Category Archives: Decks

As is often the case, Father Time can play tricks on us when we least expect it. An example can be seen in the Before photo that speaks for itself before this expert Monroe County GA deck builder worked their team magic.

A Monroe County home for generations, the backyard did not keep up with the interior home improvements – so we fixed that.

After -- monroe country ga deck transformation — After.

A Backyard Renovation That Starts With A Brand New Deck

The original deck was split into two levels, so our custom design plan was to create one contiguous deck platform, with an 8-step staircase leading to the rear lawn.

The new deck design is fluid as it stretches the entire rear footprint of the home. The result is an all-new pressure-treated wooden deck that beautifully accentuates the style and character of the home.

A Foundation For The Future With Structural Strength And Integrity Built In

To ensure a long lease on its new life, and for additional safety, we reinforced the deck with new Cox posts that support the deck under the rear roofline.

As you can clearly see, better building by design is our credo, one that we aspire to live up to every day. In addition to this flawless deck design execution, we pride ourselves on knowing how to perfect your outdoor space before we first break ground.

As an Archadeck client, you can expect to be treated to the highest level of service throughout Central Georgia. We are proud to feature:

• Extensive knowledge of local building codes and terrain

• Professional quality design and building standards

• Professional codes of conduct and values at all times

• Unequalled insurance and warranty protection

• National praise from peers, suppliers, and the media

• A long history of satisfied clients

Our Promise To You

From start to finish, you can be certain you’ve entrusted your outdoor living space project to an expert Monroe County, GA, deck builder company that conducts business with professionalism and integrity.

We consistently work hard to gain respect in the community through our commitment to our high-quality standards.

Lastly, our written warranty adds a final layer of trust that has resulted in a history of satisfied clients.

We Look Forward To Helping You Create A Brand New Outdoor Living Oasis In Your Very Own Backyard

Let’s get started. Click here to schedule your complimentary design consultation.

John Haugabook of Archadeck of Cenral GA.

Macon deck builder, Macon Decks

When it Comes to Macon Deck Builders, Archadeck Stands the Test of Time

November 16, 2020 admin

Wondering why Macon-area homeowners come back to Archadeck of Central GA two and three times on subsequent projects? If we were the only custom deck designer and builder in the Macon-Warner Robins area, you could easily understand why. We know, however, that you have several Macon deck companies from which to choose. Our clients return to us for many reasons including the quality of our work, our professionalism and our attention to detail. New clients often contact us based on our excellent reviews.

Why All Macon Decks Should be Archadeck Decks

It’s a simple fact that Archadeck of Central Georgia tops the list of deck builders Macon GA homeowners have come to trust. Locally owned since 1991, we have developed long-standing relationships in the community—in and around Macon and Warner Robins, too. Our clients don’t feel the need to “try someone else next time.” When they want to talk about adding a new deck, replacing an older deck or redecking, they call us.

Here is a good example of clients choosing us for return engagements: Archadeck of Central GA Proves 3-Times is the Charm for This Lovely Macon Deck. Don’t let the title of that blog post fool you into thinking it took three tries for us to get a job done correctly. We built the clients’ deck in 1992 and added a new section on a second level in 1996. Then, these Macon homeowners called us in 2020 when they were ready to refresh and update their deck. Yes, that was 28 years after we built it. We were able to complete this last project as a low-maintenance redeck rather than full deck replacement because the deck’s substructure remained in excellent condition.

Read another of our returning-customer success stories: An Aging Macon Deck, Totally Renewed.

Not All Macon Deck Builders are Custom Deck Builders

If you’ve seen neighborhoods with homes that all look alike, you can bet their decks all look alike, too. Those decks are what we would call cookie-cutter decks, and Archadeck of Central GA doesn’t build cookie-cutter decks. We custom design and build each of our decks for one unique client and their unique home.

As custom deck builders, we respect the preferences of our clients when it comes to deck design as well as materials. We don’t try to steer homeowners to one kind of decking material or one brand of railing. Instead, we make sure they are aware of the various options from pressure-treated wood to hardwoods and low-maintenance composite and synthetic decking.

We understand that different homeowners have different priorities. When a client lets us know keeping costs down is their top priority, we design and build their pressure-treated wood deck with pride. We will not try to sell them a deck designed with more costly hardwoods or composites. Meanwhile, if reducing deck maintenance is a client’s priority, we show them composite decking options that work with their budget. Here’s a perfect example: Macon GA’s Barrington Hall Homeowners Love Their New Deck Replacement. Notice the new deck railing is a mixture of materials including low-maintenance, splinter-free composite rail cap combined with wood posts and rails for cost savings.

