Hardscapes – Page 2 – Columbus Decks, Porches and Patios by Archadeck of Columbus

Archadeck of Columbus will be at the Dispatch Home and Garden Show beginning this Saturday!

Archadeck of Columbus will be at the Columbus Dispatch Home & Garden Show at the Ohio Expo Center 2/22 thru 3/02. Come see us and let us help make your outdoor living dreams a reality this season!

The Columbus Dispatch home and garden show — Come see us!

If improving your existing outdoor living space or adding a new one is something that has been on your mind, we know how you can learn more about both! Archadeck of Columbus will be at the Columbus Dispatch Home & Garden Show at the Ohio Expo Center.The show begins on February, 22nd and runs through March, 2nd. Spring is right around the corner and now is the time to start planning for your outdoor living space addition!

A look at our new booth for the Columbus Dispatch Home and Garden Show.

Our new booth is filled with inspiring outdoor living space design ideas you can not only see, but touch and feel. We will be featuring a 10 x 20 booth in the Celeste Center where we will share a custom TimberTech deck design featuring their newest capstock product introduction, EarthWoods Evolution Legacy. We will showcase white vinyl railings with black aluminum pickets in conjunction with this low-maintenance, high-aesthetic deck, which are very popular right now. Above the deck we also feature a white vinyl pergola integrated within four (4) Unilock hardscape pillars. Stepping down into another section of our display will bring you into our hardscape area which features Unilock Enduracolor pavers, a custom planting wall and fire pit. As our backdrop we are using cedar screening which will feature pictures of past projects to give homeowners ideas and inspiration for their own outdoor oasis!

Alternate view of our new booth for the Columbus Dispatch Home and Garden Show — Our booth will highlight a stunning deck and pergola combination,a Unilock patio and much more!

The home and garden show is an event designed for homeowners in all stages of remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes. If you’re thinking of adding or amending your outdoor living space, or an outdoor room addition, this is the home show you can’t afford to miss. No matter what you have in mind for home improvements, you’ll find the right products and the best companies at Columbus Dispatch Home & Garden Show, one of the largest home shows in the region. Talk to the experts and find just the right designs at just the right price for your home improvement budget.

Spring is right around the corner and this is the home show you can’t afford to miss.

Come by and see us while at the home show, you won’t be disappointed. Whether you are a new homeowner, or someone who has lived in your home for years, anyone with an interest in updating, enhancing, or creating a new look or amenity for their home will enjoy the Home Show. We will be offering a special discount of $250 off of any project of $5,000 or more for this show only!

We will be located in the Celeste Center in booths #5023 – #5025, and our talented team of designers and builders will be on hand to answer all your questions and help you begin living your outdoor living dreams.

Hours for this event are as follows:

Saturdays – 10am – 8pm
Sundays – 10am – 6pm
Tuesday – 3pm – 8pm
Wed – Fri. – 12pm – 8pm
Closed Monday

The Ohio Expo Center (Ohio State Fairgrounds) is located at 717 E. 17th Ave. in Columbus.

Admission for the event is $12 at the door or $11 in advance . On Tuesday, Feb. 25, bring your home electric bill and get buy-one, get one free tickets at the door, courtesy of AEP Energy. On Wednesday, Feb 26, and Thursday Feb. 27, save $3 off two tickets at the door when you present your home electric bill, courtesy of AEP Energy. Friday, Feb. 28, is AAA Show Your Card and Save Day, when you can get $3 off on up to two tickets by showing your AAA card at the door.

To learn more about our fabulous outdoor living space designs anytime contact Archadeck of Columbus at (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net We look forward to seeing you at the show!

Archadeck of Columbus leaves annual meeting with three esteemed awards, knowledge and plently of memories!

Archadeck of Columbus discusses highlights from the Archadeck annual meeting.

Archadeck recently held their annual meeting in beautiful Las Vegas, NV. During an informative week of gaining knowledge about our brand and visiting with Archadeck owners all over the country, there is also a special time set aside for Archadeck to announce the award winners for excellence in sales, in customer service and in outdoor living design. Our annual meeting is a testament to the power of our franchise. We meet once a year, nationally, and this gives us a great opportunity to talk with our peers, share ideas, discuss our successes and discuss ways to serve our customers better.

Memories from annual meeting 2014 — Memories from the Archadeck annual meeting 2014.

