Archive for August, 2009

Adding a Backyard Deck to Extend Your Living Space

August 18th, 2009

By Terry Campbell

A Backyard Deck is almost a must in Dallas Tx and can be an extension of your living space for entertaining family and friends while adding to the value of your home. First you need to consider a few things like budget, architecture of your home, landscape, family needs and your lifestyle. If you are on a tight budget then you can do this in steps while taking into consideration what the completed project will be.

When you’ve decided to build a Backyard Deck you will then want to check with your local building department on what their requirements are like easements or restrictions. Before construction starts it is always good to have your local utility companies mark any underground utilities. A good deck contractor will do this.

Will your Backyard Deck be made of wood and if so will it be pressure treated pine, cedar or redwood that will require maintenance from time to time like that will need a good wood preservative or will it be an exotic hard wood or composite deck material that requires less attention? Will it be constructed with screws or nails? Check with your supplier to make sure that you get the best fasteners for you application if doing this yourself.

You can make your new Backyard Deck an outdoor living room with a fireplace or fire pit with a outdoor kitchen complete with a sink with running water, built in gas grill and refrigerator or just a deck with a portable gas or charcoal grill.

Consider shading your Backyard Deck with a pergola or getting a little more protection from the rain with a shingled roof  deck cover over the area and maybe install a set of french doors linking the indoors out to your new backyard paradise.

A nice water feature like a fish pond with a waterfall is a great addition to your Backyard Deck and  can add a relaxing touch for those days when you want to nap in your rope hammock or use your laptop surfing the internet. You can add a gas heater for the cooler days or screen it in to keep those pesky bugs out while still letting the breeze flow through.

To finish off your Backyard Deck add lighting, ceiling fan, outdoor rug, outdoor furniture, landscaping, wall mounted LCD TV and outdoor art work.

As you can see the possibilities for a Backyard Deck are endless and this will give you endless memories for you family and friend photo albums. See more Backyard Deck

backyard deck

A Patio Cover Adds Value and Comfort to Your Home

August 17th, 2009

 Patio Cover

 

By Chris Robertson at EzineArticles

If you’re a Texas homeowner, you know how enjoyable an outdoor patio cover can be – providing it’s covered. If it’s open, though, you probably don’t spend much time on your patio, given how blazing hot it can get in the summer and how rainy it can get in the winter. But Texans do love the outdoors, and it’s a shame not to be able to enjoy your patio virtually year-round. That’s why you need to install a shade cover, an awning, or some other type of patio cover.

When you add a well-designed, high quality patio cover, you’ll not only be able to utilize what is often wasted space in Texas homes, but you’ll also add value to your home. Beyond that, you give yourself options for later home improvements, since you can always enclose your patio with screen or glass in the future – turning it into a sunroom without having to rebuild the roof.

Lone Star State residents have a variety of options when it comes to patio enclosures. Patio cover styles include the pergola (often known as an arbor), which is a shaded area with cross beams and open lattice; an awning; or a shade cover, which is often solid but can have skylights. Some people even opt for carport-like structures.

Installing Texas Patio Covers

Whether you live in Austin, Dallas, or Fort Worth, you basically have two choices when it comes time to install a patio cover: you can do it yourself, or you can hire a contractor to build it for you. Texas patio covers that come in DIY kits usually range from about $2,600 to $3,800m depending on the size. Quality kits include two-pound density EPS foam insulated panels, heavy gauge stressed aluminum laminated skins, and decorative post wraps or columns. The kits should also contain all the hardware, fasteners, and sealants you need. If you decide to do it yourself, make sure to select a Texas company that will not only provide written instructions, but will also offer professional phone consultation.

Hiring a Contractor

If you decide to hire a Texas contractor to construct your patio cover, it’s crucial that you select one with an established reputation. A reputable contractor will ensure that you receive a lifetime warranty against leaks and problems with the finish, and make sure that the shade cover is properly built and engineered to withstand Texas’ harsh weather conditions. In addition, better contractors will provide you with patio cover pictures, a selection of patio cover prices, and even custom designs that will perfectly match the style of your home.

If you’ve ever felt imprisoned in your home because the Texas heat or rain prevented you from enjoying your patio, it’s time to look into installing a patio cover. When you do, you’ll be able to invite friends over for barbecues, relax with your family outdoors, and enjoy all the Lone Star State has to offer.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
Learn more about Texas Patio Covers call 927-272-0554 or visit a backyard deck.

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Building Your Own Wood Deck

August 13th, 2009

By Daniel Lazai at EzineArticles.com

Before beginning construction on your deck be sure to check with your zoning laws for regulations regarding your deck.

Most deck projects will require you to get a permit.

Some good reasons to build your own deck would be to save some money by doing the work yourself. Another reason would be to add more value to your home, give your home a nicer look, have a great outdoor space to relax, and also have a nice spot to barbecue and entertain.

Before beginning you will have to figure out which tools you will need for this project. One of the most important tools you will need is some plans. Having some deck plans and following the instructions will make building your deck allot easier. If you feel you are not skilled enough to build your own deck, you should consider hiring a general contractor. It is a good idea to talk to some contractors and get about two or three estimates. Even if you plan to build the deck yourself, you can get an idea of the money you will save by building it yourself.

Always take your time when you are choosing the design and style for your deck.

Make sure to think things through with some careful planning. Asking family and friends for their opinion is a great way to get ideas for the design of your deck. Looking at other decks is another way to come up with a design you might like. Seeing how other decks are built, and asking the homeowner questions can help you avoid mistakes when building your own deck.

The location of the deck can affect the way you use your deck. Take into consideration how the sun, wind, and other natural elements will affect how your deck will be used.

Natural elements such as the sun and moisture is the most common reason for damage to the deck. Applying sealer or stain to your deck is a good way to protect it. A good finish will repel water, and protect the wood from the suns UV rays.

The type of wood you choose for your deck is very important.

This will decide how your deck will look, how long it will last, and how much money you will need to build your deck. Choose the best wood you can afford for best results. The most common lumber for building decks are pressure treated lumber, redwood, and cedar. When buying lumber give it a good inspection. By inspecting the lumber at the lumberyard one by one you can get the best boards possible. Hand picking the lumber will make your deck last longer, and it will also make it look more attractive.

By doing some research, and some careful planning, you will avoid mistakes and have a beautiful safe deck that will bring you and your family years and years of enjoyment.

 

If you are looking for a local Dallas deck contractor please feel free to contact us.

Fences and Decks in Dallas, Texas

August 11th, 2009

The purpose of this blog is to educate my future customers on transforming their backyard into an environment that can be enjoyed by you, your family and friends for years to come.

I have been serving happy customers in the Dallas, Rockwall, and Collin counties since 1981 and would love the opportunity to have you as one of these happy customers. We can work together to create and build you a custom wood or composite deck, cedar pergola and arbor, shingled patio cover, tropical cover with thatched palm leaves, custom cedar privacy fence, wrought iron fence, electric driveway gate or custom gazebo. We also do repairs.

Please feel free to drop by my website and visit the gallery and/or request a free quote.

Please stop by often as I build on this blog to help people better understand.

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We service Dallas, Mesquite, Rowlett, Garland, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Sachse, Wylie, Rockwall, Addison, and Richardson.