If you are in need of a front porch makeover—or back porch, screened porch, side porch, any porch—take a look at this sweet front porch for some ideas. Columbus porch builder Archadeck of Columbus has elevated the fine art of porch!
If you are in need of a front porch makeover—or back porch, screened porch, side porch, any porch—take a look at this sweet front porch for some ideas. Columbus porch builder Archadeck of Columbus has elevated the fine art of porch-sitting for these Clintonville, OH, homeowners.
Home showing entry before the project.
Originally they had a 4×4′ concrete stoop under a small awning. They did some porch-sitting here because, yes, even a small stoop can accommodate a couple of chairs. But now … Oh, my, this home is smiling!
Before we could tackle the front porch project, we assisted the homeowner with addressing structural issues in the basement. The walls were bowed in and the concrete pad leading to the front door was pulling away from the house. In order to proceed with the new front porch, we needed these structural issues to be resolved. We researched basement companies, and the homeowner hired one of them to make sure the foundation wall was in good shape.
For the floor of the new porch, the clients chose TimberTech Terrain decking in the silver maple color. You probably recognize TimberTech as a composite building product used on decks and chosen especially for its low-maintenance qualities. It works on porches, too! On an open porch like this, the building materials will be exposed to the elements, so the homeowners wanted a porch that would not need sanding, staining and sealing. TimberTech promises that, plus these boards will resist stains, scratches, fading, mold, mildew and moisture damage. It’s an especially durable product because each board in TimberTech’s Terrain product line is capped on all four sides with a protective polymer shell.
We wrapped the porch’s posts and beams with trim by Boral, a synthetic wood-grain wrap that is also more durable than wood. Boral is rated for ground contact so it won’t rot, and it also resists cracking and splitting. What’s more, Boral accepts stain and paint better than some materials.
The cedar tongue-and-groove porch ceiling is beautiful and, if you ever feel like staring straight up, a lot nicer to look at than the underside of a metal awning. We roofed the gabled porch cover to match the home’s roofing shingles. We want the porch to look original to the home, not like an afterthought.
Around the porch we installed cedar railings with black aluminum pickets. These railings define the sides of the porch and then they reach down the steps like open arms to welcome visitors. This cheerful, open porch is like a big smile of delight on the front of this home. The homeowners are in for many luxurious hours of porch-sitting over the years to come.
“Just the right size” means different things to different people, but Archadeck of Columbus believes all that really matters is what it means to you. Sometimes what you want is a table for two and a sweet, little deck to put it on. Add a roof to that deck, and you have a covered porch – with a table for two.
So often you see pictures of multi-level decks and expansive porches coupled with patios that seem to stretch on forever. On a big house, a super-sized outdoor living project fits the grand scale of the home and doesn’t look a bit out of place. Seeing so many pictures of these large projects may give you the impression that the best decks, porches and patios have to be that big. Not at all.
Today’s project illustrates how an outdoor living space doesn’t have to be big to have a big impact. These New Albany, OH, homeowners called Archadeck to design and build a covered porch just the right size for their bistro table and chairs.
The area before we began the new porch project:
The house originally had a 3×3 sq. ft. landing outside the sliding glass doors. It had railings, pickets and steps leading down to a stone paver patio. It had many of the trappings of a tiny deck, but it was a little too small for the bistro table.
Archadeck of Columbus designed the perfect-size seating area and added a roof overhead to make it a porch. The new space is 10×10, in keeping with the scale of the home – and in compliance with their neighborhood’s HOA restrictions.
One of the homeowners’ priorities was having a low-maintenance structure, so the materials we selected met that requirement. For the porch floor we used TimberTech composite decking in a combination of two colors, mocha and pecan. The white porch railings and the latticework under the deck are vinyl. The porch pickets are made of aluminum. For the rest of the structure, including the fascia and custom-wrapped columns, we used a newer material called Boral True Exterior. Finally, we used tongue-and-groove cedar for the interior ceiling of the covered porch and added vinyl siding to the upper outside end of the porch to match the home’s exterior.
Interior ceiling detail:
By adding a porch to accompany their existing patio, these homeowners now have a combination outdoor living space. And it’s just the right size for them.
The Archadeck of Columbus team.
