Columbus low-to-grade deck – Columbus Decks, Porches and Patios by Archadeck of Columbus

Paradise by the porch/deck light

We just put the finishing touches on a design for an outdoor living space that includes everything but a restroom. This Gahanna patio-porch combination will certainly set the standard for entertaining in the neighborhood. We are very excited to break ground on this project which is sure to see lots of fun in the sun this spring, summer and fall.

The curvilinear Unilock paver patio has plenty of room, over 1,000 square feet, for multiple conversation and activity areas. Close to the house it will include a complete outdoor kitchen with granite countertops, a built-in grill and a refrigerator. A second area is designated for relaxed socializing. A third is a circular stone firepit with a retaining wall and plenty of space for chairs. The entire patio also serves as an unifying space which joins the two decked areas. We haven’t settled on exactly which color paver we will use, but intend to use darker, contrasting stones for a framing course along the edge and around the firepit.

The flow of the project is ideal. Leaving the rear of the home, guests will emerge onto a low-to-grade deck with no rails. That space is intended primarily for dining, but almost has the feeling of a balcony. From there people can move easily down the grand staircase toward the conversation cluster or off to the side for use the barbecue. The hot tub sits near the firepit and adjoining the covered porch, in case there is a bit of a chill in the air after a quick dip. It’s also just a few steps from the hot tub to the fridge if a frosty beverage is needed.

The covered porch is original to the house. This Archadeck endeavor is primarily new construction, but part of the overall building project involves redecking to minimize unnecessary costs while ensuring top-quality and a unified look for the entire space. We’ll use TimberTech Terrain for the new deck with white trim and white risers on the stairs. TimberTech’s CONCEALoc® hidden fasteners will add to the seamless, high-end feel of this Gahanna porch.

Another terrific design detail you should note is the way that we were able to integrate the hot tub with both the covered porch and the Gahanna paver patio. You can easily enter the tub from the top rim using the porch, from partway up via the stairs or lever yourself over the side from ground level. As with all of our projects, we consider functionality and fabulous looks for every part of the whole space.

If you have a Columbus outdoor living space you are considering for 2015, we’d love to hear from you: (740) 879 – 3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net. The consultation is completely free.

Top 6 reasons a low-to-grade deck may make sense for you

multi_level_low_to_grade_Floating_Bench_Flaired_Steps_Columbus_Delaware_County — This multi-level low to grade deck has flared steps and a floating bench

Decks that are very low to the ground are called low-to-grade decks. Low-to-grade decks are suitable in so many situations and popular with a variety of clients, especially with those who have flat yards.

Top 4 reasons low-to-grade decks make a whole lot of sense:

Mobility: Customers with friends or family with mobility issues love these decks because of their easy accessibility.
Toddlers? Young grandchildren? Situated so close to the ground, they work well for families with young children.
Dislike heights? For some people, being on a lower outdoor space is just more comfortable thank being on a more elevated space.
Yoga anyone? A low-to-grade deck creates a “zen deck” feeling.
Your dog or cat: If you have timid pets who dislike stairs or rambunctious pets who can easily scale tall sets of stairs in a single bound, a low deck might be the favorite for your pets.
Transitions: today’s homeowners think about the whole picture. They think about how their deck transitions to their patio and how those spaces connect to their yard. A low deck welcomes you to the surrounding spaces with the easy transition.

Flat yard? Is a patio a better choice?

low maintenance vinyl screen porch Columbus — You don’t necessarily have to choose between a deck and patio.

Deck, patio? Patio, deck? Which to choose? Archadeck can consult with you about the pros and cons of the various options. Working with a contractor that has installed many decks and many patios can help you decide which type of outdoor living space will work best for the way you want to live outside. Here is a little insight about both kinds of spaces. In general, a structure such as a deck is going to cost more than a patio. Obviously the building materials that you select will impact the overall cost, but the carpenters who build a deck are skilled tradesmen and are more expensive to hire than a patio installer. Another consideration is that in most jurisdictions a patio is considered landscaping and not an off-the-ground structure, so no permits are required.

It may not sound logical, but decks lower than 18” from the ground can require more time and effort than a deck that is more than 18” off the ground. We use post and beam construction which is the most efficient way to build a deck, but at heights under 18” we have to excavate to fit all the necessary parts into that small area. Throwing one more number at you: railings are optional on decks under 30”. Decks and patios with fewer extras like railings and built-in seating are generally less expensive.

Your vision for how you want to integrate pathways, landscaping, or other yard features will influence your choice. Ultimately, the kind of project you build should be driven by how you want to use that space. Regardless of whether you decide patio or deck or both, Archadeck of Columbus would love to meet with you to see your yard, listen to your concerns and preferences and then help design and build a project you can proudly call part of your home.

Contact Archadeck of Columbus today to see how we can make creating your dream backyard an enjoyable experience, start to finish. The consultation is completely free. (740) 879–3730 or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net. We look forward to your call.

A low-to-grade photo gallery in the Columbus OH area

There are multiple benefits to a low-to-grade as we will write about in the next blog post. We have quite a few photos for design ideas so we wanted to share a photo gallery for inspiration if you’re considering a low-to-grade deck.