Tag Archives: Central GA outdoor rooms

If insects and pollen are a problem, Archadeck of Central Georgia has you “covered” with an open porch

June 20, 2012 admin

Macon porch builder Archadeck Central GA — There is nothing quite like the feeling of a covered porch on a summer afternoon.

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.

There are many reasons why an open porch is a great choice as an outdoor living structure, but with all of its benefits, the open porch has one significant drawback – it does not offer insect protection. The level of insect protection you are seeking on your porch may end up being your deciding factor as to whether to go with an open porch or screened porch. However, if your heart is set on an open porch and your porch will be elevated at the second story level, the height serves as insect protection and that may be enough protection for you.

Companies are coming up with new and existing mosquito curtains to give open porch lovers more options. Mosquito Curtains of Atlanta is fairly new company that our customers seem to really like. Each curtain is custom-made to your specifications and Mosquito curtains are highly effective in controlling mosquitoes. Another way to discourage insects on your open porch is by installing ceiling fans, the circulation of air that the fans provide prevent the insect the ability to land, and if they cannot land-they cannot bite.

Here in Georgia we are known for our beautiful trees and plants. Unfortunately, those trees and plants produce an inordinate amount of pollen which ends up covering every surface around. Our cars, windows, and yes, outdoor areas are covered with a film of yellowish-green at intervals throughout the spring and summer. Cleaning up the pollen can be a real headache. Open porches are one of the easiest outdoor structures to have when you are dealing with pollen because there are no screens to worry about cleaning and you can just use a leaf blower or hose to clean it off.

The aesthetics of an open porch offer a more formal look to your backyard because of the open columns that are readily used in their design. Architecturally, screen porches look more rustic while open porches look more elegant. Design elements such as bead board ceilings, open rafters and exposed beams look great in open porches. You can also still take advantage of features like recessed canned lighting, ceiling fans and electrical outlets on your covered porch.

milledgeville-porch — This open porch in Milledgeville, GA uses an "open rafter" detail that adds aesthetic appeal.

Whether you choose an open/covered porch or a screened porch, Archadeck of Central Georgia can create a space especially for you and your family that is sure to become your favorite room” in the house”.

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

To see more open porch and covered porch designs visit our porch gallery located on our website.

Porch builder/contractor, Screened porches, Vinyl window for porches

The right vinyl window can make turning your screened porch into a 3- or 4-season room a breeze

June 4, 2012 admin Leave a comment

A 2-season room before decorating in Forsyth GA

Using the right vinyl windows can turn your screened porch into a 3- or 4-season room. Archadeck of Central Georgia installs vinyl window systems for new and existing screen porch transformations. A vinyl window system enables you to be better protected from the elements thus giving you the ability to use the room for more months during the year.

Vinyl window systems offer more protection from inclement weather, wind, rain, and even the cold with the addition of a space heater on your screened porch. But be careful, all vinyl window systems are not created equal. For a vinyl window system to function properly it needs to contain a window frame that is built to support the vinyl windows. We have found that the Eze-Breeze window system is the best, and we use this system exclusively.

Screened porch to sunroom conversion in N. Macon Ga — Screened porch to sunroom conversion in N. Macon GA

If you are considering a window system in your outdoor room it is crucial that you hire someone to professionally install the windows and that the windows themselves are good quality. In a vinyl window system the frame system is going to carry all the weight. If you are thinking of just using vinyl windows without a framing system it will lead to a multitude of headaches and problems on down the road. The Eze-Breeze window systems that we use include a supportive frame system that can carry the strength of the windows without putting stress on your outdoor structure itself.

Not only are Eze-Breeze systems strong, they come with a plethora of functional options to make your life easier. One of the options they offer is the sliding track system that allows you to operate the windows easily and engage the windows according to how much or how little you want to use at your leisure. This tracking system for the Eze-Breeze porch enclosures gives you the freedom of horizontal or vertical sliders that offer up to 75% ventilation.

PGT Fist shot for web — The Eze-Breeze window will revert back to its original shape within minutes of any mishap.

