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Archadeck of Central GA, Deck builder, Deck engineer and construction, Outdoor rooms builder/contractor, Porch builder/contractor, Professional outdoor structure builder

Planning a New Outdoor Living Space is A Great Way to Curb The Post Holiday Blues

December 29, 2017 admin

Planning a New Outdoor Living Space is A Great Way to Curb The Post Holiday Blues The holiday season is filled with excitement and fun. It is a time when families and friends come together to celebrate and festive decorations change our homes and landscapes. The days and weeks leading up to the big day are often just as exciting as the day itself. Once the holiday is over, however, the lack of excitement can leave you feeling down.

As the New Year quickly approaches, one way to curb the post-holiday blues is to look beyond the winter doldrums to warmer months ahead. With this in mind, many Central Georgia homeowners may begin planning for the outdoor living season. These plans may involve a new addition to your landscape or outdoor living space. Whether your aspirations include adding a new outdoor structure, or improving or adding to an existing structure, winter is a good time to get the ball rolling before spring arrives.

Macon Open Porch Barrington Hall lr

Because of our mild Georgia climate, construction can begin as soon as your design is finalized and the contract is signed. In fact, the sooner we can start building, the more enjoyment you will get from your new outdoor living space. Once spring has arrived, the demand will increase and building timelines will become longer, this is why we recommend starting the design and building process with us as soon as possible. Using these winter months perfecting the design of your new space, ordering materials, and filing for permits is a perfect use of time.

Macon GA-sceen porch-metal Balusters

In fact, there are quite a few reasons why winter is the best time to begin a new Macon or Warner Robins-area outdoor living space project:

Our custom deck, porch and outdoor room designs require close collaboration with you. This process can take a few rounds of going back and forth, making adjustments and getting the project just right.

Macon open porch design plan Archadeck

Securing building permits can take a long time as we are at the mercy of the building department. Starting this process now, means you don’t have to let the good spring weather pass you by while we are waiting for building permits to come in.

Hot tub-deck-Perry GA-design drawing 750

At Archadeck of Central GA, our spring and summer construction schedule fills fast. In fact, spring is our busiest time of year. If you start the process now, you beat the rush and are on the schedule for construction, or your project may even be completed, when others are just starting their process.

Deck-composite-koi pond-warner robins

Despite the fact that all the pomp and circumstance has ended, all the presents have been opened and loved ones have headed home, Archadeck of Central GA can ensure the weeks ahead are overflowing with excitement and anticipation.

Stephen Denton Archadeck Augusta square lr — Stephen Denton, owner Archadeck of Central GA.

Contact us today to schedule your design consultation to begin making the 2018 outdoor living season the best on record! Call us today at (478) 745 – 2000 or email us at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Converting deck to porch, Deck builder, Porches

Our Recent Deck and Screened Porch in Wellington Allows Unobstructed View and Unlimited Enjoyment!

December 1, 2017 admin

One of our most recent deck and screened porch combination projects demonstrates how Archadeck of Central Georgia is able to perfect our outdoor living space designs despite obstacles.

This project is located in the upscale townhome community of Wellington. One of the obstacles when designing an outdoor living space for a townhome is the number of restrictive covenants often associated with these type of properties. This project required that all the covenants be strictly abided by which included the materials used in the design match those of the existing home.

Look at the amazing before and after images of this project:

When we consulted on this project, the property already had an existing pressure treated deck. The homeowner’s wish was to upgrade their existing deck to a screened porch and still retain a deck space for increased outdoor living options. The main obstacle to address was their desire to retain a clear view of their beautiful backyard while still having privacy, especially since their existing deck design gave them a clear view of the surrounding neighbors.

With all the prerequisites in hand, Archadeck of Central Georgia got to work on perfecting the space the homeowner’s had in mind. We were able to retain the beautiful views into the backyard and still secure privacy through the installation of a vertical lap privacy screen.