Archadeck of Central Georgia has been designing and building decks Macon homeowners love for almost 30 years. It’s not enough to say “we must be doing something right.” We’re doing all kinds of things right for our clients. We would like to welcome you to that group!

Is it time for a new deck at your Macon or Warner Robins area home? Whether you’re thinking about a wood deck or one built with low-maintenance composites, Archadeck of Central GA is ready to help! Get in touch with us by calling 478-745-2000 or email us at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

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

Decks

Archadeck creates a bigger and better deck in macon!

July 29, 2020 admin

Our recent job in Macon takes us to a property where the homeowners had initially built the deck. Homeowner-built decks are something we see on a regular basis. The existing deck wasn’t necessarily built incorrectly, however, building codes change on a regular basis so they contacted us to take a look.

Before Archadeck of Central GA began the new redesign project.

The impetus of homeowner’s scheduling a design consultation with Archadeck of Central GA was to enhance their outdoor living space. Not only did they want a bigger deck, they wanted a better deck too!

One of the main obstacles we had to address was the home’s existing water line. The water line lays under the area where the deck is placed. In addition, the original deck substructure was built using blocks with no footings. We had to make sure the new deck was built in such a way that delivered strength to support the new decking, but also one that did not infringe on the water lines present in the area.

Low Maintenance and More Space!

Archaeck of Central GA put together a deck re-design that included bigger stairs across the front of the structure to open up the view. We wanted to retain the visibility into the backyard looking into deck from within the home. Where railing once obstructed the view, we opened that up with larger, sweeping stairs that can double as seating.

Macon GA Fiberon Deck Builder — Look how we opened up the view!

Another element we addressed was making the deck level (flush) with the home. Before, the homeowners had to step down iinto the deck from the sliding doors. We redesigned the new deck to make sure you could easily flow from home-to-deck without having to step down.

Along with the larger footprint and structural updates, we makde sure the new decking would require as little maintenance and worry to keep it looking the part. Archadeck used low maintenance Fiberon Good Life decking in the color called Escapes Beach House. This decking delivers durability, beauty and longevity over pressure treated wooden decks. It will not crack, splinter or decay and the 3-sided capped layer will resist staining and fading over time.

Macon Deck Extension and Redeck — The new deck offers more room and less maintenance!

We also used black Fortress iron pickets along with a Fiberon rail cap that matches the deck to finish off the deck perfectly. The homeowners are elated with their new deck as it is lower maintenance, easy to clean and adds drama to their backyard gatherings.

Are you ready to redesign your outdoor living space? Archadeck of Central GA is ready to help! Get in touch with us by calling 478-745-2000 or via email @ 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, 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, 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, Deck builder, Decks, Fiberon

Our Redecking Project in Stathams Landing Fits This Warner Robins Backyard to a TEE!

April 19, 2017 admin

Archadeck of Central Georgia designs outdoor living spaces for all types of properties. These include waterfront properties, properties with acreage and properties within neighborhoods, including golf course communities. Our most recent redecking project takes us to the amazing golf course community of Stathams Landing in Warner Robins.

Completed redecking project in Warner Robins, GA.

This neighborhood is situated on the public Landings Golf Club, which has an expansive clubhouse, a 27-hole course, and the largest putting green in middle GA. The home where our project took place backs up to the golf course itself.

The homeowners had an existing wooden deck with many boards in bad shape. The style of the deck was also quite dated with built-in seating instead of railing. This was typical of the period in which it was originally built.

Fiberon-deck-Stathams Landing

Our goal was to bring the design of the deck up-to-date, bringing it up to current deck construction codes and open up the view. In addition to modernizing the space, we also utilized low maintenance materials. This will allow the homeowners to focus on enjoying the deck without the constant worry of maintenance.

Archadeck of Central GA was able to keep and use the original deck’s framing on this project. We reworked the beams in order to accommodate for the continued integration of the beautiful trees in the landscape. We removed the bench seating, added wider stairs and added railing to one end according to code.

deck-Watrner Robins-Fiberon

The new decking boards are Fiberon and the railing is Fortress iron panels. We also finished the entire deck to have no wood peeking out with white PVC risers and edge band.

