Tag Archives: Central GA pergolas

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

December 31, 2013 admin

: 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 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.

: 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.

: 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

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!

Archadeck of Central GA

The Archadeck dream makeover contest is over but you can still live the dream in your Central GA backyard!

June 12, 2013 admin

: This elegant entry pergola was built as part of phased building project we completed which encompassed multiple outdoor living structure additions over an extended period of time.

Archadeck recently completed its Dream Home Makeover contest and some lucky Iowa homeowners took the prize. Just because the contest is over doesn’t mean you can’t still have your own dream backyard! Many of our clients plan their dream backyard and build it slowly over the course of a 2, 3 or even 4 year period. Being able to build the backyard of your dreams in phases as your lifestyle and budget permit is all part of our phased building program here at Archadeck of Central Georgia. Many times, our customers will come to us with a master plan in mind for their backyard. Other times, we will work together with the homeowners to create a master plan. No matter what type of outdoor living space we discuss building for our clients; we always ask them about their future building plans because if they have hopes for expanding their backyard space in the future we can incorporate the structural requirements for future additions into the outdoor space we are building for them. The cost to build scalable foundations to expand upon in the future is very minimal and it is only a small additional cost to build a deck with the footings to support a future roof or porch. Here are some of the stories and happy endings from multi-year phased building projects we have completed for our customers.

: This screened porch overlooks the tranquil Koi pond, just as the vision these homeowners had imagined.

Our first story involves a backyard dream come true that involves four outdoor living projects within a 6 year period. The homeowners came to us with an elaborate idea of what they had in mind for their backyard. Their vision included a deck, screened porch, koi pond with an adjoining creek with an entrance into the backyard that featured a pergola. Archadeck of Central Georgia went over their master plan and knew we would be able to complete their backyard vision over an extended period of time. We began the project by building the deck first, which down the road was converted easily into a screened porch because of the structural components we built into the deck from the beginning. The following year we completed a secondary portion to the deck and shortly thereafter we completed the remainder of the second deck. The screened porch was designed as a freestanding structure which sits above the lovely koi pond.

: This is the lovely deck Archadeck of Central GA built as one of the phases of this outdoor living dream come true!

: This greenhouse was also part of the master plan.

Our second focus project involves many different projects in one backyard and was built over a 3 year period. To add to the complexity of this project the homeowners were working on remodeling their house as well. We started this project with a rain deck built from aluminum LockDry. We then went onto build a greenhouse, and garden garage for them. Archadeck of Central Georgia also constructed a chicken coop pergola for these homeowners. The chicken coop pergola was designed with a closed in poured concrete area for the homeowner’s chickens and is probably the nicest chicken coop in the entire state of Georgia! The final stage of this project was to build an additional deck onto the side of the house for these customers.

: This custom chicken coop has to be the finest chicken abode in the state of GA!

: Notice how the deck is incorporated into the Koi pond- the ultimate relaxation spot.

These projects will give new insight into just a few of the benefits our phased building program can provide. Sometimes homeowners know they want a phased project, other times they know what they want but don’t know how they are going to bring their outdoor vision to life. Archadeck of Central GA can assist you in coming up with a master plan to obtaining the backyard of your dreams so it can evolve over time. The most important part of gaining direction over your backyard is to decide on the spaces you want it to include. We build a lot of decks for customers who intend to build a porch onto it afterwards. If there’s is even an idea of adding a porch, such as a screened porch later, keep in mind it is a minimal cost to build a stronger support system into the deck with that in mind up front. Waiting until later to add these supports will actually cost more. Another key item to keep in mind if you intend to add a hot tub to your outdoor space in the future is that they will require special footings for safety and structural integrity and often these cannot be added later on down the road. In the case of hot tubs the amendments must be added at the time of construction. Another space upgrade worth mentioning to us is the probability of adding an outdoor kitchen in the future, this way we can plan the necessary fundamentals into your outdoor space up front to save you a lot of headaches, and money in the future.

: Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

If you are ready to begin working towards fulfilling your outdoor dream backyard makeover, contact Archadeck of Central GA today to learn more about our phased building program that will make each outdoor transition easy and budget friendly.Call us today for a free consultation (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

You can see more examples of successful backyard dream spaces completed via our phased building program by visiting our deck photo galleries and our outdoor living photo galleries located on our website.

Pergola builder/contractor

A Central Georgia pergola adds just the right amount of personality and panache to any outdoor space

April 8, 2013 admin

: This paver patio and pergola combination in Macon, GA is a good example of the shade a pergola can provide in a sunny spot.

Whether you call it a pergola, a trellis or even an arbor; this outdoor structure is so much more than just another pretty face. No one can deny the beauty and presence a pergola can add to a backyard space. A pergola addition can add definition to an area but can also provide much needed shade. A well-designed and well-placed pergola addition can add just the right amount of shade to an adjacent interior space. One of the benefits of a pergola is a reduction in cooling costs to an adjacent room based on the degree of sun protection your pergola provides. Although it can reduce the direct sun, it often still allows light to the adjacent room.

: This pergola design in Statham’s Landing shows a fiberglass column and wood combination construction.

