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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“For those homeowners who don’t have the space for a
traditional fireplace, fire pits make a great feature, creating
a beautiful flame that glows through crystal rock,” says
Buckiso. And they’re available in three different heights, with
a lower coffee-table height, dining table and bar height.
The homeowner also has the option of selecting
wood- or gas-burning fire pits.
OUTDOOR KITCHEN
SPLENDOR
When the summer heats up, the
prospect of slow-cooking a roast
or searing some ribs is just not as
appealing when you know it’s going
to heat up your house and drive
up your air-conditioning bill. Take
a tip from our pioneer ancestors
who baked their bread and cooked
their meats outdoors in the summer to
maintain a cool house. This simple idea
can really help keep your home cool during
the dog days of summer, while saving you
money on energy costs.
With an outdoor oven and grill, barbeques can be a
spontaneous dinner idea, rather than a major event that must
be planned days in advance. The grilling process gives steaks,