Category Archives: Porch builder/contractor

Porch builder/contractor, Screened porches

Bright, airy, beautiful, well built and surprisingly cost effective screened porch in Warner Robins

cost effective screen porch Warner Robins lrIf you’ve been thinking about adding a screened porch to your Central GA area home, it’s likely the screened porch in this photo has many of the elements you’re looking for. This screen porch is bright, airy, and connects you to the great outdoors while still providing the sun protection and bug protection you need here in Central GA. You are probably looking for a room that is conducive to enjoying the great outdoors. You want to see the sky, feel the breeze, and appreciate the light. You would never notice, but this screened porch is actually built of aluminum. Close your eyes and picture an aluminum porch. Then open your eyes and take a look at this porch. We’re sure this is nothing like you would expect.

In fact, many people envision an aluminum porch that comes from a kit. With a kit, you pick from standard sizes and get all the pieces and parts to put the porch together. When you’re done, it looks like what you purchased – something built from a kit. Porches built from a kit tend to have problems, not the least of which, are water problems.

These homeowners got the best of both worlds. We built a traditional screened porch roof. The roof is a gable style roof and the gable is screened for maximum screened area. The walls, however are built from aluminum. Aluminum is a very cost effective material. By pairing aluminum walls with a traditional roof, we got a custom structure, with structural integrity, that was cost effective.

A couple additional benefits of going with a custom porch roof include:

  1. Structural integrity
  2. Made to fit the style and structure of your home
  3. Made to match your existing roof

Warner Robins aluminum porch lrStructural integrity:

A roof built from a kit will never have the same structural integrity as a structure designed and built by a professional licensed builder. Archadeck designs and builds every structure to meet and often exceed local code requirements.

Matches your home

When selecting a roof style for your home, several factors come into play. A good starting point in making that decision is the type of roof you would like. The gable style roof is often the most popular because of the light that enters the room with an interior cathedral ceiling. Another key consideration is the roof style of your existing home. Often we try to utilize the same roof shape or compliment the shape of your home’s existing roof. There may be exacerbating factors such as second story windows in the area where your porch roof would go. Nonetheless, this home had both a gable roof and a shed roof on different parts of the home. The roof we built was a gable style matching not only the homeowners desires but was also a great compliment to the home.

Matches your roof

Our goal when adding a roof structure to your home is to do what we can to make it look as if the new room was always there. We try to make it look original to your home. Nothing is a better giveaway of an addition than roof tiles and gutters that are not a match for your home. By building a traditional custom roof on this screened porch, we were able to source matching roof tiles to help make this new space look like it was always there.

Stephen Denton Archadeck Augusta square lrIf you’re looking for a more cost effective way to add a beautiful new screened porch to your Central GA area home, give us a call for a free consultation at 478-745-2000 or drop us an email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net. We look forward to your call.

Porch builder/contractor, Porches, Screened porches

The engineer’s choice for building a porch in Central GA

We recently built a screened porch in Centerville. They inherited a deck and used it infrequently because it was poorly designed & built and was also in disrepair. The homeowner is an engineer so he knew he would know a good builder when he met one.  He and his wife wanted to work with a builder that would create a thoughtful, professional design and execute on it with the kind of attention to detail that he uses in his own work.

While the homeowners originally thought they wanted a new deck, they soon realized that a porch made more sense. A couple other reasons for not using their deck included the stiflingly hot Georgia summer head and the bugs that come along with that. They did use the patio for grilling so it made sense to keep the patio. For the other outdoor living space, a porch made more sense. It would provide sun protection as well as bug protection.

Transformation from terrible deck to beautiful porch

The new porch is the largest in width we can build without special ordering material (27’ feet wide). This porch width works particularly well because it provides enough space for a table and chairs. Considerations like these help save on materials and labor costs without compromising on traffic flow or the feel of the living space. The length of the porch allows for more than one seating area.  Stairs that run the length of the porch leading to the patio provide additional space for potted plants or even additional seating.

We used a gable roof/cathedral ceiling combination.  We use gable roofs on many screened porches because the lofty ceiling gives the space a light and airy feel and leaves plenty of room for ceiling fans to keep a breeze going. You can control the fans and light fixtures with a wall switch, a remote or both: your choice.

