Periodically we are so excited about an upcoming job, we like to share the details here on our blog. This particular deck will be made of Ipe with Garapa picture framing. Both are exotic Brazilian hardwoods that are extremely dense with a very tight grain pattern, making them inherently insect damage and rot resistant. Both have gorgeous natural color with an appealing range of tone variation. Ipe is darker brown with red highlights. Garapa, by contrast, is light yellow to golden blonde in hue. Ipe is also known as Brazilian Walnut or Iron Wood; Garapa is sometimes called Brazilian Ash.

: This stunning balcony deck will be include both Ipe and Garapa

Archadeck of Central GA is beginning a second story deck in these two striking woods. The elevated deck will have a partially covered area to add a covered porch section to this deck. As an added bonus, a second-story deck creates an open porch below. It’s going to be stunning. The ipe boards will lay in contrasting diagonal courses. The garapa will be used to frame the ipe, almost like a work of art. Both woods are gorgeous on their own. When placed next to one another, each brings out the best characteristics of the other. When the French doors leading to the deck swing open, guests will reflexively pause to appreciate the beauty of the deck before taking a step onto it.

: A second story deck automatically creates a patio space down below

Remember when you are looking for a Macon GA ipe deck builder, that both ipe and garapa are specialty woods that demand specialty building knowledge and experience. While the benefits are their natural durability and beauty, they are also challenging to install–especially for the inexperienced. The incredible density that keeps ipe decks strong and looking great for 50 years or more requires special treatment and materials during construction, making the costs for these decks slightly higher and experience in working with them absolutely crucial.

When this elevated deck is complete, the colors of the wood will effortlessly blend with the earth tones in the surrounding yard. The ipe/garapa combination mimics the light/dark contrast that we see everywhere in nature, the result of sun and shadow. Our 3D rendering of this project gives us and the owner a sense of what’s in store when the project is complete, but we are especially excited to see the finished product in this case. This Brazilian hardwood combination is going to be amazing to behold in real life .

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

: Stephen Denton, owner of Archadeck of Central GA

Call: (478) 745 – 2000

Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Visit the ipe deck photo gallery on our website to see some more pictures of ipe projects in our area.

AZEK, Composite deck builder

Just because you’ve been waiting a long time for the right time to build, you don’t have to wait a long time for it to be built with Archadeck of Central GA

June 9, 2014 admin

Perhaps you have been thinking about adding a new outdoor living space for a while– maybe a really long while, but when you decide you want to get started you don’t want to wait. We have some clients who had been thinking about adding a deck to their home for 10 years, since they purchased the property in ‘04. They had the perfect spot for it: the house has three exterior doors that are at the same height. They had even taken out some trees to make way for the project. It took us just a little over a week to build it. The deck was completed so quickly they may still be surprised when they look out their window and see it.

The house was built in 1997 and has the look of a farmhouse; it’s in a very rural area between South Macon and Warner Robins, GA. Two of the exterior doors led to a patio and one was oriented to the garage. We built a very small roof, similar to a portico, to provide protection from the rain when using the door to the garage. The owners like the look of angled boards so we created a traditional Archadeck angled deck. Angled decks have superior stability and provide subtle visual cues between changes in elevation. They chose AZEK PVC decking in the Redland Rose color. AZEK is impervious to moisture and insects and has terrific durability.

The owners selected wooden rail posts with white metal pickets in Fortress Iron and AZEK decking for the rail caps. In the past, iron railings were often custom made in local shops, were expensive and took time to fabricate to order. Fortress offers the look of custom railings at a fraction of the cost. They are extremely durable and allow a superior view to the yard beyond. This will be especially desirable if the owners decide to add the pool they are considering in the future. The AZEK rail caps visually integrate the railing to the deck flooring.

The house also has a balcony above the deck. We built around the balcony supports; they remain undisturbed. Since the deck is low to the ground, we decided not to use skirting on this project. There are nice wide steps on the front which can be used for benches to enjoy the view. We are proud to be the Macon deck builder chosen to create this great area where this family can sit, entertain and eat outside. Instead of taking three steps from their home onto the ground, our clients now exit to a lovely outdoor living space designed to their specifications.

If you are considering creating a great new outdoor living space for your Macon/Warner Robins area back yard, or if you want to give a fresh new look to your existing backyard space, give us a call for a free consultation. We are the composite deck builder which will identify the best structures and materials to create the perfect outdoor living space just for you.

