SPECIAL SECTION: HOME IMPROVEMENT
EXTRA SPACE IS ON DECK
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 the PVC and
composite decks require less maintenance in the long run.
He says wooden decks will run about $2 - $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 - $9 per square foot. They will require power-washing for
cleaning, with frequency depending on location. If the deck
18 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Shaler
is adjacent to trees and shrubbery, leaves and pollen
will settle on the frame and 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, and local expert in furnishing outdoor living
spaces, homeowners are especially keen to add fire features
to their outdoor area, which functions 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.
“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 KITCHENS –
FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T STAND THE HEAT
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 in order 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