Tag Archives: custom decks in Kansas City

Upgrading Your Patio: Part II

Did you catch our blog post from earlier this week about upgrading your patio? We’ve got even more ideas for you to get your outdoor living space in shape for spring 2011!

Add lights – Outdoor lighting can add such a beautiful touch to an outdoor space, especially on spring and summer evenings. Outdoor lighting also serves as an added security measure. LED are a bit more expensive than incandescents, but you’ll save more money – and energy – over time.

Renew your deck – If you opted for a deck instead of a patio, that’s great! Decks are just as versatile if not more so than patios. There’s plenty of colors, styles and materials available to upgrade your deck board. Many of these choices are resistant to many different types of damage as well.

Wood decks – Again, if you have a deck as opposed to a patio, another alternative is wood. Natural wood decks are more cost-effective than others as far as installation. They do require a bit more maintenance though, requiring a new stain every couple of years.

Upgrading your patio or deck is what we do best! Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 to get started on planning for the upcoming spring season.

Photo courtesy of Outdoor Environments Facebook Gallery

3 Ways to Add Privacy to Your Patio

A backyard patio is a great addition to your home if you enjoy relaxing (when weather permits) and entertaining just outside your back door. But you may want your space to feel a bit more private than it actually is. There are plenty of ways to add a touch of privacy to your patio. Here are just a few:

Walls – If you want to separate your space from the view of your neighbors, a patio wall would be an excellent option. Permanent walls require more work to install and may make your patio feel cramped while removable walls are temporary barriers that can collapse for storage.

Fencing – For a less restricted place, fencing as a more charming feel to your patio area. Add more visual interest by allowing plants and vines to grow up the face of the fence. Bamboo fences are perfect for this.

Plants – For an incognito way to shield your patio from the view of others, use flowers! Large, colorful planters and tall planted trees will appear more like decoration than a wall of armor.

For more ideas on how to make your Kansas City area patio more exclusive, call Outdoor Environments 913-491-0900 today!

8 Steps to a Clean Deck

Are you thinking about getting your deck ready for spring yet? If not, then you should be! Your deck has probably taken quite a beating from all the harsh winter weather we’ve experienced over the past few weeks. But knowing how to properly clean your deck will make it look brand new in no time. Not sure what to do? Here are some easy tips from This Old House:

  1. Many people assume that power washers are the way to go when it comes to deck cleaning. But they’re actually too powerful and can damage your deck’s wood fiber. Go with a pump sprayer instead.
  2. Use a biodegradable wood cleaner. These are commonly used not only for decks for fences as well.
  3. Mix an equal amount of water with the wood cleaner. (1 to 1 ratio)
  4. Spray the deck with cool, clean water before applying the cleaner to the deck.
  5. Apply the wood cleaner to the entire deck, spraying evenly across the surface.
  6. Wait about 10 minutes.
  7. Scrub the deck surface with an industrial broom. You’ll see the dirt, grime, and algae begin to surface.
  8. Hose off the deck.

Do you need work done on your deck for before the lovely spring weather arrives? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

More Ideas to Beautify Your Backyard

Hopefully you read our post from earlier this week about the features you should be thinking about adding to your backyard this spring. Just in case you needed some more inspiration, we’ve rounded up five more ideas to take your outdoor living space from drab to fab!

Outdoor flooring is one of the best ways to add value to your home. Even with a deck or patio already installed, accenting it with concrete pavers, a brick walkway or other hardscapes products adds a nice touch to any backyard.

What backyard is complete without a grilling area? It may be a bit nippy outdoors, but a grill, open faced brick oven and a wet bar are all great ways to enhance outdoor entertaining once the weather warms up.

The right lighting can make or break your home’s outdoor living area. Be creative with walkway lighting, candles or customized landscape lanterns.

Finally, there are many ways to accessorize once you added all the right outdoor living elements and features. Have you thought about statues or sculptures? What about picket fencing or a booming sound system?

