Tag Archives: porch building Overland Park

Decks, Patios and Porches… Oh My!

When a backyard is nothing but endless square feet of grass, it’s quite clear that some pizzazz is necessary. But what type of structure is right for you and your home? Tons of magazines, websites and blogs provide an endless amount of inspiration. But first, you need to know what the possibilities are and how they’ll affect your outdoor space.

Decks

  • Made from: Usually made from wood or composite wood although some are vinyl or fiberglass
  • Best for: Above-ground backyard living areas
  • Pros: Warm, traditional, provides plenty of storage space
  • Cons: Maintenance might be too much for some homeowners, depending on the material; relatively quick installation

Patios

  • Made from: Stone, pavers (composite or permeable) or concrete
  • Best for: Functional, ground-level living areas
  • Pros: Low-maintenance, durable and many materials (like permeable pavers) are eco-friendly
  • Cons: Usually higher priced compared to decks and installation might take longer

Porches

Which outdoor structure is best for your Kansas City home? Call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706 to discuss your needs. Don’t forget that you can save $500 on certain projects until April 30th!

Information from Atlanta Home Improvement, April 2012

When the Porch Meets the Sun

Screened in porches can be tricky to design. That’s because they walk a fine line between interior and exterior. Not only do these outdoor rooms expose themselves to nature’s fury, they are expected to be just as cozy and inviting as a living room. Not only are porches supposed to protect you from insects, heat and cold, it should also keep you warm when it’s cool and cool when it’s warm. As contradictory as it may sound, porches are the only types of rooms that can achieve these conflicting results.

Many factors must be considered before the perfect porch can be added onto a home. Topography, existing vegetation, layout and proximity to roadways are some of the first issues that must be tackled. Then, the porch must be positioned in such a way that the rising and setting of the sun hits at just the right angle. Some porches can even be detached. Either way, porch building and designing takes much planning. According to Qualified Remodeler,

The sun travels in predictable paths throughout the day and, in turn, the seasons. Given this predictability, a design can be achieved to bring in or protect from the sun, depending on the desired outcome. Sunlight early or late in the day is low, whatever the season, while the angles of the sun at midday vary dramatically during the course of the year. In latitudes away from the equator, winter sun comes in low at noon, whereas summer sun is nearly directly overhead. With attention to roof overhangs, the midday sun can be blocked or allowed in as desired. Morning and afternoon sun can be blocked, as well, with solid or movable means. The dependability of the sun’s movement is relatively easy to accommodate with considerate design.

If you’d like a sunroom added to your home but you don’t know exactly where to begin, Outdoor Environments can handle to job. Call us in Kansas City/Overland Park at 913-897-2706.

Image from Vintage Ginger Peaches

6 Porch and Sunroom Ideas

Over the past few weeks, we’ve provided you with tons of ideas related to porch and sunroom design. Since there are so many possibilities, we’re adding more tips and tricks to the list. These ideas are ideal for maximum summertime enjoyment, but don’t forget that these same concepts can be implemented to enjoy your outdoor room year-round!

  1. Plenty of seating for everyone. Wicker and wooden benches make for a traditional room design.
  2. Take it a step further by installing seating equipped with storage space. Many wicker and wooden benches have flip seating that allows for storing pillows, reading materials and other items used frequently in your outdoor room.
  3. We can’t say enough about color. Cushions, pillows, area rugs and sheer curtains are great ways to implement the shades of summer.
  4. Potted plants, flowers and blooms make it easy to bring the outside in.
  5. Since outdoor rooms are the perfect divide between inside and out, ceiling fans are great for keeping cool for less the cold blast of central air.
  6. For snack time, have a table or station set up to prepare cold drinks and appetizers. This will minimize trips to and from the indoor kitchen.

Outdoor Environments wants to know: What other tips do you have for maximum outdoor room enjoyment? Share your thoughts with us below!

Information and image from BHG

Elements of a Perfect Porch

One way to take pride in your home for National Homeownership Month is to consider adding a porch. It’s a place for privacy, entertaining, relaxing and everything in between. If you’re not quite sure how to use a porch or how to bring it to life, these tips might help!

  1. Coziness for everyone – A good porch will achieve two important things. First, it will be spacious enough to accommodate guests for tea, coffee, brunch, and/or pleasant conversation. Secondly, it will also be stunning enough to wow the owner and family. Dining space and plenty of seating is the key.
  2. A fierce fire – Fireplaces are not confined to just family rooms and backyards. They can also be incorporated into outdoor rooms and utilized all year long and especially when days and nights get a little cool.
  3. Wonderful windows – The great thing about porches is that they let you enjoy the outdoors without actually being outside. Windows are key in making this a reality. And with all of the energy-efficient options out there, you can have beautiful windows that add to your porch design while incorporating an eco-friendly touch.
  4. Make it a room – Many people fail to realize that outdoor rooms are spaces just like any other room in the home. Therefore, it can be decorated as such. Since porches are often used for relaxing, bookshelves and other storage units are great for storing books, magazines, and hobby accessories.

Porches are a wonderful home addition that you should certainly consider to add value and exclusivity to your home. Call Outdoor Environments in Kansas at 913-897-2706 to find out more about our outdoor room building capabilities. We serve the Kansas City and Overland Park areas.

Information and image from BHG