Our covered patio formula ensures you get a custom fit for your home every time
May 14th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
A stone and concrete patio addition in Southlake, that proves no two covered patios are alike, and each should be designed solely for the existing home in mind.
In lieu of Mother’s Day this past weekend, I began to reflect about my Mom’s wonderful homemade chocolate chip cookies and how delicious they always were. I realize that since I no longer get to linger in her indulgent cookies I can just pop by the grocery and pick up a tube of that refrigerated cookie dough next to the milk and go home and bake them. Problem is, it is not and never will measure up to her homemade goodness. The same comparison can be made when it comes to covered patios as well. Many of my competitors sell generic “cookie cutter” patio kits that provide you with a covered patio that leaves you yearning for custom-made integrity that matches your home just like I still crave the taste of my Mom’s cookies.
Regretfully, I cannot provide my clients with delectable cookie confections, but I can provide them with a covered patio confection that will be suited to their individual taste and their existing home. We design each of our outdoor structures to match your home perfectly. Our formula is based on creating an addition to compliment your home and not just an appendage onto your home. We ensure each aspect of your covered patio blends, from the roofline, the appropriate roof style and shape, even down to the masonry, paint and stone. We leave no stone unturned in providing you with an addition that will increase your home’s beauty, flow and value. Even the soffits , drains and trim and designed to provide a perfect match for YOUR home.
Notice how well this covered patio blends with this existing home in Fort Worth.
When a client calls our office interested in adding a covered patio to their home, or a detached covered patio the first question we ask them is “are you looking for a covered patio to match your house or are you looking for a kit-type covered patio”? Just like homemade cookies, there are a lot of “wannabe’s”, but when you contract us to build your outdoor addition you get the Archadeck difference built into every inch from the roof to the floor.
Gary Knott, owner Archadeck of Fort Worth
Contact Archadeck of Fort Worth to learn more about our recipes for award-winning covered patio designs that look original and not artificial to your home, you’ll be glad you did. Call for a free consultation: (817) 496 – 3325
tarrantcounty@archadeck.net
Visit our covered patio gallery located on our website to see the Archadeck difference for yourself.
What roof style is best for your Fort Worth home?
May 7th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
This covered patio was built with a gable roof, left open at one end. Notice how well the patio cover blends with the entire home and landscape.
When it comes to outdoor structures, one roof definitely doesn’t fit all. The right roof to use is always the one that best fits your existing home. Although a gable roof is pleasing aesthetically, it is not always the best choice for your roof. What’s important is to ensure your roofed structure blends with your existing home’s lines and architecture and the roof is the key factor in tying into your existing home aesthetically.
Here are some details about the various roof styles. A gable roof has two sides and comes to a point at the top. The pitch of your roof will vary based on a number of factors. One factor is the presence of limitations on the second story such as working around your home’s existing windows. Your second story windows, and the presence of dormers will also influence your roof style. The goal is to choose a roof that doesn’t take away from any of your home’s architecture, but rather flows naturally along with it.
This covered patio by Archadeck of Fort Worth utilizes a hip roof that works with the homes architecture and looks original to the home.
Hip roofs are also popular roof styles. A hip is a four-sided roof having sloping ends and sides. Hip roofs can be a traditional hip roof or a pyramid hip roof which has a more compact surround and higher pitch. Many of the new homes that are reminiscent of “olde world” architecture use the hip roof. The form of a hip roof adds depth and interest to your addition, but again you want a roof style that compliments your home and doesn’t overpower it.
Just because your home has a hip roof doesn’t guarantee that your outdoor living area would be best suited to have a hip roof. You would be surprised just how well a gable or shed roof works with a home that has a hip roof.
This covered patio in Fort Worth, TX utilizes a shed roof design. This design works best because of the homes existing windows above.
Shed roofs and flat roofs are other popular roof styles for attached covered patios. Flat roofs are self defined. Shed roofs take the same concept of simple minimalism and add a gentle slope. The addition of this gentle slope not only adds visual interest but helps with drainage because of the slight angle.
