Archadeck of Charlotte

What is the price difference between wood decks and composite decks?

archadeckofcharlotte — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:44:01 +0000

At Archadeck of Charlotte we build over 400 decks each and every year. One of the most common questions we get asked is to explain the price difference between a wood deck and a composite deck?

Custom built pressure-treated wood deck and rail with Deckorator Baroque style pickets with low-voltage deck lights and a paver patio

If a consumer were to price the difference at Home Depot or Lowes, they would see the price per board would be almost triple in North Carolina and South Carolina. However, when you purchase from a professional deck builder that has significant purchasing power, you should expect to pay approximately 40% more for a brand new composite deck versus and brand new wood deck. Additional factors include that the labor rate is the same and the sub-structure is going to be wood either way. So, the only additional cost is of the deck boards themselves. Railing is an entirely different issue because people tend to mix and match rails out of wood, metal, composite, vinyl, and stone. To get additional information, go to www.charlotte.archadeck.com

Archadeck of Charlotte custom designed and built this TimberTech Earthwoods Teak Composite deck and Black Radiance Rail

What are my options for stone patio’s?

archadeckofcharlotte — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:38:21 +0000

There are many options for patio’s and we get asked all of the time what they are. Archadeck of Charlotte designs and builds outdoor living spaces and patios are fasted growing category for outdoor living.

The most economical of course is just a plain concrete slab. The drawbacks are they will crack over time and tend to look cold and industrial. An inexpensive way to solve for the aesthetics and keep the price low is to stain the concrete and warm it up with color.

The next step up is a stamped concrete patio, this is more expensive, looks great, but will not prevent cracking of the concrete. From there you can get into a variety of pavers from a straight brick look to multi-dimensional pavers. These are quite popular today. Then you get up to your Travertine stone patio’s and various tiles, they can be used as pavers or a tile

Archadeck of Charlotte stone patio and landscape design

look. Finally, you get into flagstone patio’s, a great natural look for your backyard outdoor living space! For a complete photo gallery of patios, go to www.charlotte.archadeck.com

Archadeck of Charlotte paver patio and fire pit

How many references should I check when it comes to home remodeling?

archadeckofcharlotte — Sun, 06 May 2012 12:56:32 +0000

Unfortunately, when today’s consumer goes to invite a remodeling contractor (or any contractor) into their home, the decision is usually based on hearing from one neighbor or friend that the contractor did a good job.

When you are making a decision to hire someone to work one of your largest investments (your home), it makes more sense to get a minimum of 4 references as we find anyone can have a “good day”. The advice from the National Association of Remodelers (NARI) and other respected organizations is to properly vet contractors by talking to 3-4 references who have contracted these people and look at their work. If they cannot provide hundreds of examples of their work, do you really know for sure?

Value Remodelers and Handyman Services remodeled bathroom in Charlotte

People have to apply the same techniques they would as if they were hiring someone to work for their business when it comes to hiring remodeling contractors. To gain more information you can go to either www.valueremodelers.com or www.charlotte.archadeck.com

Return on Investment for remodeling projects?

archadeckofcharlotte — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:31:40 +0000

At Archadeck of Charlotte, we are constantly asked about return on investment when it comes to different remodeling projects. Remodeling Magazine publishes an annual report each year that updates the annual results of return on investment. Outdoor living has risen as a return on investment for the past 5 years as people began staying home more and we not able to sell their homes very easily.

Charlotte Deck Builder (Archadeck) custom designed composite deck

Now people realize they are going to have to invest money back into their homes in order to keep them up to date, for maintenance reasons, and for the ability to sell the home as there is so much competition. The leading remodeling projects for return on investment are bathrooms, decks, patio’s, and kitchens. To get more ideas for your home, either go to www.charlotte.archadeck.com or www.valueremodelers.com

Do we really build screen porches for our pets?

archadeckofcharlotte — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:23:30 +0000

It’s amazing how many of us design and build screen porches with our pets in mind. At Archadeck of Charlotte, we are constantly consulting with homeowners on making sure the screen porch will be suitable for their pets!

Charlotte Eze Breeze Porch with Trex Transcends decking

The most common concerns are the strength of the screen and the access of a “doggy door”. There are specialty screens like “pet screen” on the market that are resistant to tearing for a modest upcharge. Many people rely on the rail, which is built on the inside of the screen to be a detractor for pets ripping the screen. Mostly, we just love our pets and want to make sure there is a nice outdoor area for them without them escaping. Screen porches are fun and functional for both humans and our pets! To see some great screen porch ideas, go to www.charlotte.archadeck.com

Ceilings for screen porches including tongue and groove

archadeckofcharlotte — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:10:54 +0000

When we get asked for professional advise on screen porches, one of the least thought of areas is the ceiling. It is surprising since it is one of the most visible areas and can dramatically change the look and feel of the room.

