Archadeck Design Guide

OUTDOOR LIVING DESIGN GUIDE

Outdoor Living Done Right

Down to the very last detail, we specialize in better building by design — making our custom outdoor living solutions second to none. Designs tailored to fit you, your home and your lifestyle. Premium products. Trained, licensed contractors. And a national reputation for service and excellence. That’s the Archadeck difference. That’s outdoor living done right.

At Archadeck, we design for you. You have a vision for your deck, porch, patio, pergola, outdoor kitchen, sunroom — and more! And we’re here to help you bring that vision to life. From how you want to use your new space, to distinctive design details, to the investment you’re looking to make in your home, every design decision is about you, your style, your preferences, your goals — and your dreams.

What outdoor living space are you dreaming of? Since 1980, our experts have been creating custom spaces that make your outdoor living dreams come true. We’re professional designers and builders. From our design experts who help you create your plan and hand-select premium materials and finishes, to our expert contractors who take charge from permits and planning to your final walk-through — and everything in between — we’re with you every step of the way. We deliver results that are built to last, and a new made-for-you outdoor living space that will make a lasting impression.

Want to learn more? We’ve designed our Outdoor Living Design Guide to answer your questions and fuel your imagination. We’ll walk you through planning and design details, the benefits of an outdoor living area, and why Archadeck is the right choice for you. We’ll also share some of our favorite projects and before-and-after makeovers to show you what’s possible when you partner with the best.

Get started by setting up a consultation with one of our design experts today. Learn how we can make your outdoor living dream a reality, transforming your yard into an outdoor oasis for entertaining, entertainment and escape.

Get More Out Of Your Outdoors

Your new outdoor living space will be your retreat, your oasis, your home outside your home. You’ll have more space to do what you love — gather, entertain, relax, reflect, read, cook, eat, drink, laugh, play and party. Space that’s fun and functional. Space you can use day and night. Space that’s like an everyday staycation in the comfort of your own yard. It all adds up to more value for your investment. And today that’s more valuable than ever.

How does Archadeck add more to your quality of life and your enjoyment of your home? Read on to learn the 4 key benefits of creating a personalized one-of-a-kind space with the nation’s leader in custom outdoor living areas.

1 ENHANCE YOUR HOME’S FUNCTIONALITY

Expand and extend the areas where you live, work, relax and play right in your own home and yard. Invite your family to put down their screens and cozy up around a firepit on your patio. Host the next neighborhood potluck on your deck. Cheer with friends while you watch the big game on your porch’s big-screen TV. Or work from home in a bright, calming sunroom space. Imagine the possibilities.

2 BOOST YOUR OUTSIDE TIME

Your new space will give you the opportunity to connect with and enjoy the great outdoors a little more — or a lot! Whatever you do inside, take it outside. Whip up a new dish in your outdoor kitchen. Play cards under the pergola. Get lost in a book on your screened porch. From fresh air and gentle breezes to blue-sky days and starry nights, there’s just nothing like a dose of nature to up the ante on relaxation and a happy, healthy lifestyle.

3 INCREASE YOUR HOME’S APPEAL

We love our new deck with the shades and the beautiful pavers! Our oasis!

– Susan K.

More than giving you more room to enjoy everyday life, your new outdoor living area can add real impact to your home. Amp up your curb appeal. Check the box on architectural details. Add privacy, safety and security features. Take the fun factor up a notch. Even expand your home’s official square footage. The bottom line: It all adds up to a worthwhile return on your investment in space, style and smiles.

4 LEVEL-UP YOUR QUALITY TIME

Time is life’s most precious commodity, and your outdoor living space will give you an all-new place to spend it. From quiet times to together times with family and friends, this place is sure to become your preferred gathering space. Design your deck, porch or patio to make the most of your time and focus on who and what is most important to you. Because it’s always the right time for more quality time.

