Category Archives: Screened Porch

Porch builder/contractor, Screened Porch

Outdated Screened Porch Gets A New Life

January 3, 2022 admin

Sometimes a quick fix doesn’t quite do the job when you want a custom porch transformation.

Warner Robins screened porch — New look and feel from our screened porch update in Warner Robins, GA.

These Warner Robins homeowners had a screened porch originally built out of non-pressure treated lumber. As such, the walls were starting to rot, not to mention that the screened porch panels were too close together. While looking for screened porch builders, they asked Archadeck of Central Ga to take care of the maintenance issues related to the rotting porch and open up the structure for more enjoyment and better aesthetics.

For instance, take this original screened porch in Warner Robins, GA. It needed attention and creative usability thinking to make it a better low-maintenance outdoor living room for the family. Sadly, the family felt sequestered when trying to relax inside; it and we really needed to remedy that.

Instead of conveying a sense of outdoor living enjoyment, the tightly enclosed area with an obstructed view of the backyard was just plain sad.

First things first, our construction team leader and crew carefully removed the structure so that the adjacent hardscape patio remained untouched.

Replacing the rotting wood, we installed new walls and supports throughout. And we switched out the three-foot-wide screened door leading to the patio with a twelve-foot wide sliding door, allowing huge open access to their backyard.

Spanning the majority of the newly designed screened porch, this large opening accommodated more people and better utilized the patio outside.

The homeowners were able to install a TV inside the new (improved) porch custom design, and with the newly expanded sliding door access, it could be viewed from virtually any perspective – inside and out. And for Sunday NFL football fans, that was the cherry atop the proverbial sundae.

This new outdoor room also features all-new supports and new LVL headers. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is an engineered wood product that is fabricated with multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives. It is typically used for headers, beams, rim board and edge-forming material. Due to its composite nature, it is much less likely than conventional lumber to warp, twist, bow, or shrink, which makes it perfect for this porch transformation.

For further protection and longevity, we also wrapped everything in white PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) to eliminate maintenance.

The white screen frame you see in the finished porch picture is white aluminum, which we did as a favor for the family.

EVERYTHING OLD CAN BE NEW AGAIN WITH ARCHADECK OUTDOOR LIVING

Are you ready to have the outdoor space you always imagined possible? Contact Archadeck of Central GA to get started. We are your local custom deck design and build experts.

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

Screened Porch

Archadeck Takes This Warner Robins Outdoor Living Space Beyond Builder Grade

September 15, 2021 admin

As the summer of 2021 draws to a gentle close, the approaching fall season is one that many of our clients love. The days of being concerned about high outdoor temperatures and sometimes scorching heat are being replaced with cherished moments of outdoor refreshment with temperatures often in the high 60s and 70s – especially in the early morning with outdoor coffee or after dinner when the kids are finally down for the evening.

Priding ourselves in being the preferred and premier deck and porch builder of the Central Georgia area, Archadeck welcomes inquiries from families that want to more truly enjoy their backyards, but need our creative design and planning help to do just that.

Take, for example, this virtually barren backyard with a small builder-grade concrete patio. It barely accommodated a seating area and patio table and chairs – with absolutely no protection from outdoor elements. Not liking that situation, our latest Archadeck of Central Georgia client reached out to us for our outdoor living expertise.

WITH OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES, SIZE DEFINITELY MATTERS – THE BIGGER THE BETTER

“How do you envision using your backyard in the future? What’s your wish list?,’” we asked our Feagin Mill family members. “We’d love a large screened porch, but this concrete pad is just way too small, and that’s just for starters,” they replied.

So putting pen to paper, our outdoor living consultation professional started to map out an idea that would increase the square footage of that existing concrete pad significantly. We showed them how adding more structurally sound concrete behind the house would be the first step in our screened porch builder solution, keeping their original slab as a starting point.

To accommodate their desired screened porch request, shortly thereafter we arrived with a cement truck to generously expand the footprint of what would soon become the foundation of a magnificent screened porch – complete with a stunning fire feature.

Before the concrete pour, we installed the proper footings to support the outdoor living space structure – along with steel rebar and other critical reinforcements.

screened porch patio in warner robins ga

To ensure that the slope of the home rear exterior was taken into consideration for this critical first step of the screened porch build, the cement was poured in both the front and into all sides of the new foundation area to accommodate the grade of the backyard.

After the slab patio and screened porch floor was built out, our next step was to install an aluminum wall system to provide sturdy structural support and integrity.

