Beyond the Porch

With the latest options in decks and patios, there are many new and inviting ways to spend time outdoors.

by Eileen Brandon

The first step in creating such a retreat is building or sprucing up the space to house the area. And when you begin construction on your deck or patio, you can literally let your imagination guide you.

Decked Out

"If your choice is a deck or a patio, part of the answer is going to be necessity," says Roger Davis, president of Davis Design Group. "If you come out of your back door and it's eight feet to the ground, that's the time to use a deck." Of course, Davis points out, a patio is still a possibility in this situation, just not a very practical one. "You've got to build retaining walls and fill those walls with soil and compact it and then do a terrace or patio on top of that."

If a deck is the best option, the next step is to determine the design. The typical boxy square is not the only way to go, says Tom Leonard, president of Archadeck. "We do a lot of angles, octagons, trellises built in and planters and benches so that we can make a deck unique and really fit the setting and shape of the yard," he says. "You can have different levels and different heights and lots of interesting things going on to get a lot of character and variation."

Choosing the kind of materials to use is another part of the deck-building or renovation process. Pressure-treated lumber tends to be the most popular choice, mostly because it's less expensive. However, a new formulation required by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce the arsenic level has raised the price. The new wood is "a little greener looking when new, although it will weather the same," says Leonard.

One issue remains the same, however: to wait or not to wait. That is the question when it comes to painting pressure-treated wood. Some homeowners like the shiny paint look on their porch rails (although paint should never be used on the porch floor because it will peel). But if you don't wait long enough to paint, or conversely, if you wait too long, you'll have problems with your paint job.

"There's a window of opportunity," says Leonard. "In the middle of the winter when it's raining a lot, you should wait two, three or four months. In the summertime, you don't need to wait nearly as long." The key is to wait just long enough for the moisture in the core of the wood to dry out. "You can almost feel when it's getting dry enough to go ahead," says Leonard. You'll know you have waited too long when the wood begins to turn gray, which signals a breakdown of the outer surface of the wood. Painting over the gray without any pre-treatment will cause the paint to peel off along with the top layer of wood. Instead, remove the upper crust and dirt and mildew through pressure-washing. The next step is to apply a coat of primer to penetrate the wood; then use lots of caulk to fill in holes and joints before finishing with two coats of semi-gloss latex paint.

For homeowners who prefer a sealer or stain rather than paint, there is no need to wait for the lumber to dry because these products soak into the wood rather than adhering to it like paint. In fact, with these products, "the sooner you put something on it, the more protection you're going to have," says Leonard. "It soaks in and keeps moisture out and keeps the wood from swelling and shrinking too much." However, Leonard advises to read the directions on the product's label because they are all different.

Since the price of pressure-treated lumber has gone up, homebuyers may want to consider composite lumber decking materials, a fairly new product made from recycled plastic and wood. Although the initial cost of composite decking is more than pressure-treated wood, homeowners choosing this option may save money over the long-term because they do not have to shell out money for annual maintenance.

"It's a consistent product with no chips and cracks and it comes in colors," says Leonard, who estimates that approximately 20 percent of new decks in Augusta are built from this recycled material. However, before buying this product, be sure to ask for references from satisfied customers since this is a fairly new item in the Augusta area (about six years). Also keep in mind that the composite decking retains heat from the sun more readily than wood and can be very hot to walk on with bare feet.

Beat the Heat

Every deck can get too hot to handle during our steamy Augusta summers. This is particularly a problem if your deck has a western exposure and the sun beats down on it in the afternoon. What options do you have?

"One of the things we frequently do is build an arbor or trellis or pergola over the deck to make some shade," says Leonard. "It's one of the quickest and most affordable ways to give you some shade." The broken shade pattern of these overhangs provides relief from the sun and the overhead boards can accommodate a ceiling fan to cool the space. Take your shade a step further by adding an awning that slides in and out underneath the pergola. For the pesky late afternoon sun that peeks under the pergola, a roll-up blind or shade can provide added relief.

Of course, one of the most effective ways to escape the heat is to add a screened porch. "The biggest change I've noticed in my business over the last few years is that we're gradually doing more screened porches," says Leonard "We screen at least a portion of the deck. It gives a lot more shade and screens out the bugs and keeps the rain offÉIt's like people have rediscovered screened porches and they realize they're a great extension to a house, particularly in this climate."

From Gray to Glorious

Another resurgence of an old favorite is taking place in the porch business. When it comes to patios, people are getting excited about concrete. No longer the plain gray surface of days gone by, concrete has gone decorative. Thanks to today's advanced technology and chemical techniques, concrete can be colored, stained, stamped and sealed for the look and feel of far more expensive materials, such as stone or slate.

"This is an exciting time in decorative concrete," says Michael Eastergard of Carefree Pools, who attends continuing education classes with titles like "Advanced Concrete Stamping."Ô Eastergard has transformed old concrete slab porches into elegant patios by pouring colored concrete over the old and then stamping it with patterns of the owner's choice. The finishing touch is a sealant that keeps the color fresh and the surface from being slippery.

With concrete stamping, homeowners can choose from multiple patterns and colors, and even combine different ones for a truly custom and elegant look. Popular pattern choices are slate, brick, granite, cobblestone, tile or flagstone. Colors in demand are natural browns, tans, charcoals and terra-cotta reds. The ability to shape concrete into any pattern makes this an extremely versatile design trend. The other good news is that it's durable. Industry insiders have been quoted as saying stamped concrete will last longer than any other type of masonry installation.

As if versatility and durability aren't enough, decorative concrete is also inexpensive and low-maintenance. "People can spend $8 a square foot on decorative concrete and have something that looks like real stone that somebody might be spending $20 a square foot for," says Eastergard. "They have more value when it's finished and it's less maintenance than a wood deck." The only maintenance necessary is renewing the sealant with a fresh application once every three to five years.

Finishing Touches

With less costly, yet elegant, alternatives like stamped concrete here to stay, homeowners can spend more of their money, and time, on furnishing their patios. Outdoor living on patios and decks is becoming more sophisticated with the addition of elaborate kitchen areas and other desirable features.

"As grills get bigger and more elaborate, people want a specific area where it's going to be a permanent fixture rather than rolling it around," says Leonard. "We build cabinets for grills to nestle into."

Homeowners in Augusta are also adding outdoor sinks and refrigerators to create a complete exterior kitchen. Other elements from the interior that have made their way outside are decorative accents, candles, pillows and mood lighting. Low-voltage lighting along the floor and perimeter of the deck can also serve the functional purpose of helping guests see where they step. Stringing lights around the pole and spokes of a market umbrella, along the deck porch rails, or anywhere else they can hang, creates a festive atmosphere.

Look for these and other trends as homeowners continue to transform their outside decks and patios into an extension of their inside living space.