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Why We Are a NARI Member

Here at Outdoor Environments, we are pleased to be charter members of the Kansas City National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) as well as the Home Builder’s Association of Greater Kansas City. NARI is a great organization and we hope you can join us in supporting it. Here are 5 reasons to be a NARI member:

  1. Educational Opportunities regarding current developments in the home and remodeling industry in Greater Kansas City.Outdoor Environments Kansas City
  2. Networking Opportunities to bring members together at social events such as the Parade Awards Ceremonies, Golf Tournament, and Business After Hours.
  3. Grassroots Involvement to engage members in their local areas including the HBA’s three Area Councils – Kansas, Missouri North and Missouri South.
  4. Industry Information through the monthly Building Business New, the weekly e-newsletter This Week at the HBA, and access to info from (NAHB).
  5. So much more! Visit http://www.kchba.org for more information
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About us: Outdoor Environments is the annual recipient of NARI Awards for Design, Building and Contracting Excellence including: 2-Time winner Contractor of the Year for Exterior Specialties; 4-Time Winner of the NARI Award for home remodeling.

5 Signs It's Time to Refresh Your Deck or Patio

1. You’d like to spend more time outside. A yard doesn’t seem to do much good if it’s unused. A deck or patio can maximize existing space and allow for more cook-outs, games, and outdoor fireplaces.

Outdoor Environments patio

Completed patio by Outdoor Environments

2. You need more room for guests. A general rule of thumb is that an outdoor seating area should have as many places to sit as your living room. This way, the party can move outside before or after dinner.

3. You are longing for a water element. It’s not always possible to live near a lake or river, but a pool or fountain provides soothing sounds and a spa-like environment.

4. There are no places to lay out. A deck or patio provides room for chaises and makes stay-cations more fun.

5. Maintenance issues. Many homeowners refresh their deck or patio to eliminate damaged wood, cracked concrete, and the like.

 

Outdoor Environments has been featured in national and local publications including Qualified Remodeler, Today’s Homeowner, Executive Real Estate and Kansas City Homes & Gardens. To learn more, visit www.outdoorenvironments.com

Kansas City Decks Before and After

This season, Outdoor Environments looks back at past projects as we progress on current installations. Here are some fun before-and-afters:

  • This project, which won an award in 2007, transformed a backyard into a dynamic entertaining and living environment. The deck was expanded and tiered to take full advantage of indoor-outdoor living opportunities.
Outdoor Environments Kansas
  • This fine home has great space and windows, but needed more established landscaping and outdoor entertaining opportunities. That is where Outdoor Environments‘ custom deck and landscaping made a big difference, winning this project an award in 2006. The stucco pillars blend in well with the home’s architecture.
Outdoor Environments deck

 

  • A deck is a great way to tie together the levels of a multiple-story home. Also, the screened in balcony is great for all seasons.
Outdoor Environments Deck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Environments has been featured in national and local publications including Qualified Remodeler, Today’s Homeowner, Executive Real Estate and Kansas City Homes & Gardens. To learn more, visit www.outdoorenvironments.com

Patios Popular in National Magazines

National design magazines have been writing about patios more than ever this spring. It’s easy to see why–patios increase living space and add to a home’s resale value. Let’s take a look at what patio styles are on the newsstands:

  • Better Homes and Gardens suggests softening the edges of a patio with a border of flowers. Taller shrubs are suggested for privacy.
Better Homes and Gardens Outdoor Environments Kansas

Better Homes and Gardens

 

  • House Beautiful shows plush patios that are made into outdoor rooms. The magazine suggests that furniture be not only fashionable but also weather resistant, portable comfortable, and easy to maintain.
House Beautiful Trevor Tondro

House Beautiful (Photo: Trevor Tondro)

 

  • Architectural Digest showed the pool patio of designer Michael Schaible’s Mexican home. The outdoor area is designed to accommodate entertaining and reflect the home’s international style architecture.
Architectural Digest Michael Schaible's Mexico home

Architectural Digest

 

For a pool patio or deck beautiful enough to be in a magazine, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

Unique Solutions for Outdoor Environments

Outdoor Environments has designed and built hundreds of decks and outdoor living projects in the Kansas City area. Here is what makes them distinctive:

  • Quality design. Our decks and patios are custom-designed to complement the existing architecture and to make outdoor space more livable.
Outdoor Environments

Outdoor Environments


  • Proper budget considerations. Each project is completed on-time, within budget, and in accordance with all codes and guidelines.
Outdoor Environments deck in Kansas

Outdoor Environments


  • Superior craftsmanship.  Outdoor Environments was the annual recipient of NARI Awards for Design, Building and Contracting Excellence.
Outdoor Environments superior crftsmanship

Outdoor Environments

 

Outdoor Environments was founded in 1991. We are charter members of the Kansas City National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) as well as the Home Builder’s Association of Greater Kansas City. We have been featured in national and local publications including Qualified Remodeler, Today’s Homeowner, Executive Real Estate and Kansas City Homes & Gardens.

