Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen a huge rise in the number of people looking for covered patios. But, today’s covered patios are nothing like the ones of old. Today’s patios are an outdoor room fully furnished with love seats, huge comfy chairs, outdoor rugs that look like indoors, fireplaces, outdoor televisions and all the accoutrements of an outdoor kitchen. The great thing is each covered patio is different. The fun part is deciding what custom elements to put into each covered patio.

Here’s how we start? We start with these 3 answers:

1. What is the most important thing you want to do in your outdoor room?
2. What are another 5 or 10 things you want to do in that room?
3. Are there times you want to entertain other people in the covered patio? How often? How many people? What activities?

Austin tigerwood hardwood deck with covered porch

Question 1: What is the most important thing you want to do in your outdoor room?

Often we start by thinking about where our room will be located in our yard or how we’re going to furnish it. While this is incredibly important, the answers to those questions should be derived from how you want to live in your room. Do you want to spend weekend afternoons out there watching football with good friends and having a place to warm snacks and keep drinks cold right at your fingertips? Or, do you want to spend chilly nights in your outdoor room reading books and snuggling near the fire? In short, what is the top thing you want to do in your room?

Austin covered patio outdoor room cabana

Question 2: What are another 5 or 10 things you want to do in your new covered patio?

Question 2 is very important because it will drive what features, how large, and other details about your room such as whether it will be completely open or have 1-3 closed walls.

Question 3: What about entertaining other people?

Do you host the family reunion every year? Do you host poker night or book club night or other important gatherings on a fairly regular basis? You might want to consider these when designing your room.

When we say designing, you don’t need to do the architectural designing or any other up-front design. You simply tell us what you want and together we work to come up with a structural design that works for you. We review it together and make sure it’s exactly what you want before we start the job.

Then you can do the fun designing – the interior design of your exterior room!!

Give us a ring for a free consultation at (512) 259 – 8282 or send us an email at Austin@archadeck.net. Whether you’re ready to build now or in a few months, it’s never too early to start planning.

2011 will go down in history as the year of the endless Texas summer, with 100 days exceeding 100+ degrees and little to no rain. Cooler fall winds and our parched landscape brought about devastating wildfires, striking several Greater Austin communities and sparking fear in just about everyone. Resilient as ever, Central TX consumers have somehow managed put the recession behind them. They are already thinking about projects like covered patios, porches, and shade structures to help them escape next summer’s heat. With 130 successful projects behind us last year, we really look forward to a more fruitful 2012. Reflecting back on 2011, we can sum up the year with 3 outstanding P’s – People, Projects and Partners.

Great People

• The spot light has to go to design consultant, Mark Mommsen, who will rank #1 or #2 within the Archadeck US system, very impressive.
• I’m very pleased to have brought my son into the company, Tory Odom, with the company now a full year in project management/customer service, doing a great job with very positive customer feedback.
• Christine Methvin, joined the company in as office admin capacity in September, and is doing a fabulous job.  Christine has a background in architectural design and construction administration.

Great Projects

See the image above for a myriad of shots of this year’s finest projects.

We’ve enjoyed building so many diverse projects this year including patios made of beautiful, natural stone, plus a variety of detached outdoor structures including pavilions and covered patios. A number of these structures were complete outdoor rooms, chock full of culinary and entertainment amenities, with every detail imaginable. Outdoor fireplaces were very big this year, several of which were free-standing and many were integrated with other structures such as patios or covered porches. As our name entails, we constructed decks in 2011. Discerning clients continue to seek multi-level, multi-area outdoor living spaces incorporating decks with patios, porches, fireplaces, firepits and so much more. One of our most popular decking woods continues to be Tigerwood, a Brazilian hardwood with gorgeous, warm tones and stripe-like patterns. Hence the name “Tigerwood”. Always popular, composite and PVC decking continue to be in demand for customers seeking low maintenance alternatives to wood.