The homeowners are elated with their new and improved backyard deck! The new design opens up the view and makes the space feel larger, airier and an extension of the landscape. If you are ready to expand the potential of your existing deck, or add a new deck from scratch, contact Archadeck of Central GA today!

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

Choosing a contractor, Decks

Some contractors don’t disappear

August 12, 2016 admin

Hiring contractors can be a scary experience. Being a contractor can be a frustrating experience – for the same reason. The bad contractors ruin it for everyone. Bad contractors leave a bad taste and often shoddy work in their trail making homeowners leery of engaging a contractor to do business at their home. As a reputable contractor doing business here in the Macon/Warner Robins area for over 26 years, we often meet homeowners that have expectations of sub-par value and communication that is even worse.

When looking for a builder, there are a couple great litmus tests to apply to a contractor but all of those won’t tell you whether that contractor will be around 5, 10 or more years in the future if something goes wrong.

Recently a past client gave me a call. My team built his deck about 11 years prior. The client was replacing a few “rotten” deck boards himself and had some questions. I remembered the homeowner and set a date to go take a look at the deck. Pressure-treated wood is warrantied against fungal rot and termites for the life of the project or 45 years by the wood manufacturer. Regardless, the Archadeck plate is affixed to that gentleman’s deck and we stand behind our work.

The homeowner noted that some of the deck boards and joist were rotting. Usually when someone says their deck is rotting it is actually not fungal rot, but a loss of structural integrity due to lack of maintenance. The sun and rain are very destructive to pressure treated lumber if it is not maintained properly. However, when I inspected the deck I found some of the joists were actually rotting from fungus! This is something I’ve virtually never seen. I also noticed that Restore paint had been used on the decking boards. We do suspect this contributed to the condition of the deck boards because it does not allow wet boards to dry. But the joist should not have been affected and regardless there should not have been “rot” from fungus. The homeowners did not realize that this was covered by the ArchadeckWarrantyy but I did. So, I explained to our clients that we were going to take care of this issue.

Now that the homeowners knew we were going to replace the joists that were rotting and were going to do this at no charge to them, they decided to upgrade the decking to a composite decking to alleviate annual maintenance in the future. I did this at a discount just to cover the labor in replacing the joists and installing the new decking boards. It’s our busiest time of the year and losing a crew for a week is painful; but our past clients are just as important as our new ones, whether those homeowners have been with us 1 month, 12 months, 11 years or more.

If you are considering adding a porch, deck, patio or other space to your Central GA area home, give Archadeck of Central GA a call for a free consultation at (478) 745 – 2000. We look forward to your call.

To see hundreds of great pictures, watch Archadeck of Central GA videos, or read customer reviews and testimonials, visit our Archadeck of Central GA website.

Decks, Porch builder/contractor, Porches

When you have a great porch, but also want some sun

July 11, 2016 admin

These homeowners had a great porch. They could enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors with cover overhead to ensure neither rain nor the sometimes blazing hot Georgia sun forced them indoors. But, there were all too many times they wanted to feel the sun on their backs and enjoy the Georgia sun on the many days it wasn’t too hot outside. Since they had a lot of trees in their backyard, those trees provided a good bit of shade to call for a second outdoor living space for these homeowners.

There was a particular obstacle in adding a deck to their backyard. The porch was in the way! Sometimes the footprint of the yard, setbacks or house connection pose challenges in where and what size the outdoor addition can be.

The logical place to put a new deck would be the back door where the stairs go out from the breakfast nook. However, adding the deck there would obstruct the view from the breakfast nook.

Together with the homeowners, we decided to make the obstacle the solution. By adding a door to the back door of their existing porch, we were able to extend the deck out from the porch area allowing them to easily move from covered to open sun outdoor living.

Like many challenges, just when you thought you had solved one challenge, another appears. Right in the area where the back edge of the deck would go was a favorite tree. To accommodate the beloved tree, we built a bump out to the deck and integrated the tree into the deck. Take a look.

For the decking we used low-maintenance TimberTech decking in Caribbean Redwood. The standard pressure-treated railing is topped with a rail cap of the same decking material.

As you can see, there are quite a few benefits to working with a custom outdoor spaces builder. We work to accomplish your outdoor living goals ensuring to create the best solution that works with your home and yard.

If you are considering adding a porch, deck, patio or other space to your Central GA area home, give us a call for a free consultation at (478) 745 – 2000. We look forward to your call.

Archadeck of Central GA