How To Update Your Existing Outdoor Living Space Instead Of Starting From Scratch
Yes, we love those larger-than-life outdoor living space transformations that have made us a household name here in Austin. But sometimes, our clients simply need a touch or two to create a better, more desirable, and appealing outdoor leisure environment.
Meet The Small Outdoor Living Project With Big Results
The homeowners wanted to add some functional pizazz to their existing covered patio area in the Vizcaya neighborhood of Round Rock, TX.
The first order of this home improvement project was to extend the footprint of the front exterior foundation of the patio to give it more dimension and interest – as well as adding a wraparound garden bed for perennials along the rear perimeter of the space on either side of the new stone stairs leading into their backyard.
To do just that, we used white limestone with nicotine on the planter façade, creating a stunning plateau of form and function. We also used chocolate Lueders limestone as the cap atop the limestone planter wall – a rare find indeed in today’s materials market.
The finishing touch? Fortress aluminum railing in black for privacy and protection was used. Durable, affordable, and memorable, Fortress aluminum railings allow us to build smartly and boldly.
The railing’s aluminum foundation isn’t susceptible to corrosion or rust. It can easily hold up to tough weather, including ice, snow, rain and UV rays. And if that isn’t enough, aluminum railings won’t splinter, twist, shrink or warp and they require little upkeep. It’s a great way to enjoy elegance and style without excessive weight or expense surrounding your outdoor living space.
Proud To Be All Things To Some People
We are often asked the question, exactly what does Archadeck of Austin build?
Our answer is we are ALL things outdoor living.
Regardless of the size or scope of the project or outdoor living space enhancement, we build decks, porches, poolside structures, outdoor kitchens, outdoor fire features, pergolas, and much more! We specialize in designing and building custom outdoor living structures for the way you want to live outdoors. From high-quality, low-maintenance composite and PVC decks, to perfect porches, patios, and pergolas, we do it all.
With an expansive and extensive selection of premium building materials to choose from, our goal is to bring only the best to our clients and that includes not only the best design and craftsmanship but also the finest materials available.
What Kind Of Outdoor Magic Can We Custom Create For You Today?
Explore everything that is possible in your backyard with a complimentary design consultation with a member of our design team. Click here and let’s get started.
No Stone Was Left Unturned In This Round Rock Outdoor Living Transformation!
Patio builders and pergola builders may come and go, but one thing is for certain. With an extensive and creatively-designed outdoor living space transformation like this, Archadeck of Austin proves we will be here for the long haul. Using our acclaimed expertise to create the ultimate in Round Rock patios and fire pit combos, we made the magic happen for this Round Rock family.
Before we began the project, the homeowners had an incredibly small and limited backyard. Sadly, it was not very versatile, leaving little if any room to even turn around. Additionally, the area lacked a sidewalk providing access to their front gate, too. Archadeck of Austin put on our thinking cap for this outdoor living space transformation.
Archadeck Comes To The Rescue With A Bigger, Better Design
First things first, our team began by adding a much larger patio space. Adjacent to the new patio and accesible via the new beautifully fashioned river rock pathway, we built a wood-burning fire pit for those evenings when the outdoor air is just a tad too chilly.
The crowning glory to this beautifully large patio is the majestic pergola, structured to evolve seamlessly off the rear roof of the home. To provide a more convenient and natural way to access the front gate leading to the backyard, a four-foot-wide concrete sidewalk was added as part of this transformational plan.
To accent and frame the new sidewalk, we removed a good portion of the side yard lawn and installed a heavy-duty weed block to prevent unwanted growth around the new pathway. Atop it, we installed two to three-inch Texas café river rock on either side of the sidewalk.
To ensure that the pathway down to the wood-burning stone fire pit would stay strong and in place, our team used a metal edge on the pathway downward. The area where the fire pit area is located measures a generous 12-feet in diameter.
The new main patio area adjacent to the rear of the home is new concrete with a flagstone overlay application. As for the beautiful pergola, it is handcrafted out of cedar with a TopGal polycarbonate cover for added protection.
Unlike fabric pergola shade covers, TopGal is excellent for more intense weather situations like rain and snow. Made from high-quality PVC they make an excellent choice for pergola roofing thanks to their affordability and high light transmission.