A few of the highlights during this year’s meeting included a presentation by Kelly McDonald. She is not only a wonderful speaker and accomplished author, but is nationally known as an expert on perfecting the art of marketing to the modern woman. During her presentation she shared that women in the US make up the third largest economy in the world. She even brought copies of her most recent book, ” How to market to people not like you” to sign and take with us from the meeting! The presentation was enlightening and her style is very engaging and entertaining. She said that women like more choices than men. Do you believe that’s true? She showed a picture of a huge rack of t-shirts with every hue imaginable and than a picture of another rack with just 3 basic colors. She swears that women would go straight to the hue they want and that men will hem and haw with just the 3 choices. What do you think?

Along with a host of exceptional keynote speakers, I was asked to speak on a panel focused on ways to improve profitability and on another panel focusing on how hardscape building has dramatically increased our business. Our success in hardscapes also helped us find a niche in specializing in combination outdoor living projects, which was also discussed as part of my panel participation.

Dublin OH Columbus paver patio with outdoor kitchen and deck.jpg — Dublin, OH paver patio with outdoor kitchen and deck award-winning project.

Archadeck of Columbus was also blessed to win an Archadeck National Design Award in the combination projects category. Designing is such a rewarding part of our business. It’s not about the structures themselves. It’s about how those structures and outdoor spaces create a magical backyard space for our customers. This design award recognized a specific combination project we completed in early December 2013 in Dublin, OH. The project included an open porch with a round, flat roof and hardscape seating walls around the perimeter. The patio and wall were built with Unilock Brussels pavers, and the banding on the wall was completed using Unilock pavers in Copthorne. We also expanded and resurfaced an existing deck with beautiful, low-maintenance TimberTech Terrain decking and added a grill surround using paver units.

In addition to being awarded the National Design Award, Archadeck of Columbus once again received a customer service award. Our score remains between 80-85% in customer service satisfaction, which makes us very proud.

Archadeck's "million dollar club." — Archadeck’s “million dollar club.”

Last but certainly not least, Archadeck of Columbus was recognized as a member of “the million dollar club” among franchises across the US this year. This award is given only to locations that met or exceeded the million dollar mark in completed projects for the year. This was our first time being named a member of this exclusive club and this places our location as one of the esteemed locations to win this award which is a direct testament to the quality of work we are providing to homeowners in the Columbus area. We are truly blessed!

We’d love to provide a free consultation to you to discuss your ideas to enhance your outdoor living with a porch, hardscape, deck or other structures. Please give us a call at (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

To see more pictures, please visit our Columbus patios and hardscapes online photo library and our Columbus porches picture gallery.

Archadeck of Columbus named Unilock Authorized Contractor for the second consecutive year!

We are proud to announce that Archadeck of Columbus has been awarded the Unilock Authorized Contractor award for the second consecutive year!

Each year, Unilock awards a few select contractors the esteemed Authorized Contractor status. Here in Ohio and Western PA, only 125 contractors were chosen from a list of 3,000 Unilock dealers in the region. We are proud to announce that Archadeck of Columbus has been named an Authorized Contractor for the second consecutive year!

As part of being named an Authorized Contractor, we were also able to visit their plant that services the Ohio region. The visit was a very rewarding experience and we were able to see first-hand how their pavers are made. We were able to take a look at some of the new product line introductions and we are excited about working with their new products in 2014! Among the highlights of the visit was learning more about their Enduracolor line of pavers.

Enduracolor pavers are made from high-quality aggregate including quartz and granite. The process involves making a standard paver first where the top layer is high-quality cement then adding a pigmenting layer containing minimal aggregate. The result is a paver that has a compression strength that is 10 times stronger than poured concrete and looks fantastic. The Enduracolor line is definitely the “beauty and the beast” of pavers, as they provide strength and the aesthetics homeowners are looking for to use in their hardscape and patio designs.

Avante Ashlar interlocking has random appearance Archadeck Cols — The Avante Ashlar paver features a random, interlocking appearance.

Unilock started selling the Enduracolor line last year with a couple of products. They have introduced even more products to the line this year. The Enduracolor Plus line of products takes the concept a step further with the addition of natural stone like quartz and granite. The Enduracolor Plus colors in their ultra-high-end “select” line and include Richcliff, Umbriano and Copthorne. These pavers come with a guarantee from Unilock that their color will never fade.