You will notice that the new screened porch is almost a perfect square design and is longer, taller and deeper, than most traditional screened porches. The reason for this innovative design is two-fold; one was to keep the eaves from coinciding with the transom window located on the back of the home and the depth of the porch helps facilitate more room within the porch while staying in accordance with the restrictive covenants.

The new deck was built using pressure treated pine on the old deck frame which only needed minimal reinforcement through the addition of a few beams. The new stair direction enhances the open feel of the space and lattice skirting retains the traditional feel of the property. There is even a nifty storage area under the new screened porch perfect for storing garden tools and equipment.

The interior of the screened porch features an open gable end and open rafter ceiling. We also installed electrical outlets and a ceiling fan to help keep the space cool during the summer months.

The homeowners are elated with their new porch and deck duo! They are thrilled with the open feel of the space that allows unencumbered views while retaining their backyard privacy — truly the best of both worlds!

Let Archadeck of Central Georgia perfect a screened porch and deck combo for your Macon or Warner Robins area home that will bring your outdoor living potential full circle. Contact us today at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Archadeck of Central GA, Deck builder, Deck engineer and construction, Decks, Fiberon

This Vintage Outdoor Space in Shirley Hills Gets A New Lease on Life

November 9, 2017 admin

Macon-Fiberon-deck It is not very often that Archadeck of Central GA is asked to consult on a structure built as far back as the 50’s. One of our most recent outdoor living transformations took us on a blast from the past.

This project took place in Shirley Hills, which is located in Macon, Ga. The homeowner had a poured slab concrete deck they were using as a carport. The structure was beginning to fail and had become dangerous. The original structure had been built using special 2 x 14 joists that spanned 16′. Other materials used as part of the original carport/deck included plywood, wire and concrete. Over time the footing had begun to give away and the outside walls had started to lean. In turn, this opened up a way for water to penetrate the integrity and the wood then began to rot. The homeowner said that the wood had been mushy for over a year.

concrete deck - rotting framing — Before; concrete deck – rotting framing.

Upon inspection, Archadeck of Central Georgia deemed the structure was no longer repairable nor salvageable due to the damage caused by Father Time and Mother Nature. We were able to use the existing steel and beam. We filled it back in with concrete and additional posts to make it structurally sound. We also repaired the old wall and stood it back up.

Deck-Macon-Fiberon

The new deck is built from Fiberon ProTect Advantage decking in gray birch. Not only does this decking look like premium hardwoods. The boards feature a three-sided PermaTech® cap layer for exceptional stain and fade resistance. The solid composite core also resists splintering, cracking and decay. In addition, the decking is backed by a 25-year warranty providing added peace of mind.

Take a look at this amazing before and after image:

Macon Fiberon Deck before and after

We used standard wooden railing with a composite rail cap to finish off the beautiful new deck. Archadeck of Central GA also tore out all the old screen on the porch and installed new inserts and screening. We were able to salvage the existing doors and we rescreened these as well.

Sceen Inserts-Porch-Macon

The clients are over the moon about how their project turned out. With the quality and low maintenance materials used in building the space, they are looking forward to many years of enjoyment.

Let Archadeck of Central Georgia walk you through the design options for a new or replacement deck at your Macon or Warner Robins area home. Contact us today at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Archadeck of Central GA, Outdoor rooms builder/contractor, Pergola builder/contractor

This Byron, GA, pergola addition was the missing piece to this outdoor living puzzle

October 18, 2017 admin

Our recent pergola addition in Byron, GA, was the missing link to this outdoor living puzzle. When we met with the homeowners they walked us through their existing outdoor living spaces. These consisted of a screened porch which led out to a concrete patio and served also as the walkway to their back gate.

Pergola-sidewalk-Byron GA — View of the new pergola addition over the backyard gate.

During the initial consultation, they expressed the need to reduce the amount of sun to their existing screened porch. They also wanted a more proper sitting area for open-air outdoor living than just their concrete patio. Last but certainly not least, they also wanted to define and unify their outdoor areas as a whole.

Existing concrete patio and gate before we began the project.