Archadeck Is Ready To Design & Build The Backyard Of Your Dreams
Get your wish list ready and contact us today to schedule your free outdoor living design consultation.
Round Rock, TX Patio Undergoes a Miraculous Transformation Extension in the Most Beautifully Artistic Way
One of the perks of being Austin’s favorite builder of combination outdoor living spaces with integrated fire pits is that beauty is all around … you just have to look for it and see the potential.
This was the case with this rear backyard outdoor living space rebirth.
Wanting a larger area to enjoy their outdoors but also looking to maintain privacy options for their outdoor space, this Austin family connected with Archadeck of Austin after hearing such wonderful things about our process, our reputation with hardscapes and our work in specializing in Red Rock outdoor fire features.
For us, being Austin’s favorite custom fire pit builder is icing on the proverbial outdoor cake, as our claim to fame has been designing and creating memorably stunning combination patios and pergolas with niche outdoor living rooms and outdoor kitchens.
TURNING SMALL AND PLAIN INTO LOVELY AND LUXURIOUS
Remember the story of Eliza Doolittle in George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion and her seamless transformation? That’s kind of what this outdoor re-creation was like. Truly transformative in every way.
We started with the home’s “good bones” and turned boring and so-so into a true masterpiece.
Before 
After
This well-preserved Round Rock, TX classic home needed more. More functionality. More aesthetic appeal. More outdoor living spaces. Our solution was to kick it up a notch by kicking out the rear of the outdoor living covered patio they already had in place.
We removed the downward staircase that sat at the left rear of the home and extended the area to triple its former size.
In addition to increasing its size, we added stunning finishing touches, so much so that this outdoor living space is now known as the crowing jewel of the neighborhood’s Austin backyards – and a recent favorite spot for friends and neighbors to frequent.
ARTFULLY DESIGNED WITH ATTENTION TO EVERY DETAIL
As the extended patio was built out, we decided to add an angled staircase on the right side of the structure, as it led to a more fluid green space in the rear yard.
To compliment the black powder-coated railing, we chose Hideaway privacy black metal screens to create the feeling of enclosure and intimacy on both the left and right sides of the newly extended area.
In keeping with an eye for beauty – as well as safety and functionality – we added a 36-inch iron fortress railing, along the far width of the space. It defines the useable area beautifully.
At the base of it, we created a low maintenance garden area for accent shrubs and greenery, giving the homeowners the option to further customize it with perennials at their whim.
Likewise, nestled into an angled corner where the new staircase is located, we installed an inset garden area to introduce more depth, elegance, color and fragrance to the space.
SHARING THE EVENING WITH THE WARMTH OF FRIENDS AND A NEW FIRE FEATURE
Especially now with longer evening hours, family and visitors are more than welcome to stay outdoors as long as they wish warmed by the conversation and laughter of good company and this stunning fire feature.
A sea of multicolored coral, white and gray glass serves as the foundation for the vibrant gas flames that appear with a flick of the finger. All of the surfaces of the new fire pit and planters were created with Lueders Limestone, both on top as well as on the bottom. For those not familiar with it, Lueders is a tried and true Texas limestone from a nearby quarry in North Texas.
The stone’s natural composition boasts a rich variation in gradients and colors from buff, light-gold, dove gray, to even deep-golds which partners well with the fire pit interior space.
Carrying through the new schema of warmth and welcome for this extended outdoor living oasis, the homeowners decided to choose intense orange colored all-weather cushions for their outdoor living furniture and accent rugs.
WISHING DOES MAKE IT SO WHEN ARCHADECK IS INVOLVED
The stuff that outdoor living dreams are made of starts right here. Schedule your free, no-obligation outdoor space design consultation now.
Patio Gets Premium Upgrades for Family’s New Swim Spa in Mayfield Ranch, Round Rock, TX
The purchase of a swim spa was the inspiration for these homeowners in the Mayfield Ranch area of Round Rock, TX, to call Archadeck of Austin. They needed an extra-strong concrete pad for their new swim spa. It was the perfect opportunity to extend and upgrade their existing patio. Now they enjoy a much larger patio while they wait for their swim spa to be delivered. When it finally arrives, they will be more than ready for it!
