Archadeck of Austin transforms this Brushy Creek backyard from plain to perfection!
This project is located in Brushy Creek which is the area between Round Rock and Cedar Park, TX, and it serves as the perfect example of a complete backyard transformation. When we initially met with the homeowners their outdoor living space consisted of little more than a builder-grade concrete patio off the rear of the home. Not only was the patio too small for the functions they had in mind, it also lacked pizzazz.
The dynamics of the Texan architecture of their home included both a stone facade and a metal roof. Both of which begged for a better interpretation of outdoor living Texas style. Upon consulting with these wonderful clients, they indicated their adoration for the aesthetics of deep-toned woods, however they did not wish to use cedar. After exploring the elements of many hardwoods they decided their preference really leaned toward the exotic look of Tigerwood and Ipe.
The completed space was built from Ipe hardwood decking and extends off the homeowner’s existing patio. Ipe is among the strongest and most beautiful of all the hardwoods we use here in the Austin area for our custom outdoor living designs. Ipe comes from South America and is classified as an exotic hardwood. Ipe’s rich, dark tone varies from board to board giving it an exotic look. The real advantage to using Ipe is its density and strength which make it a solid material to use on decks, porches and other outdoor structures.
Ipe is dense enough that it sinks in water. Its density requires that it be pre-drilled in order to be fastened. When fastening an Ipe deck we use stainless steel screws called head coat screws, which are brown to blend seamlessly with the decking itself. The ends of the Ipe boards need to be treated when they are cut during installation to avoid cracking. If you are dealing with a contractor that is not familiar with working with ipe then you usually end up with split ends, yes in much the same manner your hair can get split ends, from not treating the ends of the boards. Ipe is so dense that it doesn’t absorb much water which results in a lack of the normal expansion and contraction evident with other wooden decks.
For this project, we used a complimentary black iron railing made by Fortress. We also oiled the decking planks following installation because Ipe requires oil so it can penetrate the wood surface. Frequent oiling is recommended to maintain the rich wood look Ipe is known for, or it may be left untreated allowing it to turn a silvered patina look. The deck extension/addition makes the space a spacious 10 feet deeper and enables them to enjoy the beauty of the native trees within their landscape and there was even room for the homeowner’s to add their own fire pit table. Take a look at these amazing before & after images to see the transformation:
Needless to say, the clients are elated with their new outdoor living space. It embodies all the qualities they love about the Texas outdoors, and now they can enjoy it to its full potential! If you would like to learn more about how Archadeck of Austin can transform the way you live outdoors, contact us today at (515) 259-8282 or via email at jim.odom@archadeck.net to schedule a free design consultation.
Jim Schallon, senior designer Archadeck of Austin.
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.
Great architecture feeds a great lifestyle.
.
Here is the design rendering for this beautiful deck by Archadeck of Austin from another angle.
We always welcome the opportunity to be able to work hand in hand with a skilled architect. We welcome the opportunity to work with customers whose architect developed a plan for their outdoor living space. However, often, the homeowner will bring in the landscaping plan which was drawn up by their landscape architect and based on this Archadeck of Austin incorporates an outdoor living space to fit in with their landscaping. The dilemma with this is that it is best to design the outdoor structure first and then customize the landscaping to fit in with the structure’s style and dimensions as well as that of the existing home.
In the case of this homeowner, they came to us while they were still in process with another contractor that had left them frustrated because of the number of mistakes they were seeing. These homeowners brought their architect’s design to the table along with the confidence that we could turn this project into something they could be proud of.
This photo shows the vision from the original architects drawing.
When we received their architect’s design, we put it through our standards and structural warranty design process that Archadeck of Austin does with all it’s plans and also drew a set of plans that fit our criteria for loading and other structural aspects.
