Sometimes you sit with an idea for a home improvement project and then it changes or becomes less appealing or is no longer needed. Other times, you sit with an idea and it’s constant. It doesn’t change. When the time is right, you act on it. So goes the story of this low-maintenance composite deck project in Macon GA/Bibb County.

Bibb County Deck Builders

Your Bibb County Composite Deck Contractor

Archadeck of Central GA, your Macon GA and Bibb County composite deck contractor, first met with this Bibb County homeowner two years ago. He had a concrete patio with a brick surround, and he simply didn’t like it. Not only did he not like the concrete look, he didn’t like the elevation and the drop-off from the patio to the yard.

Before Archadeck of Central GA began the new deck addition.

At that time the homeowner was interested in having a composite deck built over the patio, completely covering the patio. We discussed costs and went over some other options. We did not hear back from him. Not for a while, anyway.

Just recently, this homeowner called us back, so we met with him again. In the time that had passed, his idea about covering the patio with a composite deck had not changed. If anything, he was more certain that’s what he wanted to do. This time he was ready to act on that idea. Archadeck of Central GA perfected the design and installed a new composite deck over the existing patio. It was the right choice for this homeowner, and he loves his new low-maintenance deck.

Designed for Backyard Entertaining—and Easy Maintenance

For his new deck, the client chose TimberTech composite decking capped on all four sides. We recommended this selection for an additional barrier against moisture, in case the underlying patio collected moisture beneath the deck. The homeowner chose TimberTech’s Brown Oak color for the deck field area and Silver Birch for the deck’s border and steps. The brown complements the color of brick on the home, and the silver provides a pleasing contrast.

Bibb County Deck Builders

The homeowner entertains frequently, so we designed the deck with wraparound steps wide enough to be used as seating. The wide steps also offer an easy transition from the deck into the yard. The new deck has unified the area, and now the outdoor living space has become an easily-accessible space for entertaining. For deck safety after dark, we installed DEKOR riser lights on the steps.

Are you thinking about replacing your patio with a deck—or your deck with a patio? Whatever outdoor living project you have in mind, Archadeck of Central GA is ready to help! Get in touch with us by calling 478-745-2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

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

Decks

Archadeck creates a bigger and better deck in macon!

July 29, 2020 admin

Our recent job in Macon takes us to a property where the homeowners had initially built the deck. Homeowner-built decks are something we see on a regular basis. The existing deck wasn’t necessarily built incorrectly, however, building codes change on a regular basis so they contacted us to take a look.

Before Archadeck of Central GA began the new redesign project.

The impetus of homeowner’s scheduling a design consultation with Archadeck of Central GA was to enhance their outdoor living space. Not only did they want a bigger deck, they wanted a better deck too!

One of the main obstacles we had to address was the home’s existing water line. The water line lays under the area where the deck is placed. In addition, the original deck substructure was built using blocks with no footings. We had to make sure the new deck was built in such a way that delivered strength to support the new decking, but also one that did not infringe on the water lines present in the area.

Low Maintenance and More Space!

Archaeck of Central GA put together a deck re-design that included bigger stairs across the front of the structure to open up the view. We wanted to retain the visibility into the backyard looking into deck from within the home. Where railing once obstructed the view, we opened that up with larger, sweeping stairs that can double as seating.

Macon GA Fiberon Deck Builder — Look how we opened up the view!

Another element we addressed was making the deck level (flush) with the home. Before, the homeowners had to step down iinto the deck from the sliding doors. We redesigned the new deck to make sure you could easily flow from home-to-deck without having to step down.

Along with the larger footprint and structural updates, we makde sure the new decking would require as little maintenance and worry to keep it looking the part. Archadeck used low maintenance Fiberon Good Life decking in the color called Escapes Beach House. This decking delivers durability, beauty and longevity over pressure treated wooden decks. It will not crack, splinter or decay and the 3-sided capped layer will resist staining and fading over time.

Macon Deck Extension and Redeck — The new deck offers more room and less maintenance!

We also used black Fortress iron pickets along with a Fiberon rail cap that matches the deck to finish off the deck perfectly. The homeowners are elated with their new deck as it is lower maintenance, easy to clean and adds drama to their backyard gatherings.

Are you ready to redesign your outdoor living space? Archadeck of Central GA is ready to help! Get in touch with us by calling 478-745-2000 or via email @ centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Screened Porch

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

May 27, 2020 admin

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

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

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

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

Archadeck can address challenges in building your new porch.

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

One space becomes two with a screened porch and deck combination

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

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

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

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

Historic Macon GA screened porch and deck design.

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

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

Entrance from the backyard to the deck and porch.