Screened Porch-Centerville-GA cathedral ceilingOur client appreciated some of the finer building details that some other clients might not ever identify or notice. We used a laminated ridge beam for additional strength. We used pressure-treated decking, screened from beneath to keep out bugs. And, we worked out a nice solution to tying in the roof with the existing slanted eave on the house. One of the great advantages of working with Archadeck is that you don’t have to have an engineer’s eye for possible design challenges. We find the problems and solve them as part of our job.  And when we miss something, which we did in this case (a few pieces of trim) we always come back for our clients to make sure they feel great about their new outdoor living space.

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. Together we will work to identify the best structures and materials to create the perfect outdoor living space just for you.

Stephen Denton Owner, Archadeck of Central GA

Stephen Denton
Owner, Archadeck of Central GA

Call: (478) 745 – 2000

Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Visit the screened porch photo gallery on our website for more great design ideas and inspiration.

Converting deck to porch, Porch builder/contractor, Porches, Screened porches

Turning a Bonaire GA deck into a screened porch

proposal-screen porch-Bonaire GABoth decks and porches are great outdoor living structures. Each has their own benefits. Decks allow you to spend time outdoors enjoying the fresh air, the view of your yard, and enjoying the “extra room” in your house. A porch allows you to enjoy all of these but it does provide a little extra protection. While a rainstorm will send you inside, a screened porch is a roofed structure. Along with the screens, the porch allows quite a bit of protection from rain and other storm conditions.

A porch provides two additional key benefits. Summers here in the Macon Warner Robins area can be brutally hot. With roof cover and a good ceiling fans, the mid-day Screen porch-ipe-Bonaire GA lrtemperatures are a lot more bearable. In addition, bugs are a big factor. Depending on a number of factors, your yard might be a treasure trove of mosquitoes and other biting insects. Some of the factors that determine how many mosquitoes you’ll have are the amount of standing water you have and the amount of landscaping you have. Mosquitoes need standing water to breed. So, anything from a pool to a koi pond to a bird bath will bring the mosquitoes in. This home had both a pool and a pond so the bugs were eating them up.

The home had an existing deck. The owners wanted a new porch to provide more outdoor living opportunities, including shade and bug protection. We were able to use their existing deck and convert it into a screened porch. If you’re thinking about converting your deck to a porch, often times that is an option. The deck substructure may require ceiling fan-screen porch-Archadeck Bonaire GA lrreinforcement but a good builder will be able to make that assessment as well as enhance the substructure to meet code and support the weight of the new roof. That was the case at this Bonaire GA home. Over 10 years ago, we built the deck on this home. The new homeowner saw the Archadeck tag on the deck and called us first to quote his upgrade project.

The new porch includes ipe flooring, a gable roof to create an open cathedral ceiling, large screened openings for great visibility, and the design deftly works with the challenge of attaching a roof to this home. In the middle of the screened porch area is a large chimney. The roof needed to not only to attach to the home but to also wrap around the chimney. That was no problem.

Archadeck-ipe-deck lrThe lower deck also has ipe decking. The railing is pressure-treated wood with an ipe rail caps. White metal pickets and lattice complete the look. With the two distinct outdoor living spaces, the family can pick the level of sun protection they need based on the activity and the time of day.

If you live in the Central GA area and you’re considering converting your deck into a screened porch, give us a call for a free consultation.

 

Stephen Denton Owner, Archadeck of Central GA

Stephen Denton
Owner, Archadeck of Central GA

Call: (478) 745 – 2000

Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Visit our Archadeck of Central GA website for more great design ideas and inspiration.

Archadeck of Central GA, Porch builder/contractor, Screened porches

This Perry GA screened porch refurbish solved lots of little problems with one elegant solution

screen porch-perry georgia-grill deck lr
Here’s a picture of their new porch in Perry GA.

As a long time Central GA porch builder, we love referrals.  It’s great when someone likes our work enough to refer us to their friends and family.  We know what a tremendous compliment that is. In this case, we built a project for one customer who referred us to a second customer – who we built a project for. Then, that second customer referred us to these homeowners.