The structure Archadeck of Austin is building for these homeowners is a 1,000 square foot Tigerwood deck. It will have a roof over the dining area portion which is right off the homes master bedroom. The deck will also have a cooking area on the other end. There is a split level staircase. There will be a roof structure that will be over the dining area and a shade structure over the entire remainder of the deck. The shade structure is quite unique in that it uses a truss system of framing in order to maintain the size of the structure using minimal posts. The most unique feature of this deck is that when most people build a deck, you don’t want to see any framing that is visible, on this deck the details of the framing will be one of the main focal points of the structure. We are using large 8 x 8 beams, opposed to the usual 6 x 6 that are commonly used. The beams are made of Douglas Fir and all the framing is oversized to take on a personality of its own to accentuate the entire structure. The beams are kept from actually touching the ground by the addition of custom-made steel. The structure will use a bullwire railing system to maximize the view. The deck will have a beautiful non-obtrusive view of a canyon.
Archadeck of Austin is busy at work making this dream a reality for these Austin homeowners.
The homeowners’ desire is for an architectural look that also has the characteristics of age-old craftsmanship. In most cases a structure can either possess architectural quality or functional quality, this structure will have both.The beauty of the framing system in itself, alone is worth talking about. Great architecture like this feeds great living. When you have a home that is well designed and well-built by an experienced builder, you live well in it. Where there are focal details and striking architectural beauty, it makes you living experience even better. Adversely, the same is true. When you have a detail that you just aren’t happy with, these small elements can detract from your living experience. This is why it is so crucial to start with great architecture and design, it can make a world of difference in the way you think, feel and live day-to-day.
Another angle from the design rendering shows attention to every detail.
If you have an architect’s drawing already done in anticipation of building your outdoor structure Archadeck of Austin can turn that rendering into a reality. Even if you don’t have an architects drawing, our talented design team can create a drawing and rendering and plans based on what you have in mind. We are a full service outdoor structure company that can consult, design, plan and build the outdoor structure of your dreams. Contact Archadeck of Austin to learn more (512) 259-8282 austin@archadeck.net
Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin
See more gorgeous Tigerwood decks built by Archadeck of Austin by visiting our photo galleries at http://www.archadeck-austin.com /gallery.asp?selpics=Decks&subcat=Tigerwood
A worry free deck with a view at River Place in Austin
This deck and spa deck combination takes advantage of spectacular views and plenty of room for entertaining
I have been in the business of outdoor structures for many years and there’s a reason why I keep doing it. I love building outdoor structures and seeing the positive effect they have on my customers lives. I LOVE designing decks. I have also learned a lot over the years by not only working with my customers but by keeping in contact with them as well.
There are two things I really push for when my clients are making their decision. The first one is size. By this I don’t mean convincing someone who wants a 500 square foot deck to go to a 1,000 square feet. What I mean is measuring their furniture and seeing how much depth they really need so that the furniture can still be comfortable in the “pulled out” position, much like it will be after dinner and when your guests linger over coffee. People will pull out their chairs from the table and extend and cross their legs to enjoy the leg room that’s often needed after a wonderful and very filling dinner. You would be absolutely amazed at the difference that can be achieved by adding one or two feet of depth to a deck of patio.
Views such as this endless pool should never go un-noticed when designing a deck for a client
The second thing I am passionate about is the view. Here in Austin we have beautiful hilly terrains, mature trees in many places and other beautiful structures and details within our yards. You may just want a good view of the backyard to watch the kids play. So often, people think that the only railing choice is one with thick and closely spaced pickets. This simply is not the case. Metal railings are very popular these days because they have very narrow pickets that not only dramatically improve the view, but they also require less maintenance.
Deck in River Place, Austin TX
One such job where Archadeck of Austin was able to frame the view and offer plenty of linger and leg room was a deck we recently completed for homeowners in River Place, which is inside Austin. These homeowner’s residence overlooks a beautiful view of a canyon, unfortunately, a good portion of this stunning view was obscured. This was in part by the old deck having too many benches and the railing. Literally, when you were inside the home looking out, all you could see were benches. We aimed to change that for the better in our design and re-decking plan. We aimed to open up that view so the homeowners could relish the view. Since their home is so elevated on one side they also yearned for a little privacy on the deck as well. We were able to incorporate both with this new re-decking. Since the existing frame of the old deck was in such good condition we were able to immediately move forward with the re-decking.