Unilock EnduraColor Il Campo — This walkway was built using EnduraColor in Il Campo — beautiful!

In the Enduracolor line, the new color additions include from a khaki color all the way to darker brown which can be seen in their sycamore color paver. The trend to add darker pavers this year comes from the trend towards the use of darker colors within the market. The Enduracolor line includes Beacon Hill flagstone, Avante Ashlar, Il Campo and Thornbury.

Here at Archadeck of Columbus, we use a lot of the Beacon Hill series in our hardscape designs. Beacon Hill is popular with our clients and comes in three beautiful colors, River, Sierra and the new introduction of Sycamore. As an authorized contractor, Unilock backs up our warranty for two years in addition to the strong warranties we already have in place for our customers!

We are very proud, once again to be awarded as an authorized contractor. We will continue to provide the highest quality products to homeowners in building the patio, retaining wall or other hardscape structure of their dreams! Contact Archadeck of Columbus today to learn more. (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

See our beautiful hardscape and patio designs by visiting our hardscape and patio photo gallery located on our website.

Top 7 hardscape design trends we’ve seen in 2013 (part 1 of 3-part series on design trends)

Archadeck of Columbus is in what many would call an enviable position. We have the opportunity to meet with homeowners around Columbus throughout the year and get to hear what they like, what they are looking for and what type of things they are contracting us to build in their backyards. As 2013 will soon be drawing to a close, we would like to share some of the trends we’re seeing on the front line. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing these design trends for decks and porches also. This week we will look at hardscape trends.

Top 7 hardscape design trends for 2013

Columbus OH covered patio for dining and entertaining — This covered paver patio in Columbus is a great example of planning for function and comfort in your outdoor space.

#1) Roofed structures over patios – This design trend has been a heavy hitter throughout the year and one we predict will continue into 2014. The reasoning behind the popularity of adding a roofed structure over a patio or hardscape area is because it provides a sense of an outdoor room. Pergolas have remained a top choice for a long time, but patio covers offer more protection from the elements and convey a more formal room setting. You don’t have to look very far to see the concept of the “outdoor room” in action; pick up any home and garden magazine and you will notice it is filled with design ideas regarding outdoor rooms. Everything from contemporary to rustic, outdoor rooms are what the “in” crowd is asking for in outdoor structure design. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, outdoor rooms are highly versatile and functional because they can provide an outdoor escape for a myriad of recreational and entertaining uses.

#2) Incorporating hardscape lighting – “Let there be light” seems to have been the unanimous request among hardscape homeowners. We have integrated tons of lighting into our hardscape designs over the past year. From lighting the risers of steps, pillars, seating walls and even into the soldier course through the use of lighted pavers, we have done it all! The allure of adding outdoor lighting into hardscape outdoor spaces is ambiance and enhanced safety. By adding romantic touches of light into a retaining wall, or paver patio for example, you can extend the function of the space. The beauty that comes from combining stone with lighting draws you into the space like a moth to a flame!

#3) The use of non-standard pavers – What is that old saying, “the bigger, the better?” When it comes to the use of larger non-standard sized pavers among hardscape owners, this saying certainly rings tree. Traditionally, homeowners have requested their patios and hardscape structures be built using the standard 4 x 8, 6 x6, and 6 x9 sized pavers. In 2013, Archadeck of Columbus has seen a huge increase in request for oversized pavers. The reason for the demand is because larger hardscape pieces lend more toward a natural feel and make the space look less like a typical patio. The downside to using larger pavers is that they can be overwhelming when using such large pieces. One option we use to overcome this is by using a paver rug option. Paver rugs are used to create a isolated section using inset patterned pavers. Paver rugs make wonderful design elements and look great in front of an outdoor fireplace, or to mimic the look of a rug under a grill or dining area — remember, creative touches make your design stand out!

#4) Mirroring designs – Mirroring is popular among our hardscape customers. The concept behind mirroring is simple, everything is built as a mirror image of the other side of the patio. Mirroring is desirable because it gives people comfort in their outdoor space and balance is always an important factor of hardscape designs.

Patio with sailor course edging adjacent to Deck Columbus Ohio — This patio and deck combination matches the exterior of this home beautifully and also includes a sailor course border for added contrast.

