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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.
“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.