Your Archadeck of Columbus design consultant is ready to help you explore outdoor living options either large or small or somewhere in between. Contact us today at (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net.
We’d all love to spend our summer days in the garden, reading a book by the pool or just taking in the fresh air with a cold ice tea on our patios. But often times we forget to think about the risks of spending too much time outdoors in the sun without proper protection. Numerous medical complications like Melanoma and Cataracts can occur when sun protection is disregarded.
Disregarding the sun’s damaging rays are nothing to take lightly. These serious complications have life threatening concerns that need immediate attention. Melanoma occurs when the pigment-producing cells that give color to skin become cancerous due to overexposure to sun or sunburn. Broad-spectrum sunscreen is used as a temporary protector against the sun but is frequently only applied once throughout the day which becomes inefficient over time if you plan to spend a full day outdoors.
The month of July is observed as National UV Safety Awareness month. Archadeck of Columbus wants to ensure you are worry free when it comes to spending time outdoors. Instead of spending your time indoors in fear of the damage UV rays may cause, invest in long-term protection for your backyard. Archadeck can help protect you and your family by adding a covered patio, screen porch or a 3 or 4-season room addition. Whether you enjoy gardening or sitting in the breeze to read a book these are perfect options to get you the ultimate protection while still enjoying the freedom of being outdoors.
Covered patios and screen porches offer a shaded more private area for you and your family to escape to during lunch when the heat is in full swing. Even with an existing hardscape patio, Archadeck can custom design a covered structure over the top to help provide proper UV protection. With a screen porch you get triple protection. Screen porches provide the benefit of sun protection but also becomes a defense against allegans such as pollen and mosquitoes and other nuisance insects.
Adding a 3-season or 4-season room is like taking a piece of the outdoors and bringing it inside. A 3-season room can be designed and built with an Eze-Breeze® window system. Eze-Breeze® allows your outdoor structure to quickly switch from glass windows to screen panels letting in the cool Columbus breeze. 4-season rooms are designed with HVAC systems to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. These additions protect you from direct sunlight while still being able to enjoy the panoramic views of your backyard garden and landscape with floor to ceiling windows.
It is fairly easy to forget to follow the standard recommendations for sun protection such as continuously adding a strong broad-spectrum sunscreen or wearing sunglasses throughout the day. That is why Archadeck of Columbus wants to help you and your family with long-term sun protection by adding a covered patio, screen porch or a 3-season or 4-season room onto your backyard.
The Archadeck of Columbus team.
Contact Archadeck of Columbus today at (740) 879-3730 or via email at westcolumbus@arcahdeck.net to get out of the sun by designing your custom outdoor structure. We would look forward to connecting with you!
There are certain outdoor living structures that are just must-haves and porches have remained at the top of this list for generations. There is nothing more American than the porch. Whether used as a refuge from the elements, or a place to relax and make memories with friends and family, the porch is a classic outdoor structure that transcends time.
“Porches are as synonymous with American culture as apple pie. While known in colonial times, they rose to nationwide popularity in the decades before the Civil War, and remained in fashion for almost one hundred years. Ironically, the very social and technological forces that made them both popular and possible were eventually responsible for their decline.”
— From Kahn, Preserving Porches
For over 15 years, Archadeck of Columbus has designed and built custom outdoor structures with functionality and beauty in mind for homeowners in the Columbus area. During our time in business few structures have remained as constant as the porch. Porches have been portrayed throughout history as a safe haven of protection from wind, snow, rain and nuisance insects and have been associated with the art of relaxation.
An outdoor fireplace adds to the rustic charm of this wooden screened porch in Delaware, OH.
Porches come in all shapes and sizes, and their benefits extend the entire circumference of the home and even within the landscape. From the traditional “rocking chair” front porch, the open porch, screened porch and even porches detached from the home and used in a variable setting within the landscape — all are endearing to Columbusites!
This photo shows the lovely interior of this open porch we recently completed in Columbus, OH.