#5) Bordering options – Border usage is still very popular with patios. Adding a border gives a design finality and it gives the homeowner an opportunity to make their space original. We often change the color or texture of the pavers within a border and also mix solider course with sailor course to add character.

#6) Color – When you think of paver patios, the vision of red brick looking pavers is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Stretching to think about more recent hardscape colors, you probably envision earth-toned colors – and you’re right. Earth tones are incredibly popular. But in the last year, we’ve also seen gray tones rise in popularity both as a primary color or as a great color for bordering in the soldier course.

#7) Texture – Many different surface textures are available from relatively flat to coarsely tumbled or cobbled. What we’ve seen rise in popularity this year is the cleft surface texture. This texture is slightly uneven resembling the surface texture of natural bluestone.

If you are starting to think about adding a new outdoor space to your Columbus area home, give us a call for a free consultation.

(740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

Take a look at some of our patio and hardscape photos on our website.

Archadeck of Columbus discusses the benefits of a screened patio or covered patio addition; a new take on the traditional porch we all know and love

Archadeck of Columbus explores the realm of covered and screened patios including construction, benefits and costs.

Elevated screened patio — This elevated screened patio with adjoining patio below offers loads of low-maintenance qualities and aesthetic appeal.

In keeping with the endless outdoor living opportunities present with a screened porch addition, many homeowners are opting for less traditional screened porch designs. Most conventional methods of screen porch construction consist of being built on “top” of some kind of deck-like structure, be it wood or composite. However Archadeck of Columbus has built many screen porches and open porches over concrete pavers or hardscapes. These are generally referred to as screened patios, or covered patios with the only difference essentially being the grade of the structure and floor medium used.

Paver and hardscape patios can make a wonderful screened or covered/open porch addition. These outdoor living spaces are often built on the ground, or at a lower grade than traditional screened porches, but can also include an elevated design. Screened or covered patio construction begins with planning the corner columns of the structure. Here we install a standard footer set in concrete to secure the columns and create a base from which the structure is built out. In this part of the country we typically install these footers at 3 feet in depth due to freeze lines. Once the footers are installed, they serve as the base from which the rest of the structure is built. This includes the walls, rafters, roof and remainder of the structure. In constructing some of our screened or covered patio designs from scratch we will often extend the paver or hardscape out past the covered portion. This will allow a good transition and add valuable outdoor living space too!

Columbus screened patio builder — This screened patio in Columbus, OH is built using a mix of dimensional pavers and rustic cedar interior trim.

Often the question may arise, how do we adhere the walls when knee walls are present in the design? The answer is simple: we attach the walls to the pavers themselves with concrete fasteners. Another viable consideration is how do you combat the undulation of some pavers or hardscape mediums? When choosing a paver the homeowner needs to keep in mind the different paver textures. Using a hardscape material with varied undulation is actually no different from the undulation or character of a decking board — because no two are exactly alike.

There are many reasons homeowners choose a screened patio or covered patio design. These include the low-maintenance qualities tied to using a hardscape floor. Pavers and hardscapes are easy to maintain and to clean. Hardscapes are also strikingly beautiful from an aesthetic standpoint, and homeowners like to tie their screened or covered patio into a new or existing patio space as well. The mixture of wood and stone is also appealing aesthetically to many homeowners.

Columbus OH screened patios — This screened patio in Columbus, OH opens onto a covered patio which increases valuable outdoor living space.

You can also add a porch over an existing patio—this is done by installing footers which requires removing sections of the existing patio, setting posts, back filling and reinstalling the pavers. Portions of the pavers or hardscape of your existing space will have to be removed but once the porch is done, you won’t be able to tell. Our renovations look original once completed.

The price of adding a screened patio or covered patio all depends on the elevation of your design and the hardscape flooring you choose to use within the design. You can have it built two ways, either low-to-grade, which is essentially on the ground or elevated. Elevated screened patios generally cost 20% more than a regular elevated screened porch. The increase reflects the construction dynamics involved which consist of layers of aggregate that are necessary in patio construction. Low-to-grade designs usually cost approximately 10% more over standard screened porches built using wood. This increase may be non-existent or even a decrease when compared to screened porches built with higher-end solid PVC decking or its counterparts. Just like a savory recipe, it is the ingredients that go into an outdoor living design that make the difference, and reflect the costs involved.

