Paver Patio Design and Installation – Columbus Decks, Porches and Patios by Archadeck of Columbus

Archadeck of Columbus wants to know: Have you joined the hardscape revolution?

At Archadeck of Columbus, we have observed three types of homeowners:

Those who have a paver patio and enjoy it to the max, practically living outdoors
Those who have an old slab concrete patio and are considering a change to pavers
Those whose yard contains no pavers or slab; they are desperately in need of a paver patio

Which group are you in? Over the past several years we have seen homeowners spending more and more time outdoors on their patios. That trend is not going to wind down any time soon. The kind of custom-designed hardscape outdoor living environment we build will never go out of style. People just enjoy them too much!

Group One: You own a paver patio

If you have one, you know: the paver patio is a thing of beauty. The artful arrangement of smooth, cool stones beckons you outdoors. The effect is almost hypnotic. There is nowhere else you would rather relax — or entertain — than there. The patio is an extension of your home, and it may be your favorite part of the home.

Is your hardscape environment complete? Perhaps as you enjoy entertaining outdoors, you notice there is never enough seating. Have you thought about adding a seating wall? Archadeck of Columbus can rim the patio with a low wall and top it with round-edged stones comfortable for seating. Supplementing your chairs with a seating wall keeps the patio from looking cluttered with too much furniture. You won’t need to bring additional chairs outside; the seating wall is always there.

If you enjoy dining outdoors, it may be time to expand the paver patio to accommodate an outdoor kitchen. The chef and bartender in the family can enjoy more time with the guests without having to run back and forth into the house for food and beverages. Or, what about a fire pit or free-standing fireplace to take the chill off of cooler evenings? It may be time to elevate your outdoor living game, and it’s definitely time to begin planning for fall.

Would your patio look better with built-in stone planters, decorative pillars or lighting for safety or ambiance? We can easily add amenities to an existing patio to enhance your enjoyment of time spent outdoors.

Group Two: Your old concrete slab patio is (past) due for an upgrade

While a basic concrete slab patio is functional, it is uninspiring and usually too small. Are you still entertaining guests on the builder-grade patio that came with your home? If so, you are more than ready for a custom-designed hardscape to replace that slab. We can meet with you to nurture your vision of how a bigger and better patio would suit your family’s lifestyle. We can help you to stop seeing only what is there now and start seeing what could be there.

Take a look at the before and after. They are different angles but we promise, this is the same house!

We have designed a variety of hardscapes in the Columbus area and can work with you to select the materials and design elements that will work with your budget. Maybe you want to go “all out” with a stone fireplace and a full outdoor kitchen, or perhaps you would prefer to start small and add more space and amenities later (see above). With our phased building program, we can create a design for your long-term plan and then build it in stages as your budget permits.

Group Three: Your home has not experienced a patio

If your home is patio free, you don’t know what you’re missing! Or, if you’ve enjoyed socializing at a friend’s home with a hardscape outdoor living space, maybe you do know! Either way, you need to call us and get started as soon as you can. Don’t let another summer or fall pass without being able to enjoy relaxing, gardening or entertaining on your own paver patio.

Time spent outdoors with friends and family is precious, and an attractive and comfortable patio can help you enjoy it to the fullest. The stone or concrete pavers available today are amazingly beautiful and durable. It’s no surprise that pavers are the most popular choice for homeowners in the Columbus area who are considering a new patio or hardscape.

What’s more, Archadeck of Columbus can design a hardscape environment around the size and shape of your outdoor furnishings so all elements are coordinated and the end result exudes harmony. If you are having trouble picturing a hardscape design that would best complement your outdoor furniture, we can create an architectural rendering including the furniture to help you achieve your vision.

Contact Archadeck of Columbus today to learn more about creating the right hardscape outdoor living space for your family. You can reach us at (740) 879 – 3730, or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net.

Our Newest Project in Galena, OH, Gives New Meaning to the Term “Dog Day Afternoon”

Archadeck of Columbus just completed a backyard transformation in Vinmar Farms, a neighborhood located in Galena, Ohio. When we originally met with the homeowners they had recently purchased the home and their existing outdoor living space consisted of only an 8x 10 builder grade deck. Not only was the deck small it created a boxed in feeling of not being able to turn around in the space, and it offered no access to the backyard from the deck itself. In order to enter the backyard you had to do so from the main level of the home. Since the home included a walkout basement, not having access to the backyard from the deck was an issue they wanted to rectify.