Better Building By Design

We’re experts at creating outdoor spaces that look as good as they live

At Archadeck, we believe in better building by design. Our design and construction professionals are committed to creating beautiful outdoor spaces made just for you. Tap into the same innovative approach and expertise that has resulted in our brag-worthy collection of national design accolades. You deserve it!

Got your heart set on creating an exciting all-new space? Or do you want to update one you already have? What about redecking your current deck instead of starting from scratch? Or converting your old slab patio from drab to fab? We do it all. And whether you’re on a tight budget or the sky’s the limit, we approach each new project with the same level of professionalism, attention to detail and best-in-class results we’ve been known for through more than 150,000 projects and more than 40 years.

Successful outdoor living design requires creative expertise, superior construction capabilities and a commitment to listening to what you want and need from your new space. It’s a skillful combination our design experts have understood and employed for decades.

There are 4 critical components to outdoor living design that make the difference between merely constructing a new space and transforming your new space to fit the way you live. Our professional design approach incorporates all 4.

1 PERSONALIZED FUNCTIONALITY

Knowing how you want to use your new space is essential to creating an area to enhance how you live, work, relax and play in your home and yard. Every design starts with understanding what’s most important to you. After determining how you’ll use your space, the next question is when: Day and night? Seasonally or year-round? “How” and “when” the foundation for creating a personalized plan that brings your dream to life.

2 COMPLEMENTARY STYLE

We’ll make sure your design complements your home’s existing aesthetics, lines, finishes, grade and landscape. We’re fanatical about every aspect of your project, from trimmed edges and decorative railings to ideas that help you incorporate extra seating, add shade or maximize your view. Our exacting process and construction methods ensure your project exceeds our rigorous expectations — and yours.

3 CUSTOM DESIGN

When it comes to your design, every choice is yours to make. And every selection will set your outdoor living space apart as uniquely yours. Keep it simple or make a style statement. Choose traditional or trendy — or totally out of the box. We’ll give you ideas for creative touches and design combinations that bring color, contrast, texture, height and visual excitement to your design. It’s all about you.

4 ATTENTION TO EVERY DETAIL

Every space comes with unique circumstances, and we’re committed to embracing every opportunity and addressing every challenge. Will you need shade? Privacy? Noise control? Do you need to accommodate pets, young children or individuals with special needs? What about providing sightlines and preserving your view? From comfort and safety to your own personal sensibilities, we’ll make sure every detail is covered.

Screened Porch

Need help choosing between a sunroom and a screened porch? Both create a new “bonus” area and add functional outdoor living space to your home. Structure is the key differentiator. Compare the lists of key features to help you make your choice.

Archadeck built a sunroom addition onto my kitchen and did a fantastic job. We were able to creatively reuse an existing exterior french door and windows which saved considerable money.

– Teresa H.

SCREENED PORCH

• Meant to be open to the outdoors, screened porches are all about air flow

• Walls are floor-to-ceiling screens, or in some cases screened above a half-wall

• Protects from rain and bugs while connecting you to the great outdoors

• Seasonal use only

• Does not protect furnishings — furnish with items meant for outdoor use

• Electrical can be installed for lighting, fans and other needs

• The roof is not insulated

• Does not factor into the official square footage of your home

SUNROOM

• Sunrooms are complete rooms with electrical, insulation and connection to your home’s HVAC

• Window walls are double-pane glass and are either floor-toceiling or above a half-wall

• Offers a great view of nature while allowing you to stay comfortable indoors

• Year-round use with full climate control

• Protects furnishings from outside dust, pollen and moisture

• Considered an extension of your home’s square footage

The Benefits Of Composite Decking

Why choose composite decking instead of wood?

Check out our list of 5 key benefits and make an informed decision for your deck.

1 MAINTENANCE

Composite decking is virtually maintenance-free. With the exception of annual cleaning with soapy water or a power washer, it doesn’t need sanding, staining, painting or sealing.

A wood deck requires regular attention every 2 to 5 years — in addition to keeping up with nail pops, chips, warping and scratches that happen with time, weather, and wear and tear.