SCREENED PORCHES GIVE YOU THE BEST OF ALL OUTDOOR WORLDS – FRESH AIR, BEAUTIFUL SIGHT LINES, AND NO PESKY MOSQUITOES OR OTHER ANNOYING INSECTS

To make sure that this new outdoor living space would be all that it could be, next came the installation of the screening material, surrounding the entire front and sides of the exterior structure. In doing so, we eliminated the entrance of insects, pollen and other seasonal debris from violating this new space.

To finish the screened porch, we added vinyl siding inside and out, along with a knee wall all the way around the perimeter of the porch. And to protect from unwanted elements from above, we built a hip roof attachment tying into the home’s existing roof for a seamless transition. By doing so, it now looks like this screened porch was always there – from day one. We even installed new gutters to facilitate the flow of falling rainwater away from the screened porch sides.

outdoor fireplace in warner robins screened porch

To beautify the interior of this new outdoor living room, this screened porch custom builder integrated Dutch quality stacked stone in the color of Arizona to surround and complement the new electric fireplace.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OFF-SEASON CONVENIENCE BY SCHEDULING YOUR SCREENED PORCH PROJECT NOW

Another beauty of the coming autumn season is being able to better accommodate our screened porch clients on our build schedule. Now that the summer “I-gotta-have-it-now” rush is over, we can better meet virtually any reasonable timetable you require to design and build the ultimate outdoor living space. And should cash flow be a concern right now, no worries. We offer very reasonable financing should you desire it for qualified clients.

To get this all started, stay right here and click on this link. We will be in touch with you shortly. And thank you for trusting us with your outdoor living needs.

Screened Porch

Screened Porch and Deck Combo in Macon GA’s Historic District

May 27, 2020 admin

Archadeck of Central Georgia was called on by these Macon homeowners to upgrade their existing wooden deck to create an attractive and more usable outdoor living space.

These homeowners wished for an outdoor living area, which offered privacy and protection from the elements by way of a screened porch. Their existing wooden deck was aged, and structurally unable to facilitate the weight of a roof and walls for screening, so we replaced the entire structure to suit today’s building codes.

Historic Macon Georgia home – before new screened porch and deck.

Archadeck of Central GA is your tried and trusted screened porch builder

Archadeck can address challenges in building your new porch.

One of the many benefits of hiring Archadeck of Central Georgia to be your outdoor living builder, is that we can identify and correct challenges in building. This home in the historic district of Macon, was built in the 1920’s. There was a challenge in that the brick was separating from the home. After tearing down the old deck, the homeowner fixed the brick, so we could make the proper home connection with the new porch and deck. The home’s existing overhang also required a new post and beam system, which we installed. We also faced a difficult roof connection, which we were able to properly address when adding the new porch roof. The screened porch has a gable roof, which we tied into a flat roof. To accommodate proper connection, we changed the pitch at the back of the porch, and built a hip tie-in.

One space becomes two with a screened porch and deck combination

Traditional wood-framed screened porch and deck in Macon GA.

Many of our porch clients choose to add decks for a number of reasons. It’s not only nice to have a choice to enjoy an enclosed outdoor space, or bask in the sunshine in an open space, but it also creates an open area, where homeowners can place their grills and smokers. This deck and screened porch combination was built with traditional pressure-treated wood. The project also required adding a new gutter system on the porch.

Archadeck of Central GA installed a true exterior door for this screened porch, so the owner could add a doggy door. Full metal exterior doors are more accommodating for adding pet doors!

Even though the new screened porch and deck addition were built on the same footprint of the existing deck, the space is far more accommodating and enjoyable. Outdoor living upgrades do not have to be larger than what is already there – they must be made better.

Historic Macon GA screened porch and deck design.

Look at the lush, natural view from inside the porch. These homeowners can enjoy the outdoors without the threat of pest invasions, inside the confines of the screened porch.

The screened porch offers two points of exit and entry. One goes directly to the backyard. The other goes onto the deck, which also leads to the backyard.

Entrance from the backyard to the deck and porch.

Are you looking to upgrade your outdoor living space for more enjoyment? 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, Screened Porch

There’s More to this North Macon Screened Porch than Meets the Eye

February 13, 2020 admin

We’re excited to show off this unique Macon, GA, screened porch located in the Madison neighborhood of North Macon. The pictures tell the story, inside and outside—well, most of the story. There is actually a bit more to this screened porch story than meets the eye.

First, what may not be obvious from the angle of the exterior photos is that the screened porch is on the side of the home. Many homeowners automatically think “back porch” when they hear the words “screened porch.” If the layout of your home dictates that a porch be added onto the side instead of the back of your home, that’s okay. Screened porch builder Archadeck of Central Georgia can custom design a side porch that’s perfect for your home.