For assistance getting your outdoor living area up to par for spring, call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

Photo courtesy of Outdoor Environments

5 Features Your Backyard Will Need This Spring

We know the weather outside is still frightful, but that’s no excuse for letting your home’s outdoor space go without a makeover for the New Year. There are plenty of ways to prepare your backyard for the warm weather that is only weeks away. So, what exactly do you need to get started? Here are a few product ideas that will turn your outdoor living space into a relaxing retreat.
BEFORE:
Single or multi-level decks added to the rear or side of your home can create an endless number of possibilities. Decks can be built using many types of wood, fiberglass, vinyl and even recycled materials like plastic.
A hearth is a heating option used for outdoor living spaces. Fireplaces (wood or gas) and firepits offer the warmth and coziness you need during the cold winter months, but they’re also perfect for cool nights during the spring, summer and fall.
Outdoor furniture is a must if you plan to truly enjoy your backyard area.  Create an lovely oasis with lounge chairs, tables, umbrellas, a hammock and other comfortable furnishings.
Gazebos, sun-screened rooms, and awnings all provide wonderful shaded shelter for any time of the year. Be shielded from the scorching summer sun or protected from cold wind and rain.
No outdoor living area is complete without some type of water feature. A swimming pool is the obvious choice here. But you can always take it a step further with a spa, hot tub, Jacuzzi or even a pond with a waterfall.
AFTER:
Are you ready to get your outdoor living area ready for spring 2011? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

How to Spruce Up Your Outdoor Living Space

We are heading into prime outdoor living time.  Pools are now officially open and everyone is spending more time outdoors.  We recently came across  Good Things for Outdoor Living on marthastewart.com and we decided to share a few of our favorite ideas with you.

One of my favorite tips on marthastewart.com is to collect a few apothecary bottles and fill them with lamp oil and wicks, then arrange the bottles under a large hurricane for protection.

In typical Martha Stewart fashion, a gardening center is created using a carpenter’s nail belt.  I love the bucket in the center, perfect for storing larger items or even debris.

Marthastewart.com recommends using tiki torches to bring a little of the islands to  your home.  For a path that is a little less paved you can anchor the torches in a bucket filled with gravel.

For more ideas on sprucing up your outdoors click here.

Go Outdoors This Saturday for National Get Outdoors Day

Participate this year in the 2nd annual National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday, June 12th by heading outdoors.  National Get Outdoors Day hopes to promote healthy living by having America take part in outdoor activities.  Whether you go fishing or biking, make sure you encourage the family to turn off the television set and enjoy nature.

There is a slight chance of a thunderstorms on Saturday so make sure you check the weather before you venture outdoors.

Building a Deck Frame by Frame

When building a deck it is important to understand the process frame by frame.

Below are a series of photos for a two level low profile to be finished with AZEK composite decking.

Above is the rendering of the completed project.
Here is a before photo of  the deck.
End of first day.
The end of day two with all 19 piers completed!
End of day three!
End of day four!
Make sure you check back to see the completed deck!

Following the Rules of Design

Every outdoor living space is unique to its environment.  When we design an outdoor living area, we not only incorporate the materials used on the project, but we are also bringing in the home’s natural setting.

Jonathan Parks’ recently wrote an article called Five Pillars of Design for Outdoor Living for Residential Design & Build magazine.  Take a look below and see if your outdoor living space is  following the rules.

Pillar 1:
Invent within the rules

  • Does the outdoor living space demonstrate style, proportion and consistency?
  • When viewed from any angle, is it a unified solution?
  • Does it give evidence of its quality and care over detail?
  • Is it inviting?

Pillar 2:
Respect, complement nature

  • Is the design responsible to the environment?
  • Does the outdoor living space respect and complement views from within the yard and from within the dwelling?
  • Does the new ground plane show careful integration of natural and manmade elements?
  • Is existing landscape material utilized?
  • Is new material sensitive to the natural terrain?
  • Are colors, styles and materials comfortably distinct — ensuring individuality without offending the senses?

Pillar 3:
Build for the ages

  • Is the solution long-lasting?
  • Will the design date the house or will it appear as appropriate tomorrow as today?
  • Does the design follow through to the smallest detail?

Pillar 4:
Detail for authenticity

  • Does the outdoor space respond to the individual intimately?
  • Does the design process follow through to the smallest detail?
  • Does the construction involve a need for craftsmanship?

Pillar 5:
Incorporate convenience

  • Does the plan encourage a quality of lifestyle?
  • Does the design capitalize on features of volume, scale and functional relationships?
  • Is it technically “state-of-the-art” to ensure gracious outdoor living?

What do you think of Parks’ pillars?

Spend Memorial Day Outdoors

It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful weekend, so start up the grill and invite some friends and family over to celebrate Memorial Day!  Todd Childs, Assistant Home Editor of Southern Living has some great tips on outdoor entertaining.  Click here to learn a few pointers for throwing a fabulous Memorial Day party!