2 DURABILITY

Composite decking’s superior moisture resistance means it won’t rot or warp with sun or weather exposure. It’s also more resistant to fading, stains, scratches, termites, mold and mildew.

Wood fades in the sun over time and is subject to warping from harsh weather exposure. It can also be scratched by furniture or pets and stained by grease, mildew, rust, soot, sap, algae and leaves.

3 LIFE SPAN

Composite decking can last as long as 50 years, and with fewer maintenance requirements than wood decks over that time.

Most well-constructed, properly maintained wood decks have an average life span of 10 to 15 years. The less maintenance, the shorter the life span.

4 DESIGN

Composite decking is lighter in weight than wood, providing more flexibility in engineering and design. Composite boards also come in longer lengths — up to 20 feet — for fewer seams.

Wood is heavier than composite decking, which can impact deck design based on what the supports can hold. Standard wood lengths are typically only up to 16 feet.

5 COMFORT & SAFETY

Feet prefer composite decking, which doesn’t splinter. It also stays cooler in the heat and is more slip-resistant.

Splinters and heat are concerns for pets and people. Slips are common with wood when surfaces are wet.

“The quality and accuracy of the work. Instead of an added screened porch, I have an extension to my house that is made to look like the rest of my house.

– Richard & Marsha L.

“Make Your Dream

Outdoor Living Space

A Reality

We go way beyond decks and patios. If you can dream it, we can do it!

Turn your backyard into an outdoor living oasis for entertaining, entertainment, enjoyment and escape with one-of-a-kind looks, spaces and features that complement your lifestyle as well as the style of your home and yard.

• Gazebos

• Pergolas

• Outdoor kitchens

• Outdoor living rooms

• Fire features

• Water features

• Wood decks

• Composite decks

• Patios

• Sunrooms

• 3-Season rooms

• 4-Season rooms

• Screened porches

• Covered porches

• Open porches

• Patio covers

• Deck replacements

• Redecking

• Hardscapes

• Shade structures

Make a Statement

Go all-in and customize your space to your own personal sense of style with these options.

• Exotic hardwoods

• Decorative railings

• Hybrid railings

• Trimmed deck edges

• Post caps

• Chamfered railing edges

• Gable roof

• Decorative roof bracing

• Lattice skirting

• Solid board skirting

• Deck board designs

• Patio borders

• Decorative hardware

• Planters

• Benches

• Vinyl 4-track windows

• Water diversion for waterproof storage

• Water features

• Fire features

“I had a vague idea as to how I wanted the patio to look and Archadeck helped me bring it to life with helpful suggestions and plenty of patience while I tried to make my decisions. am extremely pleased with the final product, and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

– Jeffrey & Ann B.

Dynamic Decks

Take deck design to a whole new level and elevate the form, fun and function of your space.

• Wraparound deck

• Corner deck

• Raised deck

• Pool & hot tub deck

• Multi-level deck

• Stand-alone floating deck

• Screened deck

• Platform deck

• Rooftop deck

• Cascading box stairs

• Multi-level stairs

• Open-riser stairs

• Circular banquette

• Big-screen TV

• Movie screen

• Catio enclosure

• Dog wash

• Swing or swing bed

• Potter’s bench

• Built-in grill

• Bar

• Window pass-through

• Built-in cooler box

“

Exquisite fit with the existing structure and land form. Fantastic architecture, carpentry and project management in each project we did with you.

– Marcia O. & Maryann W.

“

Picture-Perfect Patios

“Our patio project presented extreme challenges due to the severe slope of the waterfront land it was built on. We also encountered numerous design modifications to meet building code limits. Archadeck was great in all aspects of design and implementation of our vision. We love our outdoor space and will get many years of enjoyment from it plus increasing the value of our lakehouse.

– Michael & Donna B.

“Set your yard apart with patio ideas from the practical to the super-cool.