Archadeck of Columbus specializes in creating porches that are steeped in quality, beauty and overall outdoor enjoyment. We can deliver the beloved wooden porch of your past, or design your porch without the worry of constant painting or staining because of our diverse menu of low maintenance materials such as vinyl, PVC and other synthetics. We also pay close attention to the details that make each of our porches unique and superior to other designs. Our porches can be designed to include the modern conveniences that you yearn for such as ceiling fans, electrical outlets, recessed lighting and even an outdoor kitchen or fireplace. When it comes to choosing the details that set your porch apart from others, the world is your oyster. Archadeck of Columbus’ porches not only provide you with comfort and convenience, they can also improve your home’s curb appeal and increase your home’s value as well.
If you are ready to transform that blah front exterior of your home, or are ready to turn your vacant backyard into an outdoor oasis, a porch is the perfect answer! Contact us today to learn more about our versatile porch and screened porch designs at (740) 879 – 3730, email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net or visit our website at columbus.archadeck.com.
I love a good, long, hard, drenching rainstorm. Not all the time naturally, but there is something incredibly invigorating about watching Mother Nature flex her muscles and bring some serious water down from above. The key, of course, is having someplace where you can watch such a magnificent display from under cover.
We recently build a wonderful space for just this purpose in Pataskala. The homeowners had parts of their outdoor living space that they liked, but there were others that just didn’t work for them. They called Archadeck of Columbus because they were ready to make a change and wanted an update that would give them plenty of space for relaxed entertaining or tailgating on some days, and a place to take in a wild rainstorm on others.
The first part of the job was to remove an outdated concrete slab and the lower level of a two-level deck. We replaced both of these areas with a custom Unilock stone patio. While it’s effectively one large area, we differentiated the patio into three discrete spaces by using different color stones, using multiple course designs in the layout, adding some seating walls & pillars, and covering nearly half of it with an open-air porch.
The customer liked the rustic, natural look of Unilock pavers. They have a subtly distressed appearance when they come from the factory, so they look like they have always been part of the home–making the area feel both classic and relaxed. We built the floor of the patio with Unilock Avante Ashlar, using a combination of Sierra and Sandstone colors for the center and contrasting border. It looks very sharp. We constructed the seating walls and pillars with the complementary line of Unilock Brussels which is a distinctive and beautiful paver. The open area provides ample space for relaxing under the stars or gathering around the fire pit.
We replaced a retractable awning with a permanent covered patio that gives the customers the option to enjoy their yard in all kinds of weather. Each pillar has an outlet to plug in radios, phones or anything else at hand. We also installed permanent wiring for an outdoor TV, a ceiling fan on the ridge beam and outlets earmarked for party lights. There is a narrow, sunny area just in front of the porch that is perfect for catching some rays while relaxing on a chaise.
In addition to the design details that make the project easy to use and great to look at, there are other, less evident structural details that will make a huge difference to the owners over time. The large width of the porch demanded extra roof support. To avoid blocking light to the upstairs window, we built a low-pitched roof. We’ve found that low-pitched Columbus porch roofs need to have an ice and water guard or the homeowners will have big trouble down the road. You might notice the millwork and wrapped posts on the porch. It’s important to always have a seasoned builder evaluate your desired projects, looking at both structure and design details.
The bottom line is how the new space is meaningful and useful to the homeowners. Take a look at the review they left on Angie’s List:
“Let me start off by saying we absolutely love the patio and the work done by Archadeck. From the beginning design phase to final completion everyone that represented the company were top notch. Rob with our design, Phil as his back up , Seth on construction to Paco on the pavers all of them went out of their to make sure the job was done to our satisfaction. As with many construction projects we had some glitches along the way but in the end I felt any issues were handled fairly and reasonably. I felt I was always able to get ahold of Rob at anytime day or night with my issues and he responded promptly to all inquiries. Seth and the carpentry work he preformed is beautiful. Paco and his crew did a beautiful job with the pavers. My wife and I keep saying “it feels like we moved” because the space they created for us makes it feel like a completely different house.