These Perry GA homeowners had a screened porch that no longer reflected their lifestyle. The porch was a menagerie of its prior inhabitants: the floors and roof were a mish-mash of past projects and, while it was still structurally sound, it was not up to code.

This is what it looked like before

The client wanted a space that would allow them to enjoy fresh air and not block their yard view from the living room and kitchen. After a consultation about what they liked and disliked about their existing structure, we created a design to accomplish all their objectives.

Once we had a plan in place, we set to work.  The first priority for this project was to bring the porch up to code to ensure safety, so we laid beams under the deck and attached them to the house for a firm foundation. We didn’t want the wonderful view to be obscured by too much sectioning, so we changed out the walls and supports in order allow the homeowners to really enjoy being in their yard.  The original porch had seven different screen sections in one wall; we reduced it to four by adding a beam which really opened the porch up.

screen porch-perry georgia-proposal lr
Our design drawings help our customers see what their project will look like when completed

The design drawing helps our customers know what their finished project will look like.[/caption]Archadeck thinks carefully about the flow of each project– good flow ensures that the space will be useful and beautiful, not just structurally sound. The placement of the original door created traffic problems, forcing anyone walking to either cut through the middle of the room or to awkwardly skirt the edges. We fixed this by moving the location of the door to the side to allow for quick and easy travel.

We solved the owner’s mosquito issue by placing screened walls at the bottom of the deck, denying the pesky bugs access through the floor. The old lattice was tired, so we created a proper foundation with new latticing to mirror the structure of the screening. Before the renovation, beyond the door, there had been only stairs. We gave our family a side deck with space for a full grill that they could use for summer barbecuing. As a final design touch, we installed white porch screens, so the exterior could be painted to match.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GAIf you are considering creating a great new outdoor living space for your Macon/Warner Robins area backyard, or if you want to give a fresh new look to your existing backyard space, give us a call for a free consultation. Together we will work to identify the best structures and materials to create the perfect outdoor living space just for you.

Call: (478) 745 – 2000

Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

 

Outdoor rooms builder/contractor, Porch builder/contractor, Porches, Screened porches

Archadeck of Central GA provides information to make the best interior ceiling choice for your anticipated porch addition

Macon GA screened porch with gable roof
Macon GA screened porch with exposed rafter detail.

Choosing the right ceiling to fit your own individual tastes and in keeping with the look you want to achieve within your porch is an important decision. There are many choices available when it comes to styles and finishes. As a customer of Archadeck of Central GA, we want you to be an informed customer. We want to provide the information to help you make the best decision for your specific needs and wants. In this article, we will explore the various interior porch ceiling options in an effort to educate homeowners providing information to make the best decision.

Your porch ceiling is the perfect spot to add style and flair. There are a many choices, styles, accoutrements, details and materials that can be used to finish your interior ceiling. Each one can be used to convey a feeling and a mood within your porch.

Rustic Shed Roof Screen Porch
Rustic shed roof screened porch by Archadeck of Central GA.

The first decision to make when it comes to an interior porch ceiling is whether you want a vaulted/cathedral or flat ceiling. Flat ceilings are generally standard 8′ or 9′ foot height, the same as that of an interior room in your home. Flat finished ceilings give your porch or screened porch an interior room feel. Flat ceilings are often used to create a more formal space. They can be enhanced by using hardwood finishes to achieve a rustic elegance. From a budgetary perspective, it is less expensive to do a sloped or cathedral ceiling. Installing a flat ceiling under a sloped roof requires more lumber and will add to the cost of your porch.

The height of a vaulted ceiling is dependent on how steep your roof pitch is. For example, vaulting a 20-by-20-foot room can create a vaulted or cathedral ceiling that’s 11 to 12 feet high at its peak. A porch that has a higher ceiling will appear and feel larger than it actually is. Cathedral ceilings give the room a sense of lightness and airiness. They also allow more room to use trim, moldings and architectural detailing.  An elevated ceiling also provides “architectural reveals.” which are effects caused by shadowing lines that can be induced through extra architectural details and lighting.