There are other roof styles such as the saltbox and mansard among others that we don’t see much of anymore in today’s house designs. Among roof styles on outdoor living areas the gable, hip, shed and flat roof is the most widely used. Archadeck of Fort Worth makes every effort to ensure the integrity of your outdoor living area by matching your shingles, gutters, and soffits to your existing home in addition to your roof. Our designs look original to your home by the great lengths we go to match masonry, siding, paint and even stonework. We can help determine which roof style will work best for your home and your preferences.
This covered poolside patio has a flat roof. The amount of windows in the homes design made the flat roof the best choice for this home.
Choosing the right roof is more important than you may think. Recent data shows that outdoor living areas have become a desired commodity among home buyers because of the entertaining opportunities and their aesthetic appeal. This is one of the ways in which Archadeck of Fort Worth brings value to the homeowner. There will be value when you decide to re-sell it, and a correctly designed addition such as a covered patio or porch will enable you to get more money out of the sale of your home.
Gary Knott, owner Archadeck of Fort Worth
If you are dreaming of having a covered porch or patio at your home, contact Archadeck of Fort Worth to make sure your outdoor endeavor is perfect from the roof to the floor. Our design team can design your covered outdoor living area to make sure it adds value to your lifestyle and your home. Call for a free consultation: (817) 496 – 3325
tarrantcounty@archadeck.net
Fort Worth dream outdoor kitchens
April 30th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
This outdoor kitchen in Colleyville, TX has all the capabilities of an indoor kitchen. Can you imagine preparing meals and entertaining against the blue Texas skyline?
The outdoor kitchens we are building here in Fort Worth are so inviting they would even entice Julia Child out into the backyard kitchen.
There are so many options with outdoor kitchens these days. These options include not only amenities but also design materials and other key options. Here is some of what we’re seeing and using.
We are using a mixed media of high-quality and attractive materials within our outdoor kitchens. In terms of counter surfaces, tile is a favorite, with granite and Leuder’s stone not far behind. In many cases our customers like to mix things up a bit in their outdoor kitchens by using a mix of granite and stone, and finish it off with a countertop of stunning Leuder’s stone.
Covered patios and outdoor kitchens take the man cave into the 21st century
In terms of location, an outdoor kitchen can be attached to your home, or detached and placed in other prime outdoor living spots on your property. A poolside cabana or detached patio makes the perfect spot for an outdoor kitchen. Many of our outdoor kitchen designs are covered by a roof or pergola. Our pergolas offer a great deal of shade, but in the event you are looking for a pergola that has more sun protection, we can use a PolyGal cover which shields some sun and also has UV protection.
This detached patio with outdoor kitchen in Granbury, TX leaves everything at your fingertips
We recently completed an outdoor kitchen project in Colleyville, TX. It includes many of the amenities that homeowners are looking for in an outdoor kitchen addition. The gourmet chef in you will be overcome with inspiration with a grill sink, cooktop and ever-popular Big Green Egg smoker. Other outdoor kitchen options include built-in trash cans and compactors, refrigerators, ice machines, dishwashers or even warming drawers to ensure those hot dogs buns stay warm and toasty. We can even design a serving and bar area into the design to cut down on the amount of furniture needed in your space. This leaves more room for other furnishings and promotes a better traffic flow. Of course, ceiling fans, lighting, sound systems and even televisions are becoming commonplace in the outdoor kitchen.
Here is another view of the Colleyville, TX outdoor kitchen
Contact Archadeck of Fort Worth to learn more about outdoor kitchens and get the recipe for what your custom outdoor kitchen can be capable of . We can come up with a delicious design made just for you! Call for a free consultation: (817) 496 – 3325
tarrantcounty@archadeck.net
You can see more delectable outdoor kitchen designs by visiting our outdoor kitchen photo gallery, located on our website. One look and you are sure to come away with a taste for outdoor living at it’s best.
Archadeck of Fort Worth sees positive growth in more ways than one!
April 25th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Since we opened our doors in the Fort Worth market several years ago, we’ve been blessed with huge growth every year. This year, that growth is at even a more accelerated pace. The economy is improving and Fort Worth homeowners are investing in their homes again. And, they’re choosing Archadeck to build their covered patios, pergolas, decks, outdoor kitchens, outdoor fireplaces & firepits and so much more.