When we met with the homeowners to discuss upgrading their outdoor living space there was another prerequisite we needed to address. Aside from all the reasons associated with the size, flow and functionality of the existing space. The homeowners, being caring dog owners, wanted a space that would give their beloved canines, and themselves, an open space to spend time outdoors together and separate.

The final design we came up with speaks to all their concerns through a new (much larger) low-maintenance deck, spacious Unilock patio and under-deck space that could provide a shady spot on those dog day afternoons. The entire space flows from one into another and offers access to the backyard AND walkout basement.

The deck is built in durable TimberTech Terrain in brown oak, this color is not only easy on the eyes, it also helps mask any dirt brought onto the deck by muddy paws. The deck also includes a white vinyl rail with a TimberTech rail cap which unifies the design. We used a three-board tread step approach to the stairs to make travel up and down into and from the deck into the yard easier for the homeowner’s aging dogs.

Just a gentle walk below the deck is the stunning curvilinear paver patio which opens up the outdoor living space possibilities for man, and man’s best friend. The patio is built with Unilock Beacon Hill Flagstone pavers in platinum with a sailor course edge in Unilock Basalt Courtstone. The patio is finished off with a cropped rotary wall of Ledgestone which compliments the edge of the patio and adds a custom touch to the entrance into the walk-out basement.

As you can see, the patio floor extends the length of the under-deck area to provide a shady spot for the homeowner’s dogs to relax on warm days. The homeowner’s plan to add low-profile outdoor furnishings to help make the under-deck area easily accessible for the dogs too.

The entire space is built with pet-friendliness and extended outdoor living capabilities in mind. The homeowners are elated with their new backyard, as are their dogs. We look forward to revisiting this project in the months ahead and capture images of our four-legged clients enjoying the space too!

If you are ready to extend your outdoor living possibilities, for all members of your family to enjoy, Archadeck of Columbus can help! We can address any special circumstances and expertly refine an outdoor living space to address those needs. Contact us today to learn more at (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net.

Our Hardscape and Softscape Project in London, OH, Merges New and Old Seamlessly!

There is nothing more interesting than when Archadeck of Columbus gets the chance to work on a historic home in our local geography. It certainly does present some challenges in terms of keeping the integrity of the home while providing homeowners with all the practical elements and benefits that are all about today’s outdoor lifestyle. We recently worked on a project in London, OH, with a home built in 1865 on 7.5 acres that has steep history during the Civil War/Antebellum era.

The house has been restored numerous times throughout its lifespan, and luckily the previous owner did renovations to the home to code back in 2000 after investing almost $750K to restore it, including the home’s stunning original brick veneer. This home’s newest owners also wanted to do right to the structure to continue its legacy in the proper way and preserve its integrity, but also add plenty of energy that would enhance the exterior. They wanted a masterful intermingling of new and old.

On a project of this scope, the homeowner’s needed a highly skilled company with expertise in these areas for a large-scale outdoor additions complete with landscaping that would elegantly blend the new upgrades so they would complement the existing look and feel of the home. The homeowners didn’t necessarily want to have a historically accurate renovation, but rather have the improvements to the outdoor entertaining areas marry beautifully with what was already in place. This delicate balance was struck with the addition of a large paver patio, retaining/seating walls and fire pit along with extensive landscape installation to create a tasteful and practical outdoor living space that would complement this gracious home and property without overpowering its handsome simple lines.

The home originally had an existing deck off the back which was long overdue for an upgrade, so we tore it down to make way for a whole new look that was more in keeping with the historical nature of the brick building. Archadeck of Columbus added a hardscape outdoor living environment with stunning curved tiered steps lead from one area to the other in a dreamy way that tempers the hard lines and materials. The project also includes all the softscape foliage landscaping as well.

The hardscapes are built solely using Unilock and Belgard pavers due to their beauty and hard-wearing nature. The patio features Unilock pavers from the Camelot series in the Riverblend color with plenty of natural hues. All the vertical hardscapes were built using Belgard pavers from their Bel-air line in the Fossil Beige color. Both of these beautifully complement each other and have a seamless feel. The softscaping installation pairs well with all the stonework and adds plenty of color thanks to gorgeous specimens of Hydrangeas, Lavender, KnockOut Roses, new trees and evergreens for year round green.

London OH hardscape outdoor living environment — Just look at the vantage point the family now has to enjoy the view!