Archadeck of Central GA was able to come up with a pergola design and by perfecting the placement, we were able to address all the needs of these homeowners.

pergola-Warner Robins-Byron

The new wooden pergola was built as freestanding ties into the right side of the screened porch. The design is “beefy” enough that it serves as a visual anchor unifying the entire backyard space together. As you can see it also serves as a way to reduce the amount of sun entering the screened porch as well, making the porch cooler and more functional on sunny days.

pergola-Byron- Warner Robins

In addition to the pergola, we also installed a concrete walkway that extends from gate to gate through the backyard. Archadeck of Central GA will only take on small concrete projects such as this when it is part of the overall outdoor living project.

The homeowners are more than satisfied with the way the pergola meets their needs. They are planning on installing a ceiling fan in the pergola in the near future to add even more versatility. As you can see, this pergola was the missing piece to this Byron, GA, outdoor living puzzle that Archadeck of Central GA helped solve!

Need help solving your backyard puzzle? Contact us today at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Archadeck of Central GA, Composite deck builder, Deck engineer and construction, Decks, Poolside outdoor spaces

This Barrington Hall Deck Sets the Standard for Poolside Transition and Function

October 9, 2017 admin

Timber Tech-deck-Macon GA This project took Archadeck of Central GA back to beautiful Barrington Hall in North Macon. We have been in completing many outdoor living projects in this neighborhood over the years for both new and repeat customers.

When the homeowners called us they were interested in improving the traffic flow and function of the concrete walkway area adjacent to their pool. The homeowners had been using the area as an impromptu seating and dining area, which just wasn’t working for them anymore — they wanted to rework this space to better speak to their outdoor living needs.

The area before Archadeck of Central GA began the project.

Since the stairs were inset, removing them was not an option. We started with a design in mind and then considered if a deck or paver patio was the best option for what the homeowners had in mind. After we decided on long steps, we realized that building with pavers would be quite costly. Instead, making the decision to move ahead with a composite deck made more sense from a budget standpoint.

Deck-composite-TimberTech-Macon GA

After carefully looking at all the composite decking choices we offer, the homeowners chose TimberTech Terrain in Silver Maple. Terrain is wrapped on all 4 sides which makes it perfect for this low-to-grade deck design. It also resists mold, mildew, and moisture damage making it a great material for poolside use!

Archadeck of Central GA topped off the smooth, streamlined look of the deck by adding a black Fortress metal handrail and all-composite trim.

Macon GA-deck-metal railing

Gone are the days when the homeowners have to sacrifice transition and style in order to facilitate function. The new deck delivers the freedom of a clean, open space where they can indulge in all things outdoor living.

If you would like to learn more about making your backyard all that it can be contact us today at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net. We can design a space where form and function combine providing all the benefits you crave!

Archadeck of Central GA, Deck builder, Deck engineer and construction, Decks

Central Georgia deck designs can boggle the mind. Let us help you navigate the choices!

August 30, 2017 admin

Fiberon-Fort Valley-GA railing-lighting Looking for great ideas in deck designs? What’s new? What are the current trends? Here at Archadeck of Central Georgia, we keep up with innovations in deck design. We want to show our clients in the Macon and Warner Robins area the most attractive and well-constructed deck ideas. Clients are often amazed by the number of options available for decks today.

When you first start thinking about adding a deck onto your home, or replacing an older deck, you may think a deck is a deck is a deck. Seen one, seen them all? That’s certainly not true anymore. Among the variety of decks being built these days are different sizes, shapes, colors, materials, railing styles, stairway designs and more. By the time you complete your selections within each of these options, you will have designed a deck that reflects your personal style like no other.

Hawkinsville-GA round deck Archadeck

Archadeck of Central Georgia will not leave you to make these decisions on your own. During our design consultation, we can talk about trends and show you pictures of past projects we have completed. More important though, are your personal preferences. In the end, your own preferences will determine the look of your deck.

The 3 most popular deck design features today in the Macon and Warner Robins, GA, area:

Archadeck Deck-for-future-porch-in-St.-Croix-Macon-GA

Diagonal decking

Decking boards laid in a diagonal pattern serve two purposes. This design not only looks good, it creates a stronger deck.

