Protect Your Deck! November 9, 2011
Posted by Juan Cardona in Uncategorized.add a comment
Many of us in the northeast are now experiencing Mother Nature’s one last gift of an Indian summer before unleashing her wrath of winter. And as a result of these lingering warm days, many of the trees have only just now begun to shed their leaves. It is very important to stay on top of leaf removal when it comes to your deck – especially if your deck is made of composite or PVC materials! Not only can wet, slippery leaves be dangerous to foot traffic, but the bright red, yellow, and orange pigments from the leaves can unfortunately stain your deck if you aren’t careful! Our recommendation is, clear your deck of all leaves and debris before shutting down your deck for the winter. This is a good time to do a light power wash on your deck, to get rid of any dirt and grime before the heavy snow coats it for months to come, leaving behind even more sediment and other
For decks that have unfortunately succumbed to stains and other discolorations due to debris and weather, manufacturers like TimberTech recommend a product called Corte-Clean, to combat particularly difficult stains.
Click here for more information on this product! http://corteclean.com/HOME/Welcome.aspx
Outdoor Living at its Finest! October 26, 2011
Posted by Juan Cardona in Uncategorized.add a comment
It’s that time of year again! There’s a chill in the air, and the delicious scents of autumn inspire us and prepare us for the upcoming holiday season! But, for many of us, we’re not quite ready to move the party indoors. So what better time to consider an enclosure or covered structure to extend the life of your deck! Most people don’t even start to really focus on their outdoor living needs until the winter is coming to an end, so get a jump on your neighbors and start your project now, so you can enjoy your space year round, instead of scrambling to have it ready for the warmer months!
Here at Archadeck, we make it our mission to design unique and original structures to provide folks with the best outdoor living experience we can. Whether it’s adding a roof to keep you dry while still enjoying the outdoors, or building a three season room to protect from the whipping winds and biting chill that the fall and winter bring, look no further!
If relaxation and a place to spend quality time with family and friends is your ultimate desire, Archadeck of Chester County can create a secluded retreat with privacy fences, a dining room complete with ceiling fan, or even a cozy outdoor living room with a built-in fireplace to enjoy cool, crisp fall nights. Our three- and four-season rooms are second to none in design, comfort, and aesthetic value, so if that’s the route you choose, the possibilities are endless!
Of course, when creating your outdoor living space, certainly consider the newer materials like PVC and composite decking, as highly durable alternatives to wood. They are able to withstand the elements without the costly and time-consuming maintenance that a traditional wood deck often requires. But there is certainly something to be said about a good, old-fashioned wooden deck! And if that’s the case, pressure-treated pine or cedar are great choices for classic style and durability on a budget.
No matter which direction you choose to go to enhance your outdoor living space for these fall and winter months, let Archadeck of Chester County provide a free design consultation and get the wheels turning for your next big project! Call us today at 610-696-3340!
See our Privacy Wall designs at the Archadeck Blog Site May 26, 2011
Posted by Juan Cardona in Uncategorized.add a comment
Visit Archadeck’s blog site and see our Privacy Wall designs. Click on the appropriate link onour Links area below.
Deck Makeovers February 28, 2011
Posted by Juan Cardona in Uncategorized.add a comment
This past weekend we attended the Suburban Home & Flower Show in Oaks, PA. As always, homeowners eagerly flocked to the show looking for new ideas and solutions for the house projects in advance of the Spring building/cleaning season. This year’s most popular topics for discussion with the folks that stopped by our booth were “deck makeovers” and roof structures or shaded areas for their yard.
Many people with whom we spoke already had a deck, but wanted to spruce it up or enlarge it – perhaps adding a shade structure over it in order to make it more usable. The preference for newer materials like composites and solid core PVC decking was also quite obvious. People want to spend more time enjoying their back yard, but they don’t necessarily want to be doing maintenance. On the other hand, the current economy is making them think twice about what they invest in. And who can blame them? But whether times are good or not so much, if you are going to make an investment in a home project, you want to make sure that you are using the right materials and the right contractor, because you only want to be doing it once!
And so, the folks that come out this weekend got an opportunity to preview some new products, speak with different contractors, and begin the process of planning their projects early. Whether you are able to attend a Home Show or not, it certainly pays to get ahead and do these things earlier rather than later!
Want to add a roof over your existing deck? February 26, 2010
Posted by Juan Cardona in Uncategorized.Tags: deck, roof, safety, screened porch, structural support, sun room
add a comment
We recently participated at the local Home and garden Show in Oaks, PA. And as with many other Home Shows across the country, one of the most popular planned projects this year from attendees at the show was to add a sunroom, roof, or screened porch on a new deck, or to their existing deck. In the case of an existing deck, the question is can that be done? The answer to this question is usually yes, with qualifications. Whenever a roofed structure of any type is added to an existing deck there are several issues that, if neglected, could create future problems. The first important issue relates to the building code requirements for a roof. In all cities and counties in this area roofs require a building permit, even when added on top of an already existing deck. This permit is required regardless of whether the structure will have screens, windows, or even if it is going to be open. It is a mistake to assume that because the deck is existing, the roof is automatically legal at the same size. Some homes have existing decks that were built without permits and are too large or too near the property line to roof the deck without changing the design of the existing deck to meet current codes and setback requirements. In addition, some cities have different setback requirements for roofed structures than for decks.
