For those of you who’ve worked the grill, made essential runs to the kitchen, and were still able to pull off the perfect barbeque, you deserve a tip of the cap. But aren’t you tired of the frenzy it creates? Then bring the kitchen outdoors, it will make life a little easier.
You can start this process by relocating the grill to the gazebo. If you’ve tolerated the hot sun for long enough, this type of open air structure is perfect for a shady barbeque. You’ll also have enough room to accommodate accessory items and storage. This cuts down on those back and forth trips to the house. If you want to eliminate these excursions altogether, think about an outdoor grilling station.
Grill Stations
A scaled back grilling station doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the outdoor station, but they are very functional and aesthetically pleasing. These stone or brick constructions are built around the grill and include permanent storage or food preparation areas. They’re great additions to the patio or deck because of their rustic appeal. You can also convert wood planter boxes into outdoor cabinets. By taking sheet metal and molding it around the planter lid, now you’ve got the makings of a metal door. Just attach some cool-looking hinges and you’ve got a makeshift outdoor cabinet for supplies. More elaborate grill stations include sinks, bottle boots for chilled juices or wine, and an insulated ice box that acts as a mini-refrigerator. These grilling stations are professionally built and installed. They cost right around $1,900 for a top of the line unit.
Photo credit: Rite Remodeling
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Spring is here and it’s open season for indoor/outdoor living. I was at one of my local home and garden centers over the weekend, and it was a party! There’s nothing like that early Saturday morning buzz that bubbles up among dozens of happy householders chatting over planters, browsing the racks of blooming things, discussing deck furniture, and tossing gardening supplies onto their trolleys. It’s a guaranteed high.
After all that enthusiastic carrying-on, I want to share the effervescence of the season with you. You might already be going like a house a-fire on your own deck decorating, or maybe, like some of my friends, you’re in planning mode for building or adding on to your deck this year. In either case, there’s nothing like looking at great examples of deck design for inspiration.
Here are some beauties, custom built by some of CalFinder’s licensed contractors:
Redwood Multi-Level Deck
Equinox Landscape Construction
With all the lush greenery, this large deck gives the luxury of feeling suspended up in the trees. It takes advantage of the hillside terrain by being built on levels, connected by a gracious staircase. The railings are integrated into the design for safety and beauty and enhance the structure’s overall appeal.
Architectural Simplicity and Harmony
Prociw Construction & Roofing
Elegant contemporary architectural design joins this deck seamlessly to the house with ease. The repetition of materials used for the house is complemented with different elements and materials that, all together, make a striking combination. Subtle and welcoming.
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The Rolls Royce of wicker patio furniture, Home Infatuation’s new collection will have you chanting ooooh’s and aaaaah’s as you savor each new piece.
Built to last forever, this chic new line offers a sophisticated elegance with sturdy, all-weather construction. Whether it’s a chaise with an Italian influence or a contemporary loveseat, every piece is made with top-quality wicker woven with resin fibers and top-grade, resilient rust- and corrosion-proof aluminum frames.
The new line offers sofas and loveseats, chaise lounges, patio chairs and tables, dining tables, ottomans, and deep seating furniture.
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The weather has turned and we’ve receded indoors for a few months, so outdoor living probably isn’t high on your priority list. Now is the perfect time, however, to take advantage of the slower construction industry and to address some projects around the house. Why not look into building or replacing the deck this year?
Decks can provide a clean and relaxing area to bask in the fresh air while entertaining or simply reading a book. If built out of the wrong material, the deck may demand constant maintenance, ruining the relaxing effect. All in all, any maintenance is definitely worth the benefits a deck can bring to your life, but you should at least start with a material that requires the least amount of maintenance possible.
Here are the 3 top decking materials ranked by least to most maintenance:
Composite
Composite decking, such as the Trex brand, is a wonderful alternative to wood. It is made from recycled plastics, and requires very little maintenance. It is available in many color options, and once installed provides a clean surface that won’t fade, warp, deteriorate, or crack. View pictures of composite decking recently completed by CalFinder contractors.
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It’s that time of year to do some serious outdoor reconstruction and preparation for the winter to come. Your deck has been serving its purpose for some time now and although summer is about over, there is still plenty of good weather to take a good hard look at your deck’s condition. What are some of the warning signs that it may be time to tear it down and reconstruct?
Aged and outdated. The timber is old and the design is poor. This summer was perfect for more outdoor activities and a larger deck with room for a Jacuzzi, barbeque, and patio set would have been perfect. Take out the old and bring in the new; get ready for next year’s fun.
Mold and mildew build up. Mold that appears at ground level or under the deck is a sign of too much moisture. Signs of mold and mildew are deterioration, graying boards, cracking, and splintering. Moisture is never a good thing for a wood deck. Was it built too close to the ground or without enough ventilation under the deck? Check with a professional to access the extent of the damage. If wood rot has taken over, the deck may need removing or reconstruction.
Wood rot/dry rot. Both are results of moisture and fungus—nasty stuff. The fungus feeds on the moisture then breaks down the wood, causing decomposing. Both have discoloration as beginning signs. There are two main types of wood rot. One produces brown-colored spots and breaks off in cubes, thus called “cube rot.” The other type leaves a white or yellow color on the wood and gives it a spongy, stringy feeling; this is “dry rot.” Dry rot is described as very old wood that has long since rotted and dried out. Nevertheless, moisture was the culprit in the beginning. This is serious damage; see an expert before the deck retires itself.
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