1 Average-Sized Home + 1 LARGE Screened Porch = 1 Delightful Home, Just the Right Size in East Central Austin
These East Central Austin homeowners proved you don’t have to have a large home to add a large outdoor living space.
After purchasing this home of about 1,400 sq. ft., our clients completely renovated the home’s interior, with absolutely beautiful results. Finally, they were ready to add a multi-purpose outdoor living space. Instead of asking Archadeck of Austin to design a space that was proportional to their small home, they wanted something bigger. Specifically, they wanted a big, open and airy screened porch, so the one we designed for them is over 600 sq. ft. in area. If you’re doing the math, they increased the size of their usable space by almost 50%. Because of Austin’s mild climate, they truly will be able to use all of this space throughout most of the year.
The homeowners do a lot of work and entertaining at home, so they needed a larger space. They had a second reason for building this large porch: With all of the work they had done on the home’s interior to make it beautiful, they wanted the outside to be beautiful as well.
- Increase space
- Beautify exterior
Archadeck of Austin designed and built the perfect screened porch for this home. You can see how much room it has, enough for a spacious living area and a separate dining area, which could also serve as a home office when needed. It’s really the equivalent of two additional rooms. On the exterior, we matched the home’s original HardiePlank siding, so the addition blends seamlessly with the home and doesn’t look “added on.”
On the inside of the porch, we started with a concrete floor and added a textured concrete overlayment in a color called California Smoke, which is a gray blend. For additional contrast, we added a bit more of a darker shade. For the beautiful ceiling we used prefinished tongue-and-groove ceiling planks from Synergy Wood.
Finally, we installed four skylights to bring in as much natural light as possible. The clients were aware that adding a large porch can diminish the amount of natural light received in the home’s adjoining room, so they used skylights to minimize that impact—in addition to the huge screened window openings around three sides of the porch.
The clients love their expanded home! With all of the work completed now, all they have to do is enjoy it.
If you would like to learn more about expanding your home by creating the screened porch of dreams, contact Archadeck of Austin today at (512) 259-8282 or via email at jim.odom@archadeck.net to schedule a free design consultation.
Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin
Archadeck of Austin rescues Hayes County, TX, homeowners from unfortunate outdoor living space design
In these pictures you see an outdoor living project gone awry and the results after we accepted the task of making it right. Archadeck of Austin designs and builds porches, patios, decks, outdoor kitchens, pergolas and more — and we can design any combination of those structures. Sometimes we start from scratch. Sometimes we take what another builder did before us, like a patio, and make it bigger and better (much better). Or we take something old like a worn out deck, tear it down, and build a new deck-patio-outdoor-kitchen combination in its place.
And then there are times like this. To set the scene, we are in Hayes County, TX, southwest of Austin, outside the Travis County limits. Our clients purchased a new home with an outdoor living space that was nothing like they wanted. It was a brand new home, and obviously it suited them in many ways or they wouldn’t have purchased it. But the outdoor living space at this home was getting a negative approval rating from the homeowners starting on Day 1.
The home’s original outdoor living space consisted of a covered concrete porch/patio with a small cedar deck attached. It was all very plain and unappealing. The homeowners knew someone could do a better job of designing and building a more functional and enjoyable space for them. Enter Archadeck of Austin to the rescue.
The first problem was the covered porch/patio needed to be screened in. Insects were driving this young family crazy and they needed a no-bug zone.
Then, they wanted the small cedar deck extended to cover a larger expanse across the back of the house, and they needed a stairway directly from the deck down to the children’s play area in the yard.
It sounds simple enough, but it was actually a complex project. We took out the Hardie Board ceiling over the porch and replaced it with a beautiful tongue-and-groove ceiling by Synergy Wood. We removed part of the roof on one side and built a new roof extension that came out deeper toward the yard. Of course, you can’t tell a difference where we extended the roof; it all blends in and looks original, as it should.
We also had to demo some brick off the wall on the outside of the house in order to attach some of the new work directly to the original concrete substructure. Finally, we built soffits to match the original construction so that everything tied together. Once we had finished, framed and painted, we were able to install a wall of screen. Now the original porch/patio is a screened porch with a TV and seating area, and on the other side of that screen the family has a bigger deck with sheets of cedar lattice along the underside.
It feels like all is now right with the world, at least in this corner of Hayes County, TX. Our work is done here, and we have the Before and After pictures to prove it.
If you’re interested in reconfiguring your outdoor living space without having to tear it out and start over, contact Archadeck of Austin today at (512) 259-8282 or via email at jim.odom@archadeck.net to schedule a free design consultation.
Jim Schallon, senior designer Archadeck of Austin.
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
Austin Decks, Pergolas, Covered Patios, Porches, more 