I think most peoples frustrations with contractors is that once they have your money your stuck. Sometimes they show up and sometimes they don’t , with no explanation. Not Archadeck, we were always kept informed as to who and when someone would be there and what they would be doing that day. And they were always there when they said they would be. If no one was working that day, you knew why and when they would be back. This was a big job and when any of the crew were there they were working and getting alot done. The job site was cleaned up every night and the space around the work area was usable. Finally the bill, there were addendums that were added only they way from the initial quote. They were very specific as to the changes and the cost. When the job was over, we paid what we owed with no “surprises”. No job this big gets done without some issues but I feel they were all professionally handled. And they fact that they operate as a single point of contact using all their own subs and employees I didn’t have to make sure there was coordination between some outside contractor and Archadeck,. The one outside contractor I did have to bring in was told when he would be able to do his part and they were respectful of his time and he was able to do his work when he was told. Everyone that has seen the project is amazed at the work, my wife and I love it. I would highly recommend Archadeck to anyone who would ask. Great Job Guys!! Thanks!”
Michael Reeder, Archadeck of Columbus
If you’re thinking about adding an outdoor living space to your Columbus backyard, contact us 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.
Archadeck of Columbus explores the realm of low-maintenance and wood products used in covered, and screened porch designs.
This open porch in Columbus was built using vinyl low maintenance materials.
I get asked all the time by customers if it is best to build their new porch from natural wood or low-maintenance materials. Like any good question, the answer is… “it depends”. Let’s look at the porch from the inside out. Many customers ask if they should use synthetic decking boards for the floor of their porch. Our answer is that using synthetic decking on a screened-in porch is probably overkill. The primary enemies to wood preservation are sun, water, and heavy use. The worst offender is sun. Direct exposure to the sun causes the decking to expand and contract on a regular basis and also fades the decking unless if purchased a fade resistant decking. So if your porch flooring is covered by a roof and surrounded by screens, you likely don’t need to invest in synthetic flooring. From a cost standpoint, low-maintenance will increase your flooring costs 30-60%.
If you are building a covered porch that is not enclosed by windows or screens, the flooring may get more sun exposure and will get more exposure to rain and snow. In this scenario, other factors come into play. It might make sense to invest in synthetic flooring even though the sun exposure is dramatically minimized. The key factors in this decision become whether your porch flooring materials are connected to your deck and if you’re willing to do maintenance on your flooring. If your porch is attached to your deck that has synthetic flooring, you may want to use the same flooring in your porch for continuity.
On this front porch we used TimberTech composite decking and vinyl rails.
When it comes to the components used in the exterior construction of your porch, this becomes a different story. Components such as railings, soffits, fascias, perimeter trim, roof beams and roof posts are generally not protected from the sun, or the elements. Predominately, as a builder we use wood to frame all of our projects. We do not use aluminum framing. We can however install vinyl sleeves over the exposed areas of the exterior wood framing elements which will deliver you a truly low-maintenance porch. Many homeowners opt to use iron railings, and even aluminum railings for their low-maintenance value and pleasing appearance.
Low maintenance vinyl screen porch Columbus, OH.
Any wood and/or wood trim on a vertical plane would need to be maintained on average of 5-10 years. Examples are roof posts, roof beams, trim, soffit and fascia’s. Covered and screen porches built from wood leave only a small number of components exposed to the sun. Many homeowners choose to remain with wood overall because the areas that are exposed are on a vertical plane and aren’t subjected to foot and hand traffic which will cause breakdown and wear over time.
We used low-maintenance vinyl on this stunning open porch in Columbus, OH.
The answer to the million dollar question is no. You don’t have to use low-maintenance materials to still get low-maintenance value. The important thing is to choose what is best for your taste, lifestyle and budget. For example, if you never want to have to paint your porch then low-maintenance is worth the investment. You can also get the best of both worlds by combining wood with low-maintenance details that will not require maintenance until later down the road. The choice is yours.
If you are ready to start your journey toward building a new porch, screened porch or covered porch, contact Archadeck of Columbus to help make the trip a pleasant experience. We can help plan, design and custom build an outdoor space that lives up to all your maintenance and functional expectations. Call for a free consultation today (740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net
Archadeck of Columbus focuses on our recently completed open porch and custom fire pit addition in Gahanna, OH.
This open porch in Columbus includes a spacious floor plan, custom hardscape fire pit and a rustic inspired seating wall.
We recently covered the progress of a lovely open porch in Gahanna, OH that revealed a design full of curves in all the right places. The project is now finished and as we anticipated, it turned out stunning. The homeowners are ecstatic with joy over their new outdoor living space. We put together a little video to walk you through the completed project.