Beautiful rustic interior shot of open porch in Warner Robins GA
Open porch with dramatic cathedral ceiling in Warner Robins, GA.

If choosing a vaulted or cathedral ceiling, the question arises of whether to choose an exposed rafter or an enclosed rafter design. Enclosed rafters often communicate a more formal look. Certain amenities, such as recessed can lights require the use of closed rafters. The decision to leave the rafter exposed or to enclosed is a personal preference. When enclosing the rafters, the expense comes in when painting everything. There are ways to give the space a finished look without having to paint everything in the process. Exposed rafters are very popular among outdoor structures. This conveys a rustic earthy elegance to the structure and is actually less expensive than choosing to enclose the rafters. When leaving the rafters exposed the size of the rafter itself will greatly impact the look of your space. It is also a consideration as  larger rafters with more girth and presence reflect a  more masculine feel and also leave a bigger cavity within the ceiling itself.

Chippendale pattern on Perry GA deck rail reflects the homeowners Chippendale-backed swing
This lovely porch in Perry, GA feature an open rafter ceiling which is painted white.

Finishing out the interior ceiling is the next step. We are seeing a trend of finishing the space out using the same lumber as the rest of the structure. For an informal look we generally recommend using T-111, which is rough- sawn, grooved plywood. This option cost the same a bead board. Many homeowners like the rustic look of T-111 and choose a clear seal to keep the natural look intact. Bead board is also popular and gives a more formal look and is less expensive than using grooved planks.

Other amenities for porch interiors are only limited to the imagination, and your budget. These include wiring for speakers, ceiling fans, and various lighting elements. Our goal at Archadeck of Central GA is to provide you with a porch built with quality and beauty at the best value.

Archadeck blue ceiling
True blue Southern porch ceiling?

With our location here in GA, we cannot put together a post on interior ceiling finishes for porches and not mention the Southern tradition of painted blue porch ceilings. There are numerous theories as to why this practice started – from fooling spiders and wasps into thinking the ceiling is the sky, to blue being a harbinger of good luck, to the color extending daylight, to scaring away evil spirits and as an effort to discourage birds and bees from building their nests in the ceiling.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

When considering any outdoor structure project including a new porch addition, you want to make sure you are using an experienced, licensed builder who has the knowledge, integrity and the design expertise to provide you with a porch that has your best interest in mind. Archadeck of Central Georgia has years of experience in perfecting the porch, and other outdoor structures, here in Central GA.  To learn more contact us at (478) 745 – 2000 Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Please visit our extensive porch galleries, including our open porch, screened porch and front porch galleries located on our website for more examples of ceiling finishes for porches.

Archadeck of Central GA, Outdoor rooms builder/contractor, Porch builder/contractor, Porches

Archadeck of Central Georgia builds an open porch in Warner Robins GA that opens up a world of outdoor living possibilities for these homeowners

Poolside open porch in Warner Robins GA
Here is a peek at this lovely poolside open porch addition in Warner Robins!

Take a look at our recently completed project in Warner Robins GA. Our assignment was to come up with a roofed outdoor design to convert a patio into a covered patio/open porch. The homeowners had a raised concrete patio with brick skirting. The homeowners shared their need for relief from the hot sun that constantly beat down on the patio. They wanted a refuge from the heat and a place to cool off and relax after a swim in their backyard pool which is a few short steps away. They wanted a shaded area on the patio so they could utilize the space for what it was meant for.

Beautiful rustic interior shot of open porch in Warner Robins GA
Overcoming the obstacle of the home’s interior cathedral ceiling made for a stunning finished porch interior– breathtaking!

Several other builders looked at the project and each informed the homeowner that the design they had in mind just wasn’t possible. The biggest issue was the way the design and structure would attach to the back of the house. The home’s interior had a 2-story cathedral ceiling so there were no floor joists to connect to. In order to accommodate their desire for a covered porch space, we had to design a dual roof tie-in to make the structure fit. We used a combination shed and gable roof. We had to do some really unique things to make the structure sound. These included adding collar ties and using some innovative corner posts to support the roof. We then shared the drawings with the local inspector to have the design blessed before we began. We also contacted the county to make sure the footings were inspected properly. Many contractors would not have gone the extra mile to ensure approval of the design. Archadeck of Central GA always takes extra measures to ensure our projects will be approved by inspectors when we’re finished.