Our clients originally had a deck on the side of their house. When they called us about converting the deck to a screened porch, we evaluated the deck structure with that in mind. Unfortunately, their deck was not structurally adequate to support the weight of a screened porch and its roof. In this case we had to remove the deck entirely and build the screened porch from scratch.

Your Custom Screened Porch Amenity: The Outdoor Fireplace

Take another look at the screened porch exterior. Can you tell there is an outdoor fireplace inside? Given the shape and size of this porch, the fireplace we installed was a ventless gas fireplace. We were limited in space because the driveway is just 12 feet from the home. Luckily there was a fireplace suitable for this project that would satisfy the building code.

Is There an Architect in the Family?

The homeowner’s son is an architect and had already prepared architectural drawings for the project. Collaborating with him on the screened porch design worked out well and kept the project on budget, too. Even more, the son/architect presented the plans to the Madison neighborhood’s HOA and worked with them to gain HOA approval.

Photos Tell the Rest of the Story

Now we’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. From the outside, you can see that we built a shed roof for the screened porch. That shed roof style allowed us to avoid the second-story windows! We installed floor-to-ceiling screens for maximum air flow, sure to be popular on warmer days in North Macon. We blended the porch style and materials with the home’s exterior perfectly. The white PVC trim provides contrast and complements the home’s gray and white trim.

On the inside, the porch ceiling is finished with beadboard and open rafters. Custom porch amenities include a ceiling fan and lantern-style sconces. We built the porch floor with pressure-treated wood, and the screen door is trimmed in wood, too.

Archadeck of Central Georgia Has an Outdoor Fireplace for You

Be sure to admire this custom-designed outdoor fireplace! The façade of manufactured stone, in white, satisfied the homeowner’s desire for a stacked stone aesthetic. It’s interesting to note that the mantel, by American Specialties, was installed prior to the stone façade.

The screened porch appears bigger inside than outside, almost an optical illusion. With plenty of room for dining at one end and watching TV—or a fire—at the other end, it’s spacious and cozy. We envision our clients enjoying countless hours on their new screened porch.

Are you ready to discuss a screened porch design for your central Georgia home? Whether you want a front porch, back porch, or side porch, Archadeck of Central GA is ready to help! Get in touch with us by calling 478-745-2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

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, Deck builder, Screened Porch

New Screen Porch by Archadeck of Central GA Makes It Home, Sweet Home For Aultman Pines Homeowners

March 26, 2018 admin

This is the story of a home we were pleased to make “feel like home.” Our clients in the Aultman Pines neighborhood south of Macon, GA, own this home and had been renting it out for some time. When they decided to move into the home themselves, instead of renting it, they knew the house needed renovations, including a revamp of the outdoor living space. However, we advised the homeowners to first replace the Masonite siding and replace it with vinyl siding because the Masonite had failed and the house was starting to rot. This delayed the construction of the porch for months, but it was the right call for the homeowner.

Back of home before we began the project:

With the siding handled, they were able to proceed with a much-needed upgrade to their outdoor living space. The home had a backyard wooden deck that needed to be replaced, and these clients had a better idea. They felt they’d get more use out of a screened porch than a deck. At Archadeck of Central Georgia, our philosophy is that whatever outdoor structure you’re apt to use the most, that’s the one you should build. While a deck is right for some people, if you’re a screened porch family then you should have a screened porch.

We removed the old wood deck and built a screened porch in its place. The homeowners wanted a place for their grill, so we included a small grill deck off the porch. The project is built with the addition of a future hot tub in mind as well because the homeowners eventually want to add one next to the screened porch.”

Project after Archadeck of Central GA completed:

For materials, the homeowners selected pressure-treated wood for the inside of the screened porch and low-maintenance composite decking for the grill deck outside. Their decision was driven by price, with wood being more economical than composite decking. Because the interior of the screened porch is protected from the weather, wood used inside the porch will last longer — and look great longer — than it would outside on a deck subjected to sun and rain. For the grill deck they selected the Ipe color composite decking boards from Fiberon’s Horizons line. They also used the Fiberon Ipe rail cap over the grill deck’s wooden railings. Finally, they chose a bronze screen door and bronze screens for the screened porch.

As early as the design phase, this project took an interesting turn because the home had a window looking out from the kitchen onto the original deck. Once a screened porch was sketched in to replace the deck, suddenly we had a window and its roof inside the porch. We were able to remedy this by making the porch walls a foot taller than usual (about 9′ rather than 8′) and using a knee wall to cover the roof of the window. Never let it be said that Macon porch and deck builder Archadeck of Central GA doesn’t meet a challenge head-on!

If your outdoor living space could use some help to make it feel more like home, contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to learn more about our custom outdoor living designs in Macon, Warner Robins and the surrounding area. You can reach us by phone at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.