Susan Kuruc from Archadeck of Fort Worth
And, we are very pleased to announce that Susan Kuruc has joined our team as a design consultant. Susan comes to us from the Closet Factory where she enjoyed the honor of being the top producer for the last two years. Susan’s background and expertise are all about creating the right solution for each individual homeowner. “There are always great design solutions but the best ones are the ones that fit the needs and wants of the homeowner.”
While at The Closet Factory, Susan started out as designer and was quickly promoted to senior designer and then executive designer. Susan did it all from soup to nuts. She worked with each client to determine their needs and actually drew the architectural plans for each closet or organizational system which included systems for home offices, garages, pantries and many other organizational systems.
Susan has worked extensively with architects, developers, and interior designers. She is a committee chair this year for MetroCon. In Susan’s work with high-end developments, she sold and designed organizational systems for The Omni Residences downtown, Montgomery Plaza and So.7.
She has extensive experience in taking someone’s vision – their needs, wants and aesthetic desires and creating the ultimate finished product by pulling all the variables together to come up with right design. Similarly at Archadeck, our design philosophy is to design and build the right structure for each individual homeowner based on how they want to live in that structure and what their unique needs and desires are.
Gary Knott, owner Archadeck of Fort Worth
We are very excited about having Susan join our Archadeck of Fort Worth. Give us a call for a free consultation (817) 496 – 3325 or send an email to tarrantcounty@archadeck.net. We look forward to discussing the ultimate backyard solution for you and your family.
A pergola cover can make your pergola even better
April 16th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Our Pergolas are beautiful and practical, so you get the best of both worlds in one outdoor structure.
The pergola in itself is the Aphrodite in the garden of outdoor structures. It is inspiring, appealing and unique. It lends itself to be seated under, read under, placed in a garden, used to anchor the design of other outdoor structures and make designs cohesive. In essence, in the world of outdoor structures the pergola is the glue that holds many of the best designs together. But, alas, the pergola is more than just another pretty face. The pergola can become a shade structure and a place of refuge from the elements.
When considering your pergola, you want to take into mind the function you want it to serve. A pergola and can serve more benefits thank just shade coverage. There are ways to afford more water protection and more UV sun protection. Here are some considerations to think about when it comes to making your pergola a “pergola cover”.
This hexagonal garden pergola has closely placed slats to provide protection from the sun.
Made in the shade
Getting the benefit of more shade from your pergola can be as easy as the design itself. By lessening the space between the slats atop your pergola there will be less room for that hot Texas sun to get in. Simply put, the closer the rafters, the more shade. Another way to maximize the amount of shade on your pergola from a structural standpoint is to add purlins which run perpendicular to the rafters and also maximize shade potential. Archadeck of Fort Worth uses a proven formula that equals a recipe for 60% shade protection. We recently constructed shade friendly pergolas for the Mansfield Independent School District. Pergola covers are also a viable option for adding shade. This can include retractable awning-style covers as well as poly covers that also have UV protection.
This image shows the clarity of using a polygal pergola cover
Singing in the rain
Pergolas can include enhancements such as a poly cover that offers UV protection and protection from the elements as well. You can sing in the rain under the cover of a rain resistant cover such as this. Enhancements like the poly cover also help shed new light into the functions your pergola can cover. Bringing the pergola out of the garden and onto the patio or porch making it a versatile outdoor structure.
To learn more about the versatility of pergolas, and how they can add to your outdoor living enjoyment contact Archadeck of Fort Worth. Call for a free consultation: (817) 496 – 3325 tarrantcounty@archadeck.net
See more stunning pergola designs by visiting our pergola gallery located on our website today.
Coming soon to this Fort Worth backyard- the ultimate outdoor oasis
April 2nd, 2012 § Leave a Comment
This image is one of the design renderings prepared for this project in Fort Worth. It shows the way the patio cover will harmonize with the home and landscape.