The guttering feeds down into two rain barrels enabling the homeowners to use the water collected for other purposes within the landscape — the new addition is built with an eye on recycling natural resources with less of an impact on the environment!

Before open porch
Before
Lovely view of open porch from across pool by Archadeck of Central GA
After.

The project integrates the wrought iron railing and large columns that were already part of the existing patio. The completed structure is very large and quite dramatic. It adds loads of beauty and appeal to the home, the pool and the landscape. These Warner Robins homeowners are elated with their new outdoor oasis and cannot wait to test it out once the hot Georgia afternoon sun reaches its fevered pitch. The new covered patio/porch has opened up a host of outdoor living possibilities.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

If you have an outdoor oasis in mind for your backyard and have been told the design you have in mind is not possible, contact Archadeck of Central Georgia. Our innovative backyard living designs go the extra mile in terms of beauty, enjoyment and possibilities. (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Please visit our porches photo gallery and our patio and hardscapes photo gallery located on our website  for more unique examples of our unique outdoor room designs.

 

Archadeck of Central GA, Deck builder, Porch builder/contractor, Professional outdoor structure builder

Avoid the hurry up and wait mentality when it comes to bringing your outdoor living space dreams to life this Spring with Archadeck of Central GA

North Macon covered porch builder
Are you dreaming of a covered porch or spa deck for the spring?

Lots of things in life come with a “hurry up and wait mentality”, but designing and building your outdoor structure should not be one of them. Here at Archadeck of Central Georgia, we cannot stress the importance of not waiting until the arrival of spring to think about planning and building your anticipated outdoor space. This is especially important if you want  to enjoy your space in time for the outdoor living season ahead. Homeowners often ask us when is the optimum time to plan on having us build their outdoor structure? the answer is, there is never really a wrong time to begin your outdoor living space project, but there are advantages to building during the winter months.

pool side deck and pergola-macon GA
Pool side deck and pergola in Macon, GA.

Unlike being at the fever pitch of the outdoor living season, when the climate and timing is more conducive to utilize your space, winter construction has a shorter wait time. Gaining approval through HOA’s and permitting will take less time. The backlog for materials and labor is also smaller which makes the wait-time minimal in most cases. Making the decision to build now will ensure being able to enjoy the benefits of your new structure sooner and in plenty of time for warm weather. Keep in mind, when dealing with a quality builder wait times can be longer, especially during the busy Spring season. Deciding to begin your project now can reduce those wait times by half or more.

In some cases building your structure in the colder months can save you money too. You may see a decrease in the price of materials during the winter, a good example of this is lumber which is generally less during the winter because of supply and demand. In addition, if you intend to finance your new outdoor structure, the interest rates are extremely low right now. Our current standing in the economy can mean a lower payment each month on your new structure. Lower interest rates can save you a tremendous amount of money in the long run.

Choosing to build now will  also impact your lawn, landscape and lifestyle less than if you chose to build during the spring and summer months. Wet turf damages more easily, as does turf that is under heat stress from temperatures and higher humidity. Building in the colder season will ensure you avoid both of these obstacles. It is also important to note that along with perennial grasses, most shrubs and plants are in their dormant stages during the fall and winter. During dormancy, these plantings are less likely to experience damage from having to be trimmed, pruned or altered to accommodate the addition of a backyard space. Construction during the winter, when plants are in dormancy, will cause less of an interruption in your life since most people use their yards less during these months. This means the noises and materials will be less of an annoyance than they would be when you are using the yard a lot during the spring and summer months. Out of sight means out of mind.

Design rendering for Rivoli Rd sunroom and deck
We prepare a detailed design rendering as part of our design process.

When considering getting your outdoor structure project underway, timing can make a huge difference in the outcome. Our timeline on starting new construction has a quicker turn-around time during the winter than many would think.