People are decking out their projects with all sorts of traditionally indoor amenities. We installed and integrated large screen TV’s into numerous projects. Our kitchens included much more than the standard refrigerator. Many were outfitted with ornate marble counter tops, grills, steamers, and a multitude of electrical outlets to plug in everything from a laptop computer to a blender for frozen daiquiris. Several die-hard Texan barbequers even chose to add the Big Green Egg smoker to their favorite outdoor space.

Detailed in every aspect, our top overall project included just about everything – a covered patio, stained concrete, an exquisite fireplace, a full outdoor kitchen, and a dining area. It was a perfect fit for our customer’s backyard living space. Read more about our Archadeck of Austin top project here.

We worked with HGTV this year on a project for their show HGTV’d. We also re-decked the John Simpson pool in Steiner Ranch.

Great partners

People are talking – 40% of our business comes from referrals. We are focused like lasers to deliver superb craftsmanship and the utmost in customer service. Archadeck of Austin was also given the distinction of being named as one of Angie’s List recent Honor Roll members.

Look for us in Community Impact, Dartz, and listen to KUT. Or simply find us in your neighborhood. Call for a free consultation. (512) 259-8282

Jim Odom, Archadeck of Austin

Sincerely,

Jim Odom, Owner

Archadeck of Austin

We were so excited to get the call inviting us to contribute on an HGTV’d special this year and jumped at the opportunity.  The project was a complete backyard remodel in Circle C area in South Austin. The residence had a large irregularly shaped lot. Many elements came together to make this a very special place for the homeowners including:

• 1,000 sq ft deck with seating and eating area
• a custom firepit
• a custom pergola-style shade structure
• special planters
• a play area for the kids
• a hot tub
• a paver-like patio
• seating and grilling equipment.

Stone focus structure with tile horse inlay from HGTV'd

The homeowners were horse lovers and a focal point was constructed in the corner of the yard with massive limestone blocks and engraved with horse mosaics.

Typical of HGTV, the project was a massive undertaking and took a team of probably 30 people 5 days to build. This is not to mention that every day was over 100 degrees.  For our role, we built  the deck, which was surfaced with a high-end composite decking from Fiberon called Horizon Ipe.

Two level Fiberon deck built by Archadeck of Austin for HGTV'd

The deck we build has 2 levels and wrapped around the corner of the house. Stairs were added on one side for access from the yard entrance, and curved steps going up to the deck surface from the back door.  We started day-1, had 2 crews working and finished the deck on day three. The project was built in June and the show aired in October.  The program was very fast paced and what you missed in editing is the complete chaos of having that many people working in a backyard doing that many different things, pretty cool.   Collectively we took a yard with nothing and converted into a fabulous space with some of everything.

It’s really impossible to capture all the features of this yard in a single photograph so try to mentally patch them all together.

The homeowners certainly benefited the most but the neighbors had fun too, setting up chairs and coolers on the front porch watching everything and everyone come and go.  This was certainly a memorable event for everyone involved.

Enjoy this slideshow to see more of this finished project.

Among the preference of materials used to construct our Austin area homeowners hardscape endeavors, the top choice is undoubtedly natural stone. Natural stone comes in a myriad of colors, textures and  variances in undulation, or waves and bends present in natural stone. Natural stone is derived from a multitude of locations within our earth, and with any material that is derived from nature and the earth, no two pieces of stone are exactly alike. The differences and variations present in natural stone only add to its charm and part of what makes it so popular among the many materials available to create a truly unique hardscape outdoor structure.

