SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
months and good, visually interesting plant life in the winter,
such as holly shrubs or bayberry bushes.
DECKED OUT
One of the most inexpensive ways to add living space to your
home is the addition of an outdoor deck or patio. Having a great
outdoor space is like adding an extra room to your house. It can
be enjoyed by the whole family, or experienced in quiet solitude
as a retreat to the Zen of outdoor living.
If you like to entertain, then an outdoor space is a must.
Guests can spill out onto the patio, extending your home to
allow more freedom for guests to mingle, both inside and out.
Though the words “patio” and “deck” are often used
interchangeably, there is a difference. A patio is generally
constructed of stone pavers, tile or a simple concrete foundation
that sits squarely on the ground. Decks are usually made of
wood, PVC (also called vinyl) or composite, which has wood
content that has been encapsulated in a PVC wrap. Decks can
either be ground level or elevated. When considering which
option is best for you, you’ll want to look at the costs and also
which one works well with the style of your home. The good
news is that regardless of the option you choose, you’ll get a
positive return on your investment, somewhere between 30%
and 75%.
For a wood frame house, wooden, composite or PVC decks
can match the trim of your existing home. Since wood can be
painted, a wooden deck offers the most color options; however
it will also require frequent repainting. Both PVC and composite
decks are available in a wide range of earth tones to match your
home’s style.
Vince Lorenzi, owner of Lorenzi Home Design Center,
explains that there are cost differences, but feels that PVC and
composite decks require less maintenance in the long run.
He says wooden decks will run about $2 to $3 per square
foot. These are attractive, but they do require more maintenance
and will have to be resealed every few years to give them
maximum life.
Both PVC and composite decks will run an average of $8
to $9 per square foot. They will require power-washing for
cleaning, with frequency depending on location. If the deck is
adjacent to trees and shrubbery, leaves and pollen will settle on
the frame so washing is required to keep it looking sharp.
If your home is made of stone, you may opt for a patio that is
a continuation of the stone look, but this also works well with
a wood frame or brick home. Patios work best in yards that
are level, while a deck can be placed pretty much anywhere,
including a hilly or uneven lawn.
According to Marci Buckiso of The Fireplace and Patioplace,
a local expert in furnishing outdoor living spaces, homeowners
are especially keen to add fire features to their outdoor area,
which function as a gathering point for both family and guests.
Traditional wood-burning fireplaces not only add physical
warmth and beauty, but emotional warmth as well.
Contemporary homeowners are opting for very modern
linear gas fireplaces, with smooth, clean lines to mirror the style
of their home.
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