This tree at this home in River Place, TX gave the deck a personality all its own
An older contractor had built a seat that incorporated the beautiful tree that was in the middle of the large part of the deck. We wanted to keep this in the design of the re-decking, because it gave the deck a personality and uniqueness all its own.
The deck is a massive 1,000 square feet and 5′ off the ground and in some places 11′ off the ground as well. The homeowners decided to replace the old deck with composite decking . They chose the very desirable Fiberon Horizon decking in Ipe. Today’s composites have evolved to being spectacular and are virtually maintenance free. They have no open pores so there is nowhere for mold to grow, and plastic capped composites such as this can be cleaned with simple soap and water they pay for themselves in no time because of the lack of maintenance required on a deck like this. These materials have a 25 year manufacturers warranty as well. The difference in composites today as opposed to ten years ago is the difference between night and day. People still love the tranquility and natural look of a wood deck and this can now be captured with today’s composites.
Notice how the new rail opens up the view
We finished out the new deck with a Radiant rail post with stunning Fortress iron railing. We still wanted to achieve a decorative effect so we used composite post sleeves, this allows the homeowners to “picture frame” the deck but doesn’t obscure any of the breathtaking view. We removed the backs from the existing benches and used the iron rails to open up the deck so the homeowners can see the canyon as well as their lovely pool.
These Homeowners in River Place, TX now have the deck and view of their dreams, built out of hassle free, worry free composites. They have plenty of room for entertaining and quaint evenings overlooking the canyon for many years to come.
Please visit our Austin composite deck photo gallery to see more beautiful decks built with this wonderful and innovative material
Archadeck of Austin agrees that composites have come a long way baby
Here at Archadeck of Austin we receive calls from homeowners wondering if they can re-deck their existing deck. There are many reasons why homeowners want to re-deck. Sometimes it is because their existing decking is splitting, warping, discolored and showing signs of damage, but in some cases it is just because they want to change the look of their outdoor space and let the deck serve a new purpose. In some cases even if your decking boards are in bad shape your foundation itself can still be in good shape. Whatever the reason for wanting to re-deck may be Archadeck of Austin has limitless choices and designs to suit any taste with superb materials to boot.
When it comes to thinking about re-decking, one word comes to mind – composites. Today’s composites have come a long way. The early plastic looking composites are a thing of the past. Composites are extremely low maintenance and worry free. They will not rot or warp. Composites also have unsurpassed mildew and mold resistance as well as resistance to insects and fungi. Composites won’t ever need to be stained or stripped and are easy to wash, just a little soap and water and they are good as new. Composites also carry some of the longest warranties on their decking boards within the industry. There is something else that seems almost too good to be true when it comes to today’s composites as well and that is their beauty. Technology has taken the look of composites to a whole new level with rich wood tones and graining that looks so realistic it leaves you questioning if it is real wood.
Can you tell which one of these is the Fiberon Horizon Ipe composite and which one is real Tigerwood?
Before Archadeck of Austin completed the re-decking for these customers in Leander,TX
We recently completed a re-decking for a wonderful retired couple in Leander, TX. who had an existing wood deck that was a little worse for wear. The deck was grayed out, faded, decayed, rotting and was behind on maintenance. They decided to take a look into re-decking with composite so they would not have to worry about maintenance.
We met with the couple and did an inspection of the deck. The frame of the deck was completely structurally sound and suitable for re-decking. We re-decked the structure with TimberTech Twin Finish in the redwood color and used a combed surface composite that carried a bit of red tine through it, to simulate the look of real wood. We also built planters and benches to open up the view of the yard so the couple would not feel as if they were boxed in.
The finished deck after re-decking with TimberTech Twin Finish composite
The final results of this composite re-deck are breathtaking. The homeowners said ” it made the whole house feel cleaner and lighter”. Not only do they get the beauty of a composite deck to enjoy every day, they no longer have to worry about laborious maintenance. They now have more time to enjoy their backyard, and their retirement.