Visually, diagonal decking adds a distinct character to your deck and can be directed intentionally to emphasize a specific view or to affect how people move through the space. The visual appeal of the diagonal pattern is more noticeable on a lower deck.

Fiberon Protect-Deck-Warner Robins 750

Technically, in terms of physics, the diagonal pattern creates triangles (which are stronger) as opposed to squares (which are weaker). Triangles help to brace the structure, so diagonal decking increases the strength of the frame by making the entire deck more rigid. This is especially desirable on taller decks.

Parting boards

If you’re looking for a deck design with even more visual interest, you’ll want to see some designs that incorporate parting boards. A parting board separates sections of a deck where the decking boards are running in different directions. We most often use this device when a deck is large enough to be sectioned off into different functional areas. Perhaps you want to have a lounge area on one part of the deck and a dining area on another section. The best way to visually define these different sections is to change the direction of the decking boards. A parting board serves as a meeting point for the two sections.

Metal pickets on railings

There was a time when all deck railings looked alike. If the deck was made of wood, the railings were, too. Wooden deck railings and pickets were somewhat thick and could easily block the view. Today we have a variety of materials available to use for deck railings and pickets. Most of the newer designs are thinner and made of metal. These new railings and pickets, or balusters, are much more stylish and almost seem to disappear when you look through them. Archadeck of Central Georgia uses Fortress™ Railing Products. The black square baluster design is the most popular with our clients, while second in popularity is the basket design (pictured).

Additional design features for today’s decks

There are many, many more elements that make up the infinite array of deck designs. Briefly, here are some of the other choices we will guide you through in the design process:

Colors and materials

Do you like bold colors, contrasts, or understated tones? Do you want to build with natural wood or composite decking materials? Wooden decks can be stained or painted, and a lot of the newer composite decking boards come in a variety of colors. If you are willing to perform — or pay for — annual deck maintenance, you can consider building with wood. However, if regular maintenance chores do not fit into your lifestyle, you will probably want to select one of the composite decking options. These new materials are evolving to look more and more like natural wood.

Shapes and levels

Composite deck in Warner Robins

Do you want a simple deck that follows the horizontal line of your home? Maybe you’re thinking about an octagonal deck or one that starts at the house and ventures out into the yard. A multi-level deck has a certain “wow” factor, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. What if you’re not really going to use more than one main level? Finally, if your deck is high off the ground, will you want to use the space under it as a covered patio or as a storage area?

Bottom line: the design decisions are your own

Fiberon ProTect deck in Warner Robins, GA.

You may think it will be hard to choose from all of the available designs, materials and accessories, but you’d be surprised. Once you start looking at the many options, certain elements will resonate with you pretty quickly. As you look at examples and sketches, your own preferences will solidify in your mind.

Let Archadeck of Central Georgia walk you through the design options for a new or replacement deck at your Macon or Warner Robins area home. Contact us to schedule a design consultation by phone at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Archadeck of Central GA, Converting deck to porch, Outdoor rooms builder/contractor, Screened porches

Time makes the heart grow fonder for these Roberta, GA, homeowners

August 21, 2017 admin

Screened Porch-Roberta GA Our recent project in Roberta, GA, just west of Macon, proves that the Archadeck difference doesn’t have an expiration date. Once you meet with us, even if you’re undecided or not quite ready to proceed with your outdoor living project, we’ll keep your notes and specs on file. Then, when you let us know you’re ready to move forward, we can pick up right where we left off.

These Roberta, GA, homeowners had initially contacted Archadeck of Central Georgia two years ago about redecking their aging wooden deck and converting a portion of the deck into a screened porch. During the period between the time when they first contacted us, to this summer, the homeowner had replaced some of the decking boards on his own. That’s a big job if you don’t have a crew working with you! When we went back to take another look at the existing deck, we could tell that the newer decking boards had not been sealed, so those boards had warped and would need to be replaced as well.

bay shaped porch-Roberta GA

Overall, the deck was well worth redecking; there was no need to demolish it and build a new deck from scratch. The original deck foundation was still sound and would provide good support for the new structure. The deck was large, with two level changes, and it had an interesting design with a bay shape at one end — that semi-octagonal shape you see in a bay window.