Archadeck of Charlotte has designed and build thousands of screen porches over the past 24 years and some of the best looks include tongue and groove and even coffered ceilings.

Screen porch with coffered ceiling in Waxhaw, NC

Ceilings are most often designed and built with ply bead material which is plywood based and comes in 4×8 sheets and then trimmed with lattice trim into the porch ceiling.Tongue and groove ceilings eliminate the lattice trim and are a more true beadboard. The cost of the the ply bead is substantially less and is a key driver as to why most people opt for it. The coffered ceiling can drive the cost up anywhere from $1,000 – $1,500 depending on the size and intricacy of the trim detail.To see many more screen porch and covered patio ceilings, go to www.charlotte.archadeck.com

Can you put an outdoor fireplace in an existing screen porch? Yes!

archadeckofcharlotte — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 12:46:03 +0000

Outdoor fireplaces are all the craze and one of the most searched for outdoor living products. Screen porches have become the outdoor living area of choice for most. Combining an outdoor fireplace and integrating it into a screen porch is the ultimate outdoor living area and widely desired. The question we get asked at Archadeck of Charlotte is can you build an outdoor fireplace into an existing screen porch?

Screen Porch with integrated outdoor fireplace and outdoor TV and tile on screen porch by Archadeck of Charlotte

We are absolutely able to integrate a stone or brick outdoor fireplace into an existing screen porch with a combination of carpenters and masons and it is surprisingly affordable. The entire project can take less than 2 weeks. The fireplace can be gas or wood burning. To see the most extensive photo gallery on outdoor fireplaces, go to www.charlotte.archadeck.com

Remodeling trends that aren’t leaving…

archadeckofcharlotte — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:26:39 +0000

US News and World Report wrote a great article recently about major remodeling trends that are here to stay. The gist of the article highlights the fact that in-law suites, kitchens, and outdoor living makeovers are the 3 remodeling projects that are not only hot now but data shows there is no slowing down in the foreseeable future.

Outdoor Fireplace Charlotte with travertine and stone seating walls

With an aging population and health care facilities beyond the average persons financial resources, in-law suites are becoming more and more common as a place for us to house our parents as they age and need care. They also add value to the home. Kitchen tasted are changing as people are forgoing large work space areas for larger eating areas. Finally, outdoor living has become a sort of refuge as people love the outdoors and moving their indoor conveniences outside.These 3 treads have great staying power and are great investments in your home! For design ideas, go to www.charlotte.archadeck.com or www.valueremodelers.com .

Bathroom Remodel Video and blog by Value Remodelers in Charlotte

archadeckofcharlotte — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:37:39 +0000

Value Remodelers and Handyman Services (an Archadeck company) recently remodeled a bathroom completely. The remodel in Charlotte included all new fixtures, shower, sink, frameless glass shower door, tile, marble counter tops and lighting. Watch the enclosed video to get some ideas for your bathroom!

The link is highlighted just here from YouTube and you can also go to Value Remodelers.com to a photo gallery for additional bathroom remodeling projects in Charlotte and other types of projects as well!

Ultimate Outdoor Living Area design concepts and ideas

archadeckofcharlotte — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:34:29 +0000

Archadeck of Charlotte has been designing and building outdoor living spaces for over 24 years now. The outdoor living space has been redefined in recent years and the concepts and ideas are endless. Consumers are looking to extend their homes to the outdoors more and more and it is no longer just a nice deck or patio.

Archadeck of Charlotte outdoor fireplace, travertine patio, and stone sitting walls

Today’s trends are centered around 4 areas: shade, fire, cooking, and water. Home entertaining is more and more popular as people don’t want to drink and drive, they avoid the expense of restaurants, vacations, or just love the idea of escaping in their own backyard.

Shade structures are an important part of outdoor living. Screen porches are largely popular in Charlotte as they provide refuge from the sun and insects. Other solutions include covered patio’s, pergola’s, and retractable awnings.

Whether it’s a stone outdoor fireplace or stone fire pit, the fire features are still growing in popularity. It is not just the idea of providing heat, it is a visual focal point and great gathering area for friends and family.

Outdoor kitchens are growing every year in popularity. People are no longer satisfied with just a grill. Most common additions include a refrigerator, a sink, a smoker, and side burner.

Water features can be a hot tub, spa, pond, or water fall to create soothing noise. Water features are mostly about ambiance and beauty.

Screen Porch with integrated outdoor fireplace and outdoor TV and tile on screen porch

The latest trend is outdoor showers and bathrooms. Archadeck is seeing an large increase in demand especially in backyards equipped with pools, hot tubs, or a lakefront property. To view the latest in outdoor livng design concepts and ideas, go to www.charlotte.archadeck.com