill country. Flagstone is quarried from the ground and therefore will not yield a completely even surface. Flagstone patios are set on either concrete or mortar beds. The concrete base is referred to as a 1″ stone, and the mortar base is a 2″ stone. These terms are commonly used but the thickness of the stone itself can vary from 3/4″ to 3″. There can and will be movement on flagstone which is set on a base which is not concrete. Maintaining your flagstone patio, or other outdoor structure involves cleaning, sweeping or pressure washing on a low PSI and a fan tip is also recommended. Our flagstone patios our sealed with a “matte” finish penetrating sealer and are not visible to the naked eye that they are being absorbed. The seal will last from 6-12 months. After the initial sealing, the patio may be resealed again at your discretion. If you are placing a BBQ pit or grill atop your flagstone patio be careful not to let grease or drippings on the surface of the flagstone for they can stain the stone and become permanent.
Natural stone patio and outdoor fireplace by Archadeck of Austin
Flagstone is not the only natural stone that is coveted among Austin homeowners for its beauty and unique characteristics. We also use sandstone in many of our projects. Sandstone is created when sand and an alkaline settling is formed under pressure and joined at the uppermost surface of the earth. Slate as well is a rich, deeply undulated natural stone that is popular in building outdoor hardscape structures. Slate and sandstone are very similar in the manner formation of the stone itself occurs. Slate is formed when wide ranges of minerals are compressed in layers near the earths’ surface over time. Slate is however prone to what is called “cleft plane spalling” which is a process where layers separate from the main stone body. Combined with the soft character of slate, these layers can be separated by walking on the surface, dropping or moving items over the surface or an excessive presence of moisture. Due to its’ soft nature, slate is also prone to scratching.
Austin flagstone patio
Running only second to flagstones popularity here in the Austin area is Leuders stone, also known as limestone. Limestone is formed when sea beds dry up in layers over time which results in the decay of aquatic organisms. This sedimentation process over time and intense pressure yields limestone. Limestone is basically calcium carbonate which is a pure form of a very soft alkali. Not unlike the other natural stones we have listed, limestone also can be stained or damaged by outside forces. When exposed to acidic properties which are present in wines, sodas, coffees and other beverages it can result in a condition referred to as an “etch mark” which needs to be polished to be removed. Repeated acid or high moisture attack can result in permanent and irreversible stone damage and color change. This stone class can scratch easily under normal wear. Despite the fragile nature limestone has under certain circumstances, it is one of the most beautiful stones we use and as long as it is properly sealed and taken care of can prove to provide years of outdoor enjoyment.
Covered patio with custom outdoor limestone fireplace in Austin
All of these types of stone are excellent choices for masonry projects. They can all be sealed to help prevent staining. These stone make ups are available in a chopped block, patio stone or cap stone. Combining various styles can add more texture and depth to a project. All are extremely durable and will outlast us all as we know since it has already existed for thousands of years. Within these stone types there are an extremely large number of colors and hues. So when choosing your hardscape material for your patio or other outdoor structure, natural stone is a natural indeed.
Wes Vann, Archadeck of Austin
Contact Archadeck of Austin to learn more about creating a breathtaking hardscape outdoor masterpiece for yourself. (512) 259 – 8282
Austin@archadeck.net
See more photos of our natural stone patios and hardscapes by visiting our patio and hardscape photo gallery located on our website.
We don’t just build structures to fit the way you want to live, we build structures that support the big moments in your life.
The addition of an outdoor kitchen can make your holiday, or special event hassle free with the convenience of a secondary food preparation area.
When you think about what motivates homeowners to make the decision to add an outdoor living area to their home and backyard, in many cases the motivating factor that drives them to act upon their decision is a holiday, party or event they have planned for the near future. Let’s say for instance with the holiday season just around the corner, a homeowner may decide to go ahead and add on that new deck, covered porch, or outdoor fireplace with a custom stone patio surround in anticipation of family and friends that are planning to visit and having the structure up and running will create a great place to relax and spend time with family and friends within a unique outdoor setting to make new memories together. It’s almost as though you have the indulgence of an extra “family room” with a unique outdoor setting. Could you imagine having an outdoor kitchen incorporated into your deck or patio that could serve as a secondary food preparation area on Thanksgiving? The hubby can fry the turkey in the outdoor kitchen, and be out of the way, while the lady of the house prepares all the sumptuous side dishes in the house. Having the function of an outdoor kitchen to take some of the stress out of the kitchen, especially if you prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a large crowd, can make “Turkey day” run as smooth as a french silk pie.
A spa deck such as this one by Archadeck of Austin can make your holiday party merry and bright
The beauty of our business is when a homeowner approaches us and needs their outdoor endeavor completed within a specific time frame most of the time we are able to accommodate their request. We do absolutely everything we can to accommodate it. We always quote a lead time to begin and give an expected completion date and 90% of the time we meet it with 2 or 3 days. Just this month we had a deck that was needed for a wedding, a restaurant deck for an opening last week, and a cabana finished for a party. This week we engaged on a job for a Christmas party mid December. In most cases, if you need it, Archadeck of Austin can have it ready for you within the time frame you need it.
This cabana style patio cover makes the perfect spot for entertaining with an outdoor fireplace, and outdoor kitchen built right in.
Many outdoor structure builders hesitate to make these kind of promises to homeowners because they lack the project management that is necessary to make sure every aspect of your outdoor structure is run in a professional, timely manner. We make certain on all of our jobs that each specific layer of the building process is set up in the order it needs to be accomplished to avoid delays, and have wiggle room if a problem arises. The keys to being able to deliver what we promise are superior project management, frequent and effective communication with the homeowner, a solid design, and good weather.
Ring in the New Year in style with a covered patio, deck and pergola by Archadeck of Austin
Wouldn’t the thought of having your New Year’s Eve bash under the cover of the warm Texas evening on your new deck sound enticing this year? If you dream it, we can build it. The bottom line is that if you need to get a job done to fit your individual schedule we can do it. Contact Archadeck of Austin to learn more and remember, we take care of everything but the weather. (512) 259 – 8282
Austin@archadeck.net
Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin
To see more awe-inspiring images of decks that are perfect for your next big outdoor event visit our deck photo gallery located on our website.
You can also see more of our delicious outdoor kitchen designs be visiting our outdoor kitchen photo gallery also located on our website as well.
Austin Decks, Pergolas, Covered Patios, Porches, more 