Tag Archives: deck

8 Steps to a Clean Deck

Are you thinking about getting your deck ready for spring yet? If not, then you should be! Your deck has probably taken quite a beating from all the harsh winter weather we’ve experienced over the past few weeks. But knowing how to properly clean your deck will make it look brand new in no time. Not sure what to do? Here are some easy tips from This Old House:

  1. Many people assume that power washers are the way to go when it comes to deck cleaning. But they’re actually too powerful and can damage your deck’s wood fiber. Go with a pump sprayer instead.
  2. Use a biodegradable wood cleaner. These are commonly used not only for decks for fences as well.
  3. Mix an equal amount of water with the wood cleaner. (1 to 1 ratio)
  4. Spray the deck with cool, clean water before applying the cleaner to the deck.
  5. Apply the wood cleaner to the entire deck, spraying evenly across the surface.
  6. Wait about 10 minutes.
  7. Scrub the deck surface with an industrial broom. You’ll see the dirt, grime, and algae begin to surface.
  8. Hose off the deck.

Do you need work done on your deck for before the lovely spring weather arrives? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

5 Features Your Backyard Will Need This Spring

We know the weather outside is still frightful, but that’s no excuse for letting your home’s outdoor space go without a makeover for the New Year. There are plenty of ways to prepare your backyard for the warm weather that is only weeks away. So, what exactly do you need to get started? Here are a few product ideas that will turn your outdoor living space into a relaxing retreat.
BEFORE:
Single or multi-level decks added to the rear or side of your home can create an endless number of possibilities. Decks can be built using many types of wood, fiberglass, vinyl and even recycled materials like plastic.
A hearth is a heating option used for outdoor living spaces. Fireplaces (wood or gas) and firepits offer the warmth and coziness you need during the cold winter months, but they’re also perfect for cool nights during the spring, summer and fall.
Outdoor furniture is a must if you plan to truly enjoy your backyard area.  Create an lovely oasis with lounge chairs, tables, umbrellas, a hammock and other comfortable furnishings.
Gazebos, sun-screened rooms, and awnings all provide wonderful shaded shelter for any time of the year. Be shielded from the scorching summer sun or protected from cold wind and rain.
No outdoor living area is complete without some type of water feature. A swimming pool is the obvious choice here. But you can always take it a step further with a spa, hot tub, Jacuzzi or even a pond with a waterfall.
AFTER:
Are you ready to get your outdoor living area ready for spring 2011? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 today!

Shop now for your outdoors

You finally have the outdoor living area of your dreams now all you need to do is accessorize to add your own personal style to the space. We know that you probably aren’t enjoying the area as much as you’d like since the weather here in Kansas has turned colder, but that doesn’t mean that come spring you can have the perfect place to lounge outside. Now is a great time to buy outdoor furniture and accessories with all the holiday sales and discounts. We have pulled together a few of our favorite must have accessories for your outdoor environments.

If you haven’t already done so you’ll need to purchase your patio or deck furniture. We love the look of this room below from House Beautiful. This outdoor living room is like another extension of your home.

From House Beautiful

Add a pop of color to your outdoors with these below accessories. The pillow and rugs will surely bring some needed pizzazz to any neutral palette. And the candles and lanterns are also a must have for your outdoors.

via Shelterpop

We’d love to hear any deals you have seen on outdoor furniture.

Plan Ahead with Outdoor Environments

You’ve probably haven’t had a chance to enjoy your outdoor living space since the weather has turned colder in Kansas, but you can always plan ahead and make the necessary arrangements to ensure that you have your own private oasis come spring time. At Outdoor Environments we can create for you the perfect porch, deck, 3 or 4-season room, arbor, outdoor kitchen area, spa enclosure and more.

Give us a call at 913-897-2706 or visit us online at OutdoorEnvironments.com to learn how you can get the outdoor living space you always dreamed of.

See photos of some of our work below.