The vinyl used in the Eze-Breeze system is an innovative product that is strong, nearly invisible in its clarity, and isn’t susceptible to cracking or breaking. If the unforeseen happens, such as a baseball pop-fly that hits one of the windows the window actually takes the blow and pops back into place! If the vinyl is accidentally misshapen or distorted it will revert back to its original shape within minutes.

If you are ready to create a versatile room by bringing all the beauty of the outdoors in the room and leaving all the undesirables out, contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to learn more about our screened porches, outdoor rooms and vinyl windows systems for use in your porch enclosure. Contact us for a free consultation (478) 745 – 2000 centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

You can see more stunning transformations of screened porches into sunrooms and 3 & 4 season rooms by visiting our screened porch photo gallery and our sunroom gallery located on our website.

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

From sunny to screened may be less investment than you may think

May 14, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Covered porch in Macon GA — This covered porch in Macon, GA leaves plenty of opportunity for shady days and relaxing evenings.

Screen porch transformation in Warner Robins — We transformed this patio into a screened porch in Warner Robins, GA.

Are you tired of the hot Georgia sun beating down on you every time you go out to use your deck or patio? Many homeowners turn to us to help them convert their sunny deck or patio into a covered deck, screened porch or covered patio. We help turn lots of decks and patios into screen porches or covered porches which can represent a substantial savings.

Macon GA deck and screened porch combination — These Macon, GA residents opted for a combination of both a deck and a screen porch.

If you have a deck, often at least 50% of your structure can be re-usable in terms of converting it to a porch. In order to accommodate a roof though, most scenarios may require additional footings and larger posts. Even if you are looking to change the size of your area, we can typically use the existing structure and enlarge it which will save you at least 15-30% of the cost.

In using your existing deck, bug control is the key factor in determining if we need to replace the decking boards or install a layer of screen beneath the boards to keep the bugs out of your screened porch. If your existing deck is still in good shape we may only need the screen installed as long as there enough room under your deck for us to install it.

Patios are also sometimes ready to convert to a screened porch. If you have a patio that you are looking to convert and the patio is raised, then in most cases it has the appropriate footings necessary to accommodate the added weight of a roofed structure and therefore we can place the posts on the top edge which will allow you a 30% savings. If your patio is on the ground, it typically doesn’t have turn down footings and cannot accommodate the added weight of columns. Based on your patio’s condition and age this may be cause for an exception. If your patio is 15 years old and doesn’t have a crack , the building inspector may allow us to build atop that. When we construct a flat patio, we typically build in the cost of installing footings underneath it. Depending on the county and city you reside in depends on the individual restrictions.

Screen porch in Macon GA — The ultimate outdoor living structure is the screen porch. This one in Macon, GA allows insect free enjoyment on those hot summer days.

Other considerations to keep in mind are whether or not your structure has any constraints such as a deck or patiothat has a restricted tie into your existing home in a certain spot. This creates a challenge and may require a start over to allocate a more desirable tie in area. We are very good at figuring out creative roof tie-ins and many of our customers have told us when they sought the advice of other contractors who told them it couldn’t be done, we have made it work beautifully. It just takes an eye and the desire to overcome obstacles that other builders won’t put the care and thought into. Another key consideration is your accessibility from your porch into the yard. Sometimes move stairs because having stairs leading to a door is awkward at best and could be dangerous so typically we suggest adding a landing for the door of the porch. The width of your stairs also needs to match the width of your screen porch door.

Contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to find out more about turning your deck or patio into a screen porch this season. We offer a free consultation: (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

For more cool ideas to escape the heat of your deck or patio, visit our screened porch gallery as well as our patio gallery located on our website.

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

This large Lake Oconee screened porch doubles as a college retreat space

April 16, 2012 admin Leave a comment

It is not often that a home impacts as many members of a given family and their friends as this one on Lake Oconee does. This family not only uses their lake home as a family retreat but also opens it up to their children’s college friends to access throughout the year. It is no wonder this family wanted a very large lakefront screened porch that spans the entire width of the back of this lake home. The screened porch we constructed doubles as a seating and eating area and in general is a great place to just hang out. The floors of this porch can often be found littered with sleeping bags as happy college kids abound the perimeter getting a much-needed rest from school.