Are you looking to upgrade your outdoor living space for more enjoyment? Archadeck of Central GA is ready to help! Get in touch with us by calling 478-745-2000 or via email @ centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Composite deck builder, Deck builder

Ask Archadeck: Is 1 Deck Better Than 2 for this Gray GA Home?

May 13, 2020 admin

When is one deck better than two decks?

1: When the deck wraps around two sides of your home, with entrances on both sides, and plenty of room for a table and chairs!

2: When Archadeck of Central Georgia designs the perfect deck to replace your two-deck logistical inconvenience.

3: All of the above!

This deck-lovers’ home in Gray, GA, originally had two wood decks on the main level, but they weren’t connected to each other. Each deck was too small to be functional. To move from one small deck to the other, the homeowners had to walk in through the home and out through the other door. While one deck was covered by the eaves, and they kept the grill there, only the other deck had room for a table and chairs. Grilling and dining outdoors was not very relaxing here!

Gray GA Deck Design 101: How Will You Use Your Deck?

Their Archadeck of Central Georgia deck designer immediately knew these homeowners would get much more use out of one bigger deck. They couldn’t use the two smaller decks together in any way, so they were missing the basic functionality that one continuous deck would provide.

When your Archadeck design consultant meets with you to talk about your deck project, we follow a process called a comprehensive needs analysis. Whether you’re replacing an existing deck or starting from scratch, we want to understand how you plan to use your deck. This process works well! From this conversation, we receive the information we need to design the perfect outdoor living space for the way you want to live outdoors.

gray ga elevated deck builders — New spacious deck in Gray, GA, by Archadeck of Central GA.

Our initial conversation with these clients confirmed our hunch: one larger deck would serve their needs more completely and elegantly. We designed the new deck with access through the same two doors to the home. Now they can reach any point on the deck through whichever door is more convenient at the time. This may seem like a simple point, but it makes all the difference! It also illustrates the importance of using a Macon and Warner Robins area deck builder who specializes in custom deck design. Not every deck builder will have the experience—and the design chops—to create the best solution for your home. You can always count on Archadeck of Central GA for functional and innovative deck design.

Homeowners’ Top Design Decision: Wood or Composite Decking?

One of your most important decisions is whether to use wood, composite or synthetic decking materials for your central Georgia home. These Gray, GA, homeowners wanted to make the switch from a wood deck surface to one built with Fiberon Good Life composite decking. They were more than ready to enjoy a low-maintenance deck. Note: the larger your deck, the more significant that decision will be for you!

gray ga fiberon deck builders — We used beautiful, low-maintenance Fiberon decking on the new deck.

With composite decking, their new decking boards won’t splinter, crack or decay. And Fiberon’s three-sided cap layer resists staining and fading. Speaking of decking boards that resist fading—it’s all about the color!—these clients chose Fiberon’s popular Bungalow color.

To complete their new deck design, the homeowners selected Fortress pickets for the deck railing. These pickets (also called balusters) are thinner and less obtrusive than the wood pickets many older decks have. Also, because of the black color, the pickets seem to disappear when you look out across the yard. For cost savings, the clients selected pressure-treated wood for the deck railing and posts. For reduced maintenance, they wanted the top railing capped with Fiberon boards.

We used pressure-treated wood to build the framing that supports the deck. That’s not unusual. It’s what we always use for framing, regardless of whether the support structure will be visible or hidden from view by deck skirting. In this case, our design required a good bit of complex framing to support the large deck with minimal posts.

The deep center section of this wraparound deck gives the homeowners a little more room than what they wanted for a table and chairs. They didn’t mind that at all! The new design gives them easy access to the entire deck from either of two doors to the home. And here’s an added bonus: because the side section is under the eaves, the homeowners can even sit on the deck while it’s raining.

Are you ready to talk about a new deck design for your Gray, Macon or Warner Robins-area home? Archadeck of Central GA is ready to help! We offer *“virtual design consultations” with video conferencing to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.* Get in touch with us by calling 478-745-2000 or send us an email.

Archadeck of Central GA, Screened Porch

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

February 13, 2020 admin

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

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

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

Your Custom Screened Porch Amenity: The Outdoor Fireplace

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

Is There an Architect in the Family?

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

Photos Tell the Rest of the Story

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

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

Archadeck of Central Georgia Has an Outdoor Fireplace for You

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

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

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

Outdoor fireplace, Porch builder/contractor, Screened porches

Archadeck Engineering Expertise Creates Safer Screened Porch Design

January 24, 2020 admin

These North Macon homeowners may never know just how fortunate they were when they hired Archadeck of Central Georgia to build their screened porch. Because they chose Archadeck, a professional design-and-build firm with the resources of a full engineering department, they avoided disaster.

