paver patios – 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.

Archadeck of Columbus breathes life into this new home in Westerville, OH, complete with all the trimmings

Picture this: A table full of mouth-watering appetizers, the smoker in high gear emanating a to-die-for aroma and your family and friends laughing around this beautiful custom-built fire pit. You may be surprised to know that when Archadeck of Columbus first consulted on this project, the lot only contained a beautiful new construction home surrounded with barren earth.

This project was a true test of building from the ground up. With not even a single blade of grass on the property, we enjoyed designing how the landscaping would complement the hardscape design and how the hardscape would complement the home.

This multi-function living this hardscape patio is chock full of design elements that are as functional as they are cohesive to the overall design. From the retaining wall that provides extra seating room to the extra wide fire pit cap for resting your beverage, this space was designed to deftly host larger groups as well as host intimate gatherings. All can enjoy the perfect countryside setting with this delightful outdoor space nestled within this woodsy yard.

Maximizing curb appeal was a must. The landscaping included a unique stone wall using chunky limestone of varying size. The landscaping includes terraced beds and select tree plantings creating a serene yet elegant feel in this space.

This Columbus hardscape patio and fire pit was designed and built using Unilock Beacon Hill flagstone pavers with a charcoal Holland stone border giving life to the true rustic nature. The hardscape includes two distinct outdoor living areas including the seating area and the versatile outdoor living area anchored with the custom built fire pit. The deep neutral tones of the hardscape create a rustic elegance for this space.

The design continues to the open porch on the back of the home. The porch provides a covered outdoor living area for those days where some sun protection is needed. A covered porch also provides a small amount of rain protection and keeps falling leaves out of sandwiches on the porch patio. Notice the complex roof attachment that was made to look easy through this design.

We truly enjoyed starting fresh on this blank canvas of an outdoor space. With the freedom to design the patio, landscaping and open porch we were able to keep a cohesive theme throughout. If you’re looking to maximize your outdoor spaces give Archadeck of Columbus a call (740) 879 – 3730, or email us at westcolumbus@archadeck.net. We look forward to connecting with you.

Cover Story: Why Columbusites Love Porches

Rocking chair front porches of yesteryear — Rocking chair front porch of yesteryear.

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.

Delaware OH rustic screen porch with outdoor fireplace — 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!

Interior of open porch in Columbus, OH — 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.

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!

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!

Trending now – building a screened porch over your Columbus, OH patio.

Find out why the screened porch and patio combination in Columbus is taking off, and learn how you can design a unique outdoor living space for your backyard too!

Columbus OH Hardscape Patio with Adjacent Screened porch — Two of the most popular outdoor structures are showing up together in backyards all over the Columbus area!

A trend we’re seeing lately is homeowners adding a porch atop a patio. The traditional screened porch addition is often seen alongside a deck or patio. The screened porch and patio combination outdoor living space is popular because it mingles the look and tactile characteristics of stone or other hardscape mediums with the rustic appeal of the screened porch.

It’s often true that rooms built over paver or stone floors can be more costly to construct. The added cost comes into play when you factor in the additional aggregate needed to build up the base of the patio and the fact that hardscape materials are simply more expensive than wood floors. However, if your porch is built at low grade, you will not need the additional fill to build up the “platform” for the hardscape.

Gable roof Screen Porch with paved floor and adjacent patio — This gable roof screen porch incorporates patio elements into it’s design.

Another viable option when considering merging a patio and screened porch is to construct the patio with a screened porch adjacent to it. The patio and screened porch combination picks up where the deck and screened porch combination left off. There are several ways to incorporate these spaces but the bottom line is you may just prefer the upscale look a hardscape patio adds to your screened porch.

Columbus OH Hardscape steps — By adding curved hardscape steps you can provide additional seating space within your patio.

There are many hidden benefits of choosing a patio as the perfect partner for your screened porch. Not only are hardscape mediums ultra-low maintenance, they also look the part and stay cool even when the temperatures soar high in the double digits.

If you would like to learn more about building a screened porch over your patio, or create a dual outdoor living space using both designs, contact Archadeck of Columbus today. We will be happy to discuss the many unique outdoor living options we have available to make your backyard a true original. Call us today for a free consultation(740) 879 – 3730
westcolumbus@archadeck.net

You can view more screened porch and patio designs by visiting our screened porch photo gallery, and our patio and hardscape photo gallery located on our website.