This tigerwood deck by Archadeck of Austin plays host to a stunning backdrop of natural stone ledges and the beautiful hill country terrain Austin is known for

Our signature item is  the flagstone patio. Whether they are built-in unison with a decks, pergolas or one of the other stunning outdoor structures we build for homeowners here in the Austin area, the added essence of flagstone makes the entire project breathtaking. Austin is hill country which not only yields varying grades and steep drop offs which often includes natural stone, but natural stone used as a building material is common because of its natural beauty and the way it complements the natural surroundings and backdrops of Austin’s hill country. Flagstone is quarried from the ground and therefore will not yield a completely even surface. Flagstone patios are set on either concrete or mortar beds. The concrete base is referred to as a 1″ stone, and the mortar base is a 2″ stone. These terms are commonly used but the thickness of the stone itself can vary from 3/4″ to 3″. There can and will be movement on flagstone which is set on a base which is not concrete. Maintaining your flagstone patio, or other outdoor structure involves cleaning, sweeping or pressure washing on a low PSI and a fan tip is also recommended. Our flagstone patios our sealed with a “matte” finish penetrating sealer and are not visible to the naked eye that they are being absorbed. The seal will last from 6-12 months. After the initial sealing, the patio may be resealed again at your discretion. If you are placing a BBQ pit or grill atop your flagstone patio be careful not to let grease or drippings on the surface of the flagstone for they can stain the stone and become permanent.

Natural stone patio and outdoor fireplace by Archadeck of Austin

Flagstone is not the only natural stone that is coveted among Austin homeowners for its beauty and unique characteristics. We also use sandstone in many of our projects. Sandstone is created when  sand and an alkaline settling is formed under pressure and joined at the uppermost surface of the earth. Slate as well is a rich, deeply undulated natural stone that is popular in building outdoor hardscape structures. Slate and sandstone are very similar in the manner formation of the stone itself occurs. Slate is formed when wide ranges  of minerals are compressed in layers near the earths’ surface over time. Slate is however prone to what is called “cleft plane spalling” which is a process where layers separate from the main stone body. Combined with the soft character of slate, these layers can be separated by walking on the surface, dropping or moving items over the surface or an  excessive presence of  moisture.  Due to its’ soft nature, slate is also prone to scratching.

Austin flagstone patio

Running only second to flagstones popularity here in the Austin area is Leuders stone, also known as limestone. Limestone is formed when sea  beds dry up in layers over time which results in the decay of aquatic organisms.  This sedimentation process over time and intense pressure yields limestone.  Limestone is basically calcium carbonate which is a  pure form of a very soft alkali. Not unlike the other natural stones we have listed, limestone also can be stained or damaged by outside forces. When exposed to acidic properties which are present in wines, sodas, coffees and other beverages it can result in a condition referred to as an  “etch mark”  which  needs to be polished to be removed. Repeated acid or high moisture attack can result in permanent and irreversible stone damage and color change.  This stone class can scratch easily under normal wear. Despite the fragile nature limestone has under certain circumstances, it is one of the most beautiful stones we use and as long as it is properly sealed and taken care of can prove to provide years of outdoor enjoyment.

Covered patio with custom outdoor limestone fireplace in Austin

All of these types of stone are excellent choices for masonry projects. They can all be sealed to help prevent staining. These stone make ups are available in a chopped block, patio stone or cap stone. Combining various styles can add more texture and depth to a project. All are extremely durable and will outlast us all as we know since it has already existed for thousands of years. Within these stone types there are an extremely large number of colors and hues. So when choosing your hardscape material for your patio or other outdoor structure, natural stone is a natural indeed.

Wes Vann, Archadeck of Austin

Contact Archadeck of Austin to learn more about creating a breathtaking hardscape outdoor masterpiece for yourself. (512) 259 – 8282
Austin@archadeck.net

See more photos of our natural stone patios and hardscapes by visiting our patio and hardscape photo gallery located on our website.

Having an outdoor structure that functions as an outdoor living and gathering area opens up a whole new world of lifestyle possibilities. Being able to extend entertaining space from the interior of your home outdoors not only makes things run a little bit smoother when entertaining family and friends. It can also become a place that offers intimacy and refuge from a hard day. That is exactly the type of structure Archadeck of Austin built for these Austin, TX homeowners. This design incorporates a stunning covered patio which also contain an outdoor fireplace, a custom stone outdoor kitchen, stone benches and a stone surround that runs the entire perimeter of the structure that also serves as a hardscaped flower bed.