We don’t mean to sound overly dramatic, but a less skilled, less experienced builder would not have handled this situation correctly. This home in Jones County, GA, was built with a portion of the second story cantilevered over the first story. That means there is an overhang at the back of the house where the second story protrudes over the first story by 2 ft. In this case, the cantilevered portion of the home stuck out over the back door and the deck.

The clients wanted to convert their deck to a screened porch. Most screened porch contractors would have attached the porch roof to the second-story cantilever. That would have been a huge mistake. The cantilevered edge of the home’s second story was not designed to support any more weight than it was already carrying.

First Contact: Homeowners Add Portico to North Macon Home

Our clients purchased this home in the Tumbling Shoals subdivision of North Macon, GA, two years ago. They wanted to add a portico over the front door, and they consulted with Archadeck of Central Georgia about the project. As it turned out, they also wanted to remodel parts of the home’s interior, and they allowed their remodelers to build the portico on the front of the home.

Second Contact: Homeowners Hire Archadeck to Design and Build Screened Porch

The clients also wanted to convert their deck to a screened porch, but not right away. When they were ready to move forward with the screened porch project, this time they didn’t call the remodelers. While they had been relatively satisfied with their portico, they weren’t thrilled enough to hire the remodelers for another outdoor living project. They called screened porch designer and builder Archadeck of Central Georgia instead—and you can bet they’re glad they made that very wise decision.

Archadeck of Central Georgia is a local Macon and Warner Robins, GA, builder with headquarters in Richmond, VA. Archadeck locations across the country rely on the professional engineering and architectural drafting expertise of the Richmond office. They produce our architectural drawings, and we are able to consult with their engineers if we encounter an especially complex design issue. Most local builders will not have access to that level of professional resources.

The Archadeck engineers confirmed our suspicion that this home’s cantilevered second story could not carry the load of a screened porch addition. The typical porch roof tie-in would have created a nightmare for these homeowners.

Screened Porch Designer Archadeck of Central GA Surpasses Expectations

With our engineered drawings for a porch design that would not destroy the home, we got to work. We built the screened porch and deck extension these homeowners had waited two years to enjoy. To distribute the load of the porch properly, we used an LVL beam (laminated veneer lumber) from one end of the porch to the other. The posts supporting the porch’s shed roof go down to the footings on either side. All the load of the porch is transferred to the concrete footings in the ground instead of to the cantilever. Even if the home blew down, the porch would still be standing.

Project details

With a deck to screened porch conversion—or with a deck replacement, for that matter—clients have an opportunity to make significant design changes. For example, these North Macon homeowners could have kept the porch dimensions to the same footprint as their deck. Instead, they decided to extend the footprint to make the area a little longer than the original.

The new extension is not enclosed or screened, and it functions as a landing that leads from the porch to the garage. Garage access from the porch was high on the homeowners’ list of priorities. The open area of the landing has room for the clients’ grill. It also gives the clients an area where they can sit and soak up the sun when it’s not too hot outdoors. Finally, the new stairs open off of the landing, providing easy access from porch to back yard and garage to back yard, too.

fireplace on screened porch

Now the homeowners can enjoy their time outdoors without pesky insects invading their space. The porch roof will provide protection from rain showers, as well. One of the amenities they chose to integrate in to their porch design was an outdoor fireplace with a gas starter. We’re pretty sure they would tell you this screened porch was worth the wait.

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

Archadeck of Central GA, Deck builder, Pergola builder/contractor

An Aging Warner Robins GA Deck and Pergola Get a Much-Needed Upgrade

February 20, 2019 admin

At Archadeck of Central Georgia, we often see decks, whose lifespans are over by years. We understand that building a new deck to replace the old one might not be at the top of your home improvement list, but when it comes to a pergola that is damaging your home, it becomes top priority!

Warner Robins GA deck and pergola builders

These Warner Robbins homeowners’ wood deck was approximately 15 to 20 years old – not only beyond its lifespan, but poorly constructed from the start. While we typically recommend homes with concrete slabs have a patio or hardscape outdoor living space, these homeowners really wished for a new deck. Archadeck of Central Georgia was pleased to give them one.

We are your trusted Warner Robins GA deck builder

We built the new wood deck frame atop the exact footprint of the former deck, but we gave it one very important upgrade with TimberTech Terrain composite decking in Brown Oak. The new composite deck will give these homeowners many years of low-maintenance use. The deck railing is constructed of pressure treated wood with a TimberTech top rail cap. We replaced the older, narrower steps with wider ones, using three decking boards, rather than two.