The homeowner wanted us to convert the bay-shaped area of the deck into a screened porch while leaving the remainder of the deck as open space. The bay end was perfect for enclosing with screens because that portion of the deck has a door leading to the home’s interior.

Roberta GA-Screened Porch-bay shaped roof — Interior view of the screened porch.

Archadeck of Central Georgia began the work by removing their hot tub, redecking the deck surface with pressure-treated wood, removing one set of stairs and reconfiguring the other set. We added new Chippendale railing panels to the deck railing.

Adding the screened porch was a challenge because a bay-shaped floor requires a bay-shaped ceiling and roof. We designed a hip roof to tie into the existing roof. Looking at this photo of the rafters, you can see what an interesting time we had with it. We even had to customize brackets to accommodate this roof design. We used a king post in the middle with a double LVL (laminated veneer lumber) beam to support.

Open rafters-screened porch-Roberta GA

To complete the screened porch, we added bronze screen inserts and screen door. Now the homeowners have an open, 180-degree view of the outdoors from their new porch in a lush, restful setting. Of course, we can’t take credit for the setting!

If you have a redecking project in the Macon or Warner Robins area, or want to convert a deck into a screened or covered porch, contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to talk about your options. If you’ve met with us in the past but were undecided or not yet ready to proceed, please don’t hesitate to call us again. You can reach us by phone at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Archadeck of Central GA, Choosing a contractor, Decks, Pool decks and patios, Poolside outdoor spaces

Will an above ground pool deck have you swimming in debt?

August 16, 2017 admin

above ground pool-deck-Macon GA Are you enticed by end-of-summer sale prices for above ground pools? Before you dive into purchasing an above ground pool for your family, Archadeck of Central Georgia recommends you consider all of the potential expense, beyond the cost of the pool itself, before making a purchasing decision. This includes the cost of adding an above ground pool deck.

Here in central Georgia we still have some hot weather on the calendar. You still have a few more weeks of swimming pool weather remaining. Plus, if you buy a pool now, you’ll already be set when temperatures heat up again next spring.

Forsyth Ga-deck-above ground pool Keep in mind that you will need to purchase more than just the pool. The cost of installation is usually not included, and that can run as high as $3,000 according to some sources. While filters, ladders and pumps may come with the pool, you will need to purchase cleaning tools, a pool cover, chemicals and maybe even a pool vacuum.

Does your picture of an above ground pool include a pool deck surrounding it?

This is where you may encounter sticker shock. If you want a sturdy, well-built pool deck made of quality materials, it will cost more than the pool itself. Sometimes an in-ground pool with concrete decking is actually more cost effective than an above ground pool with the same size pressure treated or composite decking. Then again, sometimes an above ground pool is the only option due to the topography of the yard or septic field lines.

fiberglass above ground pool-deck-Macon GA

Building decks is something Archadeck of Central Georgia does well. We love doing it. We love the creative challenge of designing the perfect deck for your home. While a pool deck is no different, people are often surprised to learn how much a good-quality above ground pool deck can cost. So please do that research before you invest in a pool if you feel like an above ground pool isn’t complete without a nice pool deck around it.

Archadeck of Central Georgia only builds sturdy, good-quality decks — and that includes our pool decks. We will not skimp on materials or workmanship because it’s “just a pool deck.” We want the best for your family, as we know you do. We want your family to be safe around the pool, and we want your investment in a pool deck to last for more than a year or two.

Deck-inground pool-Macon GA — Archadeck of Central GA builds many in ground pool decks and poolside outdoor living structures in Macon and the surrounding areas, too!

Search for images of above ground pool decks on the internet, especially on Pinterest, and you may see some amazing structures. Designs for pool decks can be simple and basic, or they can be as elaborate as you desire.