Call: (478) 745 – 2000

Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Visit the pool deck photo gallery on our website for more great design ideas and inspiration

Deck builder, Decks, TimberTech composite decks

A deck that could have belonged to southern rock royalty

June 9, 2014 admin

Families grow and change over time. The good news is that your outdoor living spaces can do the same. We recently had the opportunity to do a makeover on a multi-level deck which we originally built in 1992. We remembered working on this home because it was previously owned by the Allman Brothers. The framing was still in good shape, but the floor and railings had weathered over the last 22 years and the needs of the family had changed so we came over to consult on an upgrade/makeover.

The original deck had several levels that stylishly connected the home to the swimming pool. The kids were young the first go-around and getting them to and from the pool and having a good view of the water were the top design concerns at the time. This year the clients wanted to create a more relaxed, living room-type space looking out at the pool and surrounding woods. The house has log cabin construction that fits very naturally with the lot and we aimed to keep the refurbished deck consistent with that look. To that end, we will stain the wood areas to match the home.

We built the lowest level up to match the height of the largest existing section. This allows for plenty of space for eating and entertaining. There are now two eating areas with great flow between them for mingling or just moving about. Multiple deck levels are ideal for allowing either for multiple use or for breaking groups into different clusters: think teens at one table and adults at another.

The decks are surrounded by new, solid skirting with doors underneath, garnering the family ample, secure outdoor storage. Composite materials have come a long way in recent years. For this update the family selected TimberTech decking to build the floors and rail caps. The railings are stained wood with black pickets and provide the necessary safety without compromising the view to the water and trees.

Rumor has it the Cher once stayed at this home. We think she would love the new deck! When you are considering deck builders in Juliet, GA, we hope you will give Archadeck a call for a free consultation. We’d love to talk with you about new construction or a refresh project like this one.

Call: (478) 745 – 2000
Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
Visit the composite and PVC deck picture and photo gallery on our website for more great design ideas and inspiration

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

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

May 21, 2014 admin

: Here’s a picture of their new porch in Perry GA.

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

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

: This is what it looked like before

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

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

: Our design drawings help our customers see what their project will look like when completed

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

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

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

Call: (478) 745 – 2000

Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net

Return on investment for outdoor projects

Turn your tax refund into a home investment

May 3, 2014 admin

Each year Archadeck sees a spike in its web site traffic around April 15. This makes perfect sense. First, the weather is warming up and people are stepping into their yards and thinking how great it would be to have a new deck, patio, or porch. But secondly, homeowners are finishing up their tax returns and realizing that they may have some extra money to spend to make their own back yard the perfect space to spend free time relaxing and unwinding. In the past, getting a bonus or refund might have been a good indication that it was time for a family vacation. But, since the recession, homeowners are smarter and opt to create a great “staycation” environment in their own backyards.

Dreaming of a new wood deck isn’t just an idle fancy; it’s a smart investment too. Decks are one of the few home improvement projects that add real value to a property, in addition to making it a more enjoyable place to live and play. Regional data on home improvement project “cost vs value” show that the addition of a wood deck offers one of the best returns on investment on a home upgrade. You’ll have the benefit of using the deck as long as you stay in your house and feel good about having invested in the value of your home.

great return on investment for Central GA deck

In addition to adding value to your home in the short and long term, adding a deck makes a home more sellable. What could be more southern than having a deck with a couple rocking chairs and some sweet tea or lemonade? A beautiful deck has curb appeal that translates into less time on the market and a higher selling price.

If you have an existing deck that has seen better days, Archadeck can often help resurface it. Sometimes the deck only needs minor enhancements to bring it up to code and to make it look fresh and new. It will increase your enjoyment of the yard and will increase the salability of your property at a fraction of the cost of putting in a new deck.

Give Archadeck a call to discuss the dreams you have for your home and yard. Our free consultation will give you the facts, ideas and inspiration that will help you turn your tax refund check into a home investment you can relax on all summer long.

Call: (478) 745 – 2000
email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
or visit our Archadeck of Central GA website

Railings

Railings Provide Safety, Elegance, Lighting and More To Any Deck Design

April 21, 2014 admin

When designing your outdoor deck and stairs, many homeowners think the railings need to be made with the same material as the deck. In fact, you have much greater flexibility. You can mix-and-match materials to create your own style.

There are a number of material options for railings based on cost, maintenance, and future additions. Materials range from the lesser expensive pressure-treated wood all the way up to the clean, modern look of low maintenance dark aluminum. Railing end caps may also include lighting for both safety and ambiance. The end caps can be flat, pyramid, or hidden, adding decoration to the end of the railings.