If you are considering re-decking your existing deck, consider composites. I am sure you will be impressed and elated all at the same time. Contact Archadeck of Austin to find out more about composites or any other outdoor structure you are considering. Call (512) 259-8282 or email us at austin@archadeck.net
This community pool in Steiner Ranch in Austin, TX gets a new pool deck worth bragging about
This shows the beauty of TimberTech Reliaboard in Steiner Ranch, by Archadeck of Austin
Here in Austin, the Steiner Ranch community is known as “The land between the lakes”. Situated beautifully between Lake Travis and Lake Austin this neighborhood boasts upscale living with an enormous amount of amenities. This community has many pools for its residents to cool off from the Texas sun. Archadeck of Austin recently re-decked a 4,320 sq. ft. pool deck for the Steiner Ranch community that met with rave reviews from its users. We had previously written an article about this re-decking when it was in the planning stages which you may read about at http://austindeckandpatiobuilder.com/2011/01/11/re-decking-or-adding-a-new-deck-to-your-hoa-or-commercial-pool-in-austin/
Steiner Ranch residents love their new pool deck
We rebuilt the majority of the structure using TimberTech Reliaboard in Cedar. This particular color of Reliaboard is clean and at the same time has a rustic essence. Since one of the areas of the pool surround was not level, we added the level decking surface. Some of the existing material was reusable but we had to add some masonry work to the pool surround and build a limestone partition to avoid tripping hazards.
New pool deck for Steiner Ranch by Archadeck of Austin
Among the obstacles to overcome with this re-decking was a tree that came up through the deck. Steiner Ranch is known for its beautiful old trees. So encountering a tree poolside was no surprise. This unique feature required us to create a hexagon type ring made from decking boards which surrounds the tree at the deck level but is not attached to the deck surface. This allows room for the tree to grow, but not enough room to leave a gap that a child could possibly lose a toy in under the deck. Safety is always important at Archadeck of Austin and is priority number one on all our constructions.
Pergola alongside pool deck in Steiner Ranch
Since the structure had previously been constructed of plastic it had become brittle and wavy from exposure to the sun. The new composite decking material we used is easy on the feet on those hot summer days and is also extremely durable and low maintenance. This composite has the realistic appearance of beautiful cedar as well. The supports of the existing pergola had been damaged by carpenter ants and required re-enforcement while we were completing the re-decking on the pool area as well.
The residents of Steiner Ranch love the new re-decking. It has all the beauty of real wood without the headaches. Now residents can kick back for an afternoon by the pool surrounded by the same quality and beauty that is visible throughout this entire community.
Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin
If your neighborhood pool is in need of a facelift or upgrade, give Archadeck of Austin a call. We work with HOA’s every day and can create a masterpiece for your community as well. Call (512) 259-8282 or email us at austin@archadeck.net
What do you do when things go really wrong with your contractor?
We had a gentleman call us last week. He finds himself in a tremendous bind because the contractor building his project is not performing and totally not responsive. All attempts to get through to the contractor have failed and he finds himself stuck, with a partially completed project and no end in sight.
In addition to timeliness problems and communication problems, the owner purchased a large amount of material only to find out that the contractor had used some of the expensive material for concrete forms and temporary framing.
The owner called us for guidance. We knew exactly that bind he was in. Changing contractors in the middle of a project has serious consequences and should only be done when all else has failed. There are design and cost implications to consider. I wanted to help him, but wanted to make sure he had thought of all of the financial implications of the decision. First, he had to find out what the consequences were to get out of his current contract. Secondly, he had to accept that most likely some work would need to be re-done. A contractor that was that much of a headache likely had also made some building mistakes. Finally, whatever design existed when the project started, had to be picked up and followed in order to successfully complete the project.
Our first step would be to create a construction plan and drawings to match his design. This is not to say that we would redesign it per sea but, because we have a 5-year structural warranty and third-party backed guarantee we have to ensure that all the considerations that support that warranty are taken into account.
This gentleman was really wishing that he had checked out this contractor more carefully up front. So many times when you interview contractors, they all seem somewhat similar and much of the decision is weighted on on gut feel. Gut feel is very important. But, performance, track record, and real experiences are extremely important when selecting a contractor to do a large job at your home.
I’m not saying everything at Archadeck is perfect, without question, we stand by our work, we have left no job unfinished, have a great reputation, and create beautiful outdoor spaces.