Multi-tiered Patio Extends this Mayfield Ranch Family’s Outdoor Options
Our clients had a covered patio at the back of their home and wanted to extend it. We added what is essentially a second patio, just a few steps down from the first. The result is one big, multi-tiered patio that extends from the house out to the new swim spa location. The original patio is the family’s shaded area, and the new section is open to the stars. They will especially enjoy this open patio after dark.
Before 
Before
In preparation for the new patio area and swim spa support pad, we did a lot of digging! The early stage of installing a concrete patio involves digging trenches and laying steel rebar. The rebar stabilizes the concrete floor to give the patio a longer life. On this project, we also used the trenches to bury conduit so the client’s electrician can run power to the swim spa when it arrives. They will install outdoor electrical outlets, too, so the homeowners will have electricity on the patio for their convenience.
After 
After
The new patio surface features a beautiful flagstone pattern overlay. To create this surface, we used a mixture of quartz and concrete that is 8 times stronger than the concrete surface it is binding to. We etched the flagstone pattern into the surface of the overlayment, completing the grooves and grout work by hand. Then we hand-stained each individual piece and sealed the patio surface.
Turning Patio Steps Into an Art Form
Tying the new patio area into the existing patio, we rebuilt the patio steps more to the clients’ liking. These new steps leading from the covered patio to the open patio are wider and deeper than the original, increased from 12″ deep to 18″ deep. They are also shallower than the original steps, creating a more graceful transition from the upper to the lower tier.
As a finishing touch, we built a bench of chopped stone with a smooth stone cap for seating. Much like a seating wall, a bench like this saves space on the patio because it can seat more people than a row of bulky chairs. It’s perfect for additional seating. The homeowners can also use its surface as a place to set out refreshments.
Now the clients’ remaining task will be to install the swim spa on its new concrete pad at the end of the patio. With dimensions of 16’ long x 7’ wide x 60″ tall, this swim spa will be big and heavy. The concrete pad we have prepared for it will stand up to the test, we are certain.
Do you need a larger and more beautiful patio and a place for your hot tub or swim spa? We would love to create a custom solution to meet your outdoor living needs. Contact Archadeck of Austin to schedule your free design consultation.
3 signs it’s time to kick your Round Rock, TX, builder-grade patio to the curb for something better
- You’ve purchased a brand new house — new construction — that came with a builder-grade patio.
- You’ve purchased an older home where the prior homeowner kept the original builder-grade patio.
- You’ve been living in your home for a while now, and you have it set up pretty much like you want it, except for the builder-grade patio.
You’re probably picking up on our theme here. If one of the above signs describes your situation, then you have a lot in common with our recent clients, who needed a reputable Round Rock patio builder. Wisely, they called Archadeck of Austin for a free design consultation. We have built many, many patios over the years, and each new client benefits from those years of experience.
Today’s featured outdoor living project is a patio extension, but it’s really more than just an increase in the patio’s size. When you increase the size of a patio (or a deck, for that matter) you increase its function exponentially. Suddenly you have a more livable outdoor living space that you can actually do something with. Decorate! Entertain! Cook out, eat out and just sit around relaxing with family and friends.
These homeowners wanted to increase their patio’s livability even more. Their dream project included a fire pit and an outdoor kitchen. At one point they were considering a deck addition instead of a bigger patio. As they explored options with their Archadeck designer, however, it became clear that extending the patio would be less expensive than adding a deck. And a patio would be the ideal setting for a fire pit and outdoor kitchen. That settled it.
When Archadeck of Austin builds patios, we dig trenches. Seeing the finished project, you wouldn’t know we’ve done that, but we add these trenches to give homeowners some extra peace of mind. We use a beam system under all of our concrete patios. First, we dig trenches about 12″ deep along the perimeter and some within the interior of the patio area. The perimeter and internal beams are reinforced with steel rebar to stabilize the patio. Having this reinforced beam system within the base of the concrete structure prevents the patio from moving and settling over time. While it’s still possible that the concrete will crack, as it often does, having that extra stability means ground movement will not cause structural damage to the patio.