Many Central Georgia homeowners like the look of wood and choose it often. Pressure-treated wood can be painted any color, with white being the favorite color or simply left natural.

It is also common for homeowners to choose to mix and match other materials with wood. You may want a wood railing but with a composite rail cap to reduce maintenance and tie your railing into your deck.

Choosing a composite railing system allows you to match your composite deck in both texture and color. A composite railing system is more expensive than wood. However, the durability and minimum maintenance of composites save you money in future maintenance and save you time and energy in annual maintenance.

Another frequently considered railing option is aluminum. Aluminum railing systems have a strong, clean feel. Aluminum is durable, does not rust and has the lowest maintenance cost of all the railing materials. Aluminum railing is easily made decorative using metal baskets or baroque balusters.

If you want a decorative railing but don’t want the initial expense of all-aluminum, consider a wood or composite railing with baroque aluminum balusters. Mixing and matching wood or composite railings with dark aluminum baroque balusters makes a very decorative and stylish railing.

A less used material for a railing system is wrought iron. Wrought iron railing systems have a classic southern charm but homeowners do not choose them often. Iron rusts and maintenance is always a consideration. Wrought iron must be painted at the work site. A painted wrought iron railing system will last only a few years before having to be touched-up or painted again. The maintenance can be expensive and labor intensive.

With so many options, it can be difficult to choose a railing system. We want homeowners to be informed and receive the look and style they want in their rail system. We also want you to understand the cost of maintenance in the components you select. Archadeck of Central Georgia is experienced in helping homeowners choose the railing materials right for them. Homeowners choosing to combine materials find our experience especially helpful. Attractive railings designed to accent your deck will make it one that stands out from the others.

Central GA paver patios

Are Pavers a Good Material for Patios in Central GA?

April 3, 2014 admin

Are you considering an outdoor space this summer? Perhaps, you have one and want to add to it? If so, you will want to consider making that space work with your home. You don’t need to match the material with which your home is made. Perhaps you want a complimentary look to highlight both your home and your new outdoor space.

Patio Materials:

There are several material options available for creating a patio. In the past, concrete was one of the few options available. It was chosen for its durability and low cost. Homeowners are finding out that pavers and modular components used with pavers can provide many more features than concrete. Pavers have a lower cost of maintenance over time and add flexibility in extending patios or adding modular components to them like fireplaces.

When considering making any addition to your home, it’s important to think about the life span of the addition and also the short-term and long term maintenance. With patios, no matter how well the ground is prepared initially for pavers or concrete, further settling can sometimes result. Unlike concrete, pavers can be reused after the ground is prepared. Pavers can be removed individually and the ground can be leveled and compacted again. Once completed, the same pavers are placed again in the prepared area. Pavers that crack can be replaced individually, thereby reducing cost.

When concrete settles, it will crack depending on the amount of settling. The ground can’t be repaired under concrete unless the concrete is removed. When replaced, the new concrete will likely not look exactly like the existing concrete in the surrounding area.

If settling drainage is an issue with pavers, the ability to remove and fix ground issues is another advantage. When concrete has a drainage issue, it must be lived with or the concrete must be completely replaced in order to correct the issue.

In addition to considering long range issues with your new space, you also want to consider unavoidable construction disruption to your yard. If you choose concrete, concrete trucks are heavy and need to get right next to the work area to pour. Tire ruts can be created in lawns and at the work site. If the work site is away from a paved road or driveway, it may need to be pumped by a second truck to the work area (behind the house, on an inaccessible side of the yard, etc.) which can double the expense of the concrete. Likewise, if you choose pavers, trucks will need to deliver gravel and sand. The farther away from the work area these materials are dumped the more “wheelbarrow” labor you will incur. These are all considerations when planning to build.

Occasionally, homeowners who like the look of stone pavers will use stamped concrete to emulate a stone pattern or a paver pattern. While this does provide a cost advantage, it’s not always possible for a faux technique to look exactly like what it’s trying to emulate. In simpler terms, the only thing that will look exactly like a stone patio or a paver patio is a stone patio or paver patio.

The Size and Areas of Your Patio:

If the site where you want your patio is not level, you may think you are limited to a small area. If the site is too small, you may feel you may not get the function you are looking for in creating you outdoor area. That doesn’t have to be true, especially with pavers.