• Corner patio

• Raised patio

• Multi-level patio areas

• Stand-alone floating patio

• Sunken patio

• Arbor

• Moon gate

• Retaining wall

• Outdoor kitchen

• Tiki bar

• Gaming pad

• Hot tub

• Giant checkerboard

• Outdoor fitness area

• Horseshoe pit

• Zen garden

• Outdoor shower

Made In The Shade

Get out of the sun with options offering a range of installations and light control choices.

• Closed roof

• Open roof

• Roof extension

• Overhang

• Gazebo

• Cabana

• Privacy wall

• Pergola

• Tiki hut

• Awning

• Sail shade

• Trellis

• Arbor

• Shutters

Our porch enclosure with Archadeck proved to be a very good experience. Porch was completed on time, on budget, with no surprises. All crew members were knowledgeable, polite and showed up every day.

– Clyde & Catherine M.

Privacy, Please

Create an outdoor living escape with options offering the level of privacy that’s just-right for you.

• Outdoor fireplace

• Vertical or horizontal slat wall

• Bamboo fencing

• Trellis

• Living wall

• Painted wall

• Hanging screens

• Built-in decorative panels

• Tempered glass panels

• Water fountain

• Retractable horizontal shade

• Corrugated metal

• High-back bench seating

• Built-in planters

• Shutters

• Lattice

“

The workmanship and design is exceptional. The craftsmen were very easy to work with and addressed all our concerns. They were very adaptable to changes. This project started out as a simple hot tub enclosure and has taken on a WOW factor. It is extraordinary and far exceeds our expectations.

– James & Bonnie J.

“

Play it Cool – or Hot!

Create a focal point for fun and relaxation with a fire or water feature for every taste, budget and style.

FIRE

• Traditional fireplace

• Wall-mounted fireplace

• Floating fireplace

• Kiva fireplace

• 2- or 3-sided fireplace

• Chiminea

• Fire pit

• Fire table

• Fire column

• Fire urn

• Fire bowl

• Fire fountain

WATER

• Wall-mounted fountain

• Reflecting pool

• Water wall

• Hot tub

• Bubbling rock

• Integrated bird bath

• Water sconces

• Ground-level fountain

• Waterfall

• Water garden

• Rain chain

• Rain curtain

• Koi or fish pond

“ “My porch is exactly what I wanted. It was good that John came to my home, sat down with me and talked about the project. The workmanship is excellent! – Martha W.

Hold On To Style

Mix and match materials, designs and special features to make your railing turn heads.

MATERIALS

• Wood

• Wrought iron

• Bronze

• Galvanized steel

• Cable or wire

• Metal pipe

• Tempered glass panels

• Rope

• Aluminum

• Metal panels

• Frameless glass panels

• Rebar

• Copper

• Stone

• Metal mesh

DESIGN

• Curved

• Craftsman

• Sunburst

• Diagonal

• Sawn balusters

• Vertical

• Parquet

• Sideways arrow

• Privacy

• Chippendale

• Geometric

• Art deco

• Turned balusters

• Horizontal

• Lattice

“

We love the people, the creative designs, and the work and communication!! Excellent, hassle-free project, timely and reasonable/fair pricing!! High quality!! Great experience and will recommend to others for sure.

FEATURES

• Cocktail rail Planter boxes

– Matthew & Laura B.

“

For Your Home, More Matters

When you choose Archadeck, we give you more. More expertise, more confidence and more of what you want — and need — to beautifully transform your outdoor space into the one-of-akind retreat you’ve been dreaming of.

“Very detailed thorough approach. No surprises. Fabulous quality and reliable work.

– Teresa C.

“Our superior design skills, first-class craftsmanship and fastidious construction methods have been proven project after project, year after year, more than 150,000 times. Hands-down, we outmatch our competition in knowledge, professionalism and experience every time.

As the locally owned independent owner of a nationally recognized market leader, we give you added peace of mind with everything from our service commitment and construction standards to the warranties that guarantee our work. Our trained, licensed local contractors are not only fully versed in local code requirements, they’re backed by Archadeck’s exacting standards, professional code of conduct and decades of experience.