The mingling of the cedar interior roof, the Antique Leuder's stone and the stained concrete floor mingle together beautifully in this patio cover by Archadeck of Austin

The covered patio was designed in the spot where we removed an old sunroom. After removing the sunroom we extended the roof to accommodate the new covered patio. The patio floor is  finished with stain and seal concrete to compliment the gorgeous custom stonework that was used throughout the entire structure. Some of the key areas where we used Leuders stone include the outdoor kitchen, the flower bed surround, the stone benches as well as the bench toppers and of course the mesmerizing multi-tiered outdoor fireplace. Within the interior of the patio cover we used a tongue and groove cedar ceiling to add some rustic flair to compliment the natural characteristics that are evident in the usage of the stone and concrete.  We also stripped and stained the homeowners existing deck in order to match the hues found within the covered patio. The use of colors, textures and design lines throughout the patio make it truly breathtaking. The talented homeowners also finished the interior of the patio in expert style, with well-appointed patio furnishings and well blended accessories that tie the whole project together perfectly.

The unique design of this Austin, TX outdoor fireplace features custom multi-tiered ledges.

The focal point within the porch cover is undoubtedly the elegant  multi tiered custom stone fireplace. The homeowners took a unique approach to the popular practice of utilizing a TV above an outdoor fireplace. Many homeowners opt to construct a recessed perimeter to house their TV, such as a flat screen, for permanent placement. These Austin, TX homeowners did not wish to keep their TV above the outdoor fireplace permanently, so we designed the fireplace using multi-tiered custom stone ledges with a customized pull out shelf on the fireplace’s mantle  that is outfitted with a cable and electrical outlets. This shelf makes it easy to place the TV on the outdoor fireplace whenever they wish, and when the TV is not in use, the shelf can be pushed in and hidden and no one is none the wiser. This feature is an example of this structural convenience that is built into every inch of this outdoor structure. Archadeck of Austin also made certain to add plenty of outlets into the columns used on the patio cover, to add more convenience as well.

This image shows in detail all the beautiful stonework that went into building this breathtaking outdoor fireplace.

The expert stone work on this structure was achieved using select Antique Leuder’s stone, which is an upgrade from limestone.  The use of this stone can be seen in the bench toppers, the outdoor kitchen, the stone benches under the roof cover and many other areas throughout this outdoor oasis.  To create an essence of ambiance, Archadeck of Austin made sure to include outdoor lighting throughout the patio cover. The creative placement of a large amount of low voltage lighting around the entire perimeter adds to the “feel” of relaxation and refuge. Low voltage lighting was placed strategically within the stone benches, surrounding the open area we built to showcase a water feature, and we added recessed LED lights in the existing decks as well.

These Austin, TX homeowners are now sittin’ pretty in this breathtaking covered patio, that is full of amenities to refresh their senses and their soul. A multi-functional outdoor structure design such as this could not be accomplished without having a project manager to contact at any time which always plays a positive role in seeing a structure to fruition. Our expert project managers are a big bonus for going with us. To learn more about our stunning outdoor living designs, contact Archadeck of Austin today.

Jim Odom, Archadeck of Austin

(512) 259 – 8282
Austin@archadeck.net

A little while back, we were called upon to build a new 1,000 SF outdoor dining area for the new Craig O’s restaurant in Lakeway at the Real Del Lago building. We’re finished!!

We used TimberTech’s low maintenance Earthwood decking in walnut color. What do you think?

The addition of an outdoor kitchen can make your holiday, or special event hassle free with the convenience of a secondary food preparation area.