Designing a patio with different levels may add to the function of your outdoor space in ways you haven’t imagined. Creating a casual seating space for conversation and relaxation on one level and an eating area on another is just one example. Hardscapes can now serve several functions, similar to the different rooms in our homes.

In a multi-level space, again pavers shine. Being smaller and using pavers with various purposes, the color and design of a flat or multi-level patio will look artfully designed. Steps, walls, sitting walls, modular components like fireplaces, etc. will all have the same look and texture.

What are your choices if you want to build only one level of your outdoor space today? What choices do you have if you choose to expand an existing flat patio later? Pavers are a good choice in both situations. Pavers can be matched years later so that the color and texture are the same. When it comes to recognizing that it’s an addition, no one will be the wiser.

Call: (478) 745 – 2000
Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
Visit the patio and hardscape photo gallery on our website for more great design ideas and inspiration

Pool decks and patios

For your Macon and Warner Robins area pool deck, what material should you use? Wood? Ipe? Composite? Pavers?

March 28, 2014 admin

Are you looking at adding a pool to your Macon Warner Robins area home this summer? Or, do you have an existing pool and you’re thinking of updating the surround? There are several choices available when it comes to pool surrounds and these have varying prices, pros and cons. Here are a couple of the top options available.

Wood
Concrete
Pavers

Wood

If you have an above-ground pool or a pool where the grade differs significantly from one end of the pool to the other, then your only viable option is a wood deck. That being said, there are many different wood deck options for pools. These can be as simple as a surround for walking or can include attached structures such as a deck, pergola, or even pool-specific structures. Pool-specific structures can include an enclosed area for pool equipment, a changing area, or even an outdoor shower.

: Ipe Brazilian hardwood pool deck in Warner Robins

If you’re wondering whether it’s wide to use wood in a wet environment, it’s a great material for a wet environment. We all remember the pool decks of our childhood. But while those old wooden decks held the constant risk of splinters and other signs of aging wood, today’s wood decks are built using treated wood that better seals the wood to keep it from splintering. In addition to pressure-treated wood, exotic wood such as Ipe Brazilian hardwood makes for a great decking material as you see in the picture to the left. Ipe is a very dense exotic hardwood. It’s so dense that screw holes need to be pre-drilled. The upside is that Ipe lasts anywhere from 40 to 100 years). The more dense material makes it even more impervious to signs of wood aging such as cupping, warping, cracking, and splitting.

Synthetic, composite, and PVC for pool surrounds

Whether you have an above-ground pool or an in-ground pool, synthetic materials are a great choice for your pool deck and adjoining pool structures. Both composite and PVC fall in the category of synthetics. This decking can be warrantied for 25 years or longer thus giving you the ultimate peace of mind. Not only are they low maintenance (not requiring annual painting or staining) but they also have strong warranties on their performance characteristics. These warranties protect against things like blistering, peeling, flaking, cracking, splitting, cupping, rotting and more.

If you have an in-ground pool or a pool that is very low to the ground, you can still use composites such as TimberTech, Fiberon or AZEK. Fiberon and TimberTech composites only require 6 inches of space below for ventilation and airflow. AZEK’s PVC board is only required to not be touching the ground.

Concrete

is a very viable solution but will create a greater need for maintenance more quickly than other materials.” to “It is a very viable solution, but concrete coatings will create a greater need for maintenance quicker than other materials. See our blog at https://maconwarnerrobinsdecksandpatios.com/archives/2544 for details.

Paver patio

“We will be talking more about paver patios in our story for next week. Paver patios are a great option for a pool surround. They look great. They’re low maintenance. When properly installed, paver structures can last centuries even around a pool. Don’t believe me? Take a trip to Venice Italy? Look for next week’s story for more details on pavers patios verses concrete patios.”

Call: (478) 745 – 2000
Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
Visit the pool deck photo gallery on our website for more great design ideas and inspiration

Deck engineer and construction

What you need to know about inspecting your Central GA area deck

March 16, 2014 admin

A few months ago, a deck collapsed in New Albany IN. It was a terrifying incident and 24 people were badly injured. Fortunately, or unfortunately, it was all caught on tape. A family was gathering outside on a commercial deck for a family picture when the deck fell out from under them. Take a look at this terrifying video.

