Spacious South Austin Patio and Elevated Deck Create Multi-Faceted Outdoor Living Space
Today’s featured patio and deck project in South Austin illustrates the almost-unlimited scope of an Archadeck of Austin backyard makeover.
If you want to replace an older deck, porch or patio, your next outdoor living space can be completely fresh and new. Not just new materials, but a completely different design, too. Unless you specifically want to use the same footprint for your new structure(s), let’s think outside of that pre-existing box! At Archadeck we always have fresh design ideas to enhance your outdoor living lifestyle.
Replacing an Old Deck with a New Patio … and a New Deck, Too!
For these South Austin homeowners, we created a design that increased the size of their outdoor living space exponentially. We built a new patio more than twice the size of the old deck it replaced. Then we added a new deck on top of that. And we mean “on top of” quite literally – as in, overhead. The new elevated deck gives these homeowners a second-story spot for relaxing, at eye level with the treetops, something they didn’t have before.
Before 
After
Not only do the new patio and deck add more outdoor living space to the clients’ home, they contribute stunning aesthetics and additional function, too. All with low-maintenance materials for easy upkeep through the years ahead.
A Large South Austin Patio with Room for Everything, even an Outdoor Kitchen
We predict this gorgeous patio will be the scene of many outdoor gatherings of all kinds. From quiet dinners al fresco to great big parties, this multi-level patio can accommodate any occasion. The homeowners can use the different levels as different outdoor “rooms,” which is how you create an intimate space on such a large patio. This patio has two covered areas for comfortable sofas and chairs, a separate dining area, and an open area big enough for games! And there is more: an outdoor kitchen. We designed and built the stone structure for an outdoor kitchen, and we will add appliances and kitchen amenities at a later date.
Altogether the new patio space covers about 1300 sq. feet. We created the beautiful patio surface with a concrete epoxy quartz overlay to give it the look of Roman stone. We installed aluminum railings on the patio and wrapped the existing brick columns with Hardie wrap in a paneled design for an elegant touch. And while the new stone retaining wall serves an obvious function at the patio’s edge, it can also provide additional seating.
We installed a Synergy Wood ceiling in the covered area of the patio. The stain color our clients selected for their porch ceiling is called Colonial. The clients purchased the ceiling fans and sconces they wanted, and we installed those. We also installed recessed can lighting in the ceiling, and we added lights on the patio steps. These little patio lights will add ambiance while also increasing safety.
The patio also features a custom Texas star that we added toward the end of the project. Our clients saw a star like this on our website in images from another patio project we completed, and they just had to have it. It’s a splendid finishing touch for the new patio!
The Perfect Vantage Point: A Low-maintenance Elevated Deck
We designed and built a second-story AZEK deck to give these homeowners a separate outdoor living space accessible from the upper level of the home. The ornate, baroque railings set the space apart with flair. For access to the deck, we removed an upstairs window and installed a door and sidelight.
The new deck overhead supplies shade for a portion of the patio. We built the deck with an under-deck drainage system over a modified bitumen roof system to ensure the area underneath is dry space.
Did we leave anything out? What amenities would you add or subtract if this were your outdoor living space? We hope this patio and deck combination project provides inspiration for a backyard makeover at your home!
Let us create a custom solution to meet your outdoor living needs. Contact Archadeck of Austin to schedule your free design consultation.
Daniel Smith, Designer, Archadeck of Austin.
This Urban-Chic Oasis in South Austin is Loaded with Zen-Inspired Details Promoting Calm and Serenity!
So, you’ve mastered the design inside your home, and you’re finally feeling at peace, but what about your outdoor living space? Are you looking to spend more time in your outdoor living space, enjoying the company of family and friends, or curled up reading a book? If you find yourself falling into this category, then it’s time to master the harmony and peace in your outdoor space.
The design of an outdoor space is an area that is often designed with the impetus of functionality –for example; when planning an outdoor kitchen, the emphasis lies in placement and proximity to the dining area, or if it’s a fireplace, how many people can comfortably sit around it at night under the stars. However, once in a while the design of an outdoor space needs to reflect a lot more than functionality, it needs to reflect the interaction between the human and their environment, while providing natural energy flow.
Feng Shui is the art of placement, based off the elements of earth to improve the balance of comfort and harmony in your environment. The term was coined from two Chinese words; Feng meaning Wind, and Shui meaning Water – these are the two natural elements that continuously flow and circulate everywhere on earth. These elements have widely influenced human individuals and societies which is why it is important to design a space with Feng Shui in mind.
One of our most recent projects is inspired by the concept of Feng Shui. This urban-chic patio addition was added to this classic home in the historic district of South Austin, TX. These homeowners were looking for a more cohesive design to go along with the urban feel which the area provides.
Here is the backyard before Archadeck of Austin began the new patio addition:
Jim Schallon, our lead designer for the project came up with this urban-chic oasis while meeting requirements necessary for an addition that will allow moisture to be retained and released properly into the natural aquifers, in and around the Austin area. Strategic planning was necessary to find the right material that would allow the proper drainage for water runoff.
To meet these requirements, Schallon designed the backyard patio compacted with layers of gravel and soil, topping it with Mexican river rock, which will allow water to flow naturally through the surface while providing a smooth texture. Not only is the river rock easy on bare feet but also provides a cooling feel as it retains the natural temperature of the ground at all times. The patio was finished off with 2×2 sawn cream Limestone pavers throughout, but the design didn’t stop at the patio pavers and rock choice. In addition with the contemporary design, electrical was installed to incorporate the last piece of this urban chic oasis; the hot tub!
The homeowner’s are ecstatic with their ‘Zen inspired’ patio that has been loaded with a positive energy flow, and ties in the importance of Feng Shui.
Jim Schallon, senior designer Archadeck of Austin.
If you too are interested in making your dream outdoor living space a reality, contact Archadeck of Austin at (515) 259-8282 to schedule a free design consultation today or via email at jim.odom@archadeck.net.
Austin Decks, Pergolas, Covered Patios, Porches, more 