The open porch design features a curvilinear hardscape patio, with a curved step down into the patio from the home. It also includes a custom fire pit and adjacent hardscape seating wall, which is also curved. We tied the area into the home seamlessly under a shed roof with an adjacent gable roofed tie in area.
The materials that were used offer clean, flowing lines with a touch of rustic details added to the mix. Underneath the porch we used Unilock pavers in Brussels and finished it out with a soldier course done in Unilock pavers in Il Campo. The two shades seam together effortlessly. As you enter the fire pit and seating wall area of the space you will notice we also used the Unilock paver in Brussels, but finished it out with ledge stone caps on both the fire pit and the seating wall that have a rough-hewn edge offering a structure with a rustic, yet elegant touch. The interior of the covered porch reveals a stunning cedar ceiling that harmonizes perfectly with the extensive use of high-quality hardscape materials used in this project.
Join us as we unveil a new masterpiece of outdoor living design in Gahanna, OH.
The homeowners now have the ability to extend the amount of function their home provides into the new covered porch addition. They will now have the luxury to soak in their hot tub while the ambiance of the custom fire pit takes their enjoyment up a notch. There is also spacious room under the cover of the open porch to dine and entertain. Not only does their new covered porch add value to their home, it adds valuable outdoor living space as well.
Michael Reeder, Archadeck of Columbus
If you are ready to add more beauty and living space to your backyard, contact Archadeck of Columbus to make it happen. We can custom design the outdoor living space of your dreams for a lot less than you might think. Call for a free consultation today (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net
Archadeck of Columbus turns the spotlight on a versatile combination of outdoor structures in Columbus which includes a rustic open porch, and patio with separate seating area. The perfect match for the outdoor living season.
This photo shows the lovely interior of this open porch we recently completed in Columbus, OH.
Open porches take us back to a time when you spent the summer afternoon sipping lemonade while rocking away the time on the porch in the company of friends and family. Open porches sure have changed and evolved. Once upon a time an open porch was only a front of the house, or back of the house thing. Today’s open porch designs include detached, open gables, intricate ceilings, and many other “goodies” hidden inside. Open porches now include many different convenient amenities such as outdoor kitchens, lighting, ceiling fans, fireplaces and even televisions.
Notice the stunning keystone centerpiece within the open rafter end. This adds character and rustic appeal to the appearance of the porch.
This open porch we recently completed has an open gable roof to allow lots of sunshine to enter the area. The gable includes a stunning decorative element called a keystone centerpiece. The homeowner wanted to use a minimal number of columns so they could utilize the open area more efficiently; therefore we used four columns in the porch’s construction. In doing so we had to engineer the size of the beams to take care of the abundant span on this 17 x 21 area.
Along with the keystone used on the rafter, we also used a keystone on the king truss. The large king truss serves two purposes; aesthetic appeal and the ever important structural support. We were also able to hang the ceiling fan from the king truss to provide further visual interest, and more function.
Since the homeowners specifically asked for intricate details and plenty of lighting in their new open porch, we wrapped everything in rustic cedar. The rustic touches can also be seen in the use of the large 4 X 6 rafters we used. We included lots of lighting including skylights, and lighting on the ridge beams as well.
The king truss adds loads of structural support and beauty.
The beauty and function doesn’t end with the open porch. We also built a patio below with a separate seating area, built with unilock pavers. This multi-structure outdoor area serves all the purposes the homeowners desired and then some. These Columbus, OH homeowners are looking forward to many lazy afternoons on their new open porch, from lemonades to entertaining, the world is the limit.
Contact Archadeck of Columbus to design your outdoor oasis, open porch, or combination structure for you to enjoy the season. Let the sunshine in! Call for a free consultation: (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net
Michael Reeder, Archadeck of Columbus
See more stunning open and covered porch designs by visiting our covered porch and front porch photo galleries located on our website.
If you are in need of a front porch makeover—or back porch, screened porch, side porch, any porch—take a look at this sweet front porch for some ideas. Columbus porch builder Archadeck of Columbus has elevated the fine art of porch-sitting for these Clintonville, OH, homeowners.
Columbus Decks, Porches and Patios by Archadeck of Columbus 