Tag Archives: Archadeck of Central GA

A New Wood Deck for a Vintage 1920’s Home in Macon, GA

When it comes to meeting special requirements for an outdoor living project, Archadeck of Central Georgia will partner with you to bring your new space through completion. 

We worked with this Macon family to achieve very specific outdoor living requirements.  Before this project began, we facilitated acquiring a variance from planning and zoning, ensuring this family would be able to enjoy their backyard space as they wanted to.

Macon GA deck contractor

This family in the Ridge Avenue area conveyed not only a desire to have a more usable space out back, but their project required some special consideration, as well.  With children, a low-to-grade wood deck with surrounding steps was an obvious choice.  This option also allowed Archadeck of Central Georgia to keep this cozy backyard’s living space lower so that a view of the homes beyond the privacy fence was obstructed.  This will do the same from beyond the confines of the fence, maintaining privacy while using the deck.  Not only will the steps from the deck accommodate lots of playtime and entertaining foot traffic, but they also create extra seating and lend themselves to seasonal décor, like potted plants.

A deck with ample area in a small space is possible with proper design considerations.

If you think your cozy backyard area will not accommodate a deck to fill all your needs, talk with Archadeck of Central Georgia.  We were able to build an impressive deck expanse for these Macon homeowners, with enough space for grilling, dining, and relaxing.

Macon GA deck builder

Since the home has a 4-foot drop-off from the back door to the ground, we built a new pressure-treated wood step.  As well, we built a step for the second back door, which is no longer a usable door.  This provides a cohesive aesthetic, and even additional play space or seating.  The low-to-grade deck design only required railing on one corner, keeping the deck expanse feeling open and un-cramped.

SEE MORE WOOD DECKS BY ARCHADECK OF CENTRAL GEORGIA!

Vintage homes require newfangled solutions.

As these homeowners live in a 1920’s-era home, there are no gutters.  We built a special feature on their deck, by way of the planter box, which will be filled with plants and gravel to create a drain tile, where rainwater will come from the house, into the planter, and through to the yard underneath.  These homeowners innovated the same draining system in their yard, as well.  A testament to the adage, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

Macon GA wooden deck builders

Don’t be fooled into thinking that your backyard space has too many limitations to have a new deck!  Archadeck of Central Georgia will help you find solutions, whether they be special permitting, design, or materials to build your new deck.  Are you ready to begin?

If you have a back yard that requires special considerations for a new deck or other outdoor living space, give us a call. We will help you realize your ideal in outdoor living. Archadeck of Central Georgia is the Macon and Warner Robins area’s premier outdoor structure builder. Give us a call today to schedule a design consultation at 478-745-2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

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

 

 

Make 2019 The Year to Improve Your Macon or Warner Robins Backyard!

Out of all the questions homeowners ask us in regards to planning and building an anticipated outdoor living space addition, the most frequently asked is “WHEN is the best time to build?” Many factors can fall into play when answering this question, but in essence, if you are ready to pursue your addition then there is no time like the present to get the ball rolling!

Macon-GA-Screened-Porch

With a New Year in full swing — there is no time like the present!

While there is never really a wrong time to begin your outdoor living space project since we build structures year-round,  there are advantages to beginning your process early in the year, and while cooler weather is in the air!

screen porch-outdoor fireplace-macon Ga lr

Advantage — A good reason to begin your outdoor structure in the late fall and winter months is there may be less wait time to begin construction. Gaining approval through HOA’s and permitting will take less time because there is less backlog early in the season and this can often make 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 the arrival of the outdoor living season in the months ahead. Keep in mind, when dealing with a quality builder wait times can be longer, especially during the warmer months. Moving ahead early in the year on your project can greatly reduce those wait times.

rustic-shed-roof-screen porch-Macon-GA

Advantage — If you are considering a structure built from wood, a cooler month project timeline will provide many benefits. Wood requires a time period of acclimation and curing. The laws of expansion and contraction always apply when it comes to working with wood. All wood is hygroscopic, meaning that when exposed to air, it will release or pick up moisture until it is level with the humidity and temperature of the air. Humid conditions, such as those in our humid Georgia summers, will cause more rapid expansion and contraction of wood that is not yet sealed for protection against the elements.

Redeck-Macon-Deck-Pressure Treated

A structure built from wood needs to cure for a period of time before the sealer will properly adhere to the wood and promote beneficial protection qualities. By choosing to build during the least humid times of the year, your new wooden deck, porch or other outdoor structure will have ample time to cure in order to properly accept the sealer you choose.