The family is beyond overjoyed at their new outdoor living environment, and you can see it looks heavenly. These homeowner’s are now in the process of adding a tranquil backyard pool to further their enjoyment and are currently in discussions with Archadeck of Columbus to design and build a paver pool surround, pavilion and a pool house — they are so excited, and we are too!

Not only did we meet their challenge of merging old and new, but the property now boasts a multi-faceted and multi-functional outdoor living space that increases the livability of this stately 18th century home.

Got a challenging project for us? Give Archadeck of Columbus a call today for a free consultation at (740) 879 – 3730. We look forward to your call. Please also visit our website at http://columbus.archadeck.com.

Archadeck of Columbus on the road in Canada

Each fall, as our busiest season winds down, I try to bring some of my crew members up to my family’s cabin in Canada for a little well-earned break. You can’t beat the scenery there in October. Our place sits on the banks of the Ottawa River in Ontario and looks across to a provincial park in Quebec. We all have a great time fishing, relaxing, and enjoying Molson Canadian.

At heart though, we are all builders and our conversations inevitably turn to what projects we could do that would make the place a little nicer for our next trip up. We have a nice space inside for watching the river go by, but it’s a little short on seating. There is plenty of room outside, but the property slopes away from the house down to the water. We wanted to build something that would give us plenty of space and stability to enjoy our time outside looking at the blaze of autumn color across the river or counting the stars.

The first question was whether it should be a deck or patio. We wanted something low profile and natural to the setting. The winters are extremely harsh up there and I didn’t want to add one more thing that required maintenance. These factors made the choice pretty simple: paver patio.

Taking our show on the road presented a few challenges. We had to source our materials locally and we were ordering them at the end of the building season when stock is a little scarce. Chuck at Reiche & Sons took great care of us. We were able to order Oaks pavers, a product I’ve used to build Columbus patios. We designed and built the whole project in less than a week with time to spare for happy hours and fishing breaks. Thanks also to Pat Stewart who was kind enough to loan us his loader and Kubota tractor: that really made the job easier!

The finished patio is roughly 14’x20’ with room for 12 chairs. There is a drop off on one side of about 28” which I imagine will end up being a seating wall for the kids. We used graystone and buff for the pavers and Oaks Gardenia greystone for the retaining wall. We worked most of the day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday we put in polymeric sand and we were done. It won’t require any maintenance. Period.

While we were lucky with the weather and have never had a better view at a job site, I’m thrilled to have the work done. It was really cool to have the chance to add a new amenity to the cabin that my grandfather built with his guys back in the early 1940s. Having seen how much joy the place has given four generations of family (so far), I know how meaningful a building project like this can be. I’m looking forward to hearing and seeing the reactions and pictures from my extended family during their trips to “Harry’s Haven” next year. They are gonna love it! Special thanks to Rob Mitchell, Phil Sluss, Seth Mitchell, and his dad Rahe. Outstanding work, guys!

If you’re thinking about adding an outdoor living space to your Columbus backyard, give us a call to see how we can make creating your dream backyard an enjoyable experience, start to finish. The consultation is completely free. Call (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net. We look forward to your call.

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!

Archadeck of Columbus joins forces with Mr. Mulch to discuss what is hot in hardscapes

Archadeck of Columbus discusses the trending hardscape designs for Autumn 2013 as we enter into the season for tailgating, fire pits and renewed family time!

This beautiful Tiger Wood colored custom multi-level composite deck with an outdoor fireplace creates a comfortable outdoor living space. — This beautiful Tiger Wood colored custom multi-level composite deck in Columbus, OH with an outdoor fireplace creates a comfortable outdoor living space.

When it comes to keeping on trend with the latest hardscape designs no one around does a better job than Archadeck of Columbus! Recently, I was fortunate enough to talk with Jeff Ortman, the Director of Sale and Marketing for Mr. Mulch right here in Columbus, to find out what is hot in hardscapes right now. Mr. Mulch specializes in providing area residents a wide variety of items to help compliment their outdoor living needs and has worked along with Archadeck of Columbus on various projects throughout the years. Mr Mulch maintains a respected following in our region and are able to gauge the up-and-coming trends of our community through info from the vast number of residents they consult with on a day to day basis in regards to their various outdoor living accompaniment needs.