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.

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.

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.

A design conversation with our own design expert sheds light on creating good overall space design for your outdoor living structure

Our own design and installation expert, Rob Mitchell, discusses the elements of creating a memorable outdoor structure, or combination of outdoor structures, in your backyard.

Patio, deck and fire pit combination in Dublin, OH — This patio, deck and fire pit combination in Dublin, OH shows the use of curves to achieve harmony, flow and beauty in the overall design.

Recently, our resident patio and hardscape expert shared some of his thoughts on the fundamentals of hardscape design. Rob Mitchell is our patio and hardscape expert and is truly a craftsman. He shared with me the basics that go into creating a magical outdoor space, and also the key elements that need that go into the recipe for aesthetic appeal, good function and convenience. In many instances our customers bring some of their own ideas to the table, Rob is able to take these ideas and translate them into the design in ways that are quite impressive. In design, every space is different, and should be treated as such. We like to see something develop and enjoy working with homeowners through the entire process.

Archadeck_Columbus_paver_patio_architectural_Rendering — No stone is left unturned when we prepare your architectural rendering.

How arc and tangent play a role in good design

The initial thing we try to do with the design of each outdoor structure is to create a grand entrance into the structure, or a grand entrance exiting the structure. This goes back to the old cliché’ that ” first impressions mean everything”. This could not be more true, the first impression sets the tone and expectation for the design in its entirety. We usually achieve this through the staircase that leads you into the structure itself. We use a great deal of arc and tangent design that incorporate the use of curved lines. Curved lines soften the back of your home, are more intriguing than straight lines, and offer more opportunities within the design to serve specific function. For instance, using curves and circles within the areas that you wish to designate for living and conversation areas versus dining areas. The decks from the past were squares and rectangles, using arc and tangent leaves more room for open creativity and lends the design to connect the curves with no flat spots so the design is seamless and continuous. Arc and tangent promote flow and harmony as you move from one structure to another, or from each area of designated function into another. Circles and curves are more relaxed and easier and more visually appealing to connect to.

The hot new trends are destined to become timeless classics

Design statements can also be made through the use of colors and textures. Most of the time our customers allow us to pick the colors. In general, with patios and hardscapes, earth tones are very popular right now. We are seeing a trend towards the use of larger pavers with natural stone texture, similar to a rock texture on the top. One of the ways in which we like to add drama to our hardscape designs is to change direction in which we lay the materials for our patios. Often times, we will lay the pavers soldier course around the patio and have a 45 degree angle. This spices the design up a bit. We also like to use seating walls with lighting and banding. The use of retaining walls and planters blend especially well with a patio/deck combination structure because it adds height without creating a stark contrast. Thinking “outside the box” , by using arc and tangent when it comes to outdoor living designs offers more flow and harmony within the structure itself and makes it a joy to look at as well.

Columbus_paver_patio_plan — This paver patio design shows the way in which we use arc and tangent.

We are also building a large number of outdoor fire pits and fireplaces to partner with our deck and patio combinations. Letting Archadeck of Columbus design a custom feature such as this promotes continuity of the custom feel and we can pull accents from your home to make it a cohesive design. Rob said, ” if he won the lottery himself, he would build a deck/patio/outdoor fireplace combination in his own backyard.” This speaks volumes on the impact adding an outdoor fireplace or fire pit can make in your own backyard!

The only thing we would like to see people do more with is integrated patio lighting. Good lighting creates an ambiance, not necessarily in areas that it would perform function, but to create more mood. Adding light to areas such as risers in stairs, beneath seating walls, or even as a banding in the border of a patio will create mood. Unilock pavers actually offer a glowing luminescent paver to use in borders or as banding, it is not cheap, but the effect is well worth the cost.

If you are ready to design an outdoor space that fulfills your every want and need, contact Archadeck of Columbus to design your backyard masterpiece. (740) 879 – 3730 westcolumbus@archadeck.net

See more of our patio and hardscape designs and outdoor fireplace and fire pit designs by visiting our patio and hardscape gallery, and our outdoor fireplace and fire pit design gallery, both located on our website.

Tag: paver patios