Decks - Porches

Deck and Porch Insights

Expand the Indoors- Outdoors

One of the most popular remodeling trends today is with homeowners who wish to add to the living space of their homes with porches and decks for enjoying, relaxing and entertaining.
The number of U.S. homes with decks hit an all-time high in 2007, reaching 49 percent versus 36 percent in 2002, according to independent research conducted for The Thompson’s Company, makers of Thompson’s Water Seal brand water proofers, stains and cleaners.

Homeowners are looking for an outdoor lifestyle. They want to create an outdoor oasis.
This trend encompasses anything from increased emphasis on traditional outdoor elements like decks and porches to expanded outdoor cooking areas and outdoor “rooms.”

According to an AIA Home Design Survey, interest in outdoor living space has been steadily increasing: In 2005, slightly under half of surveyed residential architects saw this as a trend growing in popularity. By 2008, over two-thirds of respondents saw this as increasing in popularity.

Related to outdoor living is the growing interest in blended indoor/outdoor space. More homeowners are bringing the indoors outside.

Instead of just having a deck where you sit and grill, there will be separate spaces for seating with tables, chairs, couches and even outdoor rugs and standing lamps.

Homeowners are building multi-level decks with unique floor plans that include distinct spaces for cooking, eating, lounging and entertaining, just like inside the home.

Deck Materials

• Although wood is still popular, more diverse materials are quickly becoming popular.  Among them are composites and hardwoods.
• Glass, aluminum and wrought iron, are also popular and are quickly turning into decorative replacements for wooden railings and balusters.
• Natural stone is another option. Stone may be used both as the primary material, as well as a decorative addition to the deck or porch
• Sustainable Lumber-Homeowners also are more frequently requesting responsibly sourced materials. Grown and harvested in sustainable forests, then certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, sustainable wood offers builders a means for capitalizing on two trends, green building and outdoor living, at once. People are willing to pay a little more for green design.  Today, a great deal of pine is harvested in a sustainable fashion.
  

Porches

• A great transitional space between the indoors and outdoors, porches literally and visually provide a sense of security and offer the perfect place to dine, entertain or just relax.
• Maintenance free porches that can be enjoyed year-round are increasingly popular. They add additional living space options and can also be used for playrooms and a shelter for pets.  They may also increase the value of the home.
• New design amenities such as skylights, arching windows, sliding doors, and climate-controlled glass that lets in light while blocking heat have added to the popularity of the new porch craze. Porches are not what they used to be!
• For those homeowners who wish to extend the use of their screened porch into the cooler days of fall, several options which allow the screened porch to be converted into a 3-season room are available. Some budget conscious homeowners prefer to start with upgradeable decks that they can convert to a screened porch in the future.

Deck and Porch Accessories

Deck and Porch accessories are getting more sophisticated. Options include outdoor furniture that looks and feels as thought it should be indoors, low voltage lighting, sound systems, and even outdoor movie projectors and TV screens.