When we began the project the home already had a lake house deck to take in the views of serene Lake Oconee, but the family said the deck was too hot and “buggy”. The family wanted a large screened porch so they could cool off, and still enjoy the views of the lake without the bugs. We designed this spacious 14′ x 30’+ porch with just that in mind.

Lake Oconee screen porch — Plenty of room for rest, relaxation and meals make this screened porch a winner for the collegians that frequent the lake house often.

To accommodate the span for structural strength and to add character to the appeal of the lake house we used a metal standing seamed roof. On the interior of the screened porch we continued the use of rustic materials by using Pressure Treated wood throughout the room. The materials compliment the lake view perfectly.

Archadeck of Central Georgia also added a deck off the guest bedroom with stairs on the other end that spill into the yard. Within the screened porch we installed multiple ceiling fans to keep the family and hardworking collegians cool. This family’s kids attend college in Milledgeville and meet at the lake house with their friends and family often even choosing this lake house as their ultimate destination on Spring break over the sandy beaches of some far away place. The finished porch pays homage to the lively amount of loved ones that will have the opportunity to enjoy the structure. Now when the guests arrive they go straight to the porch. This porch has increased the size, and enjoyment, of the whole house.

If you are looking for an outdoor structure that can extend your outdoor and indoor living enjoyment, contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to learn more about our multi-functional designs. Call now for a free consultation today (478) 745 – 2000 centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Deck builder, Porch builder/contractor

This Macon GA deck has both functionality and style

April 2, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Macon GA deck with screen porch — Screened porch and new deck, in Macon, GA., has everything the homeowners wanted in an outdoor living structure and more.

When these Macon, GA., homeowners contacted us they were looking for a way to add functional outdoor space to their home. Their first choice was to add a full sunroom, but after careful consideration and weighing all the options, they decided that adding a screened porch and extend their existing deck by adding another side. In most cases a screened porch addition is more economical than that of a sunroom.

A screen porch addition can add at least 3 seasons of enjoyment to your outdoor living enjoyment especially here in the south where our warm days can sometimes extend into the latter months of autumn. These Macon residents will be able to watch the seasons change from spring through fall from their new screened outdoor room. With a screened porch you are protected from the elements as well as from insects. This type of outdoor living structure gives you all the benefits of being outdoors. It also gives you the feeling of extended living space – sort of a backyard living room.

Deck Builder Macon GA Porch Builder Macon GA - Archadeck — Painstaking care was taken to match the existing home. Note the brick deck skirt and white railings to match the home.

When we installed the screen porch and the re-decking we added some structural support and added the new deck area. We were able to match the brick for the screen porch to the existing brick used on the home, we even had the brick manufacturer come to the home to ensure a proper blend that would match. This is an example of the painstaking lengths and care we take in each of our projects. The roof for the screen porch is situated between two gables on the back of the home. This was a challenge, which we were able to make fit beautifully in spite of the obstacle.

The homeowners chose to use TimberTech composite decking material throughout the entire design. The color is similar to the rich tropical hardwood look of Ipe. Because composite companies often change their colors every year or two, we always leave at least two boards under the deck to safeguard in case there is ever a problem. We used Cabot white stain to match the trim on the home and on the home’s siding. The railing is 6 x 6 posts also painted with the white Cabot sealer with composite rail caps to match the composite used on the floor of the re-decking, new deck area and the screen porch. We finished it up with pyramid post caps which add a little panache to the whole design.

To top it off we installed a dog friendly gate onto the deck which swings out to keep those muddy puppy paws off the deck. We also added a hatch underneath the deck on the brick for a storage area.

This design solution is an example of how Archadeck of Central Georgia was able to translate the customer’s intended functions into an outdoor living area design full of form, and style. Contact us for a free consultation. (478) 745 – 2000 centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

View more stunning imagery of inspiring screened porches and decks by visiting our screen porches gallery, as well as our deck galleries, located on our website.

Macon Warner Robins Decks, Patios, Porches, Pergolas, Gazebos and more