References
Ask the contractor for multiple references. Any contractor that’s worth their salt will have plenty of references to give you. And, just because they gave you references, don’t take that on face value. Prepare questions and give them a call.
In addition to client references, you also want to check them out with the BBB and Angie’s List and other local lists such as those.
Make sure the contractor has a strong warranty.
Find out how long the contractor has been in business in your market and how many projects they’ve built. That’s one of the ultimate tests. You know as well as I do that a bad contractor will run themselves out of business very quickly.
Here are Archadeck of Austin, the value we provide is a good thoughtful design, a strong warranty, a completion guarantee, sound construction and as our references cite – happy customers. We’ve been building outdoor projects in the Austin market now for over 12 years and have over two thousand projects under our belts. Give us a ring to discuss your project ideas. Our consultation is free. Hopefully you will gather from reading this post that we know – our ultimate goal is your complete satisfaction and we believe in helping you make the most informed decision for you.
Archadeck of Austin Focus’ on the Fierce Exotic Beauty of Tigerwood
Old man Webster defines a tiger as a large, carnivorous, tawny-colored and black-striped feline. The definition of wood is the hard, fibrous substance composing the stem and branches of a tree or shrub. Now what do you think you get when you mix the two together? The result is Tigerwood, astronium lecointel, one of the finest quality hardwoods available.
- Tigerwood deck by Archadeck of Austin
Tigerwood is an exotic and extremely durable Brazilian hardwood. One of the most striking features of this wood is the unique golden-brown to reddish-brown coloring with exotic black and brown streaks, as fiercely beautiful as it’s namesake. Over time these hues will deepen adding warmth and more depth to the coloring.
Close up of Tigerwood
Not only coveted for it’s beauty, Tigerwood is naturally resistant to rot and decay. It also will not attract mold or fungus. This wonderfully resilient wood has a lifespan of over 25 years without preservatives. Archadeck of Austin is proud to be able to offer this product to you for your decking and outdoor structure needs. We have been working with this wonderful Brazilian hardwood for sometime now, with great results. We only see close similarities in working with Tigerwood as we do when we use Ipe. We are also excited about this product because of the “green” aspect of the harvesting.
Tigerwood deck by Archadeck of Austin
Tigerwood is only harvested from responsibly managed forests so we can offer a truly renewable resource to you, the consumer.
How many sides does a gazebo have?
This is an interesting question. How many sides does a gazebo have? Is it 6? Is it 8? The answer is that it can have any number of sides. It depends on how it’s designed.
When I first met Dan Schellenberg when I purchased Archadeck of Austin, I was impressed at what a genuinely nice guy he is. I also noted that he was very analytical and very detail oriented. He’s the type of guy to sit back and let others go first. So I asked him if he came from a large family and indeed he came from a family of 7. As we sat over pizza, he mentioned that his father could cut any pizza into 7 equal slices after raising a family with 5 kids that all loved pizza.
When Dan showed me this gazebo project he just finished, I studied the number of sides and became very perplexed. I stood under the gazebo and looked up at the ceiling and counted the number of panels or sides.
Austin Gazebo with 7 sides
Indeed – 7! Did Dan’s father build this gazebo? How in the world did Dan come up with a 7-sided gazebo design? It’s simple. He paid extremely close attention to his customers envisioning how they would want to live in their new custom outdoor space.
The homeowners were a lovely couple. They were a little older and had grown children and a sprinking of grandchildren. Their door leading to the backyard had a small deck/patio. The new extended gazebo-covered deck would adjoin directly to that area.
Gazebo long side
Although that old area was too small to be a useful space, it presented a real problem for building the gazebo. Dan knew the homeowners would not want a gazebo post right in the middle of their walkway from the backdoor to their gazebo. So, he added a side to the gazebo and made it a long side.
Looking at the gazebo from the yard, you might never noticed the 7-sided design of the structure. But creating this long side allowed the family to walk freely from their home to the gazebo without having to see or walk around a post every time.
Gazebo in Austin TX
Here’s Dan talking about this project.
Austin Decks, Pergolas, Covered Patios, Porches, more 