Category Archives: Composite deck builder

Ask Archadeck: Is 1 Deck Better Than 2 for this Gray GA Home?

May 13, 2020 admin

When is one deck better than two decks?

1: When the deck wraps around two sides of your home, with entrances on both sides, and plenty of room for a table and chairs!

2: When Archadeck of Central Georgia designs the perfect deck to replace your two-deck logistical inconvenience.

3: All of the above!

This deck-lovers’ home in Gray, GA, originally had two wood decks on the main level, but they weren’t connected to each other. Each deck was too small to be functional. To move from one small deck to the other, the homeowners had to walk in through the home and out through the other door. While one deck was covered by the eaves, and they kept the grill there, only the other deck had room for a table and chairs. Grilling and dining outdoors was not very relaxing here!

Gray GA Deck Design 101: How Will You Use Your Deck?

Their Archadeck of Central Georgia deck designer immediately knew these homeowners would get much more use out of one bigger deck. They couldn’t use the two smaller decks together in any way, so they were missing the basic functionality that one continuous deck would provide.

When your Archadeck design consultant meets with you to talk about your deck project, we follow a process called a comprehensive needs analysis. Whether you’re replacing an existing deck or starting from scratch, we want to understand how you plan to use your deck. This process works well! From this conversation, we receive the information we need to design the perfect outdoor living space for the way you want to live outdoors.

gray ga elevated deck builders — New spacious deck in Gray, GA, by Archadeck of Central GA.

Our initial conversation with these clients confirmed our hunch: one larger deck would serve their needs more completely and elegantly. We designed the new deck with access through the same two doors to the home. Now they can reach any point on the deck through whichever door is more convenient at the time. This may seem like a simple point, but it makes all the difference! It also illustrates the importance of using a Macon and Warner Robins area deck builder who specializes in custom deck design. Not every deck builder will have the experience—and the design chops—to create the best solution for your home. You can always count on Archadeck of Central GA for functional and innovative deck design.

Homeowners’ Top Design Decision: Wood or Composite Decking?

One of your most important decisions is whether to use wood, composite or synthetic decking materials for your central Georgia home. These Gray, GA, homeowners wanted to make the switch from a wood deck surface to one built with Fiberon Good Life composite decking. They were more than ready to enjoy a low-maintenance deck. Note: the larger your deck, the more significant that decision will be for you!

gray ga fiberon deck builders — We used beautiful, low-maintenance Fiberon decking on the new deck.

With composite decking, their new decking boards won’t splinter, crack or decay. And Fiberon’s three-sided cap layer resists staining and fading. Speaking of decking boards that resist fading—it’s all about the color!—these clients chose Fiberon’s popular Bungalow color.

To complete their new deck design, the homeowners selected Fortress pickets for the deck railing. These pickets (also called balusters) are thinner and less obtrusive than the wood pickets many older decks have. Also, because of the black color, the pickets seem to disappear when you look out across the yard. For cost savings, the clients selected pressure-treated wood for the deck railing and posts. For reduced maintenance, they wanted the top railing capped with Fiberon boards.

We used pressure-treated wood to build the framing that supports the deck. That’s not unusual. It’s what we always use for framing, regardless of whether the support structure will be visible or hidden from view by deck skirting. In this case, our design required a good bit of complex framing to support the large deck with minimal posts.

The deep center section of this wraparound deck gives the homeowners a little more room than what they wanted for a table and chairs. They didn’t mind that at all! The new design gives them easy access to the entire deck from either of two doors to the home. And here’s an added bonus: because the side section is under the eaves, the homeowners can even sit on the deck while it’s raining.

Are you ready to talk about a new deck design for your Gray, Macon or Warner Robins-area home? Archadeck of Central GA is ready to help! We offer *“virtual design consultations” with video conferencing to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.* Get in touch with us by calling 478-745-2000 or send us an email.

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

Composite deck builder, Deck builder, Screened Porch

Archadeck of Central GA Provides Solution for Afternoon Sun with Macon, GA, Deck and Screened Porch Combination

October 4, 2018 admin

If your deck is made of wood and faces west, it takes a beating. The sun’s UV rays break down wood fibers. You won’t be surprised, then, to learn that when these homeowners called Macon deck builder Archadeck of Central GA, they wanted to replace their wood deck with composite materials.

This home near Macon’s Lake Tobesofkee is in a great location but that afternoon sun is rough. The homeowners’ den receives the afternoon sun, too, and it can get mighty hot in there.

