May is Deck Safety Month – Check Your Deck!

May 2, 2011  |  No Comments  |  by Chad  |  Aledo Outdoor living, Fort Worth outdoor living, Weatherford outdoor living

It’s spring and the weather is perfect for spending time in your outdoor living space in Granbury, Weatherford, & Aledo. Gas is high, so your outdoor living oasis is the perfect place for entertaining and relaxing. As you’re getting your outdoor kitchen r and lawn furniture ready, now is the perfect time to check your deck for any problems that might have developed over the winter.

 

Photo courtesy of Simpson Strong Tie

In an effort to save lives and prevent injuries, the North American Deck and Railing Association, Inc. (NADRA) declared May as Deck Safety month in 2006. The purpose of the promotion is to increase public awareness of the necessity for regular inspection and maintenance of existing decks, and proper installation of new decks. Doing a safety check each May will help ensure the safety of your family and guests all summer long.

According to NADRA, the number of deck failures and resulting injuries has been increasing at an alarming rate. Between 2000 and 2006, there have been at least 30 deaths reported as a direct result of deck collapses and more than 75 percent of people on a deck when it collapses are injured or killed, illuminating just how important it is for homeowners to check their Weatherford deck. There are 40 million decks in the U.S. that are over 20 years old. At a conservative 1 percent, that means 40,000 decks are currently in need of repair or replacement. Taking that estimate to 10 percent brings the total number of unsafe decks to 4 million.

A deck may collapse for many reasons: age of the deck, poor maintenance, exceeding the weight limit, or improper building materials.

While performing your annual deck-check, be sure to check other items in your Weatherford outdoor living  space. Check your patio furniture for signs of rusting and to make sure they’re sturdy. Make sure grills, firepits, and any other sources of heat are away from anything flammable. Make sure that steps and paths are well lighted, and that electrical outlets are working and childproofed. Check railing and handrail to make sure they are secure and inspect stairs and steps to make sure they are safe and not wobbling.

It is also a good idea to check for limbs of trees that hang over your deck to make sure that there is no danger of one falling on your deck, patio cover or outdoor kitchen.

If you are unsure of the safety of your deck, call Decks and More for a professional inspection and recommendation of what it will take to bring your deck up to code.

To ensure a safe summer of outdoor entertaining, contact Decks and More today!

817-715-2503

Pergolas – Beautiful & Functional

April 30, 2011  |  No Comments  |  by Chad  |  Aledo Outdoor living, Aledo Pergola, Fort Worth outdoor living, Granbury Pergola, Weatherford outdoor living, Weatherford Pergola

A pergola is a garden structure that has been making appearances in landscapes since 1645, but have recently surged in popularity. According to Mirriam-Webster Dictionary, a pergola is a structure usually consisting of parallel colonnades supporting an open roof of beams and joists.

 

Pergolas can be an integral part of your landscape architecture and are very popular in Weatherford, Aledo & Granbury. It can be used to house an outdoor kitchen or dining area, provide shade in your outdoor living space, extend the livable portion of your home, and act as a platform for vegetation to grow.

They can range in size from very small to large enough to span an entire deck or patio.

They are typically made out of cedar because it is naturally decay and insect resistant. PVC is another popular material. They can be painted or stained. If it is not painted or stained, it will turn a grayish color and will be more susceptible to checking.

At Decks and More, our most popular pergolas are constructed with 6 x 6 posts sunk into a 2 foot deep hole and anchored with 120 pounds of concrete (per post). You have a choice of using 2 x 8 or 4 x 8 material. The 4 x 8 material makes for a much beefier look which is very popular. If the 2 x 8 is chosen, there is usually a 2 x 10 beam sandwiching the post. Beams will be bolted with (2) 1/2 inch galvanized lag bolts to the cedar post. 2 x 8 joists sit on top of 2 x 10 beams. There is usually about an 18″ spacing between joists. The joists are anchored to the beams by toe-nailing a 3-inch screw in four locations. If the 4 x 8 material is chosen, it will usually have 4 x 10 cedar beams. Profile cuts are made on the 2 x 8′s and 2 x 10′s / 4 x 8′s and 4 x 10′s.

Anyone who has survived a Texas summer knows just how hot it can get! Many of Decks and More’s customers choose to have solar screen placed on their pergola. It will lower the temperature at least 15 degrees under the pergola. If solar screen is used above the joists, it is anchored with the 2 x 2′s spaced 1 foot on center. If solar screen is not used, the 2 x 2′s are spaced 4 inches on center, which leaves a 2 1/4 inch gap between the 2 x 2′s. This spacing will provide adequate shade except when the sun is directly overhead. The 2 x 2′s are screwed down with 3 inch screws. Drop down roller shades are another option to block the sun.

Our customers have reported that there is no need to move the party inside during a light rain. Solar screen will keep you dry during light summer showers. Solar screen is tough enough to withstand 60-70 mph winds and up to at least golf ball sized hail. When choosing the solar screen option, the number of 2 x 2’s are reduced by 2/3 which covers the cost of the solar screens.

Decks and More has been designing and building pergolas for 6 years in Granbury, Weatherford, Aledo, Cleburne, Benbrook, and West Ft. Worth.

Call us today to schedule your appointment to personally design the garden structure of your dreams.

817-715-2503

Decks and More builds more than decks, we build dreams!

 

 

 

Outdoor Kitchen with Fire Place and Patio Cover – Granbury

April 21, 2011  |  No Comments  |  by Chad  |  Aldeo Outdoor Fireplace, Aledo Outdoor living, Fort Worth outdoor living, Granbury outdoor fireplace, Uncategorized, Weatherford Outdoor Fireplace, Weatherford outdoor living

About 2 years ago, a Metroplex couple contracted Decks and More to extend the patio on their Lake Granbury weekend home. Tate Smith and his crew added a patio cover increasing their outdoor living space. Recently, they decided they wanted to spend more time outside all year round. They called Decks and More to help them design a wrap-around patio cover, outdoor fireplace, and outdoor kitchen which doubled their existing outdoor living space.

One of the highlights of this space is the large fireplace. This is a picture of the fire box and the roof framing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the next phase of construction, the roof has been sheeted with plywood and the fireplace is extending through the roof. You can also see the stone wall behind the outdoor  kitchen with open-air windows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following photo is a view of the finished outdoor fireplace with a hearth for additional seating and the finished stone wall and  outdoor kitchen. If you look at the ceiling, you’ll see the electrical rough-in for lighting and ceiling fans. The slotted vents in the  fireplace are two blowers that blow hot air out from the fireplace to keep you toasty on those cool lakeside evenings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The finished product! Vinyl siding has been installed on the ceiling, granite on the counter tops and the ceiling fans have been installed. A cabinet protects a flat-screen HDTV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another view of the finished product: the outdoor kitchen features granite counter tops, a Big Green Egg smoker, stainless steel grill, sink, warmer oven, stainless steel ice chest and storage. Just add steaks and some beverages for an instant party on the patio!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the challenges of this project was maximizing the space available. It was built right at the property line utilizing every square inch of available real estate. An even bigger challenge was matching the existing patio cover that we built two years ago. We’re pleased to say that we were able to match it perfectly!

We were beaming when the homeowners told us that they just had an outdoor kitchen built at their home in the Metroplex and said that ours is clearly superior and there is no comparison between the two!

If you would like to increase your outdoor living space in Granbury, Weatherford or Aledo, give us a call at 817-715-2503.

Decks and More, we build more than decks, we build DREAMS!