Outdoor Environments Blog

It’s that time of year again! The Johnson County Home & Garden Show is an event that showcases a variety of home and garden products and services available throughout the JoCo area. So of course, Outdoor Environments will be there to show off our outdoor living capabilities. Will you be there?

Trade shows are the perfect opportunity for consumers to up close and personal how to transform their homes. Ever thought about adding or remodeling a patio, deck, porch or another outdoor space? Come see us in March at the Johnson County Home & Garden Show!

• Dates: March 2nd from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., March 3rd from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and March 4th from 10 a.m until 6 p.m.
• Location: Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS 66211
• Tickets: $10 for adults, children 12 and under are free

Visit the home show’s official website for additional details.

There are two types of people in this world: those who hibernate during the winter and those who go out and enjoy it. If you fall into the latter group, then this blog post is for you. There are plenty of ways to enjoy your outdoor space during this time of year. There’s no use in having an amazing deck, patio or yard if you can’t enjoy it 365 days a year! Here’s how you can get the most out of your outdoor living space this winter.

1. Investing in good outdoor lighting. The evenings get darker much earlier in the wintertime. From lanterns to sconces, good lighting makes it easier to enjoy your porch, deck, patio and your entire yard. It’s also a good safety feature to prevent slips and falls when it’s dark.
2. Decorate. Just like you take time to make your home interiors look beautiful, the same concept goes for outside. Many items like rugs, furniture, cushions, table cloths, candles and blankets are made for outdoor use.
3. Get a heater. Even though winter is still in full swing, you’re sure to start finding deals on outdoor heaters as retailers begin to bring in their spring collections. You can also opt for a custom built fireplace or fire pit.

What’s your favorite way to enjoy the outdoors during the winter?

Homes already equipped with a wood deck must take the proper care and precautions to keep that deck safe and clean. As spring approaches, it’s a good idea to inspect your deck and see what repairs, if any, need to be addressed. Here’s some sound advice from the February 2012 issue of Exterior Contractor:

If you are interested in deck building, remodeling or repair in the Kansas City area, call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706.

Image by Alex Hibbert on GettyImages.com

Have you started thinking about your outdoor living plans for the spring yet? By planning now, you can ensure that the features you want can and will be ready to enjoy by the time the warm weather finally sets in for good. Private decks and patios have always been a hot topic on this blog… but what are some more creative ways to block off your outdoor space from the general public and nosy neighbors?

• Add a pergola – It helps to create a cozy outdoor space with shade and tons of visual interest.
• Use your home – If there’s a section of your home that protrudes, that might be the perfect opportunity to hide your deck or patio from plain view.
• Columns – You can have the best of both worlds with the right columns in place. They close off your outdoor space, but you still get to enjoy the elements.
• Take advantage of height – If space permits, an upper level deck is a creative way to get the outdoor space you want without having it open to everyone at the ground level.

Check out some examples from our very own portfolio of projects around the Kansas City area:

To learn more about our outdoor design services around Kansas City, Overland Park and beyond, call us at 913-897-2706.

Are green building products important to you when it comes to remodeling? According to new research, they probably are. It seems as though the green movement is finally hitting home with consumers because now they are expecting green materials for their residential projects.

But why exactly are green building products so attractive to consumers? Mainly because their environmentally friendly, cost-effective, beautiful and high-quality.

Some of the specific research findings include the following:

•  72% said that green building materials are more important than five years ago.
• 18 % responded that a product’s sustainability is an extremely important decision factor.
• 60% anticipate an increase in the importance of green building/sustainable materials in the next five years for their building/construction needs.
• 39% of total respondents listed environmental factors as key in selecting green building materials.
• 31% of total respondents listed aesthetics as key in selecting green building materials.
• 30% listed cost savings (rebates) as key in selecting green building materials.

To learn more about our green building capabilities in the Kansas City area, contact us today!

Image by Dorling Kindersley on GettyImages.com

On this blog, we have always discussed ways in which your outdoor space can add value, beauty and functionality to your home. If you’re in need of a new idea before spring arrives, then we’ve got another one for you!

Have you considered protecting your walkway(s) with outdoor structures such as pergolas, shade arbors or overheads?

When protecting your walkway, it literally creates a tunnel that leads up to the entrance of your home. It draws visitors in, forcing them not only to admire the unique outdoor structure, but to anticipate what’s to come once they get inside. As an added benefit, these structures also help to provide an added layer of privacy around your home.

Are you confused about what a protected, tunnel-like walkway looks like? Here are some examples from Houzz.com:

To see examples of our completed pergolas, overheads and other outdoor structures, visit the Outdoor Environments Facebook photo gallery.