In my conversation with Jeff Ortman, he pointed out that most consumers aren’t shopping for just a hardscape patio per se; they are looking for ways to enhance the full outdoor living effect and are looking for ways to enhance the “outdoor room” experience. With this in mind, many Mr. Mulch customers are leaning toward outfitting their backyards with the upcoming football season in mind. Mr. Mulch has seen a dramatic increase in the popularity of backyard smokers – in particular the Big green Egg. Many homeowners are planning their backyard patio area to include these smokers by way of an island to make access to the smoker more convenient. Outdoor kitchens also remain a hot commodity as part of patio designs here in the Columbus area. As a whole, when you include an outdoor kitchen, smoker and backyard patio, homeowners can mimic the feel of tailgating in their own backyard. This is especially the case when you add in a big screen TV mounted to the patio on a Sunday afternoon with a handful of your closest football loving friends- score!

Columbus_screen_porch_divider_rail_patio_and_firepit — The fire pit and patio combination never goes out of style. Pictured here is a outdoor living combination of screen porch, spa deck, custom patio and fire pit.

Along with the popular backyard “tailgating” effect that is a growing trend among Columbus hardscape designs, Jeff indicated the continued popularity of patios designs featuring fire elements. The love of the outdoor fire pit and the outdoor fireplace remains steadfast among Columbia homeowners. Natural wood-burning fire pits and fireplaces seem to be the method of choice here in our area because of the classic ambiance natural wood creates – and wood costs less to burn. Imagine cuddled up around your custom fire pit by Archadeck of Columbus in your beautiful Amish-made Berlin Gardens Adirondack chairs from Mr. Mulch making s’mores with your family on a crisp autumn evening a delight.

With so many hardscape colors and styles to choose from, sometimes it can be hard to decide on the right hardscape for your dream patio or paver project. With this in mind, I asked Jeff his “most requested” colors and styles. He indicated that customers are leaning toward a more natural looking stone or classic style paver look. Among the most requested color, hands-down is coffee creek, and among the most requested brand is Unilock. Unilock is a good quality product with a good quality price point – who could ask for more?

Archadeck of Columbus wants to cordially thank the professionals over at Mr. Mulch for all that they do, and especially to Jeff Ortman for his help on keeping on trend with his clientele. We value our relationship with Mr. Mulch, and look forward to many happy returns in the future!

If you are thinking of adding an outdoor living space to your backyard, and are considering if a hardscape is the right choice for you and your family, contact Archadeck of Columbus. We can schedule a free design consultation to explore your options and help you make an informed decision that is the best choice aesthetically, functionally and according to your budget, call us today (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

For more inspiring examples of trending hardscape patio designs please visit our outdoor living photo gallery located on our website. Here you will find more images of Columbia area outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and outdoor fireplace designs!

Archadeck of Columbus shares the top color trends in acheiving a fabulous hardscape design

Archadeck of Columbus discusses the color trends in hardscapes.

Columbus OH patios an hardscapes builder — This CAD design rendering showcases some of the hottest trends in hardscape designs.

As an outdoor structure design and build company, we pay close attention to the color trends in all aspects of outdoor living spaces. Hardscapes in particular are ever becoming a more popular choice. Whether your vision of a hardscape is a retaining wall to border your landscape, or a patio, a path or seating wall, choosing the right color is important to your overall satisfaction with your new outdoor space.

Among the many color trends we are seeing in hardscapes are homeowner’s choosing colors that closely match their home. Choosing a color to closely match the exterior of your home is more easily achieved through stain and stamp style applications. Pavers have a lot more variations within each color because they are blends, which can be a little trickier to getting an exact match. Earth tones are being used more readily, which encompass a neutral base and allows for easier color matching options.

Contrasting colors are also popular with hardscape designs. One way to incorporate contrast through color is by adding a border to your hardscape. Soldier course and sailor course borders are popular. A soldier course involves the brick, or paver, used as a border or edging standing up, whereas a sailor course lies down flush with the patio. With borders, like a sailor course, darker ribbons around the edges of your hardscape not only add a stunning contrast, but they also serve as an outline to indicate where the edge of the patio ends. Texture is just as important as color and is also a great medium used to add contrast. Right now the old Chicago style street banding is being requested frequently. This style involves changing the color in the banding to deliver a vintage look. We are seeing a lot more variations in banding by using red bricks too. You may also consider using two different color pavers, with different textures to add contrast to your design. A good example of this approach is using a standard brick with a soldier course in tumbled brick, or using a traditional clay paver with an embossed finish. Choosing a hardscape professional that is inclined to “think outside the box” will help you achieve a unique contrast within your hardscape structure.

