Decks and Porches?

Peri

Speaking of home...thanks Runcarla for the trigger:

We are considering a big update, tearing down our existing deck to add a screened in porch and an extended deck beyond it. If you have done this, any advice? What were your successful decisions and what were your "I wish I had..." regrets?

I've been making Pinterest boards and the thing that stands out is I don't like the look of "add ons" and would rather do nothing than end up with something that looks like it isn't an actual part of the house. So I'm looking at doing something that extends the siding of the house and matches the paint colors. Beyond that, I really don't know!

4 months ago

Off Topic

9 replies

Latest reply was from April

Helena

Veteran

The one thing I'm glad we did was use that composite decking material that sort of looks like wood but is zero maintenance ... We had a wooden deck before and it was a lot of work and quickly looked worn regardless. It was pricier up front but cheaper long term I'd say.

4 months ago

Peri

Veteran

Thanks Helena. It's good to hear a vote for that because I had heard something about it being hot. You haven't found that?

4 months ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

In our old house we had the tiniest deck ever, so in 2004 we pulled it down and built a new deck with pine boards. We extended the weatherboards from the house to the side of the deck, and the base of the house, and painted the railing the same colour as the roof.
Then the 2004 deck looked totally like it matched the 1957 house. We still own the house (live in a 2018 house built behind it) and last year re-stained the deck which freshened it up beautifully. No regrets.

4 months ago

JAileen

Veteran

When we put in a deck years ago, we specifically did not use the composite. It can get very hot. We were kayaking up at Lake Tahoe and the composite deck burned our feet.

4 months ago

April

Veteran

VERY LONG REPLY, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

We have done 3 similar renovations, though neither involved changes to the houses' footprints.

1. Our Westport house had an attached screen porch that was truly just screens, no winterizing functions. Snow would blow in and chipmunks were tunneling up through the stone floor where the pointing had eroded. We loved the end result: made it three-season with a heated floor, included removable glass panels for winter, etc.

2. Above that screened porch was a deck. During the porch reno, we learned that the entire deck flooring above was completely rotted so we had to replace that too. We used Trex for the flooring and my one caveat is it was treacherously slippery when wet unless scrubbed regularly. That was 2016 and I'm sure things have improved.

3. Fast forward to right now, in our New Canaan house. Similar thing: a downstairs porch roof was leaking because - of course - the small deck/porch off our bedroom was completely rotted. Just got completely rebuilt including the railings and is waiting on repainting. Again, artificial wood flooring but I'm hoping the slippery factor has improved in 8 years.

A few photos below. Waiting on Mr. A to send me one of the current project.

First photo: the "after" on the Wesport screened porch. No shots of the deck, somehow, but if you look at photo #2, you can see that house from the front, as an example of an architect's seamless blending of old and new.

The entire left portion of the house was added in 2012, not by us. The smaller right side was the original 1835 house. It's the side with the cupola and the date plaque near the "old front door". Everything to the right of that was a modern addition.

Photo 3 is the Westport porch in progress.

I would recommend finding someone who understands what you're after to help you, if budget permits. In fact, after doing MULTIPLE renos, I would say this is the most important expense you'll incur, even if it means delaying the project.

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4 months ago

Helena

Veteran

Peri, we haven't found that but mind you we went with a midtone and we face north so don't get the full midday sun on it (the stone around our pool is another story yikes!!) but the folks I know that have it haven't found it overly bothersome. But maybe worth asking your contractor their opinion based on the orientation of the deck.

4 months ago

Peri

Veteran

Thanks Helena, JAileen, and April...I'm hoping the Trax has improved on these issues because DH is insisting on it, wants the low maintenance! That's a good idea about asking a contractor.

April, that is beautiful! And yes, what I'm looking for. And as Jenni NZ said, matching the siding and colors so it looks like part of the house. I made a pinterest board I called Ugly Decks and noticed all the ones I designated as Ugly were dark wood on a light house.

April, who is this person who understands? Am I looking for an architect or just a good contractor?

4 months ago

LJP

Veteran

We hired a special sunroom company to add on a 250 sq ft 3 season addition to our former home in 2001 ( I think) . Best investment we ever made. It was built on a decking system to have it level with the main floor of the house and while it wasn't the same exterior of the house (which was a pale yellow stucco with a black roof , black shutters and white window trim) , it blended seamlessly as far as I was concerned. The addition was basically all window (sliding panels of screen and glass) with the exception of a 12 inch knee wall. If I were to do it again, I might have insulated the floor for longer usage into the winter. Decking and surround consisted of tiered wood steps down to to the lawn, and a wooden removable (to access the ground for levelling and flooding issues) deck panel outside the back door to the house. Yes I wish it had been composite decking instead of wood but at the time it wasn't as popular and was a lot more $$. It was stained black and had to be redone every summer. The rest of the back patio area was interlocking brick .

4 months ago

April

Veteran

Peri, I would say this could be an architect, a designer, or just a like-minded friend with good taste who "gets you." The contractor only carries out the plans but you must make ALL the decisions.

I also highly recommend Maria Killam's blog Colour Me Happy about figuring out the best colors. Sounds like you just want to paint-match what's there, really, so that's easy.

4 months ago

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