Unique Outdoor Kitchen Addition In Round Rock Is Anything But Ordinary
What started out as a beautiful covered porch patio, resplendent with a majestic wood-burning fireplace, was upgraded and transformed into a chef’s outdoor kitchen with the vision and direction of Archadeck of Austin’s lead designer, Jim Schallon.
Round Rock, TX Outdoor Kitchen Builders Agree That Archadeck Is The Best For Outdoor Living Space Upgrades And Transformations
The alignment and structural flow of this outdoor kitchen upgrade is a dream for outdoor chefs everywhere. Luckily for this Round Rock family, it’s right here in Texas.
From left to right, overlooking the fenced backyard, let’s start with that fabulous Big Green Egg, the ultimate outdoor ceramic grill and smoker.
Without question, The Big Green Egg is the highest quality, most versatile and simplest-to-use outdoor cooker you’ll ever own. The Large Egg is the most popular size and a favorite to handle the cooking needs of most families and gatherings of friends.
It handily accommodates all branded accessories for baking, roasting or smoking. It’s versatile enough for weekend cookouts or pizza parties, large enough for eight steaks at once, and efficient enough for an impromptu meatloaf for two!
A spacious stone countertop follows at right with plenty of space for food prep and eventually serving.
And then we have the motherload of all outdoor grills with this four-burner, 36-inch DSCS unit, complete with a rotisserie for chicken, leg of lamb, brisket, or any other meaty barbeque favorite the chef fancies. The rotisserie feature cooks with radiant heat, and has a sear on the back end for the perfect roasted finish.
Convenient storage drawers below the unit assist the chef with easy-to-access tools and spices as needed.
Round Rock Outdoor Living Takes The Inside Kitchen Outdoors With Strategic Planning And Flawless Execution
Following their lead for utility and function, we made this outdoor kitchen design work for the area the homeowners already had in mind. For the gas, the shut off had to be accessible from the exterior of the kitchen, so we had to replumb it to make this happen.
The non-traditional kitchen design features a decorative octagonal tile backsplash with a blue ceramic tile front. The structure is also full masonry featuring Buff Lueders stone caps.
Here’s Your Chance To Get Cookin’ Good With Archadeck
Contact Archadeck of Austin today to schedule your free design consultation.
Archadeck Transforms Round Rock TX Covered Patio with Roof Addition
If you aren’t thrilled—or even satisfied—with your current outdoor living area, let’s change it! The project featured in these photos perfectly illustrates our point. When these clients in Round Rock, TX, called Archadeck of Austin, they had a patio and outdoor kitchen with a pergola overhead. While that sounds good, what they really wanted over their backyard patio was a solid roof. They also wanted to add another component to their existing outdoor kitchen.
It’s our philosophy that homeowners should not have to put up with an outdoor living space that isn’t meeting their needs. Your Archadeck of Austin professional design consultant can take a look at the structures you have now and design changes to improve aesthetics and functionality. Our goal is to take your outdoor living area from good (or just okay) to GREAT! Let’s dig in and determine what it is about your outdoor space that’s not working for you—and how we can change that. You spend lots of time on your backyard patio, deck or porch. Let us help you create your ideal outdoor space for leisure enjoyment!
Round Rock TX Covered Patio Design
It was outdoor renovation time at this Round Rock, TX, home. When we modify a client’s outdoor living structures, we’ll work with the existing components to the extent that we can. For example, in replacing the homeowners’ pergola with the roofed structure you see here, we were able to use the pergola’s cedar posts. Demolishing the entire pergola and posts to start from scratch was an option but wasn’t necessary. We saved time and money for the clients by using the posts they already had in place.
We did encounter a structural issue when designing this conversion from a pergola to a roofed structure, but as you know we love a challenge! With Archadeck of Austin’s extensive expertise as a covered patio and porch builder, these homeowners were in good hands. The problem: the pergola we replaced was shaped at an angle, not square. While that may have been alright for a pergola, a roof is much heavier and structural integrity is essential.