Columbus Monarch Composite Deck with Paver Patio — Among the most popular multiple living structure combinations is the deck and patio.

In order to get a beautiful, on trend hardscape you don’t always have to use contrast. You can still achieve a stunning effect by playing up the darker and lighter tones of the same hardscape material. When using pavers, the same pallet will hold different degrees of dark and light pavers within the same color base, and when installed to play up these difference you can create a breathtaking finished project.

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

Along with color, texture and contrast there are still a myriad of ways to bring out the individuality in your hardscape. A great way to add vertical interest to areas like retaining and seating walls and built-in grills is to use different kinds of curving. If you have a slightly raised bed outside your patio there are curving products that can add dimension and elevation to the patio. Among my personal favorite of growing trends are multi-level outdoor spaces that include fire features, seating walls and even pillars. Pillars add drama and vertical dimension and can even include lights in them to shine down on the face of the pillar. We often see coach lights used on top with different bands which can be used at both ends of a seating wall or to define an entrance into the backyard or a walkway leading to a patio. Curving can even be used on the front of your home to add flair; this can be achieved through concrete steps, or even adding a new paver walkway that leads to your entry. Hardscapes in the front of your home will also add a tremendous amount of curb appeal.

Throughout 2012, and continuing into 2013 multiple living spaces remain big. This includes combinations of hardscape spaces and deck or paver spaces. As we look into the New Year we anticipate the popularity of solar paver lights to increase. These pavers have replaceable batteries and can last for up to 100,000 hours. Unilock offers a solar paver, as well as a line of glowing pavers that charge during the day and glow at night giving the appearance of “glowing in the dark”. These unique additions to the Unilock line of quality products are great for creating ambiance.

Let Archadeck of Columbus keep you up to date on the latest trends in outdoor living designs. We specialize in creating a space for you that provides function and beauty beyond your wildest dreams. Contact us today for a free consultation (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

See more inspiring photos of beautiful hardscapes by visiting our patio and hardscape photo gallery and our outdoor living photo galleries located on our website.

Double the enjoyment by adding a patio to your deck or porch

Archadeck of Columbus delivers the forecast in what is hot in outdoor living trends for this Spring. Deck and patio combinations, as well as porch and patio combinations seem to be at the top of the list.

Columbus_OH_large_paver_patio_with_screen_porch_and_deck — This photo shows how each of the structures,the custom deck, screened porch and patio by Archadeck of Columbus work together as one.

We are really excited about the outdoor living season this year. We recently took part in two fantastic home shows in the area and got tons of ideas on the outdoor living trends for this Spring. While at the show we had a great deal of interest in not only decks, but also adding a patio to your deck. The trend we see is that Columbus area homeowners are requesting the addition of a patio to go with their new AND existing decks and porches. It stands to reason that even when it comes to outdoor living structures the hot new idea is to double the fun.

The great part about adding a hardscape, such as a patio, to your deck or porch is that it is the perfect add-on to give you those multiple outdoor living areas that you really want. A patio can be added with a new, or existing, deck or porch at anytime. Adding a patio to your deck is a great way to spice it up and put that spark back into your outdoor entertaining as well enhance the beauty in your backyard.

Wouldn’t it be great to have your deck serve as your outdoor cooking or gathering location and have a beautiful patio adjacent to use for dining and conversation? Or even a deck that leads into a covered hardscape patio with a fully functional outdoor kitchen? The entertaining opportunities that open up to you when you think about a dual structure such as a deck and patio combination are endless. Having multiple living areas within your outdoor design can offer more room and expand the functionality of your design. We can design a project for you that will turn your backyard until the ultimate backyard oasis.

Paver Patio with Composite Deck — Synthetic Deck with Hot Tub and Paver Patio

Archadeck of Columbus also offers “phased building”. This means we can plan upgrades or additions to your current project to accommodate for later additions or enhancements. For instance, if you really want a deck for this season, but foresee the future facilitating a patio and deck combination, we can make all the necessary adjustments in advance so when your budget allows you to add the patio a little later the structural necessities needed to make the transition run smoothly are already put into place.

Contact Archadeck of Columbus to learn more about our deck/patio and porch/patio combinations, and to learn more about our phased building program. We are now scheduling projects for the Spring season to have the backyard of your dreams in time for warmer weather, don’t delay. (740) 879 – 3730 westcolumbus@archadeck.net

Category: Paver Patio Design and Installation