To find out more about our quality hardscape outdoor living designs, including patios, screened patio and covered patios, contact Archadeck of Columbus today. Call us for a free consultation (740) 879 – 3730 or drop us an email at westcolumbus@archadeck.net

Please visit our patio and hardscape photo gallery and our outdoor living photo gallery located on our website to see more of our fabulous Columbus area hardscape designs!

Exploring the evolution of Columbus hardscape design as it moves from the backyard into the spotlight

Archadeck of Columbus explores the growing popularity of hardscape designs used to enhance the front of the home.

Columbus OH Hardscape front of home additions — This paver sidewalk and landing is carved out into the landscape and adds loads of curb appeal to this Columbus, OH home.

When you mention the term hardscape, most people automatically envision a backyard paver or stone patio. Backyard patios are a huge asset to your outdoor living space but the realm of hardscape designs is vast and hardscape designs are not confined to the backyard. There is a plethora of design options in adding a hardscape space to either the side or front of your home. Hardscapes can change the entire mood and look of your home and the surrounding landscape. You can peruse through the pages of any upscale home or outdoor living magazine sitting on the store shelf and see the trend in pavers and stone as they move from the backyard and into areas that are more visible. Any realtor will be quick to point out that adding curb appeal will increase your return on investment on outdoor additions. Homes with great entrances sell quicker and will put more money in your pocket at closing.

Columbus OH front of home hardscape designs — Another view of this lovely hardscape addition in Columbus, OH.

You can really beautify the front of your home and add curb appeal by adding a paver walkway or sidewalk. Even a concrete driveway takes center stage when transformed into a hardscape or paver driveway, this will also give your entire property a more upscale and refined look. Archadeck of Columbus has also had great success in upgrading the aesthetics of the home by adding hardscape curved stairs, retaining walls, planters and even landings. Most walkways, driveways and landings are built in just concrete, but in the past few years we are seeing that trend shifting towards constructing these areas in hardscapes. There is a multitude of products offering different colors, textures and patterns that genuinely blend with the colors of your home, whereas concrete is just concrete and really doesn’t “match” anything.

Columbus OH pavered drivways and sidewalks — This hardscape addition in Columbus, OH features a paver driveway and sidewalks.

Materials like stone and pavers not only harmonize better with the colors used in many brick, stucco and wood home facades; they can also soften the lines of your home. Most homes are very linear in nature, for example you may have a rectangular or square entry or landing with square steps to access these areas. Removing these linear areas is simple in most cases, and they can be replaced with curved pavers or vertical dimensions including stairs to beautify the front yard. When using pavers in a design, you gain the ability to curve areas that will contrast and compliment the linear and square dimensions of your home adding visual interest.

Columbus OH Paver sidewalks — The beautiful curves of this paver sidewalk soften the brick facade of the home.

One of the most favorable trends in hardscapes right now is the front courtyard. The front courtyard can totally change your perspective of the front entrance to your home. The concept behind the front courtyard mimics the front porches of old providing a cozy area where you can sit down, relax and reconnect with your neighbors. These spaces even make the perfect place to wait for your child to arrive home from school because it gives you a vantage point to see them get off the school bus in the afternoon without having to stand at the curb. A front courtyard will also provide seasonal space for you to enjoy throughout the outdoor living season and can even be designed to include amenities like seating walls and end pillars which can be used to mount versatile lanterns to light the space.

Columbus OH pavered planting area — Adding hardscape planters is a practical way to add appeal to the front of your home.

As with any outdoor addition the front of your home should set the stage for the design, textures and colors you choose for your hardscape addition. You may also consider replicating, augmenting or complimenting specific architectural features of your home to gain the most success from your anticipated hardscape design. The key to a successful hardscape addition also lies in keeping the scale and proportion of your design in mind. Even a simple hardscape addition can make the front of your home more unique, because the key to a wonderful hardscape design is to keep it safe and practical.

If you would like to learn more about adding a front of home hardscape addition, or transforming an existing space with pavers, or another hardscape medium, contact Archadeck of Columbus to learn more today. Call today for a free consultation (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

Our upcoming covered porch and hardscape project in Dublin, OH is sure to become a backyard paradise

Archadeck of Columbus gives us a peak into an upcoming outdoor living combination project that includes a covered porch, outdoor kitchen and hardscape seating wall.

