Elevating Your Outdoor Living Experience

What things do you consider when designing a deck or patio to maximize functionality and aesthetic appeal?

The first thing we want to talk about is how you intend to use the space. Do you want a space to be adaptable to entertain five to six people or parties for 50 or more? What’s your end game? What’s your budget? I like to ask, “Where do you drink your coffee in the morning?” I’ll spend time with the homeowner helping them realize their vision for the space. From there, we consider many things like the shape and style of the home. What direction will your outdoor space be facing? Is it looking into the sun? Are there trees on the property and how can we incorporate them into the design? Is there a pool? Is there a design flaw we need to work around? What’s the slope of the backyard? What’s the elevation?

What are the key considerations when integrating a deck or patio with the existing landscape and home architecture?

We need to think about the best materials, both for aesthetics and practicality. There are so many great options from patterned concretes, pavers, wood composite, PVCs, crushed aggregate for walkways, and more. We need to think about the existing house and other outdoor spaces. What are we trying to tie into? A wood deck in direct sun will need to be sealed more often than one in the shade. If we’re incorporating a tree into our design, we need to plan for growth of that tree. Composite or PVC material is cooler to touch if you’re in direct sun. It’s taken me 40 years and thousands of projects to learn what variables are important.

What innovative construction techniques or technologies do you use to ensure the longevity and durability of your projects?

We have such fluid soil in Dallas that we have to take into account the thickness of our concrete and how it will give and take with the ground’s natural contraction and expansion. If we’re working with composites or wood, we need to make sure we have good ground contact with a treated structure or a metal or aluminum frame. There are many things that can help with ground movement. The structure is important. Quite often we bring an engineer into the project. Our goal is to design and build your project right so we leave you with the least amount of maintenance down the road.

How do you address common issues like drainage, settling, or warping in deck and patio construction?

We know water runs downhill. Our goal is to make it drain in the direction we want it to drain. That might mean piping it or sloping the ground or incorporating landscape fabric beneath the deck for soil retention, maybe even gravel on top of that. Our ultimate goal is to direct rainwater away from your house, reducing the risk of water-related issues. And there are many ways we can do that.