Our ongoing training and quality control programs assure every project maintains the same rigorous expectations for construction methods and superior materials — which always meet, and often exceed, local building codes. We’re fully insured. You’re fully backed by the most expansive warranty protection program in the industry. And thanks to our nosurprises approach, you’ll be fully informed. We pledge to give you written material specifications, custom design drawings, a firm quote and a detailed contract.

We’re dedicated to upholding our national reputation for quality, professionalism, and service and design excellence. Because when you’re making an investment in your home and your quality of life, more matters.

3 Steps To Fabulous

It takes just 3 simple steps to create the outdoor living space of your dreams with Archadeck.

Consult

During your consultation, we’ll review your property and talk about your vision. We’ll help bring into focus exactly what you’re looking for and share ideas to spark your imagination and help you picture all the possibilities for your space.

Design

We’ll bring your vision to life! Using detailed drawings, we’ll illustrate your plan from a variety of angles, collaborating to refine it until it’s just right for you. After you’re satisfied with the design, we’ll provide an exact price quote and a detailed contract and specification sheet before construction begins.

Build

With our quality-focused Job Progress Methodology, your project should progress smoothly and on schedule, barring any unexpected weather or materials delays. We do it all — from securing permits to cleaning up when the job is done. And during your final walk-through we’ll make sure you’re completely satisfied with every detail. 1 2 3

Want to learn more about our process?

Check out our video series!

Outdoor Living Idea Generator

Get started planning your dream outdoor living space by brainstorming how you’ll use it, what you need and what’s on your wish list. Get inspired!

THE LOCATION OF MY SPACE IS:

 Back of house

 Front of house

 Side of house

 Pool area

 Hot tub area

 Stand-alone space

Other:

MY SPACE NEEDS:

 Privacy

 Shade

 Sunlight

 Seating

 Roof / Shade

 Stairs

 Connection to main living areas

 View / Sightlines

 Weather protection

 Bug control

 Storage

 Electricity

 Gas/propane

 Plumbing

 Heating / Cooling

 Elevation consideration

 Noise abatement

 Safety features

 Special needs access

Other:

I PLAN TO USE MY SPACE FOR:

 Dining

 Cooking

 Entertaining

 Relaxing

 Gardening

 Games

Other:

MY WISH LIST INCLUDES:

 Full outdoor kitchen

 Grill / Smoker

 Pizza oven

 Refrigerator

 Fire pit

 Fireplace

 Water feature

 Pergola

 Gazebo

 Hot tub

 Bar

 Dining area

 Seating area

 TV

 Paver pattern / Design

 Stone

 Decorative railings

 Planters

 Composite decking

Other:

Archadeck Di f eren c Discover the

Here’s our list of the top 10 reasons why Archadeck is better by design.

Reliability

As a local owner, we’re proud to be part of a successful national company that’s been in business since 1980.

Experience

We’ve completed more than 150,000 custom outdoor structures, from decks and porches to sunrooms and outdoor kitchens — and so much more!

Trust

We offer a free design consultation with absolutely no obligation to buy.

Peace of Mind

Our projects feature our Archadeck warranty — including a 1-year “edge to edge” workmanship warranty, a 5-year structural warranty— as well as protection from the National Guarantee Corporation, which backs our warranties and ensures job completion.

Protection

We maintain a minimum $1 million in liability coverage and full workers’ compensation insurance.

Professionalism

We’re guided by a national code of conduct and values, we fully document all construction and contract details, and we use only professional-quality building materials.

Confidence

We provide an exact price and detailed scope of work with drawings, and we will always build above building code requirements — no cutting corners here!

Satisfaction

We have a long history of satisfied clients and have been nationally recognized for best-in-class service and design.

Partnership

We can help finance your project through multiple options, and we can connect you to a full suite of toptier outdoor living home products and services.

Credibility

Our award-winning custom designs have been featured in national magazines, such as HGTV, Better Homes & Gardens and Coastal Living.

Competitor Archadeck

Competitor Archadeck