This week we want to tell you about an exciting new project we are starting here in Fort Worth, TX. We are creating a magical outdoor space for these homeowners with a covered patio complete with an outdoor fireplace, outdoor kitchen, and custom bench seating.
The finished job will boast an abundant 670 square feet of outdoor living space. The outdoor fireplace will be built using stone and stone will also be used in the columns of the outdoor kitchen. The covered patio will also include ceiling fans to keep cool on those balmy Texas days.
This detailed site dimension plan utilizes the flow of the structure, and how fluid each element of the design will flow into another.
We will be using a Leuder stone cap, and in the outdoor kitchen we also plan to use a gorgeous leuders stone top. The floor of the structure is going to be finished in a washed aggregate concrete with flagstone placed inside the concrete to add some rustic influence to this already stunning combination of materials. There will also be a curved circular area outside the patio cover for a spilling over effect on the flooring into the open area. This will leave plenty of room for additional entertaining endeavors and promote good flow throughout the structure.
This design rendering shows the details of the interior of the covered patio.
Stay tuned for more ” in progress” stories and photos of this tantalizing structure, coming soon.
If you would like to create a magical outdoor living area in your backyard, contact Archadeck of Fort Worth today to learn how to get started on your backyard paradise. Make it happen now in time to enjoy the summer in style.
Call for a free consultation: (817) 496 – 3325
tarrantcounty@archadeck.net
Visit our covered patio, outdoor kitchen and outdoor fireplace galleries to see more of our past designs, each gallery is located on our website.
Archadeck of Fort Worth is cooking up something good this season
March 26th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
This detached patio with outdoor kitchen in Granbury, TX leaves everything at your fingertips
We all know the drill. You have guests coming over for dinner and the weather is so nice that you decide to grill out and enjoy dinner outdoors. The grilling part is usually easy, but the other part of the meal will require multiple trips indoors. With no way to keep things cool it will also require more trips indoors, and outdoors to keep your guests happy. Not only is this inconvenient but it causes an abrupt end to any flowing conversation you may have going at the time. Outdoor entertaining does not have to be a chore. Put an end to the “revolving door syndrome” that comes with only having a grill to aid in your outdoor entertaining.
Archadeck of Fort Worth is cooking up something good this season – outdoor kitchens. This outdoor living accoutrement is quickly becoming the most requested and most popular enhancement for your backyard. The primary reason for its popularity is that it brings the backyard into a whole new dimension of entertaining. Having the kitchen right there, instead of having to make multiple excursions to and from the home to get “the goods” creates a laid back, easy-going atmosphere perfect for the consummate entertainer, or just having a nice dinner outdoors with a few family or friends.
Outdoor Kitchen in Colleyville, TX
Our outdoor kitchens are fully functional. Not only do they include grilling areas but they can be tripped out with anything imaginable. From refrigerators, ice machines, food preparation areas, wall mounted TV’s, food warming stations, and even smokers like the Big Green Egg smokers we readily install into our outdoor kitchens. We do it all, so you can have it all, right there where you need it. From keeping that potato salad cool, the buns for those hot dogs nice and warm, to more ice for the tea, it is all close at hand.
When you think of which outdoor structures would serve well by adding an outdoor kitchen as an enhancement, the choices are endless. Just about any outdoor structure that you love to use will benefit from an outdoor kitchen. Structures like covered patios, covered porches, poolside cabanas and many more would go great with an outdoor kitchen. When we set down with a homeowner who is interested in an outdoor kitchen we try to place the feature in an area that compliments your other outdoor structures, your home, your landscape and which area would serve the most function.
The covered patio also boasts an outdoor kitchen with room for the whole family to pull up a seat.
The most ideal situation occurs when you have a covered structure, such as a covered patio with separate areas that serve separate functions. For example, an outdoor kitchen area that is adjacent to a seating and dining area. It gives your patio the feeling of an outdoor living room. Not only does the design scream convenience, you are protected from the elements and a little rain will not spoil your outdoor event. This design gives way to endless enjoyment and conversation. I have always heard that the kitchen is the heart of the home, then why not make the heart of your backyard living an outdoor kitchen?
