Round Rock Custom Deck Builder Creates An Outdoor Living Masterpiece
From a distance, this multi-level sprawling outdoor living creation is what deck and porch combination design is all about.
So, what else would you expect except perfection from this deck and porch combination builder?
To create a wide-open patio, deck and covered porch combination space, Archadeck started at the far left rear of the home by installing a concrete overlay patio that has the luxe look of travertine. It accommodates an outdoor barbecue and alfresco dining area, with generous room for seating many family and guests.
To the immediate right, you’ll find a two-step rise to a lower level deck which is a great way to handle guest overflow when entertaining at that backyard level.
Continuing to the far right is the Holy Grail of this stunning outdoor transformation – a majestic covered porch, accessed by a 3-tier staircase.
The interior of this open space is the stuff rustic dreams are made of. Cedar is the exquisite material of choice used here by this covered deck builder.
Like a row of soldiers at attention, the beams in the ceiling reflect and pay homage to the incredible richness and beauty of this treasured wood.
Notice the stunning and captivating open rafter design on the interior porch ceiling starring our perennial favorite tongue and groove cedar. The gable roof porch extension for this project with beam/kind truss detail defines it as a unique custom design for this most deserving family.
In addition to crafting the ceiling from cedar, it was also used for the deck floor, as well as for the deck skirting.
Less expensive than teak and lighter than oak, cedar possesses many major advantages that make it suitable for outdoor furniture, as well as building outdoor structures. One of its strongest benefits over time is its ability to resist insects, rot, termites, and Powder Beetles.
With its natural resistance to rot and decay, a protective finish is an optional choice. But if you want to enjoy the aroma of varieties such as Western Red Cedar and Incense Cedar, leave the wood unsealed and bask in the multi-sensory experience of this amazing wood.
Creative Storage Solutions With This Round Rock, TX, Deck Builder
In addition to designing and meticulously building this beautiful backyard oasis, outdoor living builder Jim Schallon was forward-thinking enough to include storage.
The height of the deck left plenty of room underneath for dry space storage – great for garden tools, lawn equipment, and other outdoor living and upkeep necessities. The great thing about it from an aesthetic perspective is that it is out of sight, secure, and totally sheltered from the weather. For access after dusk, there is even a light installed conveniently in this area.
It is attributes like intelligent design, flawless craftsmanship, and attention to detail that make this Austin outdoor building team so highly regarded. For more exciting features about this premier Archadeck of Austin location, visit us on Facebook and check us out on Google, too.
Backyard Bliss Like This Can Be Yours For The Asking
Contact Archadeck of Austin today to schedule your free design consultation, with no obligation to commit whatsoever. Your design consultation is free, but the results are destined to be priceless!
Archadeck of Austin showcases its award-winning deck design in Round Rock, Texas
You want the very best builder for your Austin-area outdoor living project. You also want a builder who will work with you, no matter how long it takes, to design and build the deck, porch or patio that is perfect for your home. Want more? How about a national award-winning deck designer and builder right here in Austin, TX?
Archadeck of Austin answers “Yes!” to all of the above. We are very proud to have received Archadeck Outdoor Living’s national Design Excellence Award in the deck category. We are also very proud of the award-winning project we designed and built – a unique deck, pergola and outdoor kitchen combination in the Forest Creek neighborhood of Round Rock, TX. Take a look at these photos and a 3-D rendering, and let us tell you why we’re so pleased with this special outdoor living space. The homeowners are pleased, too!
The winning project, completed in January, is an exquisite AZEK PVC deck with stone skirting, outdoor kitchen and oversized, freestanding pergola. The 12-foot kitchen counter accommodates a built-in propane grill, Big Green Egg smoker, in-counter cooler and built-in trash container. The deck also features flush-mounted low-voltage lighting.
Before:
The clients first contacted us for this project three years ago. They had a well-lived deck, and we agreed it was past time to replace it. Our initial design featured a concrete patio, roof extension and pergola. The homeowners took their time making a decision while they considered several builders and designs. Later we circled back to propose an alternate design, a deck with an outdoor kitchen and a large, non-conventional pergola that covered the entire deck. Bingo! Archadeck of Austin had the right design at the right time.
Despite this being a relatively low-risk deck, we faced several design challenges. First, the pergola took considerable thought because we wanted to use as few posts as possible. Fewer posts in the traffic areas allow maximum usable space for furniture without crowding. Then, cedar spans would not work with conventional dimensions, so we upsized all the structural elements and used a polycarbonate cover over the pergola to get the shade required.
The home had an original concrete patio off the back door for which we ripped framing boards for the structure. There was just enough space to get adequate framing down between the deck board and the patio.
Next, we had to completely close off the under-deck space because the clients had previous issues with animals nesting under the old deck. By surrounding the new deck with a stone skirt over concrete footings – nothing will get under this deck. However, the stone skirt itself presented two complications. The stone had to be ground flat to allow for the deck boards to die seamlessly into the stone and not look jagged. And we had to complete all the electrical wiring before we could install the decking.
Finally, the kitchen and the stone column bases also had to be constructed prior to the decking. All have concrete footings, so staging of construction was interesting.