Replacing the little pergola that couldn’t

Warner Robins GA deck and pergola builders

Unfortunately for these Warner Robins homeowners, the existing wood pergola was attached to home’s fascia, minus flashing or any sort of water diversion. Over the years, excessive water exposure rotted home’s soffit. Archadeck of Central Georgia not only rid their home of the damaging structure, but we repaired the soffit and replaced the fascia. When we built their new pressure treated wood pergola, we made it higher, allowing flashing to be installed atop the pergola beam and water to run over and off the beam. To aid this gutter-less home further, we installed two water diverters above the door, so the water will run off at an angle.

See more pergolas by Archadeck of Central Georgia.

How is your deck holding up these days?

Archadeck of Central Georgia has been a trusted Warner Robins deck builder since 1991. Deck failures account for more than 30 deaths in the United States each year. If you believe your deck could be unsafe, please do not use it. Call on us for a deck safety inspection! Allow Archadeck of Central Georgia to determine the structural integrity of your deck and offer solutions if your deck is failing.

If your deck is beyond its shelf life, we are ready to offer a solution for your family’s safety and optimum usage. 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.

Archadeck of Central GA, Deck builder, Macon deck builder

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

February 4, 2019 admin

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.

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.

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.”

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.

Archadeck of Central GA, Deck builder, Porch builder/contractor, Professional outdoor structure builder

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

January 16, 2019 admin

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.

Composite deck builder, Deck builder, Screened Porch

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

October 4, 2018 admin

If your deck is made of wood and faces west, it takes a beating. The sun’s UV rays break down wood fibers. You won’t be surprised, then, to learn that when these homeowners called Macon deck builder Archadeck of Central GA, they wanted to replace their wood deck with composite materials.

This home near Macon’s Lake Tobesofkee is in a great location but that afternoon sun is rough. The homeowners’ den receives the afternoon sun, too, and it can get mighty hot in there.

Macon screened porch builder Archadeck of Central GA was called in to replace the deteriorating deck and to add a screened porch to this Macon, GA, home.

Bigger Deck, Resilient Materials

The key to designing a deck that won’t deteriorate under intense sunlight is using composite decking materials. They don’t break down when exposed to the sun’s UV rays the way wood does. We replaced the original deck with a new one in the same area but designed it to be a bit larger. The homeowner chose Deckorators low-maintenance composite decking boards in the prairie color. For the deck railing, we used pressure-treated wood for cost savings and capped it with Deckorators composite rail cap. Many homeowners don’t realize we can mix composite decking with pressure-treated wood for railings, but we can.

Screened Porch Design Challenge

Have you ever designed a porch adjoining a room that has cathedral ceilings and trapezoid windows? It’s likely you haven’t because not many people have. Needless to say, we had to determine where the new porch roof would meet the existing home. Sometimes when you’re working in the area of a home’s windows, you can come in with the porch roof below them (for example, below second-story windows). But with trapezoid windows high up in a room with a cathedral ceiling, well … you end up extending the home’s roofline over the porch addition.

Because we extended the roofline, the screened-in porch has a high ceiling, too. The porch’s ceiling fan is lowered from the ceiling with a 6-foot rod.

Don’t forget, the new construction will also receive the afternoon sun because the outdoor living area – a combination deck and screened porch – is facing west. For that reason, we used Solar Screen mesh for the screens with a 90% grade. That means these heavy-duty screens will block up to 90% of the UV rays, the heat and the glare from direct sunlight that would otherwise heat up the porch. While you can still see out through these screens, they are so effective they will prevent fading of carpets and fabric such as upholstery on the screened porch.

For the porch floor the homeowner chose pressure-treated wood. With such effective screening, the porch floor will not be assaulted by the sun!

Interior Room Also Benefits from 90% Solar Screen

The sunlight that used to stream directly into the home’s den is now filtered by the 90% Solar Screen used on the screened porch. The good news is the den will now stay a lot cooler – or at least use less energy to cool. While the room is going to be darker now, the homeowners feel the reduction in heat is a good tradeoff.

In the course of a project sometimes we extend the scope of the job if the homeowners request additional work. In this case we also replaced the home’s gutters while we were already working along the roofline, and we saved the homeowners a little money doing it that way.

And the Dog is Not Forgotten

The dog of the house is going to love this screened porch but will still want to get out and run around. The dog’s favorite part of the combination screened porch and deck? A screen door with a doggie door. Woof!

If you are interested in replacing a deck, adding a new porch or adding a combination outdoor living space, contact Archadeck of Central Georgia for a design consultation. You can reach us by phone at (478) 745 – 2000 or via email at centralgeorgia@archadeck.net.

Archadeck of Central GA

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