Sure, spring is still weeks away. But who knows… it may come a little early this year! And if it does, you’ll want your outdoor space to be ready for a season of fun in the sun!

If you’re in the Kansas City area, don’t forget that Outdoor Environments is here to help. Our areas of expertise include the following:

• Single and multi-level decks
• Under deck living areas
• Gazebos, arbors and overheads
• Hot tub and spa enclosures
• Screened patios and 3-season rooms
• Room additions and extensions

Would you like to discuss how we might be able to prepare your outdoor space for spring? Contact us today! And be sure to view our Facebook photo gallery for examples of our completed projects!

Outdoor Environments is proud to belong to both the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s Kansas City Chapter and the Home Builder’s Association of Greater Kansas City. Our membership, along with a long list of industry awards and recognition, prove that we are a reliable and trustworthy contractor to do business with.

But when searching for a contractor to remodel your home, you may come across some red flags. These warning signs should be enough to show you that something is wrong. According to NARI, watch out for the following bad moves.

1. You can’t verify the name, address, telephone number or credentials of the remodeler.
2. The salesperson tries to pressure you into signing a contract.
3. The company or salesperson says your home will be used for advertising purposes so you will be given a “special, low rate.”
4. The builder/remodeler tells you a special price is available only if you sign the contract “today.”
5. No references are furnished.
6. Information you receive from the contractor is out-of-date or no longer valid.
7. You are unable to verify the license or insurance information.
8. You are asked to pay for the entire job in advance, or to pay in cash to a salesperson instead of by check or money order to the company itself.
9. The company cannot be found in the telephone book, is not listed with the local Better Business Bureau, or with a local trade association, such as NARI.
10. The contractor does not offer, inform or extend notice of your right to cancel the contract within three days. Notification in writing of your Right of Recision is required by law. This grace period allows you to change your mind and declare the contract null and void without penalty (if the agreement was solicited at some place other than the contractor’s place of business or appropriate trade premises-in your home, for instance.)
11. You are given vague or reluctant answers.
12. The contractor exhibits poor communication skills or descriptive powers.
13. The contractor is not accessible.
14. Your questions are not answered to your satisfaction.
15. The contractor is impatient and does not listen.
16. Only the work is addressed, instead of your needs as the homeowner.
17. There is no way to see previous projects, either through a presentation book, an online presentation or via the company’s Web presence.

Image by Alistair Berg on GettyImages.com

A room addition or extension at home might sound like a good idea, but what exactly would you use the extra space for? Luckily, there are tons of ideas out there.

1. Home office – Working from home has become a way of life for many. But not having a dedicated space for office needs can make working from home more of a hassle than it needs to be. By adding a home office, you’ll guarantee a quiet, isolated space to get your job done.
2. Children’s playroom – Few things are more frustrating than having to clean up after your kids. From toy firetrucks to Barbie dolls, a playroom makes it easy to keep the kids in one safe area without them making a mess all over the house.
3. Hobby or craft room – No matter what your hobby might be, you deserve a space to enjoy it. Scrapbooking, sewing, painting and woodworking are all good examples of hobbies that should have their own room.
4. Wine cellar – Wine collecting has become a pretty common hobby. And many homeowners choose not to store their precious bottles in the kitchen. So why not build a special room for them?
5. Reading room – Book worms usually require a distant cozy and quiet spot to catch up on their latest read.
6. Game or media room – These days, technology seems to have taken over the entire house. It might help to cut down on the chaos by limiting use of laptops, video games and tablets to a media room.
7. Workout room – If you plan to stick with your New Year’s resolution, a room just for exercising would be a good way to encourage yourself to keep up the good work!

What do you need an extra room for? Contact Outdoor Environments in Kansas City today to find out if your home can accommodate a new space!

Image from ProjectNursery.com

Kansas City has finally begun to experience below freezing temperatures after an oddly mild start to the winter season. And one of the reasons many locals love this area is because of the winter weather. So if you’re an avid fan of snow, ice and freezing temperatures, now is a good time to take advantage of your outdoor space. With the right heating mechanism in place, you can enjoy warmth in the middle of a winter wonderland!

But first, here are some outdoor heating safety tips to keep in mind:

• Never use any outdoor heating without first reading the instruction manual and other important documentation it may have come with.
• Keep the heater away from walls, outdoor furniture and other items that could potentially burn, melt or catch fire.
• Never leave any outdoor heating device unattended, especially when children or pets are around.
• Don’t leave without first making sure the heater is completely turned off.
• Make sure there’s a first aid kit nearby to immediately treat any accidental burns.
• A fire extinguisher should also be nearby in case it’s needed.

Are you brave enough to hang outside in this cold weather… even with an outdoor heater?

Image by Chris Pittock on GettyImages.com