From the time Archadeck of Central GA initially schedules your consultation you can expect to wait only one week to meet with us in person to discuss your ideas, and another week to put together your proposal. Once we have agreed upon your design, the backlog to break ground is about two weeks right now. The backlog will begin to grow the closer we get to spring. If you want your outdoor structure completed in April for example, it is imperative to start planning your project in January or February to ensure that goal is reached. These estimates are based on the type of outdoor structure you have in mind as well, as decks take approximately two weeks to complete, and porches can take up to four weeks.

Pressure treated deck Central GA
Have your outdoor space up and running in time to enjoy the first signs of spring!

Keep in mind that we can also build your outdoor structure combination in stages. With this in mind, winter is the perfect time to start the first stage of your desired outdoor living project. If you are considering a deck and patio combination for example, you can take advantage of our staged building option and begin your deck this winter, then we can add the patio during the spring or summer. With our staged building program the choice is yours. Contact Archadeck of Central GA today to learn more.(478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

Take a look at more inspiring outdoor living spaces sure to give you spring fever by visiting our decks, porches and outdoor room photo galleries located on our website!

 

Deck builder, Low maintenace decks, Porch builder/contractor, Screened porches

Our recent screened porch and deck combination in Westchester is farmhouse fabulous, and functional!

Westchester Subd. Macon GA porch builders
This screened porch and deck combination located within the Westchester subdivision of Macon is farmhouse fabulous, and functional!

These Macon homeowners heard about Archadeck of Central GA from one of their friends who was also a former client of ours. They had seen our work and were impressed so they contacted us to consult about a screened porch addition they had in mind. Following the completion of some interior remodeling, they contacted us to clarify the design and begin the addition.

Home for the holidays with Archadeck of Central GA screened porches
These Westchester homeowners are ready to enjoy their new screened porch for the holidays!

The homeowners had been anticipating the porch addition for a long time.  As part of their long-term planning, they had compiled many pictures and lots of ideas about how they wanted the design to look. Archadeck of Central GA used these valuable tools to not only give them the porch of their dreams, but we were able to show the homeowners ways to accomplish their goals less expensively. The homeowners also had an interior designer which we worked with closely on this project.

When we began the porch addition, there was an existing deck we really wanted to utilize for the new porch. We were able to utilize the existing deck space and make it even better — by adding to the deck and making it one foot larger out from the house. In addition to expanding their existing deck, we also added a deck off the side of the screened porch that is the ideal amount of space for the homeowner’s grill. The floor and stairs of the deck were built using low-maintenance TimberTech Earthwood Evolutions Tropical  in Pacific Rosewood.

Macon GA Westchester screened porch and deck builders
Here is a view of the screened porch & deck combination in it’s entirety.

There are quite a few unique elements involved in this particular project. One is the farmhouse inspired, cross bunk design chosen for the railing. These are evident as the large cross X’s. In order to achieve the look intended, we had to make sure the panels were evenly spaced to ensure the X’s are all evenly sized. The Macon homeowners also had special wooden doors made to mimic the cross bunk design used in the panels.

The home owners originally wanted a flat ceiling on the porch. However, we showed how a closed rafter ceiling would be less expensive and provide more height with a sloped ceiling. Making the choice of the sloped closed rafter ceiling also ensured no encroachment into second story windows and made it possible to mimic the high ceilings found inside the house. They also wanted plank ceilings used on the interior of the screened porch to give the space a more rustic, old-time look. Again we were able to help the homeowners choose a more cost effective alternative by using beadboard which comes in a large sheets rather than individual pieces.”

Rustic screen porch in Macon GA view from interior
Notice the unique, farmhouse inspired, cross bunk design used on the screened porch railing and door.

We used various columns on the screened porch to give the space more character. The pressure treated square columns were hollowed out on the inside so we could run electrical wiring inconspicuously. We used large 8 x 8 columns on the exterior and 6 x 6 columns on the interior. Although we placed composite flooring on the deck, we used standard pressure-treated wood flooring for the screened porch. Since the porch floor dwells within a protected space that doesn’t encounter sun or rain, we agreed composite was not necessary inside the porch. The homeowner plans to stain the wood in the spring to match the Rosewood color of the composite. We cannot wait to see the completed space.