If you are willing to invest in a quality structure, contact us to learn more about adding a pool deck to your above ground pool in Macon, Warner Robins or the surrounding area. You can reach us by phone at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Archadeck of Central GA, Composite deck builder, Deck builder, Macon deck builder, Under Deck Dry Decking Systems

This Macon, GA, redeck delivers function and beauty over, under and beyond

July 17, 2017 admin

Our recent redecking project provides more than just enhanced beauty and longevity to this Macon 2nd story deck. Archadeck of Central Georgia not only redecked the field of the deck with a high-quality composite, we also added a dry deck system to create a dry space below the deck impervious to weather.

Macon-ReDeck-TimberTech

We began by removing the old decking from the second story deck and redecking with TimberTech Legacy composite decking in the Pecan color. This decking emulates the natural texture and integrity of authentic wood grain and resists mold, mildew, and moisture damage. Maintenance is also a breeze because this decking requires no annual sealing or staining for protection.

Macon-TimberTech-Deck

Along with the new decking, Archadeck of Central Georgia also installed a dry deck system making the space under the deck functional no matter the weather. Normally, the spaces between deck boards will cause water to drip down below which can keep you from enjoying the space under your deck in wet weather. We added Trex RainEscape to the deck that prevents any water from dripping down through the decking boards. By taking advantage of the area below the deck these Macon homeowners are able to get two outdoor living spaces out of one!

Macon-Trex Rain Escape_Before Ceiling — During installation of RainEscape system.

Trex RainEscape is a unique under-deck drainage system. It is made up of a network of troughs and gutters keeping rain, spills and snow melt from dripping through elevated deck boards, creating a dry patio area on the ground level below. It can even be installed on an existing deck by removing the flooring before installation. Once the Trex RainEscape deck drainage system is installed, utilities can be added then covered with the soffit or ceiling of your choice. This system can be used when creating a under-deck outdoor living area but also when building a porch under a deck.

Macon-Trex Rain Escape-after ceiling instalation — Completed under deck ceiling installation.

Additionally, we added PVC columns wraps to the existing posts to dress them up and add low-maintenance benefits. The finished project flows beautifully and means the homeowners have more time to spend enjoying their outdoor living space, rather than maintaining it.

If you are thinking of adding a second story deck onto your homes, or if you presently have an existing second story deck we can create an under deck space that will double your outdoor living enjoyment. Our outdoor living combinations make all other “two for one” deals in your life pale by comparison.

Contact Archadeck of Central Georgia today to learn more at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Archadeck of Central GA, Patio Covers, Porch builder/contractor, Porches

If you like it then you better put a roof on it…

June 5, 2017 admin

Archadeck of Central Georgia just completed this stunning covered porch addition in Warner Robins, just off Hwy. 96 in the Brantley Subdivision. In their quest to add more shade and function to their existing raised concrete patio, the homeowners reached out to us for the best advice.

Open Porch-Warner Robins

Initially, they were considering the notion of adding a pergola over top the patio. However, since the footings were already poured, we offered the second option of a porch cover, since it would be more advantageous for delivering shade and protection from inclement weather.

Archadeck of Central Georgia used beefy columns for the addition to complement the architecture of the existing home. To compensate for the two 2nd story windows just above the addition, we designed an almost flat, shed roof. The roof is built using a modified bitumen rolled roof which we carefully matched to the home’s existing color shingle. The result is a porch cover that appears to have always been part of the original home.

Warner Robins-Porch-Patio

Patio covers, such as this one, might just be the greatest thing to happen to outdoor living since patio furniture or the advent of the backyard grill! This addition is perfect for porch parties and backyard barbecues. By opting for a roof cover instead of a pergola, this family now can enjoy their patio safe from the elements and impervious to the changing seasons. Like the title says; if you like it then you better put a roof on it…

Contact us to learn more about all the ways we can improve your existing outdoor space, or create a new one from scratch. You can reach us by phone at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Macon Warner Robins Decks, Patios, Porches, Pergolas, Gazebos and more