We also dug a trench to run conduit for gas lines that would be needed for the fire pit and the outdoor kitchen. The trench specifically for this purpose must be 18″ deep.
For this patio, we used an overlayment process to create the beautifully textured surface you see here.
Once the trenches are dug and steel are in place, then we can pour concrete. For this patio, we used an overlayment process to create the beautifully textured surface you see here. We also added two sets of stairs, one by the kitchen leading to the side yard and the pictured stairs running to the rear yard. We also added two gates to the top of each , as they have grandchildren and pets to contain.
Now we come to this project’s special added features, which are very popular in Round Rock: the fire pit and the outdoor kitchen. These structures are made of white limestone. The outdoor kitchen includes a gas grill and a pedestal for the homeowners’ Big Green Egg style smoker. The 4′ fire pit has a regulator and starter. Notice how the back wall of the fire pit is built up so we didn’t need to run any railing across the backside of the fire pit. While practical, the stone wall also adds character to the project.
The finishing touch for this patio is a black metal railing system, by Fortress, that borders the patio’s edge. The railing helps define the area visually while also providing safety.
As you can see from the before and after pictures, these homeowners gained more than just a bigger space when they extended their builder-grade patio. They gained a multi-functional outdoor living area, with an emphasis on living. These clients are so pleased with the finished project that they have already referred Archadeck of Austin to two neighbors looking for a Round Rock patio builder specializing in outdoor kitchens and custom outdoor fire features. We love referrals!
Jim Schallon, senior designer Archadeck of Austin.
If you have a builder-grade patio and want to learn more about the many benefits of expanding it into a more livable outdoor living space, contact Archadeck of Austin today at (512) 259-8282 or via email at jim.odom@archadeck.net to schedule a free design consultation.
Archadeck of Austin Recommends Resurfacing Rather Than Staining Concrete
When is the last time you were told “satisfaction is not guaranteed“? Probably never! However, if you are looking at Austin patio ideas and are thinking about getting your existing patio stained, we ask you to give some more thought to that before you proceed. Archadeck of Austin can offer a better solution.
Perhaps you have wanted to give your old patio new life and considered staining to be like a face lift for concrete. You may have seen a neighbor’s patio that was stained, and maybe they were thrilled with it. We want to caution you about expecting the same results at your home. There is just no way of knowing how staining will turn out. Here is the truth: Staining concrete is so unpredictable that we ask our clients to sign a disclaimer before we will stain their concrete surfaces.
The best thing about staining is the price. It is the most affordable option if you simply want a new look for your patio. But is it worth the risk? We have stained patios with mixed results — and it’s not just us. We don’t want to get too technical here, but the most important factor is the condition of the concrete. How porous is the surface? And is that porosity uniform across the entire surface? Does the patio show any (unintentional) stains, maybe from fruit punch spilled during a long-ago birthday party?
Keep in mind that while stain adds color to concrete, it does not cover up markings already there. Stain does not cover a surface the way paint does; it permeates the concrete. If a concrete sealer was applied to your patio in years past, that sealer will affect the results of staining today. How well was the concrete cured, originally, and was it cured uniformly? Was a curing membrane applied to the concrete? There may be a lot you don’t know about that patio you see every day. Inconsistent sealing or curing, no matter how long ago, will lead to inconsistent results when the patio is stained.
Austin covered patio with custom overlayment.
Archadeck of Austin recommends resurfacing, also called concrete overlay, instead of staining a patio to give it new life. We can show you exactly how it will turn out. If its surface is even and has no large cracks, your patio is a good candidate for resurfacing. We will apply a concrete overlay, a cement-like material that we spray or spread over your patio to give it a new surface.
Even better, you can select a decorative finish for your patio such as the look and texture of stone. We can achieve the look of stone by stenciling or stamping the overlay after it’s applied. We can show you a wide range of textures and colors for your “new” patio. You can even request a slip-resistant surface if that feature is important to you! What’s more, we recommend installing the concrete overlay near a pool, if you have one, because the new surface is less likely to be damaged by pool chemicals or exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
In a hurry? Many concrete overlay products dry quickly. Don’t wait to call us! If you would like to learn more about updating your patio without having to remove it 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 Decks, Pergolas, Covered Patios, Porches, more 