Advantage — Your lawn and landscape will incur less stress by choosing to build during the cooler months of the year — this is because most turf grasses, trees and shrubs are in their dormant period during the winter. During dormancy, these plantings are less likely to experience permanent damage from having to be trimmed or pruned to accommodate the addition of a backyard space. Aside from the landscape, construction during the winter will cause less of an interruption to your family’s day-to-day activities and lifestyle as the kids are in school and 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 warmer months.

Milledgeville GA Deck Builder

Advantage — Last but not least, planning a new outdoor living space is a great way to curb the post-holiday blues. With a New Year underway, one way to curb the post-holiday blues is to look beyond the winter doldrums to warmer months ahead.  With this in mind, many Central Georgia homeowners may begin planning for the outdoor living season. These plans may involve a new addition to your landscape or outdoor living space.  Whether your aspirations include adding a new outdoor structure, or improving or adding to an existing structure,  winter is a good time to get the ball rolling before spring arrives.

TimberTech-deck-Macon GA

If you are on the fence about moving forward with a new or improved outdoor living space, now is the perfect time to get your project planned and on the schedule! Contact Archadeck of Central GA today at (478) 745-2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

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

 

 

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

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.

Lake Tobesofkee GA Deck and Porch Builders

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.

Lake Tobesofkee GA Deck and Porch Builders

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.

Lake Tobesofkee GA Deck and Porch Builders

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.

Lake Tobesofkee GA Deck and Porch Builders

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!

Lake Tobesofkee GA Deck and Porch Builders

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.

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

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

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!

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

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.

 

 

Transforming A Macon Deck With The Seeds Of Change In Mind

When these Macon, GA, homeowners contacted Archadeck of Central GA about refurbishing their backyard deck, they had a pretty good idea of what they had in mind.

Macon Deck extension with integrated tree

With an existing small deck that only extended about 6 ‘ off the rear of their home, they realized they needed a more spacious deck in order to live the outdoor lifestyle they really wanted.  Such is the case with many Macon and Warner-Robins residents;  a larger deck means more opportunities for outdoor living, more space to entertain, more room to grill, etc.

Here at Archadeck of Central GA, we perform many new deck, redecking and deck extension projects every year — however, this particular project entailed more than the typical deck extension.

This Macon deck included an integrated tree in its original design.  The clients did not want to eliminate the tree, so we had to incorporate it into the extension project.  Part of this meant we had to frame the new deck with future growth of the tree in mind.

Macon Deck extension with integrated tree

Archadeck of Central GA extended the deck using pressure-treated wax-injected wooden decking which comes presealed giving the deck a longer period between installation to the first sealing.  We also added beautiful Fortress metal balusters to compliment the new spacious deck design.  The homeowner’s opted to have no entry or stairway from the backyard to the deck as a safety feature. This type of secure deck design is becoming more popular in the local area.

Along with designing the deck with the future growth of the integrated tree in mind, we also structured it in preparation for a future screened porch. We added screen below the decking so it would be ready if and when the homeowners decided to add a roof –another way we prepared the space for the seeds of change.

In addition to the deck upgrades and renovations, our team also ensure the natural gas lines were run and secured for the client’s gas grill and we moved their Egg smoker from the yard to the deck for convenience.

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

Contact us today to schedule your design consultation and let us show you how we can help you get the outdoor living environment you have in mind!

Call us today at (478) 745 – 2000 or email us at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

 

 

 

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

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

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

Macon Open Porch Barrington Hall lr

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

Macon GA-sceen porch-metal Balusters

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

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

Macon open porch design plan Archadeck

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

Hot tub-deck-Perry GA-design drawing 750

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

Deck-composite-koi pond-warner robins

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

Wellington Screened Porch Builder

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

Wellington screened porch builder

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

Wellington Wooden Deck with Screened Porch

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

Wellington screened porch interior

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Existing concrete patio and gate before we began the project.

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

pergola-Warner Robins-Byron

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

pergola-Byron- Warner Robins

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

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

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

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

 

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

Timber Tech-deck-Macon GAThis 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!

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

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

Fiberon-Fort Valley-GA railing-lightingLooking 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.

Garapa and Ipe Brazilian hardwood deck Forsyth GA by Archadeck lrParting 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.

Ipe deck in Fortsyth GA with wooden rail and metal pickets with basket motif and Ipe capMetal 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:

Macon GA-deck-fiberon-timbertech 750Colors 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.
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.

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

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.