Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have an estate or a seven-figure salary to be able to construct an outdoor kitchen in the yard. The work area can be designed around how much or how little space there is and be customized to different budgets.

The outdoor entertaining space is growing in popularity every year. In 2009, the Property and Environment Research Center found that 43 percent of homeowners in the Northeast reported having an outdoor room. In the Midwest, West and South, it’s 32 to 34 percent. The concept of an outdoor kitchen is nothing new. The outdoor or “summer” kitchen has become a viable component of Mediterranean living for centuries. The heat of the summer drove many people outdoors to shady spots where they could cook on grills or stoves while enjoying a nice breeze. The outdoor kitchen also marries entertaining with meal preparation for the ultimate social occasion.

The outdoor kitchen of today can be as intricate or as simple as homeowners desire. There are some elements that can set the space apart, which can be customized depending on design style and budget.

* Grill:Instead of a simple grate over some coals, think about investing in a grill that has multipurpose cooking aides. These can include a side burner, a rotisserie turner and various temperature-control features. A grill should boast the conveniences of an indoor range and stove with the added benefit of a grill surface.

* Pergola: The outdoor kitchen should be comfortable, and that means having an area outside of the immediate elements. A pergola or awning can offer a shade source under which cooking is much more agreeable. Plus, you can then install a fan or overhead lighting to the pergola for even more comfort.

* Sink: Washing produce or washing up is much easier if there is a sink nearby. The closer the outdoor kitchen is to the actual house, the easier (and less expensive) it will be to run plumbing.

* Counters: Whether butcher block or an expanse of granite, having a work space available for food prep or as a serving surface can make an outdoor kitchen more convenient.

* Fireplace: When the weather turns chilly, a fireplace will be a focal point and also a source of warmth. If a fireplace is beyond budget, consider a chiminea or fire pit instead. Placing an outdoor sofa or some reclining chairs by the fire creates an intimate, and cozy place to congregate.

* Garden: Herbs and vegetables can grow adjacent to the outdoor kitchen. This enables pick-and-cook possibilities. Also, consider a compost pile or bin in proximity so that scraps can easily be turned into rich fertilizer.

* Refrigerator: Some homeowners choose to install a small refrigerator or wine cooler to keep items chilled for use. This helps promote safe cooking and serving practices.

* Entertainment: When installing electrical components for lights, consider installing surround-sound speakers that connect to a music player or home theater. Those with larger budgets can explore the options in televisions that can resist some outdoor weather and provide a different ambiance for watching movies.

The outdoor kitchen is not a new concept but it’s growing more popular among homeowners.

We hope to see your there!

How can you help the environment?

Answer: By using an alternative material for your outdoor living project.  Your deck will need to use wood for the framing of your deck, but using composite decking boards can significantly reduce your footprint.  Not only are you saving trees but your are keeping plastic grocery bags out of landfills, ecosystems, and waterways.

Did you know?

In the average 500-square-foot Trex deck there are 140,000 recycled plastic bags!

Composite decking is a sustainable solution to creating your outdoor living area.  To learn more about composite materials for your deck click here for a free deck consultation!

When composite decking first hit the market around 25 years ago, it was heralded as the best thing to happen to deck building since decking screws. That enthusiasm was short-lived, however, as some significant flaws in the material began to surface after it was in circulation a few years. The most common complaints were that it scratched easily, sagged, and warped over time, and in some cases, developed mold and mildew problems. In recent years, additional setbacks have been discovered in product lines from a variety of manufacturers, while other composite decking products have flourished and continue to push the envelope closer to traditional wood decking. By buying from reputable manufacturers and following their instructions for installation and care, homeowners who choose composite for their new deck can rest easy knowing they’re getting one of the best decking products on the market.

Research Composite Deck Brands Carefully
Because cheaply manufactured composite decks can still present homeowners with a host of problems, it’s very important that you research the company who makes your decking before making your purchase. In May 2009, for example, a line of Veranda composite decking from Louisiana-Pacific was recalled because the “decking can prematurely deteriorate and unexpectedly break. Consumers can fall through broken decking and suffer serious injuries.” That’s no small defect. On the other hand, it does say something about the manufacturer’s willingness to come forward and publicly disclose the finding. With such a new product, these types of setbacks were inevitable. Often, it’s a good idea not only to purchase your deck from a trusted brand name, but also a product line that’s been around for several years. Lab testing is no substitute for decking performance in the real world.

Trex Decking
If you’re looking for a trusted brand to begin your search, Trex Decking is a great candidate. Trex Decking has been around since the very beginning. They’ve put 25 years of research, development, and practical experience into their product and stand by it accordingly. Trex Decking might cost you a little more per linear foot to install than a new, no-name brand, but their 25 year, transferable, limited warranty speaks for itself. That’s a better warranty than you’ll get on a wood deck, even cedar and redwood, by about 15 years.