Macon screened porch builder Archadeck of Central GA was called in to replace the deteriorating deck and to add a screened porch to this Macon, GA, home.

Bigger Deck, Resilient Materials

The key to designing a deck that won’t deteriorate under intense sunlight is using composite decking materials. They don’t break down when exposed to the sun’s UV rays the way wood does. We replaced the original deck with a new one in the same area but designed it to be a bit larger. The homeowner chose Deckorators low-maintenance composite decking boards in the prairie color. For the deck railing, we used pressure-treated wood for cost savings and capped it with Deckorators composite rail cap. Many homeowners don’t realize we can mix composite decking with pressure-treated wood for railings, but we can.

Screened Porch Design Challenge

Have you ever designed a porch adjoining a room that has cathedral ceilings and trapezoid windows? It’s likely you haven’t because not many people have. Needless to say, we had to determine where the new porch roof would meet the existing home. Sometimes when you’re working in the area of a home’s windows, you can come in with the porch roof below them (for example, below second-story windows). But with trapezoid windows high up in a room with a cathedral ceiling, well … you end up extending the home’s roofline over the porch addition.

Because we extended the roofline, the screened-in porch has a high ceiling, too. The porch’s ceiling fan is lowered from the ceiling with a 6-foot rod.

Don’t forget, the new construction will also receive the afternoon sun because the outdoor living area – a combination deck and screened porch – is facing west. For that reason, we used Solar Screen mesh for the screens with a 90% grade. That means these heavy-duty screens will block up to 90% of the UV rays, the heat and the glare from direct sunlight that would otherwise heat up the porch. While you can still see out through these screens, they are so effective they will prevent fading of carpets and fabric such as upholstery on the screened porch.

For the porch floor the homeowner chose pressure-treated wood. With such effective screening, the porch floor will not be assaulted by the sun!

Interior Room Also Benefits from 90% Solar Screen

The sunlight that used to stream directly into the home’s den is now filtered by the 90% Solar Screen used on the screened porch. The good news is the den will now stay a lot cooler – or at least use less energy to cool. While the room is going to be darker now, the homeowners feel the reduction in heat is a good tradeoff.

In the course of a project sometimes we extend the scope of the job if the homeowners request additional work. In this case we also replaced the home’s gutters while we were already working along the roofline, and we saved the homeowners a little money doing it that way.

And the Dog is Not Forgotten

The dog of the house is going to love this screened porch but will still want to get out and run around. The dog’s favorite part of the combination screened porch and deck? A screen door with a doggie door. Woof!

If you are interested in replacing a deck, adding a new porch or adding a combination outdoor living space, contact Archadeck of Central Georgia for a design consultation. 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 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, 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, Composite deck builder, Professional outdoor structure builder

This Macon, GA, Wheelchair Ramp Proves Functional CAN be Beautiful!

March 13, 2017 admin

If necessity is the Mother of invention then why does it seem most wheelchair accessibility ramps are an eyesore?

ramp-deck-Macon GA Realizing the purpose of a wheelchair ramp is to provide a safe, functional transition from one space to another for wheelchair users, doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing the aesthetics of your home. At Archadeck of Central Georgia, we know the importance in maintaining the curb appeal of your home and retaining your home’s value. One of our most recent wheelchair ramp projects in Macon, GA, serves as the perfect example of addressing necessity while maintaining beauty.

ramp-Fiberon-fortress iron-Macon GA

This homeowner is a valued return customer of ours as we have completed two different outdoor living projects for her in the past. As her circumstances have changed over time, she needed a wheelchair ramp added to the front of her home. The temporary ramp she was using had become an eyesore and we were contacted to come up with a more permanent and complimentary solution.

wheelchair ramp-Macon GA

Archadeck of Central GA came up with an elegant permanent wheelchair ramp using the same shape as the temporary ramp. We used Fiberon low maintenance decking in Rosewood for the floor and black Fortress powder-coated railing. We also installed composite cladding to hide the framing. The cladding matches the red brick facade of the existing home for a seamless appearance.

If you are in search of a wheelchair ramp that looks and functions the part for the front, side or back entry of your home, contact us. Our timeless outdoor living designs increase the beauty and function of your home. We can customize your design based on your specific needs.

Call for a free consultation: (478) 745 – 2000 Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

AZEK, Composite deck builder

A note of caution when working with composite decking: Don’t try this at home

February 24, 2015 admin

: Fiberon ProTect deck in Warner Robins

At Archadeck of Central GA, we build with an array of low-maintenance building materials. In decking, these include decking boards by Trex, Fiberon and TimberTech. If you are thinking about adding a composite or synthetic (low maintenance) deck to your home, it’s wise to contract with a professional deck builder that’s experienced in working with these materials. There are a couple key reasons why you want a contractor who has specific experience working with these materials.