Typically the most common material used for pergola construction is wood. But, there are also a wide range of different materials that can be used including low maintenance materials. Our customers often prefer real wooden pergola construction either opting for pressure treated pine or rough hewn Cypress. One popular request is a cypress pergola with a wide spacing between the joists and lathes. This gives the pergola a more rustic appeal. If formal is more your taste, we can combine fiberglass columns along with wood for the top of your pergola.

In terms of coatings, if you use wood, we can use a solid sealer for a more formal look or a clear sealer to allow the natural graining of the wood to show through. Another viable option, especially in commercial pergola construction, is the use of vinyl and aluminum. The only drawbacks to using these materials are the price point and certain size limitations.

: This stunning Cypress pergola gives the side entrance to this Central GA tons of personality.

Typical pergola construction consists of beams, joists and lathes which comprise a three layered design. In some cases we install a second layer of joists to deliver a four layer design. We may also install a denser layer of lathe to give the pergola a more masculine look. The distance between the joists and lathe can make a huge difference in the design of your pergola and the shade value and the aesthetic you are seeking to achieve. In pressure treated pergola designs we always advise installing the lathes closer together because over time pressure treated wood can warp. Closer lathe placement will help overcome this problem. Rounding out your pergola design can include decorative cuts such as ogee ends, or a 45 degree cut. These details may seem small but they influence your completed pergola aesthetics immensely.

Never forget the direction of the sun in conjunction with your home and placement of your anticipated pergola design. The back of your house may receive too much sun making it unbearable to enjoy during certain times of the day. With this in mind, we can design a pergola to block a percentage of the sun. For more sun protection, we can add an extra layer atop your pergola to add more shade. One such option is using a sun screen. We’ve had tremendous success with sun shades by Phifer. We work in conjunction with Encore design and construction on all of our sun shade installations. One of the biggest benefits of having a pergola is being able to mount an outdoor-rated ceiling fan. Not only does the addition of the ceiling fan aid in air circulation within your pergola it also helps cool the space on those hot Georgia afternoons!

: This pergola in North Macon makes a grand entrance complete with Roman columns and Corinthian caps. The structure above and around the columns is cypress.

Contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to learn more about the perfect outdoor space and companion – the pergola. Call us today for a free consultation (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

: Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

You can see more inspiring images of pergolas in many backyard settings by visiting our pergola and trellis photo gallery and our patio and hardscapes photo gallery located on our website.

Paver patios & hardscapes, Pergola builder/contractor

Central GA hardscapes are strong in more ways than one

May 7, 2012 admin Leave a comment

Paver patio in Macon, GA — This paver patio in North Macon, GA also provides shade with the beautiful pergola atop the structure.

The word hardscape in itself communicates strength and durability. The hardscape is a strong choice in more ways than one. Not only is a professionally installed hardscape strong enough to drive a car on it, our hardscapes are built to withstand various and changing soil conditions as well as the effects of the elements. Requiring little to to maintenance, the pergola is a very strong choice for your outdoor living space.

This project in the Providence community in Macon GA is one example of the impact a quality hardscape can have on your backyard. The project includes a paver patio covered by a pergola. A deck would not have worked in this yard and because the homeowners wanted the least possible maintenance. Hardscapes, in general require even less maintainance than composites or PVC.

Providence, GA paver patio and pergola — Here is another view of this paver patio and pergola project, in North Macon ( Providence), GA.

Building a home-made paver patio is generally not a good idea. Individual soil conditions vary greatly from yard to yard, Almost all home-made patios will inevitably move, sink, bulge and/or crack. A professionally designed and built hardscape patio from Archadeck of Central Georgia is made to last. We dig down 4-6″ deep, apply a 4-6″ base of aggregate and make sure it is properly compacted before we even begin laying the pavers.

We use Belgard hardscaping materials almost exclusively. Belgard is a top quality hardscape that has a long history of successful applications on thousands of residential and commercial projects. Commonly used applications of Belgard hardscape materials include driveways, walkways and paver patios.

Using pavers allows a lot of design flexibility. We specialize in patterns, border-colors and multi-color designs. We can even incorporate a pathway to the driveway, garden area, or front of your house that matches and works in unison with the paver selection you choose.

The Belgard line has tremendous range in shapes, sizes and colors but right now earth tones and neutrals are popular. Earth tones are often highlighted with grays, blues and reds. The Cambridge cobble is a very popular color here in the Macon/Warner Robins and surrounding area. The Holland line is also popular and has a more traditional feel and style. Belgard also offers a line of outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and outdoor kitchens.

SPLCambridge008 — Belgard's popular Cambridge Cobble offers a tailored, architectural look with gently rounded corners and a domed surface.

NFDHollandHighland — Belgard's Holland line is a solid choice for residential and commercial applications.

If a paver patio is something you are planning in the near future, now is the perfect season to start. It is the best time of the year to build due to the heavy equipment used when constructing a paver patio. Spring is the optimum time for the turf to recover from stress, whereas other seasons make it less resilient due to weather and temperature conditions.

Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

Contact Archadeck of Central Georgia to learn more about our strong and beautiful patio and hardscape designs today. Call for a free consultation: (478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

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