Tag Archives: custom decks in Kansas City

Innovative Modern Patios and Decks

Nothing says fun like the great outdoors. The modern patios and decks below re-interpret outdoor living.

  • Dwell Magazine explored this sun-filled contemporary San Diego home, where a modern deck enables indoor-outdoor living. Practical finishes enable this stylish space to be family-friendly as well.
modern patio Kansas City

Image via Dwell. Photo: Bryce Duffy

  • Wallpaper* Magazine explored a spartan deck with clever holes to accommodate long-standing trees. The architecture is by the notable firm BAK Architects.
modern deck Kansas City

Image via Wallpaper*. Photo: Daniela Mac Adden

 

  • This groovy deck, featured in Metropolis Magazine, appears to slope but is actually a flat horizontal plane made up of individual plywood tiles. The homeowner is an executive at Apple and the architect is Thom Faulders.
modern patio Kansas City

Image via Metropolis, by Digitized Image Company.

 

For a well-designed modern or traditional  patio or deck, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

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.

How Long Should a Wood Deck Last?

Save $500 on your next outdoor project!

The Midwest is known for unpredictable weather patterns, particularly over the past year or so. Traditional cold periods have reached record high temperatures, a trend that’s expected to continue.

For homeowners who live in these parts, it can be frustrating to deal with outdoor living areas. Daily weather patterns make it difficult to know when and how you can enjoy your outdoor oasis. And this can be particularly troubling for anyone planning for a custom built or remodeled outdoor space.

But there is some hope, according to The National Association of Home Builders. Their Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components sheds some light on various home features and how long you can expect them to last.

So, how long should a custom wood deck last?

Because they are subject to a wide range of conditions in different climates, the life expectancy of wooden decks can vary significantly. Under ideal conditions, they have a life expectancy of about 20 years.

One sure way to make sure that your Kansas City deck is up to par is by trusting a qualified and experienced Certified Remodeler, which is available right here at Outdoor Environments!

Information from This Old House

3 Common Deck Materials

You probably already know that a new or remodeled deck can add tons of value to your home. But did you also know that your return on investment will be heavily determined by the type of deck materials used? We stumbled upon this article that outlines the pros and cons of some of the most common deck building materials.

Pressure-treated (PT) wood

  • Most common and least expensive material
  • Requires annual sealing to prevent drying, twisting, cupping, splitting, slivering and warping
  • Usually insect- and fungus-resistant for about 10 years
  • Expensive fasteners are required for building since PT can eat through regular screws and nails

Cedar

  • Boards used to last about 20 year, but now they’re only good for about 5-7 years
  • Lack of natural oils makes it more prone to dry rot, mold and insects

Exotic hardwood

  • One of the most expensive deck materials
  • Very durable and long-lasting
  • Can be harvested under less than ethical conditions from forests in South America
  • Often labeled as sustainable when it may not be

To find out about the decking materials we use at Outdoor Environments, contact us today!

Image from How Stuff Works via cc