Magazines Celebrate Outdoor Kitchens

National design magazines have been buzzing about outdoor kitchens this month. And for good reason–outdoor kitchens are more distinctive than ever. Let’s take a look at what outdoor kitchen styles are on the newstands:

  • House Beautiful showed this large outdoor kitchen in Nantucket. Natural stone and calm lines help it blend gracefully into the landscape.
outdoor environment

House Beautiful shows outdoor kitchen by Kris Horiuchi (Photo: Trevor Tondro)

  • Elle Decor covered the creative outdoor kitchens that are seen in the book The New Outdoor Kitchen (Tauton Press).

 

  • Coastal Living wrote about an outdoor kitchen with a deck, which provides both a natural look and slip-resistance.
Coastal Living outdoor kitchen outdoor environments

Coastal Living kitchen shows off decking. (Photo:Brian Vanden Brink)

  • Better Homes and Gardens celebrated stacked stone with this homey outdoor kitchen.
Better Homes and Gardens shows built-in entertaining area.

Better Homes and Gardens shows built-in entertaining area.

Outdoor Environments is the certified contractor you need for custom outdoor kitchens in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

5 Easy Ways to Make Your Backyard Safer

If you’re an avid fan of do-it-yourself projects, small updates around the yard are no sweat for you. In keeping up with our Deck Safety Month theme, now is a good time to remember that your entire back yard should be a safe place to hang out – not just the deck. These simple projects might help:

  1. Power wash the patio, porch or deck to remove any and all outdoor debris that has collected over the past few seasons.
  2. Decks and railings can certainly benefit from a coat of paint or water-seal.
  3. Trim overgrown plants and grass around the patio.
  4. Chips or cracks in your driveway’s concrete can be easily filled or patched.
  5. Apply an anti-skid coating to any exterior steps.

Outdoor Environments is a certified remodeling company in the Kansas City area. For major projects – or even small ones that you can’t handle on your own – contact us today!

Royalty-free image by Olger Fallas Painting on Flickr

Go for a Safer Deck in May

The North American Deck and Railing Association officially recognize May as Deck Safety Month. It’s the best time of the year to have your deck inspected to ensure that it is a safe structure for the upcoming season.

Multi-level deck by Outdoor Environments

NADRA suggests that the following deck features should constitute a full and complete deck safety check:

  • Wood that shows signs of splitting or decaying – The section where the deck attaches to the house is known as the ledger board and is a common source of deck failure. Support posts, joists, damp areas and holes should also be checked.
  • Flashing  – This metal or plastic guard is supposed to keep moisture and debris from collecting in between the house and the deck’s ledger board.
  • Loose or corroded fasteners – This includes screws, anchors and nails that may be protruding or completely removed. Those that are rusted should also be replaced since they can eat away at the surrounding wood.
  • Railings and banisters – These features should be sturdy enough as not to move or sway when pushed. Rails should be close enough in proximity so that children and pets cannot easily slip through.
  • Stairs – Handrails should be firmly in place. Also, items like toys, plants and decor that can cause accidental falls should not be placed on the stairs.
  • Cleaning and maintenance – Wet leaves and debris can promote the growth of mildew, so the deck should be cleaned regularly as needed. This can even be done with a waterproof coating.
  • Grills, fire pits, chimneys, heaters and candles – These items should be placed far from anything that’s flammable. All manufacturers instructions should be followed for safe use.
  • Lighting and electrical – Fixtures should be operable, clean and located where they do not cause a tripping hazard. Childproof and waterproof features are always recommended.
  • Outdoor furniture and storage – Furnishings should never be placed near the edge of the deck. Storage boxes should have childproof latches for safe keeping.
  • Surrounding trees – Hanging branches and tree limbs should be trimmed to prevent them from falling onto the deck and near grilling areas.

Would your Kansas City deck pass an inspection? If not, let Outdoor Environments make your deck a safer and happier place to hang out. Call us at 913-897-2706 to discuss your deck needs.

Make Pizza Outside with a Stone Oven (Recipes Included)

Outdoor grilling is one of America’s favorite pastimes during the warmer months of the year. And recently, a new trend has hit backyards everywhere: custom stone or brick pizza ovens.

Best of all, a customized outdoor pizza maker won’t cramp your style if grilling is a priority. These ovens make for a great complement to more traditional grilling stations.

Now for the fun part… how the heck to you make a pizza outside? These recipes should provide all the inspiration you need.

Outdoor Environments is the certified contractor you need for custom outdoor kitchens in Kansas City. Contact us today to get started on yours!

Image from This Old House

Just One Week Left to Save $500

Time is quickly running out, Kansas City! What are your outdoor design dreams? Decks, patios, outdoor kitchens and sunrooms do not have to be a figment of your imagination. You can have your dream backyard if you entrust Outdoor Environments.

For the month of April, we’ve been offering $500 off most projects totaling $15,000. Now is the time to get going on the projects you’ve been dreaming of before these savings disappear.

Need some inspiration? Take a look at some of our recent posts!

Please don’t hesitate to call us at 913-897-2706 to learn more about how we can help with your outdoor projects.