The Composite Decking Explosion
Another early complaint with composite was the limited choices that were offered when it came to style and color. Again, advancing technology and a maturing industry have made shopping for composite decking material a real pleasure. The largest, well-known composite deck companies offer several different product lines and colors to choose from. Trex Decking, for example, currently has four different lines that, all together, come in 12 different colors. Add to that advances in stamping and rolling technology that bring out imitation wood grain and texture on the boards, and you can now purchase composite decking that is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.

Composite Decking: Manufacturers’ Recommendations
For starters, never use it as a structural joist or beam. Because it is made from 50% recycled plastics and 50% wood fiber, it just isn’t stiff enough to support a lot of weight without bending and sagging over time. That same property means you’ll have to include more joists into your deck blueprints than if you go with wood. The sagging that homeowners complained of early on is best addressed by providing more support. With closer joists and rails to give decking and railings more support, sagging is reduced to almost nothing. And finally, while you’ll never need to stain or paint your deck again, you’ll want to clean your composite deck several times a year, and be sure to wipe up greasy or oily spills as soon as they happen. Being diligent about taking care of your decking is the key to its longevity.

Deck Contractors’ Recommendations
If you’re interested in having a composite deck installed, talk to an experienced deck builder about getting your deck project underway. Since composite decks are fast becoming the norm instead of an oddity, it’s rare that you’ll find a deck builder inexperienced in working with this exciting new decking material. One good tip to follow is to consider which wood and wood grain most appeals to you. Composite decks can imitate an exotic softwood that would make for a poor wood deck. On the other hand, it may make little sense to choose a composite deck with a cedar look, as this natural wood is the species of choice for wood decking.
Read more: http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.Composite-Decking-Has-Come-a-Long-Way.14449.html?oids=11c0&link_id=4691#ixzz1Q6yiEmRo

To see these colors visit Trex online at http://www.trex.com/inspire/colors/trex-colors/decking/index.htm.

This article was originally written by Jon Nunan and published at servicemagic.com.

Though their presence is sure to be noticed, deck building companies are much less intrusive than many other home improvement contractors. Since deck building companies and deck contractors are going to be working almost exclusively outside, the hammering, cutting, and overall mess they’ll bring to your property isn’t likely to affect your daily life as much as a kitchen or bathroom remodeling crew would. While deck contractors are not as disruptive as many other contractors, developing a positive and mutually respectful relationship with your deck building company is still important if you want the project to go smoothly and produce the results you want. The following tips and advice about dealing with deck builders are going to help you establish the kind of relationship you want with your crew, and get you the deck you want with as little headache as possible.

What Deck Contractors Expect from You
Dealing with deck contractors is easy when you start off on the right foot! Most deck building companies are well-equipped to do their job without much help from the homeowner. However, there are certain things that deck contractors will need from you, and offering these things up on the first day will make the project start smoothly.

In most cases, deck contractors are not going to bring their own power source, so it’s a good idea to point out any outdoor (or easily accessible indoor) power outlets when your crew arrives. Though it’s not as important in deck building as it is in landscaping, having an outdoor water source can certainly come in handy. If you have an outdoor spigot or garden hose, let your deck contractors know. While some deck building companies will include the cost of a port-a-john rental in the project price, others will not. If you have a bathroom that you don’t mind sharing, offering it up can be a sign of good will that will be both appreciated and noted (though you might want to lay some carpet remnants on the path between the bathroom and the outdoors to avoid unnecessary mess). Also, deck builders are likely to carpool, but having a convenient parking space or three that are near the worksite is likely to make everyone’s life a little easier.

What You Should Expect from Deck Building Companies
Courtesy and respect are great things to have on any jobsite, but your deck building company is there for a specific purpose: to fill your needs. Now, this doesn’t mean you should have your deck contractors bringing your garbage to the curb or washing your dog! What it does mean is that any house rules you have normally should be respected by your deck contractor. Is part of your property (like a garden or pool area) off-limits? Are smoking or swearing strictly prohibited? Are there any situations dealing with pets, children, or neighbors that you want your crew to avoid? If there are, letting your deck contractors know right from the get-go will prevent any accidental rule breaking.

Set Up Meetings with Your Deck Contractor
Now that your deck builders are aware of your rules (and you’re aware of theirs), it is a good idea to set up a regular meeting with your crew leader to make sure that everything continues to go as planned. If your project is extensive, meeting once or twice a week may be ideal; for projects that will be over in a week or two, you might want to make the meetings more frequent. Having these meetings will allow you to check on progress and air any issues or concerns you have with how the project is going (and give your crew leader the same opportunity to voice any concerns he or she has). Your regularly scheduled meeting is also a great time to show some deck contractor appreciation. If you see a good job being done, let them know you’ve noticed their efforts. Some homeowners have gone the extra mile by providing cold drinks on hot days or even pizza for lunch as the project moves along, but you’ll be surprised at how much a simple compliment or two will go to keep things moving and maintain a positive atmosphere!

Check back soon!