Archadeck of Columbus hardscapes and outdoor kitchen combinations — A first look into our upcoming covered porch, hardscape and outdoor kitchen project in Dublin, OH.

Archadeck of Columbus is excited to preview an upcoming outdoor living combination project that we are scheduled to begin in Dublin, Ohio. The homeowners have an existing patio which we plan to adjoin a gable roof open porch complete with a fully functional outdoor kitchen and seating wall into. Part of the design will include encompassing elements of existing walls into match their existing patio. The result of tying in these elements will deliver an outdoor combination living space that is eclectic, yet elegant.

Upcoming hardscape covered patio in Dublin, OH by Archadeck of Columbus — Notice how the hardscape seating wall will tie the entire space together promoting a cozy feel.

The new hardscape space will be completed using Unilock Beacon Hill pavers in Sierra, which will make a dramatic impact used in the new seating wall that skirts the perimeter of the porch space and will add valuable seating options to the outdoor kitchen portion of this design. The porch pillars will be wrapped in Polonia wood, adding clean lines to enliven the texture of the multiple hardscapes used throughout the design. Archadeck of Columbus also plans to introduce outdoor lighting to the upcoming space for added safety, function and to promote ambiance.

Hardscape seating wall and outdoor kitchen design for project in Dublin, OH — This rendering shows the way the Brentwood stone will accentuate the additional hardscapes used in the project.

On the outdoor kitchen portion of this project we are using a specialty stone called Brentwood stone. This unique stone will be used as the countertop for the outdoor kitchen and on the pillar caps to gently frame the space with subtle accents of stone. Since it will be necessary to have the stone sized, the stone will be cut in Missouri and shipped directly to Archadeck of Columbus. As is the case when using any type of specialty stone, it is important to remember you first have to build the base, create a template and then build to those specifications. If these steps are not done with precision and in a timely manner, this can delay installation of the stone or even delay completion of the entire project.

Design rendering for Dublin OH hardscape outdoor living space — Detailed design rendering prepared for upcoming Dublin, OH outdoor living space.

When planning our projects, we make every effort to ensure even the most minute details fall into place giving you a project that is finished on time. Part of this process includes creating a detailed design rendering of your anticipated outdoor space, a project scope and making sure all the materials including the specialized ones, are measured and ordered out in a timely manner. We make sure “no stone is left unturned”( no pun intended), in providing you with the outdoor living space of your dreams.

These Dublin homeowners are excited about starting their backyard makeover and cannot wait to start enjoying it!

If you are ready to set the wheels in motion to making your outdoor living dreams a reality, contact Archadeck of Columbus for a free design consultation. We treat each of our customers as if they’re our only customers, each and every time. (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

Please visit our porches photo gallery and our outdoor living photo gallery located on our website to see more examples of outdoor kitchens designed within porch settings.

Imagine the fabulous outdoor living possibilities with a Columbus hardscape patio design to enjoy this season and beyond

Archadeck of Columbus explores the reason it is hard not to fall in love with a patio, or hardscape structure for your Columbus backyard.

Take a look at this stunning Archadeck of Columbus Design Contest winner 2012 patios hardscapes

Much more is involved in creating a beautiful paver patio than just carving out a niche in your landscape and filling it with sand and pavers. There is a common misconception among many homeowners that choosing a hardscape outdoor structure is a last resort after considering other more “traditional” outdoor spaces. This may be influenced by the shape of your lot, or even the elevation, neither of which are true. Today’s hardscapes offer an aesthetic you just don’t get with a deck or porch. Choosing a hardscape as a stand-alone outdoor space or as part of an outdoor living combination structure adds depth and texture to your backyard. Hardscapes are versatile and beautiful in their own rite and our hardscape designs begin as meticulously planned designs that contain as much thought and consideration as our other outdoor structures.

Patios are becoming a “must have” in Columbus backyards, and for good reason

You have to always take into consideration a patio is part of your yard whereas decks and porches are generally connected in some way to your existing home. Many patios are set at grade level and have no step down to the yard. This concept opens up a world of possibilities for many backyards that otherwise could not facilitate the addition of a deck or porch. A quality hardscape outdoor space can enable homeowners to open the back door and enter directly into their outdoor space with little or no transition.

Columbus patio design plan — Here is an example of our detailed hardscape patio design plan.