What did we do? We added a fifth post! Because one of the posts was not in position to support the squared-off roof design properly, we added another post in the correct spot. From a structural standpoint it was like filling in the missing piece to the puzzle. Then we bridged the gap between the old and new posts at that corner with two horizontal shelf-like pieces of wood. Now it’s a design element!
We used cedar for the ceiling of the new patio cover to match the posts and beams.
Round Rock TX Outdoor Kitchen Expansion
In addition to building a free-standing roof over this patio and outdoor kitchen, we also added a “leg” to the outdoor kitchen. The new portion creates an L-shape with a section designed specifically to hold the clients’ ceramic grill/smoker. We were able to use stone that matched the existing kitchen perfectly. No one will guess that the two segments of this outdoor kitchen were built at different times. Best of all, the addition completes the outdoor kitchen with a piece that was missing from the original design. It answers the question: What would it take to turn this outdoor kitchen from good to great by meeting the homeowners’ needs completely?
Is your outdoor living area missing a piece that would increase your enjoyment of leisure time outdoors at home? Don’t underestimate Archadeck of Austin’s ability to innovate! With our design skills and vast construction experience, we can do whatever it takes to create your ideal outdoor living space.
Call Archadeck of Austin today at 512-259-8282 or email us 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 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.
A Round Rock, TX transformation nestled among the beauty of the trees.
These Round Rock, TX homeowners have one of the most beautifully lush backyards. Being able to incorporate an outdoor living structures within this backyard could seem like a challenge to some, but not to us. The mingling of the wood and flagstone we used to create this outdoor retreat is mesmerizing set against the beauty of the rush of green in this residence.
This Round Rock, TX pergola is used as a patio cover for the upper portion of the Flagstone patio.
These homeowners had an existing concrete patio that was not serving their needs. Our goal was to extend the patio and pour a whole new facet of enjoyment into their backyard. Our design included a covered patio extension complete with an outdoor kitchen and pergola-style roof and another patio that descends from the covered patio to the new outdoor fireplace.
In designing the master plan to transform this Round Rock, TX backyard into a paradise for the senses we first had to overcome some obstacles. The first challenge was to incorporate all the desired structures into the homeowners minimal backyard and also deal with the small elevated back porch. The design we decided upon that would work best was to actually create two structures out of one area by extending the small space to make it larger and adding another space to serve as the focal point for the outdoor fireplace.
We designed an extension of the existing concrete patio and added stone over the top of the concrete for seamless design. We then added the pergola with an extension as well over the patio and added a little slope to compensate for the existing patio being so high. The small round patio located in the design accents the large outdoor fireplace located at the corner. We used a round design for the patio and continued the curved design feature into the fireplace’s eyebrow and hearth.
The medium we chose to cover the patios with is gorgeous Oklahoma flagstone in buff peach. We also used block stone in the design using Autumn blend block stone. The element of the two separate stones working together along with the cedar pergola and the trees on the property is truly breathtaking.
Archadeck of Austin custom designed this cedar cabinet located above the mantel of this outdoor fireplace to safely and efficiently house a TV.
The outdoor kitchen is located inside the patio cover and includes a grill, refrigerator and plenty of electrical outlets. The countertops are finished out with a very nice tile that compliments the homes brick colors. The rustic outdoor fireplace is graciously equipped with custom cedar cabinets above the firebox made especially for housing a television and keeping it safe and dry from the elements.
These Round Rock, TX homeowners couldn’t be more thrilled with the transformation, they say it feels as though they have a whole new backyard. We can create a stunning transformation of your back yard as well, contact Archadeck of Austin to learn more (512) 259 – 8282
Austin@archadeck.net
Here is a slideshow of this Round Rock, TX backyard oasis that is a feast for the senses….
To see more stunning inspiration of outdoor structure designs visit our photo galleries
Jim Odom, Archadeck of Austin
For more design inspiration visit our Patio photo gallery
Visit our Outdoor kitchens photo gallery for yummy designs in outdoor kitchens
Austin Decks, Pergolas, Covered Patios, Porches, more 