The second important issue has to do with the deck strength and its original build quality and design. A great many decks have been built that only adequately hold up as decks, without the additional weight of a roof structure, walls, or windows. In some cases additional bracing, columns or beams need to be added to the existing deck structure to support the added weight of the proposed roof. In other cases it may be less expensive to tear down the deck than to repair it enough so that it can permanently support the new roofed room or porch. When a roof or wall weight is added to a structure not designed and constructed to support it, it can sag, pull away from the house, leak, and or create danger of future collapse. We at Archadeck have been called out to examine many sunrooms and porches built on poorly constructed older decks that have caused multiple expensive problems for the homeowners. The upside is as long as your deck is properly built and is rot free it can usually be repaired or reinforced, if necessary, to use as the base for a roofed structure. If you are undertaking this type of work as a Do-It-Yourself project, it could be a good investment to hire an engineer, architect or professional builder to advise you about the structural design and support. Better safe than sorry!
Deck Safety February 10, 2010
Posted by Juan Cardona in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
I was sitting at my desk this morning enjoying the blizzard outside and tending to some of my paperwork when the phone rang. Who would be thinking about decks on a day like today and why would they expect to get an answer? I answered with the usual “Hello, Archadeck, may I help you?” The man on the other end seemed very surprised to hear my voice. He said he was indeed surprised and that I was the first one that actually picked up the phone.
The reason for his call, as he pointed out, was not that he wanted a new deck. He was simply concerned with having 3 feet of snow on his four year old composite deck and he was wondering if he should go out and shovel it off before it collapsed. I pointed out that if the deck was built properly, according to prevailing building codes, the snow should not be a problem. Decks, I pointed out, are required by code here in Pennsylvania to be built to take a minimum load of 40 pounds per square foot. I also pointed out that at Archadeck we always build them to the higher standard of 60 pounds per square foot. I told him that I did not know how his deck had been built but if he had any second thoughts about it, he could always go out there and take some of the snow load off of it with his shovel.
The caller thanked me for the information and hung up. I don’t think he was going to go out there. I think the call was made to justify not having to do that. But the incident got me thinking about the fact that this is yet another reason to make sure that, no matter who you choose as your deck builder, make sure that they do follow all the appropriate codes. There are way too many decks out there that are unsafe, and it doesn’t take a blizzard to have them collapse. Do your homework. Know whom you are dealing with. Be sure your contractor is licensed. Check them out at your local Better Business Bureau. Check their references carefully.
For a free informational pamphlet about “How to select a Remodeling Contractor” or to have a safety inspection done on your existing deck contact your local Archadeck office today.
It’s Home Show season! February 8, 2010
Posted by Juan Cardona in Uncategorized.add a comment
Football season is over. March madness is not yet here. Baseball is still a long way away. This is the time of year when homeowners can take advantage of the bad weather and spend some quality time researching and shopping for their next home improvement project. It’s Home Show season across the land. Home shows can be an excellent way to get ideas, meet contractors, find out about new products and generally keep warm in the company of a few thousand other people.
Here in the Philadelphia suburbs you can make your way to the Philadelphia Suburban Home and Garden Show ( http://www.phillyexpos.com/suburban/) in Oaks, PA on February 18-21 or the Greater Philadelphia Spring Home Show( http://www.homeownernet.com/events/pennsylvania/greater-philadelphia-spring-home-show.html )at the King of Prussia, PA Convention Center on March 24-26.
Outdoor Living…more than just a deck. February 8, 2010
Posted by Juan Cardona in Uncategorized.Tags: Archadeck, back yard, deck, gazebo, Ipe, outdoor kitchen, outdoor living, pool
add a comment
This outdoor living area provides the homeowner with much more than just a deck. It is an outdoor kitchen as well as a “living room” in the back yard. The kitchen and living areas overlook the pool and gazebo. This is an excellent way to integrate all outdoor spaces into one beautiful backyard destination. The deck and bench are made of IPE, a tropical hardwood that is both durable and elegant.
Springtime Deck and Porch projects February 4, 2010
Posted by Juan Cardona in Uncategorized.Tags: deck, Home Show, porch, project, spring
add a comment
Coming very, very, very soon!!! February 3, 2010
Posted by Juan Cardona in Uncategorized.Tags: decks, outdoor living spaces, porches, sunrooms
add a comment
Stay tuned for information about decks, porches, sunrooms and many other outdoor living projects.








Archadeck Web Site