Patios are also considered low-maintenance which is often an overlooked benefit of owning a hardscape. Patios are easy to maintain and only require a quick sweep of leaves or debris to clean. If something happens to one paver, it can be removed and replaced without disrupting the structure around it.

Another Columbus paver patio hardscape design.

The most important consideration when choosing a hardscape patio or other hardscape outdoor space is function. Hardscape designs can offer abundant dining space, seating space and grilling space all working in unison to mimic the feel of a porch or other outdoor room. Some homeowners are choosing to replace old solid concrete slab patios and wood decks with pavers since they do not crack like the slabs do. Data indicates that patios are a solid investment.

Columbus OH paver patio with retaining wall and fire pit — The curved seating wall and firepit is a great way to add vertical dimension to this patio in Columbus, OH.

When we meet with homeowners considering a hardscape addition for a design consultation, we carefully mold a plan with their vision of the perfect hardscape patio. We then plan for the amount of space needed to accommodate those needs. Archadeck of Columbus prepares a detailed 3-dimesnonal rendering of your anticipated hardscape outdoor living space so you will be able to visualize every detail of the plan.

To find out more about our fabulous hardscape outdoor living designs, including patios, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits, contact Archadeck of Columbus today. Call us for a free consultation (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

Please visit our patio and hardscape photo gallery and out outdoor fireplace and fire pit photo gallery located on our website for more hardscape ideas for your backyard!

Archadeck of Columbus is now an authorized Unilock contractor!

Archadeck of Columbus is proud to offer Unilock products to their already extensive line of high-quality hardscapes.

WallAccents Unilock — This outdoor oasis was built using Unilock wall accents- photo courtesy of Unilock.

Archadeck of Columbus is now an authorized contractor for Unilock pavers. Unilock has been a great product for us but we are happy to have recently been approved as an authorized contractor. In order to do so, candidates must be verified as a reputable company in regards to warranties, proper installations and correct certification. This invitation is only granted to a select few and we’re honored to be chosen.

Unilock is an international company with a wealth of great products. Some of their new products to keep an eye out for include their new wall product, Rivercrest™ Wall. This product offers the character and flexibility of natural stone with the durability and affordability of concrete. Another newcomer to the Unilock family is Thornbury™pavers. These pavers are ideal for both standard and permeable installations. It delivers a modestly textured surface and three compatible sizes allowing for a pleasing look. Unilock also introduced a new paver called Belpasso which is one of the most durable pavers available today because of its ability to resist stains.

OutdoorLiving elements by Unilock — Outdoor Living elements by Unilock- photo courtesy of Unilock

Among the most favored characteristic within the family of Unilock products is their use of EnduraColor products. EnduraColor is a unique pigment process. The process utilizes more than just a top-color only process but allows pigment to go deep into the paver. Unilock has been manufacturing products with the EnduraColor and EnduraColor Plus features for twenty years. First introduced in 1992, both technologies are exclusive to Unilock. EnduraColor uses high quality surface aggregates for increased durability. It also incorporates additional cement within the top layer of their product for reduced water absorption. What this means to the homeowner has a surface which is smoother, has more color stability, and wears better than traditional pavers.

Unilock offers a huge selection of products featuring extensive color selections to suit any taste. They are also cutting edge when it comes to their designs such as offering the same color schemes for vertical products as they do pavers. Their palette is always evolving. Unilock also offers transferable lifetime guarantees which is another plus for us in the way Unilock solidifies its commitment to providing an outstanding product and promise to the customer.

You can view photos of gorgeous Columbus hardscape projects from our extensive portfolio by visiting our hardscape and patio photo gallery and our outdoor fireplace and fire pit photo gallery located on our website.

To learn more about the Unilock line of superior hardscape products and how they can enhance your outdoor living design contact Archadeck of Columbus today for a free consultation (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net.

Archadeck of Columbus helps you plan the perfect patio or hardscape from head to toe

Archadeck of Columbus helps you plan the perfect patio or hardscape this spring from start to finish and everything in-between.

When it comes to getting the most enjoyment and functionality out of your patio or hardscape, the devil is in the details. To the surprise of many of our clients one of the most important things to consider when planning your design is what will actually go into your space in terms of furniture, grills, etc. The key is to treat your outdoor spaces with the same consideration when analyzing and “sizing up” your interior space. How often do you go into an empty house and not really think about your furnishings? When you purchased your home, the room sizes were predetermined so you had to fit within those constraints. If you’re adding a new outdoor space, you can determine how you want to live in your new space and thus how you want to furnish it. That will tell us what size your new space needs to be.