To learn more about adding an outdoor kitchen to your backyard, contact Archadeck of Fort Worth today. Call now to ensure plenty of enjoyment in your outdoor kitchen this season. (817) 496 – 3325 tarrantcounty@archadeck.net
You can see more inspiring pictures of outdoor kitchens by visiting our outdoor kitchen photo gallery located on our website.
Pergolas are hot in Fort Worth
March 20th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
A pergola makes an attractive shade addition for an outdoor kitchen.
From its humble beginnings in Renaissance and late medieval gardens the pergola has become a heavy-hitter in the world of outdoor structure design. Over the past few years, the pergola has taken on a personality that leaves the days of being a quaint place to watch the lilies bloom behind. The pergola now offers a multitude of functions and uses to homeowners that the gentry of the Victorian period would never had dreamed possible.
No other outdoor structure is used in as many locations, or used for as many accompaniments to other outdoor structures as the pergola. Pergolas are often used as enhancements for patios and decks. Our pergolas offer a range from minimal to maximum protection from the sun. The pergola’s ability to offer shade and sun protection creates a scenario whereas the pergola could double as a patio cover. Pergolas are also being used heavily next to pools and spas as a beautiful way to seek refuge from the sun as well. A poolside “cabana” style pergola would make the perfect spot to relax, sip a cool drink and watch the kids play in the pool.
Fort Worth pool side pergola
From being a place of refuge to a place of function is all part of what makes the pergola so appealing. I guess you could call the pergola “the chameleon of outdoor living” because it invites change. The change can be location, style or function, but each time the pergola is up for the challenge. One facet of the pergola’s intrigue is being seen in homes all over Texas where the pergola itself houses outdoor kitchens, dining and seating areas, outdoor fireplaces and is being used alongside fire pits as well. Did I mention the pergola swing? An ingenious approach to housing a simple backyard swing to add beauty and shade at the same time. A pergola swing is definitely a great way, and a great place to strike up a conversation.
We are building pergolas in a mixed media of materials from natural woods both stained and natural, to composite materials that are in it for the long haul. We can even wire you pergola for sound just as we would a covered patio. The range of styles and designs for the pergola is endless. We have built many masculine looking wooden pergolas finished with massive beams all the way down to painted pergolas that give you the feel of the classic white picket fence. When it comes to choosing a design for your pergola, the world is your oyster, and we can build a pergola that is uniquely formed to your individual needs and your unique taste.
Contact Archadeck of Fort Worth to learn more about our extraordinary pergola designs and how adding a pergola can increase your backyard’s beauty and enjoyment. (817) 496 – 3325
tarrantcounty@archadeck.net
Contact Archadeck of Fort Worth to get started on your outdoor endeavor today, before “Spring fever” hits
March 5th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
This sun room built over a large curved patio is the perfect haven from the hot Texas afternoon.
You know the old saying that “the early bird gets the worm”? This saying rings true when it comes to beginning the construction of your outdoor living structure now to ensure it will be ready for you this season. As the weeks progress, and the weather warms, our phones begin to ring more near the advent of the outdoor living season. When the hot Texas sun gets a little hotter, many homeowners look to us to build a paradise within their own backyard to serve as a refuge for cooling off and relaxation. Maybe, a covered porch or patio by the pool is what you’re dreaming of? Maybe a new deck, or deck upgrade complete with a custom shade-worthy pergola is more your speed? No matter what outdoor structure strikes your fancy, waiting until the season has already begun is not a wise idea, because by then we have a waiting list that may delay your enjoyment.
Colleyville covered patio with brick wall and serving area, perfect for the ultimate cook-out by the pool.
When is the right time to call us? Now. Right now we are taking appointments and scheduling our projects on a first-come, first-serve basis. On average a deck project takes a week to construct, and working with a reputable builder such as Archadeck of Fort Worth means that your deck project, for example, will have to be scheduled and may take 6 to 8 weeks before we can even get started. The sooner we can get your project on the schedule, the sooner you will be able to enjoy your outdoor oasis.
