Summer Remodeling Projects: Decks, Porches, and Patios

After being cooped up inside for the winter, a lot of homeowners are ready to take it outside! Maybe you’re one of them. The big question is: Is your outside ready for you to enjoy?

Americans have always had a love affair with eating outdoors. We love picnics and barbeques and just firing up the grill to cook a steak, a hamburger, or a hot dog. But what makes it even more enjoyable is when there’s a comfortable, convenient place to eat that meal outside once it’s cooked. Now is a great time to make the most out of the “outdoor rooms” of your home: Your deck, your porch, or your patio.

It used to be that a deck was almost an afterthought to a house—a place that you could park the grill without having to traipse down into the yard. Decks have come a long way since those days. Now homeowners build them around their hot tubs or build-in a spot for the grill. Some decks even incorporate built-in seating and tables. And new building materials can give you the feel of your old wooden deck—without the need for you to ever treat it again.

You may not spend time eating on your porch—but it can be a great place to relax with an after-dinner drink, or a bowl of ice cream on a warm summer night. And if you live in an area that’s a little “buggy” you can screen it in so you don’t have to share your ice cream with unwanted visitors.

For some homeowners a patio provides the perfect setting for an outdoor summer meal—and a place to relax afterward. But we’ve come along way from the days when a patio meant a simple concrete slab with a few lawn chairs and a table sitting on it. Now homeowners are opting for patios crafted from fine stone, with beautiful stone walkways leading up to them. Many homeowners build in outdoor kitchens and even fountains and permanent planters for flowers.

What’s your dream for the perfect outdoor room? If you can dream it, chances are we can build it for you. But now is the time to get going before summer slips away!