These Westchester homeowners couldn’t be happier with their new screened porch and deck space. It serves as  a perfect place for enjoying nature. They’ve even assembled their holiday tree within the space to enjoy during the holidays!

Archadeck of Central GA has been specializing in quality, upscale outdoor additions since 1991, including many, many open porch and screened porch projects in the Macon and Warner Robins areas. When we meet with you to discuss a porch addition for you and your family we actually listen to your wants and needs in order to provide a porch that will not only meet, but exceed your expectations. Contact Archadeck of Central GA today to learn more about building your perfect porch (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA.

You can see more examples of past porch projects by Archadeck of Central GA by visiting our screened porch photo gallery and our three and four-season room photo gallery located on our website.

Porch builder/contractor, Screened porches

This Warner Robins screened porch takes poolside enjoyment from fun to functional for these homeowners

Poolside outdoor structure design and builder Central GA
This poolside screened porch in Warner Robins adds more fun and functionality to this backyard!

When Archadeck of Central GA met with these Warner Robins, GA homeowners they were in the process of planning for a backyard pool. With their new backyard addition in mind, the homeowners realized that the existing deck adjoining their home was not going to be adequate in providing a spot to aid in utilizing the new pool. The family realized they were missing a shaded area near the house where they could cool off on those balmy Georgia afternoons while enjoying the pool. As discussed during our initial consultation, the homeowners were on the fence about choosing a pergola, for its shade and aesthetic benefits, or a screened porch. This family soon realized a screened porch addition would make the most sense for their particular situation. The homeowners also realized they desired an area that was bug free where they could dine outdoors in comfort and watch the kids playing in the pool without burning up.

Cozy inviting interior of poolside screened porch by Archadeck of Central GA
The screened porch interior provides a cozy and inviting spot for the homeowners to observe their kids playing, and endless outdoor living possibilities.

Once the homeowners made the decision to move forward with a screened porch addition, we then began to scrutinize how big the porch should be. The final dimensions of the space come out 14 foot which allows plenty of space to hide the pool pump behind the porch. Since we were at the residence the same time as the pool company, we were able to coordinate our project with that of the pool addition. Archadeck of Central GA ended up finishing the screened porch at nearly the same time as the pool was completed. This resulted in the family only having to endure one construction, minimally disrupting the turf and their lifestyle. We always strive to work in unison with your landscaper and your pool or spa installer to ensure every detail is accounted for and to help better facilitate each phase of your project to minimize the impact of having two separate projects at various times.

Interior of screened porch by Archadeck of Central GA
Beautiful interior ceiling detailing adds a rustic touch to this Warner Robins screen porch.

The screened porch is built from pressure-treated pine and features a diagonal floor which adds visual interest. Archadeck of Central GA decided a roof tie-in design would work best since the addition had to be tied into the fireplace. The ridge beam flows into the existing chimney which required special engineering. Most builders would not have taken on this project because of the structural engineering and planning required to make the design cohesive- for us it is just another day at the office!  The porch interior features a rustic open rafter design that adds loads of charm. We also installed two ceiling fans on the interior of the porch instead of one to ensure proper ventilation.

In addition to the porch addition, these Warner Robins homeowners also wanted a gravel stepping stone pathway that led from the pool to the door. They also wanted to avoid a landing which would block the view from inside the kitchen. So we designed the stairs to lead into the porch without a landing and special ordered an in swing door to add more space and provide better traffic flow in and out of the porch. Very few companies make in swing doors, being a rarity; they are custom made as a special order item.

Central GA poolside screened porch
The screened porch will provide these homeowners much enjoyment for many years to come!

The homeowners are elated with their new poolside outdoor living space. Not only do they have the perfect spot to add enjoyment to their new backyard pool, they also have a space that will keep providing enjoyment far after the pool is closed! Contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to find out more about how an outdoor living space addition can extend the enjoyment of your pool. We offer a free consultation:(478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA
Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

You can see more examples of past porch projects by Archadeck of Central GA by visiting our screened porch photo gallery and our three and four-season room photo gallery located on our website.

