Updated 12-5-24
Fall and even winter are great times to do outdoor upgrades. And if your needs are simple upgrades, they can be done pretty much by anyone.
But if your property’s terrain is challenging, or your outdoor living dreams call for more artistically designed spaces, the advantages of choosing a “design-build” firm such as Deck and Patio is worth consideration.
What Is Design-Build Construction?
Just as inside design-build contractors provide the architectural design for a project as well as its construction, this is also true for “outdoor living” contractors like Deck and Patio.
“Also, working with one firm for the design as well as the construction frequently lessens the project’s costs verses hiring two groups of experts,” says our own Dave Stockwell. “Plus it’s easier for homeowners to maintain control with one firm in charge.”
On the contrary, adds Dave. Clients find they develop a closer relationship with their design-build project manager, who knows all that’s going on and can easily accommodate their changing needs/ideas as the project develops.
As you’ll see from these examples our work, when it comes to outdoor living projects, having a singular vision — which might include plantings, waterscapes, architectural structures, and hardscape — results in beautifully harmonious backyard escapes.
Pool Landscaping
New Feature, Huntington
The owners of this Deck and Patio project live in Huntington, NY. They had an existing free-form pool, which we enhanced by adding dramatic waterfalls, including lush landscaping. Note, for example, the striking Japanese Maple tree gracing that area.
The project also included upper and lower Cambridge XL Ledgestone patios. Plus, we designed an area for their new hot tub provided straight from our own supply!
Other elements: a handsome pergola standing tall over a new outdoor kitchen. Truly a backyard retreat for the whole family.
Backyard Water Features
Natural Looking Water Feature Design
Designing and building a backyard water feature takes time, especially if you want your man-made feature to appear as if Mother Nature designed it herself.
This requires ordering and installing perfect-sized rocks and boulders which will cause water to flow in natural spills into either a pond or, in this case, a ‘pondless’ water feature.
Designing/Building for Privacy
Backyard ‘Spool’
Sometimes the need for privacy is an issue when designing for comfortable outdoor living. This property, for example, was open on three sides and in full view of four homes.
“The clients wanted a ‘spool’ — or a cross between a small pool and a spa — but the best spot for it was in a very exposed area,” says Dave.
Deck and Patio’s landscaping design team used Skip Laurels, Leyland Cypress, and Cedars to create an attractive natural privacy screen around the spool. In addition, texture and color were brought in to the buffering divider by incorporating flowering deciduous shrubs.
“We also incorporated creeping evergreen ground covers to cascade and wind over and between the rocks we installed,” says Dave. “Plus a careful selection of plants provides the area with color from April through October. The whole design flows beautifully into the back property.
This project was actually built during winter months. Next week our blog will focus on how that project was designed, built, and completed including dealing with the worst of winter.
Design/Build Decks
Deck Designed/Built To Enjoy the Views
For this project, privacy was not an issue for the clients. In fact, they wanted it as open as possible to take in the property’s wonderful views.
“We designed a 2-level TimberTech XLM PVC deck for them, with one level just for the outdoor dining table, and the other places for deep seating outdoor furniture like chaise lounges and the barbecue,” says Dave.
”We also recommended the black railing for a strong contrasting tone to the decking materials. The design also included 45-degree angles in order to orient the outdoor furniture toward the views.”