The results are beautiful. The homeowners chose Azek Harvest cellular PVC decking in the new Autumn Chestnut color, and we laid the boards diagonally with a parting board for visual interest. The stone used for the deck skirting and the pergola’s column bases is white limestone, and the caps on the column bases are brown Lueders limestone. The same brown Lueders stone tops the 12-foot kitchen counters, tying it all together visually as one great outdoor room. Finishing off the space are three Aurora Phoenix flush-mount low-voltage sconce lights, the Pyxis Recessed Louvered Step Light and the Mercer transformer/timer. Archadeck of Austin installed electrical connections for two fans, three lights and six outlets for the homeowners’ convenience.
To be recognized for this project by Archadeck Outdoor Living at the national level as an award-winning deck builder means a great deal to the Archadeck of Austin team. The project was very well thought through, and we had a lot of fun building it. The structure itself was not complicated, but we packed in a lot of design considerations and features to make it a wonderful place for entertaining family and guests. We were able to integrate the new structure seamlessly with the existing home, which is what the homeowners were looking for all along.
Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin
If you are looking for a creative design for your new outdoor living space, and a hard-working team to bring it to life, 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 Explores the History of the Beloved Backyard Deck
Pressure treated deck Austin TX
“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future”
— Theodore Roosevelt
In much the same way our interior spaces are the heart of our home, the backyard deck is an outdoor living staple and remains the heart of the backyard. Today’s decks are not the one-dimensional “plain Jane” decks of the past. 21st century decks have become the centerpiece of the backyard the “glue” that holds the outdoor area together. The history of the deck itself is quite fascinating, and spans farther than you probably imagine. Its history and subsequent evolution have much to do with the industrialization and the post-war economy of America… and this is where our story begins…
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Ye’ old backyard outhouse.
Humble Beginnings
Interestingly enough, it wasn’t until the 1950’s and 1960’s that the backyard became the focal point of recreation and relaxation as it known for today. Up until this time, the backyard served a more practical purpose of sustaining and supporting the family. For example, families kept livestock such as cows, chickens and pigs in their backyard. This utilitarian purposed often resulted in a backyard filled with malodorous odors, from the livestock to — YES the outhouse, which made it less than attractive for relaxing outdoors.
Gradually, outdoor environments evolved into what had once been a place to sustain families to becoming a place of leisure and relaxation instead. This is because Americana itself changed. The evolution of the backyard happened when households shifted from being self-contained to supporting the local economy by becoming consumers of shops and stores. Once indoor plumbing and sanitation became more commonplace, gone were the animals and smells of the outhouse as well as the labor of toiling for that night’s dinner. Leisure suddenly became a popular concept as there was now actually time for relaxation.
Charting the changes of how Americans embraced their outdoor spaces began during the Civil War era, when families would relax after a meal on porches. Looking ahead into the early part of the 20th century, with the invention of the radio in the 1920’s, families would then gather in the living room to listen to the evening’s entertainment. Automobiles were prone to blowing up, so garages were placed to the rear of the lot taking up part of the backyard. The garage eventually became attached to the house in the 1950’s, freeing up space in the backyard. The backyard evolved from a practical space to becoming our refuge and haven from life. The new vision became the idea of having your own little piece of greenspace behind the house in order to relax and to play.
Civil War era photo of residential outdoor landscape.
While no one knows who actually invented or takes credit for the concept of the deck, evidence unearthed suggests that patios were used in ancient Israel, either in the courtyard or on the rooftop, as a place of leisure and entertainment. Necessity is the mother of invention, and entertaining in all kinds of weather, especially since the earth can become muddy and messy when it rained, became the impetus and thus, the American deck was born. Just as the porch did in the front of the house years earlier, decks became the answer to the problem and a key element to our homes, defining our backyards.
Ruins of the Fortress Masada in Israel.
Decks really started to come into their own in the early 1980’s when homeowners began to think about decks as an extension of their interior living space. Earlier decks were usually a simple 8 x 10 ft. platform. But, as the idea of bringing interior elements outside gained popularity Americans began having a more active, outdoor lifestyle. The popular trend of outdoor cooking made the deck an extension of the kitchen. Instead of a simple grill, the deck can now include an outdoor kitchen equipped with cooktops, refrigerators and warming drawers, not to mention the kitchen sink.
Outdoor kitchen in Red Rock, TX.
Today, backyards are customized to fit an individual’s artistic expression and style, just like any other space in your home. Decks can be designed to blend naturally with your home and surrounding property including natural elements such as rocks, trees and running water. Decks are so versatile in their design and entertainment value, that they have become the outdoor great room where one can curl up with a good book, swing in a hammock or soak in the hot tub. Today’s multifunctional deck does it all, from being a stand alone structure, to a key element in an outdoor living environment.
Zen-inspired deck in Austin, TX.
Let us build the deck of your dreams and let your imagination run wild. With so many options and amenities available to the homeowner, you can create your own style and have a truly unique outdoor living space customized specifically for you.
Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin
Contact Archadeck of Austin today to learn more about getting the most out of your outdoor living environment with a deck upgrade, redecking or new deck addition today.
Austin Decks, Pergolas, Covered Patios, Porches, more 