If you are planning a special outside event, such as a graduation party or want your project completed in time for the kids to enjoy when school is out, NOW is the time to contact us to get your endeavor underway. Our climate in this area allows for year-round construction on all our outdoor structures but, with Spring is close at hand, “spring fever” fills the air and our wait times get a little longer.
The best part of using a reputable, professional and reliable company like Archadeck of Fort Worth is that the ball is in your court from the moment you contact us. We will go through all of the design details when we meet with you up front. You will never get extra charges after we start unless you decide that you would like to make a change or upgrade. What you see is what you get. When you are dealing with a brand you can trust and are familiar with you know you will get the best job at the best price with the most personal of service.
Contact Archadeck of Fort Worth today to get started on your new patio, deck, porch, cabana, pergola or other outdoor living structure. “Spring fever” is in the air, get on the list and secure your spot before the rush. Call us at (817) 496 – 3325 or email us at tarrantcounty@archadeck.net
Visit our outdoor living structure photo galleries located on our website for more awe-inspiring ideas to create your own outdoor oasis this season.
Pergolas are the perfect way to protect Fort Worth residents from the hot Texas sun.
February 27th, 2012 § 1 Comment
Our design and construction standards ensures your pergola will be the perfect haven from the hot Texas sun.
Shade structures not only serve the function of a cool place to seek refuge on those hot Texas days, a shade structure should also serve as protection from the harsh and damaging rays from the sun. We all know the dangers and long-term effects these rays can cause to our skin. Young and old benefit alike from the availability of a nearby shaded area that can offer sanctuary and safety. When you think of a shade structure, many people automatically visualize a covered porch, or other outdoor structure that has a large overhang or covered area. The pergola is also a key player in the shade structure category. Where pergolas were once thought of as just an ornamental feature, today’s pergolas can be built in all shapes and sizes and with all variations and configurations to offer the most sun protection.
Our pergolas serve a very practical and important purpose by providing up to 60% sun protection. Two recent projects reflect the protection our pergolas offer from the sun’s harsh rays. We completed one residential pergola in Keller, TX as well as a light commercial pergola installation in Arlington, TX at Kenneth Davis Elementary school. The Mansfield Independent School District commissioned us to build the pergola in an effort to keep their students safe in the hot summer months – proof positive that our pergolas offer protection and refuge.
A pergola by Archadeck of Fort Worth boasts 60% sun protection.
Our pergola design and construction is the key to optimizing the protection they offer from the sun’s rays. We begin by using 1″ lathing, and leaving only a 1 and 3/4″ gap atop the rafters. By doing this, the pergola emits a 60-65% shade pattern which offers optimum sun protection. We then put posts on Simpson ABR braces and place trim around the braces to hide them. We always notch our posts on the inside, and the outside. We never “hang” beams. Our posts are 6 x 6 and we come down from the top of the post and cut a notch to make our pergolas stronger and better built. We do this with both the inside and outside and the second board conveys a “meatier” looking structure with this important step. We then place two-step trim as well, to cover both pieces and give it a more finished appearance. In most scenarios we use straight structural bracing, which prevents the pergola from swaying. Our rafters are 16″ on center and have both decorative cut outs on both ends, unless they are being attached to a house, or other structure.
Our Pergolas are beautiful and practical, so you get the best of both worlds in one outdoor structure.
As is evident through the great lengths we go to ensure superior strength as well as sun protection, a do-it-yourselfer should not try this at home. Functional and effective pergolas require complexity within the structures design and in the formula used to make all the elements fall into place properly. In order to get a pergola that functions at this level of quality, it is crucial to rely on the experience and expertise of a professional pergola builder. Archadeck of Fort Worth builds pergolas that use quality materials, and offer optimum strength, durability and sun protection. This is what sets our pergolas apart and makes them different from standard pergolas. It is all part of what we refer to as “the Archadeck difference”.
If you are thinking about the addition of a unique shade structure to your landscape at home or at your business, contact Archadeck of Fort Worth at (817) 496 – 3325 or email us at tarrantcounty@archadeck.net
Learn more about our innovative pergola design and construction standards by visiting our pergola and trellis gallery located on our website.