Last year we wrote a blog about deck safety. In our opinion, there are no deck accidents. There may be accidents waiting to happen due to shoddy construction. But, with solid construction from a licensed and professional builder, you can be ensured that the deck will not fail outside of Acts of God. At Archadeck of Central GA, we are part of a national franchise corporation that sets strict engineering requirements that meet or exceed all local code. We are a licensed builder. We always pull permits for our work and all of our work is inspected fully by local inspectors. We even offer 2 warranties because we are certain that you are getting the highest quality workmanship available. (Read more about our Archadeck of Central GA warranties here)

What if you already have a deck that was either built many years ago or even one that came with your house? There are 4 things to check to see if it’s time for a deck safety inspection.

If you stand on the deck, can you make the deck move side-to-side?
If you stand on the stairs, can you make the stairs move from side-to-side or do the stairs depress when stepping on them?
When you look under the deck, can you see fasteners or just nails? If you see just nails, call us right away!
Take a look at the deck footings. Are the deck supports just standing on top of concrete blocks not buried below grade?”

Even better, ask a knowledgeable licensed deck contractor to come out and inspect your deck. At Archadeck of Central GA, we’re happy to come out and look at your deck to see how many years it has left on it. If it’s in great shape and has many years on it, we’ll tell you that. If your deck is in need of repair or is a severe safety hazard, we will tell you that also.

Take a look at the TV interview we did last year about deck safety.

Give us a ring to schedule your free deck safety inspection.

(478) 745 – 2000
centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
http://central-georgia.archadeck.com

Deck engineer and construction

Do you have that structural pillar that keeps the roof up but brings you down?

February 24, 2014 admin

Fort Valley GA-deck-steel beam Sometimes we look at particular architectural features of a space and wonder just what the designer/architect/builder was thinking. If you’ve ever had a great space with a structural beam stuck right smack dab in the middle of it, you know what we’re talking about. When these Fort Valley GA homeowners originally called us, they had an existing elevated second-story deck. The space under a deck over 8 feet off the ground can potentially become a covered patio. But in their case, their existing structure had a large column standing in the middle of the space. In addition, their deck which was made of pressure-treated wood was in really bad shape.

Archadeck deck beam construction Central GA We were able to come up with a design plan that utilized the existing structure and accomplished all of their goals. The existing deck was 24′ wide which is why it needed more structural support than standard corner posts could provide. This can be accomplished in one of two ways. The first option is a center support column. This was the direction their builder originally took causing there to be an eyesore in the middle of their patio below. But, the innovative engineering option that Archadeck of Central GA designed had a long steel beam under the deck portion. Archadeck is part of a national franchise organization and employs an engineering/design team that is second to none. Our engineers created a solution utilizing a steel beam to support the wide deck.

In addition to the deck being wide, these homeowners also wanted AZEK on their new deck. We were able to resurface the existing structural components with their choice of AZEK PVC. The steel beam support was also engineered to support the increased weight of the new synthetic decking material which is a good bit heavier than pressure-treated wood.

Fiberon-Fort Valley-GA railing-lighting The next challenge was aesthetics. The deck resurfacing with AZEK was stunning. But, from below, we didn’t want the steel support beam to be an eyesore. To accomplish this, we wrapped all the beams in low maintenance PVC. This included white PVC on the posts/columns and the trim board. The white color created a beautiful contrast to the dark decking material and dark colored railing spindles. The homeowners had done their research and knew that they wanted a lighting package that would encompass lights both on the posts and integrated into the rail caps. The picture to the right shows the Fiberon lighting package and railing we used on this Fort Valley deck.

One of the things you’ll notice through reading this blog is that our proposed solution is not the one that’s designed to cost the most money. While we could have recommended demolishing this deck and starting from scratch, we were able to re-engineer the fully functional existing structural parts. Our goal is to create the best solution for you, your family, and for how you want to live.

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

Call: (478) 745 – 2000
Email: centralgeorgia@archadeck.net
Visit the composite and PVC deck picture and photo gallery on our website for more great design ideas and inspiration

Archadeck of Central GA

A sneak preview of a picture-perfect ipe and garapa balcony deck in Warner Robins

Just because you’ve been waiting a long time for the right time to build, you don’t have to wait a long time for it to be built with Archadeck of Central GA

A deck that could have belonged to southern rock royalty

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

Turn your tax refund into a home investment

Railings Provide Safety, Elegance, Lighting and More To Any Deck Design

Are Pavers a Good Material for Patios in Central GA?

For your Macon and Warner Robins area pool deck, what material should you use? Wood? Ipe? Composite? Pavers?

What you need to know about inspecting your Central GA area deck

Do you have that structural pillar that keeps the roof up but brings you down?

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