Outdoor Environments

Outdoor Environments

Outdoor Environments

Backyard Oasis: Part Two

We’ve talked a little about the upper deck in our post earlier this week and now we wanted to move downstairs (by way of the spiral staircase) to the lower level deck. The lower deck features a dry living space for the family to enjoy.

Outdoor Environments would love to create an outdoor living space just for you, give us a call at 913-897-2706 or online at Outdoorenvironments.com.

Backyard Oasis

Earlier this summer we talked about an outdoor living space we were creating that featured a two level deck and patio. We completely transformed our client’s backyard into an oasis complete with a water feature and even an outdoor TV. The project was so extensive that we are breaking it up into three parts. The upper deck, the lower deck and the patio.

How to Spruce Up Your Outdoor Living Space

We are heading into prime outdoor living time.  Pools are now officially open and everyone is spending more time outdoors.  We recently came across  Good Things for Outdoor Living on marthastewart.com and we decided to share a few of our favorite ideas with you.

One of my favorite tips on marthastewart.com is to collect a few apothecary bottles and fill them with lamp oil and wicks, then arrange the bottles under a large hurricane for protection.

In typical Martha Stewart fashion, a gardening center is created using a carpenter’s nail belt.  I love the bucket in the center, perfect for storing larger items or even debris.

Marthastewart.com recommends using tiki torches to bring a little of the islands to  your home.  For a path that is a little less paved you can anchor the torches in a bucket filled with gravel.

For more ideas on sprucing up your outdoors click here.

Go Outdoors This Saturday for National Get Outdoors Day

Participate this year in the 2nd annual National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday, June 12th by heading outdoors.  National Get Outdoors Day hopes to promote healthy living by having America take part in outdoor activities.  Whether you go fishing or biking, make sure you encourage the family to turn off the television set and enjoy nature.

There is a slight chance of a thunderstorms on Saturday so make sure you check the weather before you venture outdoors.

Building a Deck Frame by Frame

When building a deck it is important to understand the process frame by frame.

Below are a series of photos for a two level low profile to be finished with AZEK composite decking.

Above is the rendering of the completed project.
Here is a before photo of  the deck.
End of first day.
The end of day two with all 19 piers completed!
End of day three!
End of day four!
Make sure you check back to see the completed deck!

Following the Rules of Design

Every outdoor living space is unique to its environment.  When we design an outdoor living area, we not only incorporate the materials used on the project, but we are also bringing in the home’s natural setting.

Jonathan Parks’ recently wrote an article called Five Pillars of Design for Outdoor Living for Residential Design & Build magazine.  Take a look below and see if your outdoor living space is  following the rules.

Pillar 1:
Invent within the rules

  • Does the outdoor living space demonstrate style, proportion and consistency?
  • When viewed from any angle, is it a unified solution?
  • Does it give evidence of its quality and care over detail?
  • Is it inviting?

Pillar 2:
Respect, complement nature

  • Is the design responsible to the environment?
  • Does the outdoor living space respect and complement views from within the yard and from within the dwelling?
  • Does the new ground plane show careful integration of natural and manmade elements?
  • Is existing landscape material utilized?
  • Is new material sensitive to the natural terrain?
  • Are colors, styles and materials comfortably distinct — ensuring individuality without offending the senses?

Pillar 3:
Build for the ages

  • Is the solution long-lasting?
  • Will the design date the house or will it appear as appropriate tomorrow as today?
  • Does the design follow through to the smallest detail?

Pillar 4:
Detail for authenticity

  • Does the outdoor space respond to the individual intimately?
  • Does the design process follow through to the smallest detail?
  • Does the construction involve a need for craftsmanship?

Pillar 5:
Incorporate convenience

  • Does the plan encourage a quality of lifestyle?
  • Does the design capitalize on features of volume, scale and functional relationships?
  • Is it technically “state-of-the-art” to ensure gracious outdoor living?

What do you think of Parks’ pillars?