When you think about what motivates homeowners to make the decision to add an outdoor living area to their home and backyard, in many cases the motivating factor that drives them to act upon their decision is a holiday, party or event they have planned for the near future. Let’s say for instance with the holiday season just around the corner, a homeowner may decide to go ahead and add on that new deck,  covered porch, or outdoor fireplace with a custom stone patio surround in anticipation of family and friends that are planning to visit and having the structure up and running will create a great place to relax and spend time with family and friends within a unique outdoor setting to make new memories together. It’s almost as though you have the indulgence of an extra “family room” with a unique outdoor setting. Could you imagine having an outdoor kitchen incorporated into your deck or patio that could serve as a secondary food preparation area on Thanksgiving? The hubby can fry the turkey in the outdoor kitchen, and be out of the way, while the lady of the house prepares all the sumptuous side dishes in the house. Having the function of an outdoor kitchen to take some of the stress out of the kitchen, especially if you prepare Thanksgiving dinner for a large crowd, can make “Turkey day” run as smooth as a french silk pie.

A spa deck such as this one by Archadeck of Austin can make your holiday party merry and bright

The beauty of our business is when a homeowner  approaches us and needs their outdoor endeavor completed within a specific time frame most of the time we are able to accommodate their request. We do absolutely everything we can to accommodate it. We always quote a lead time to begin and give an expected completion date and 90% of the time we meet it with 2 or 3 days.  Just this month we had a deck that was needed for a wedding, a restaurant deck for an opening last week, and a cabana finished for a party. This week we engaged on a job for a Christmas party mid December. In most cases, if you need it, Archadeck of Austin can have it ready for you within the time frame you need it.

This cabana style patio cover makes the perfect spot for entertaining with an outdoor fireplace, and outdoor kitchen built right in.

Many outdoor structure builders hesitate to make these kind of promises to homeowners because they lack the project management that is necessary to make sure every aspect of your outdoor structure is run in a professional, timely manner. We make certain on all of our jobs that each specific layer of the building process is set up in the order it needs to be accomplished to avoid delays, and have wiggle room if a problem arises. The keys to being able to deliver what we promise are superior project management, frequent and effective communication with the homeowner, a solid design, and good weather.

Ring in the New Year in style with a covered patio, deck and pergola by Archadeck of Austin

Wouldn’t the thought of having your New Year’s Eve bash under the cover of the warm Texas evening on your new deck sound enticing this year? If you dream it, we can build it. The bottom line is that if you need to get a job done to fit your individual schedule we can do it. Contact Archadeck of Austin to learn more and remember, we take care of everything but the weather. (512) 259 – 8282
Austin@archadeck.net

Jim Odom Archadeck of Austin

To see more awe-inspiring images of decks that are perfect for your next big outdoor event visit our deck photo gallery located on our website.

You can also see more of our delicious outdoor kitchen designs be visiting our outdoor kitchen photo gallery also located on our website as well.

Some outdoor structure designs flow into their intended surroundings effortlessly, without any effort and appear like they were always meant to be.  Other designs however, create more of a challenge to appear easy and original to their surroundings. As a seasoned outdoor structure builder I set the bar high. I like for my structures to look as though they belong with the existing home and it’s surroundings. Sometimes in order to do something creative it takes more of a professional eye in order to overcome unanticipated obstacles that may present themselves. At this home in the Steiner Ranch community, we ran into one such obstacle and we were able to come up with a simple solution to a somewhat complex challenge.

Side view of covered patio in Steiner Ranch by Archadeck of Austin

When we met with the Steiner Ranch homeowners they wanted to add an aesthetically pleasing and weather friendly area to their existing concrete slab patio . Their wish was to  transform  their slab concrete patio  into an outdoor area they and their family could use to relax and entertain. The space intended for the proposed patio cover contained a bay window which created a structural challenge to overcome. The bay window and the area surrounding the bay window left no obvious place to attach the covered patio.  Our goal was to attach the roof of the structure at the easiest place on the house that would stay true to the homes structural integrity. Thus, we extended the kitchen window out and put a gable roof over the top. We then used a standard gable extension off the roof to attach the covered patio in it’s destined location.