Columbus Monarch Composite Deck with Paver Patio — Planning the perfect patio includes furniture considerations, shape, size and placement to allow proper traffic flow.

During our consultation we always ask what primary function your space will serve. For example, will your space be used primarily for dining or seating? If your answer is dining, then we take into consideration how many chairs you will need and the size of your table. If you are considering using a round table which is typically four feet in diameter and includes four chairs that are typically two and a half feet deep, we can help you decide your best use of space. One crucial factor that is often missed is allowing ample pull-out room for your chairs. Having enough room to easily sit back and relax in your chairs is a necessity if you want to get the most enjoyment from your space. Another key consideration is the type of chairs you intend to use in your patio. Rockers, swivels and stationary chairs all have different dimensions. Knowing ahead of time what furnishings you intend to use will allow us to ensure your space delivers proper traffic flow. The goal is to have a space that is large enough to travel to and around your table easily. This is especially important with dining because tripping could cause an accident or a spill.

Columbus paver patio rounded edges rounded retaining wall bench — Consider the big picture and how you wish your space to function in the years to come when planning your patio or hardscape endeavor.

A very popular table size is four feet in diameter. In order to obtain a comfortable proportion you will need a space that is 8 and a half feet. You have to consider the space that the chairs occupy when being occupied and the space they occupy when you and your guests are sitting away from the table during conversation or after meals. A typical case scenario is when your table is occupied and all are sitting away from the table. Then, you s till need room to move around those chairs. Once you add up all these measurements, this totals an area of approximately 14 square feet. There’s a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to space planning.

Columbus OH hardscape patios and paths — This hardscape patio and path in Columbus, OH is a good example of mixing hardscape mediums in one design.

Once you have decided upon the perfect size furnishings to use for your new space, you’ll need to think about texture choices. A scored concrete or paver patio contains undulation which is part of the beauty of the hardscape itself. These undulations and grooves also mean your chairs will not sit perfectly flat as they did in the showroom when you made your purchase. Some hardscape materials offer a more level surface than others. If leveled area for seating and dining is a must then we can mix mediums in your hardscape design. Mixing mediums will allow for a mix of smooth hardscape in your functional space and rough textured hardscapes throughout the remainder of your patio. Not only will this solve the dilemma of rocking furniture, it also looks great and helps delineate your space. The joints of your paver patio will also influence steadiness of your furnishings. The distance of the pavers to each other will help hold furnishings level. In essence a smaller joint promotes a steadier surface for tables and chairs.

Paver patio with rounded edges rounded step Columbus OH — Paver patio with rounded edges and steps in Columbus OH

We cannot forget the importance of choosing outdoor furnishings that match the appeal of your patio. Many of today’s contemporary outdoor furniture designs use streamlined design with deeper seating with less of an emphasis on a slender leg. Stacked resin furniture is wildly popular right now. The trend we see throughout outdoor furniture design is taking the comfort and easy feel of your living room into the exterior. The term outdoor room is widely used in patio and hardscape designs for this very reason. Homeowner’s are leaning toward outdoor furniture that mimics the comfort and loftiness of their favorite couch or easy chair but with low-maintenance outdoor fabric choices.

Cedar deck and patio in Columbus, OH — This deck and patio combination by Archadeck of Columbus exemplifies good landscape planning.

Last but certainly never least, don’t forget the patio landscaping. This stage of planning a patio or hardscape addition is often an afterthought. Many times homeowners only landscape the area around the perimeter of the patio after completion. The foundation of a patio extends by about one foot to support the outside perimeter. It needs to have a landscaping plan even if it only includes mulch beds or planting beds. This is also a service Archadeck of Columbus can provide enabling you to build it into your contract. Landscaping choices should also reflect shade configurations that will affect your completed patio or hardscape and be planned accordingly.

If your outdoor living season aspirations include a patio or hardscape addition, we can help from head to toe. We can assist you in choosing the correct size space all the way building and landscaping your space. Contact Archadeck of Columbus today for a free consultation (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

See more examples of stunning patios and hardscapes by visiting our patio and hardscape photo gallery and our outdoor living photo gallery located on our website.