Porch builder/contractor, Porches, Screened porches

Archadeck of Central Georgia puts porch perfection to the test as one of Macon and Warner Robins area best porch builders

Eatonton GA Milledgeville GA porch builder Archadeck of GA
Screen porch in Milledgeville, GA by Archadeck of Central GA

The role of the porch in outdoor structure design has evolved. Whether the porch is being used as a singular outdoor living space or as the base of an outdoor living combination series of structures, the popularity of the porch is growing by leaps and bounds. We are seeing more open porch, screened porch and deck to porch upgrade requests throughout the Macon and Warner Robins area. With this in mind, it is important to remember that a proper porch construction includes many more components than just building a roof over a deck. The groundwork and substructure that are used to build a porch are much more involved and in order to have a space that is structurally sound, it is important to seek the expertise of a professional porch builder.

Just because a contractor claims they can build you the perfect porch doesn’t mean they can deliver. We put together a checklist of the important points of porch building and why you need to be wary if the only communication you are getting from your contractor is “yeah, I can build it”.

Buyer Beware Porch Checklist – what are the 6 things to be most cognizant about when interviewing a porch contractor?

  1. As with any porch addition, roof tie-in is the first consideration. You need to become familiar with your tie-in options and which area of your home makes the best candidate(s) for the job. Whether the porch is tied into an existing roof or wall, there’s almost always one optimal solution. You don’t want someone to just take your gutters down and attach a fascia board, this is rarely if ever the best way to tie-in your porch addition.
  2. When Archadeck of Central GA builds a porch roof we use traditional framing methods and we always match the shingles to the existing shingles of your home. We never use aluminum pre-fab roof panels and as a homeowner you need to make sure the structural and aesthetic qualities of your existing home will be adhered to during your porch addition. A well-designed and built porch should appear original to your existing home once completed, as with any quality outdoor living addition.
  3. If your project involves transforming an existing deck into a porch your builder needs to ensure that the structure for the existing deck is strong enough, or even capable of supporting a roof. Decks are rarely built to hold up structurally to the weight of porch walls and a porch roof. Beware of a builder that tells you your deck doesn’t need any additional support to facilitate a porch addition. Almost every circumstance of skipping out on installing additional strongholds will result in posts and footings that are typically not strong enough to do the job.
    macon-porch
    This covered porch in Macon, GA is built at a height that is too difficult for many insects to travel. This means less mosquitoes and other insects when enjoying your covered porch.
  4. Make sure your builder goes over all your porch flooring options with you including adding screening under the deck boards to keep bugs from coming into your porch from the underneath. Make sure you are consulted with about the best flooring options including tongue and groove, cement, pavers, and pressure treated decking. Having a complete list of choices available at your fingertips will enable you to make a more informed choice and will make you happier with your space.
  5. Your builder should also discuss the importance of traffic patterns within your porch. Traffic pattern will minimize surprises in how your outdoor furnishings will fit realistically within your porch and also how doors will impact your flow to and from your porch. Consider the door(s) that lead from your house into the porch, and also the door that leads you from the porch into the yard. Your builder should go over how each will affect your space and placement needs. Making sure your doors are in the right place to minimize the impact of traffic flow within the living area of your porch will ensure your porch is dedicated to outdoor living rather than just a way to access your yard from your house.
  6. Additional space may be needed outside your porch, grill, smoker or even an outdoor kitchen. This is especially important with screened porch additions. An experienced builder will ask questions regarding your individual desires and needs to help your consider spaces to place these items.

You know the old rule regarding a one-way conversation, questions indicate interest. Make sure your builder is listening to your specific needs and is interested in providing you the best porch addition he/she can. When selecting a contractor, pay close attention at the questions they ask you which will quickly help indicate the amount of experience they have and if they are even qualified to build your porch.

Archadeck of Central GA has been specializing in quality, upscale outdoor additions since 1991, including many, many open porch and screened porch projects in the Macon and Warner Robins area. When we meet with you to discuss a porch addition for you and your family we actually listen to your wants and needs in order to provide a porch that will not only meet, but exceed your expectations. Contact Archadeck of Central GA today to learn more about building your perfect porch (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

You can see more examples of past porch projects by Archadeck of Central GA by visiting our screened porch photo gallery and our three and four-season room photo gallery located on our website.