We used mixed mediums of beautiful, rich cedar along with aluminum for the railing. We were able to construct a patio cover for these Steiner Ranch homeowners using the elevation of the original existing concrete patio, which not only keeps the homes originality intact it creates good movement on the covered patio as well. The homeowners are ecstatic about their new outdoor living space, now it has become a treasured space to spend time together.

Contact Archadeck of Austin to design your perfect outdoor structure. We can create a unique resolve to your structural obstacles  delivering to you an outdoor structure that fits your home and your lifestyle.

Jim Odom, Archadeck of Austin

(512) 259 – 8282
Austin@archadeck.net

See more before and after images by visiting our photo galleries located on our website.

You can also view more photos of stunning patio designs in our Patio photo galleries,  also  located on our website.

These  Round Rock, TX homeowners have one of the most beautifully lush backyards. Being able to incorporate an outdoor living structures within this backyard could seem like a challenge to some, but not to us. The mingling of the wood and flagstone we used to create this outdoor retreat is mesmerizing set against the beauty of the rush of green in this residence.

This Round Rock, TX pergola is used as a patio cover for the upper portion of the Flagstone patio.

These homeowners had an existing concrete patio that was not serving their needs. Our goal was to extend the patio and  pour a whole new facet of enjoyment into their backyard. Our design included a  covered patio extension complete with an outdoor kitchen and pergola-style roof and another patio that descends from the covered patio to the new outdoor fireplace.

In designing the master plan to transform this Round Rock, TX backyard into a paradise for the senses we first had to overcome some obstacles. The first challenge was to incorporate all the desired structures into the homeowners minimal  backyard and also deal with the small elevated back porch. The design we decided upon that would work best was to actually create two structures out of one area by extending the small space to make it larger and adding another space to serve as the focal point for the outdoor fireplace.

We designed an extension of the existing concrete patio and added stone over the top of the concrete for seamless design. We then added the pergola with an extension as well over the patio and added a little slope to compensate for the existing patio being so high. The small round patio located in the design accents the large outdoor fireplace located at the corner. We used a round design for the patio and continued the curved design feature into the fireplace’s  eyebrow and hearth.

The medium we chose to cover the patios with is gorgeous Oklahoma flagstone in buff peach. We also used block stone in the design using Autumn blend block stone. The element of the two separate stones working together along with the cedar pergola and the trees on the property is  truly breathtaking.

Archadeck of Austin custom designed this cedar cabinet located above the mantel of this outdoor fireplace to safely and efficiently house a TV.

The outdoor kitchen is located inside the patio cover and includes a  grill, refrigerator and plenty of electrical outlets. The countertops are finished out with a very nice tile that compliments the homes brick colors. The rustic outdoor fireplace is graciously equipped with custom cedar cabinets above the firebox made especially for housing a television and keeping it safe and dry from the elements.

These Round Rock, TX homeowners couldn’t be more thrilled with the transformation, they say it feels as though they have a whole new backyard. We can create a stunning transformation of your back yard as well, contact Archadeck of Austin to learn more (512) 259 – 8282
Austin@archadeck.net

Here is a slideshow of this Round Rock, TX backyard oasis that is a feast for the senses….

To see more stunning inspiration of outdoor structure designs visit our photo galleries

Jim Odom, Archadeck of Austin

For more design inspiration visit our  Patio photo gallery

Visit our  Outdoor kitchens photo gallery for yummy designs in outdoor kitchens

When you close your eyes at night to dream does your mind take you to a place where you can hear the crackle and feel the warmth of the fire amid comforting images of roasting marshmallows and relaxing with family and friends? Then chances are you are dreaming of your own outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Homeowners are taking their backyards to a new level by adding an outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Owning one of these glorious feast for the eyes and the senses has become the crown jewel of outdoor structures. Being able to entertain, or just “hang out” with the element of fire close at hand takes being outdoors to a place where all your senses come into play, and the result is as unforgettable as some of the outdoor fireplace and fire pit designs that come to us in our dreams.