Mistakes can be very costly

Composite and synthetic decking boards cost 3-4 times as much as pressure-treated wood decking boards. You essentially can’t afford a mistake. This could quickly run into a $1,000 mistake or more.

: AZEK Deck with seating area

Experienced contractors are familiar with ways to work with costly materials in a way that mitigates any unnecessary expense. For example, our design recommendation takes into account the standard length of the boards and ensuring that a non-standard configuration doesn’t leave enough waste to make the materials much more expensive than they need to be.

Composite decking expands and contracts differently than does pressure-treated wood. For example, depending on the board, composite decking can expand up to 1/4″ lengthwise and compensation is necessary for this fact. In the event that the design calls for decks abutting each other, this consideration requires accommodation for the 1/2″ expansion.

Preserve your warranty

Red tape. The fear when consulting any warranty paperwork is whether we’ve done something that may make the warranty void. With composite decking, this is certainly the case. For example, because of the weight of composite decking, the deck joists must be set at 12″ on center. A configuration for a wood deck does not require joists to be that close. While there is a cost in adding more joists, this cost is nothing compared to the expense if your decking had problems and the required substructure, for warranty consideration, was not met.

If you’re thinking about adding a composite deck to your Macon and Warner Robins area Central GA home, give us a call for a free consultation. We look forward to your call!

Take a look at a recent deck we built in Warner Robins. This deck uses TimberTech decking boards for the deck and also used for the rail caps. With composite decking, you have to order different boards for flooring, rail caps, and stairs. An experienced composite deck builder will know to order and use the correct materials. With this Warner Robins deck, we used diagonal decking for visual appeal. The contrasting black metal pickets add even more visual appeal. Although not seen in this picture, the deck includes a gate so the owners can decide whether to keep the dogs on or off the deck.

If you are considering adding a new outdoor living space to your Central GA area home, contact us for a free consultation.

Call: (478) 745 – 2000

Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Visit our website for more great design ideas and inspiration

AZEK, Composite deck builder

Just because you’ve been waiting a long time for the right time to build, you don’t have to wait a long time for it to be built with Archadeck of Central GA

June 9, 2014 admin

Perhaps you have been thinking about adding a new outdoor living space for a while– maybe a really long while, but when you decide you want to get started you don’t want to wait. We have some clients who had been thinking about adding a deck to their home for 10 years, since they purchased the property in ‘04. They had the perfect spot for it: the house has three exterior doors that are at the same height. They had even taken out some trees to make way for the project. It took us just a little over a week to build it. The deck was completed so quickly they may still be surprised when they look out their window and see it.

The house was built in 1997 and has the look of a farmhouse; it’s in a very rural area between South Macon and Warner Robins, GA. Two of the exterior doors led to a patio and one was oriented to the garage. We built a very small roof, similar to a portico, to provide protection from the rain when using the door to the garage. The owners like the look of angled boards so we created a traditional Archadeck angled deck. Angled decks have superior stability and provide subtle visual cues between changes in elevation. They chose AZEK PVC decking in the Redland Rose color. AZEK is impervious to moisture and insects and has terrific durability.

The owners selected wooden rail posts with white metal pickets in Fortress Iron and AZEK decking for the rail caps. In the past, iron railings were often custom made in local shops, were expensive and took time to fabricate to order. Fortress offers the look of custom railings at a fraction of the cost. They are extremely durable and allow a superior view to the yard beyond. This will be especially desirable if the owners decide to add the pool they are considering in the future. The AZEK rail caps visually integrate the railing to the deck flooring.

The house also has a balcony above the deck. We built around the balcony supports; they remain undisturbed. Since the deck is low to the ground, we decided not to use skirting on this project. There are nice wide steps on the front which can be used for benches to enjoy the view. We are proud to be the Macon deck builder chosen to create this great area where this family can sit, entertain and eat outside. Instead of taking three steps from their home onto the ground, our clients now exit to a lovely outdoor living space designed to their specifications.

If you are considering creating a great new outdoor living space for your Macon/Warner Robins area back yard, or if you want to give a fresh new look to your existing backyard space, give us a call for a free consultation. We are the composite deck builder which will identify the best structures and materials to create the perfect outdoor living space just for you.