Deciding to add an outdoor fireplace or fire pit to your backyard, or in addition to your existing outdoor structure can be a big step for many homeowners. Archadeck of Austin has been in the business of creating award-winning outdoor fireplaces and fire pits for our customers here in Austin, TX for many years now, and we know a thing or two about the correct way to ignite quality and style into the construction of your outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Here are some of the important considerations to think about when deciding to add one of these stunning structures to your life.

This deck and patio combination by Archadeck of Austin features an open fire pit to set the stage for the perfect evening

Light my Fire?

There is more than one method to obtaining fire in your outdoor fireplace or fire pit. There is of course, the traditional wood-burning structure that we are all familiar with. When considering a wood burning structure the dimensions of the fireplace itself are important. The smallest capable wood burning fireplace can be built no smaller than 5×8 and has to be at least 2-3 feet deep in order to function properly.

Outdoor fire structures can also be lit by gas through a gas started system or full burning gas log kits. In either case the “draw” needs to be correct on a fireplace or fire pit, and this can only be achieved by having a professional outdoor fireplace contractor build the structure for you. Improper drawing on a structure such as this can be dangerous and cause a safety hazard, so the chimney itself has to be designed and constructed properly to achieve an appropriate draw.

This patio and custom fireplace by Archadeck of Austin make the perfect pairing of style and beauty.

Designs a’plenty

When considering the design mediums that outdoor fireplaces and fire pits can be built with, typically the wood burning structures are either masonry or stone. Archadeck of Austin uses a great deal of flagstone for our outdoor fireplace and fire pit designs, it looks the part and is a high quality stone that functions well with the fireplace itself. The main aspect when looking at material choices is that they are acceptable for use on a fire structure and that they hold up well under the conditions. Flagstone is strong, beautiful,  and can take the heat well and will look gorgeous for many years to come.

Another design consideration is whether to embellish or add anything to the structure. Some homeowners add mantles which can serve as a focal point for your structure. We place the mantle 12″-18″ above so it is not flush with the grade therefore the heat can radiate at a similar level. Mantles provide more aesthetic appeal in form than in function and aren’t really used much. However,  fireboxes are a useful addition to your structure. You don’t want the firebox area to be too large, but large enough to hold wood or other essentials. If you are thinking of integrating the firebox into the structure itself, it will have to comply to building codes and be built within certain dimensions.

This stunning stone fire pit by Archadeck of Austin doubles as a planter and water feature as well.

Fireplaces and fire pits match to a T

As any seasoned outdoor fireplace designer can tell you, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are the perfect companion to other outdoor structures. They look great built with and alongside covered or uncovered patios, covered porches, pergolas, and even screened porches. It is not just about beauty though, functionality plays a key role in the attraction. Being able to enjoy an outdoor fireplace or fire pit in conjunction with your outdoor structure adds ambiance and fun beyond comparison. There are certain codes and rules associated with building a fireplace in and around another structure that require the chimney and flue stack be a certain elevation higher and a certain distance from surrounding walls, especially where a wood structure is concerned for the risk of heat build-up. In these cases wood will have to be a certain distance away from the structures internal flue. Each state and county has certain criteria to follow for safety reasons and your outdoor fireplace contractor will see that these guideline are met accordingly.

Archadeck of Austin can make your dreams of fireplaces and fire pits come true.  We construct dozens of these structures a year. They are not only stunning, but they are a structure the whole family can enjoy. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits can add value to your home and your life. Here is a video that showcases some of our fireplace and fire pit creations…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrcbSMNWPas

Contact Archadeck of Austin to learn more about our custom outdoor fireplace and fire pit designs and set your course ablaze with a structure to enjoy for years to come.

P (512) 259-8282
F (512) 259-8286 austin@archadeck.net