Is a Fireplace or Fire Pit right for your Home?

An outdoor fire pit or fireplace is a great way to transform your exterior landscape or patio space into an enjoyable backyard retreat. Deciding which hearth better suits your home’s surroundings may depend on your landscape, and what you intend on using it for. These outdoor fire-fuelled features will supply your family and party guests with warmth, light, and a stylishly soothing ambiance.

Before deciding on which fireside style you would like for your garden, it is important to consider a handful of questions first:

  • How many people will be utilizing your fire feature at any given time?

A fire pit brings a campfire-esque feel to your backyard while being able to enjoy the fire “in the round,” which is perfect when you plan on entertaining large groups of friends. On the other hand, a fireplace better suits a smaller number of people due to the way it creates a cozier, more intimate setting.

  • What is your current landscaping?

Fire pits are low to the ground and will not obstruct the view of the prior work that has been done to your yard. Keep in mind that you should position the fire pit in an area that gives you a view of your landscaping, while also making sure it that you are still able to enjoy it when windy conditions are present. Fireplaces are great ways to create a focal point for your yard and can be customized to offer protection from the wind.

  • Are you worried about the smoke, or do you feel unsafe around an open flame?

Always be aware of your environs when enjoying a fire pit. Wind could send smoke towards you and your guests, and loose embers can become dislodged and fall into the surrounding area. A fireplace directs the smoke away from you and is less likely to send flying embers. It also keeps the fire enclosed if having an open flame makes you nervous.

Fire pits and fireplaces hold several benefits when they are installed in your backyard. Both of these fire features are the perfect setting for a pleasant gathering with friends or family, where you can create an atmosphere that everyone can enjoy, even on chilly nights. You also create a relaxing backyard setting if you just want to enjoy the starry night sky, or if you want to cook outside on your fire pit. Fire features can also increase the value of your home and are therefore a highly effective selling point for homebuyers.

If you would like to have a fire feature professionally installed in your backyard, Distinctive Deck Designs is the company to call. Please contact us today for a free consultation!

Want a Designer Patio in your own Backyard?

patiopaverAny major addition to your home requires certain considerations before you get started and, if done properly, can greatly increase the overall value of your household and its accompanying property areas. If you are interested in having a patio installed, a reputable company such as Distinctive Deck Designs will be aware of any building codes, zoning laws or any other setbacks you could be unaware of. Before contacting us about your customized patio ideas, it is essential to consider the following:

Purpose: Why do you want a patio in your backyard? Do you plan on throwing parties outside, a family space for barbeques, an outdoor kitchen, or just a small private outdoor space to relax? Figuring out what you intend to use your backyard patio for is essential before considering anything else.

Space: Typically, there should be 60 square feet of patio per person. However, a small yard does not mean that you are limited to choices. Even the smallest yards can become the perfect getaway. By implementing retaining walls for seating, you can cut back on the need for extra patio furniture. Deciding whether you have room for a certain shape of patio, such as round, rectangular, oval, or having it wrap around your house can also add a unique element to your landscape. But would the patio serve its purpose better directly connected to thepatio5 house or instead offset in the yard? This can depend on prior landscaping. Certain plants or bushes may need to be dug up or relocated in order to install your patio properly.

Materials: Take into consideration what colors or types of stone you want to use. You may be in love with a certain stone for its color, but it may clash with your home, which can take away from its overall appeal. Depending on what kind of patio material you use can also affect the total cost of the project. Techo Bloc and EP Henry offer many different styles and patterns of pavers for customers to choose from at a reasonable price. Flagstone and Travertine products, at a 20 percent premium to other pavers, are great options and are “wet set” on concrete. Stone and paver products provides customers a lower cost option for their backyard living space.

firepitAccessories: There are many things you can include in your patio, such as lighting built into retaining walls, water features or fire pits. Patio lighting provides safety and lighting that will allow you to enjoy your patio all night long. Water features add a subtle ambiance to your outdoor getaway, while simultaneously helping to block out the noise from the street. Fire pits will give your friends, family and guests a place to gather around on those chilly winter nights.

If you are interested in installing your very own patio, Distinctive Deck Designs can help. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, we will work with you to help create the patio you have always dreamed of. Please contact us today!

Is Composite Decking Your Best Choice?

syntheticdeckingComposite or wood? The debate has gone on for years about which decking material is better for the task. And while the debate seemed to be neck and neck, over the past several years composite decking as taken the lead. With the modern advances in composite decking, especially in Trex, a deck can have the same great look and feel as a regular wooden deck and be better resistant to the elements. Composite material for decking is the best choice available, especially when you have to worry about warping, rot, splitting, termites and mold in a standard wooden deck.

Many people are concerned about the natural fading that occurs in composite decking material. With the early generations of Trex, this material will achieve its natural weathered color after 12 to 16 weeks. The newer generations of Trex has a protective shell technology that provides a superior fade and stain resistance that will help protect the wood from sun damage and other various weather conditions while keeping the same wood grain appeal of a natural wood deck.

Another argument is the variety of color. With natural treated wood, one would have to choose a different kind of wood, with a wide range of costs to get the desired color, along with different stains that are harmful to the environment. Composite decking materials have dozens of choices available that can complement a house perfectly, along with accented posts and railings.

Choosing composite decking can also be better for the environment. Trex decking is made with 95 percent recycled wood and plastics. By using reclaimed wood and recycled plastics, a tree never has to be cut down to make a deck. Trex is also one of the largest plastic bag recyclers in the U.S. and reuses any factory run off in the manufacturing line.

Cost can be a major factor in whether or not someone selects composite materials. While wood can be cheaper, depending on the type, in the initial investment of the deck, composite decking materials can save money for the buyer in the long run, with a higher quality product that requires far less maintenance. Particularly, Trex also offers a 25-year Limited Residential Warranty and a 25-year Limited Residential Fade and Stain Warranty for their higher quality decking materials.

At Distinctive Deck Designs, we specialize in using Trex composite decking materials. With more than 20 years experience in constructing decks and patios, we know our products inside and out and will help you create the perfect outdoor living area for your home. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Building to Code

buildinginspectorWhether you want to build a deck on your own or hire a contractor like the experienced crew at Distinctive Deck Designs, a building permit is required for the project. Obtaining a building permit for the addition onto your home will insure that the deck is built safely and up to code. A permit will also protect your investment and avoid future costs. For instance, building without a permit can not only cost you in fines but you may be required to tear down what you have already built.

Most building permits are issued the same day that the application is received when a reputable contractor applies for the project permit and is listed as the responsible party. Contractors obtain a building permit by:

  • Submitting the building permit application
  • Obtaining the necessary reviews
  • Paying the required frees

Scheduled inspections throughout the building process ensure that the deck is done accordance to code and if any issues arise, inspectors are there to answer any questions or concerns. The problem with constructing a deck on your own is that a project can change in the midst of construction, so an inspector may find a different deck constructed than the one on the permit. What most homeowners that build a deck on their own do not realize is that even the slightest changes in building could result in a code violation. Examples of common code violations are:

  • No protection against decay – All structural elements must be protected from weathering and against decay. This means the constructor must use pre-treated lumber. If standard-grade lumber is used, the constructor must apply an on-site treatment to any exposed areas of the deck.
  • Too few or inadequate fasteners – All fasteners must be hot-dipped zinc-coated galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper or silicon bronze to resist corrosion. Untreated fasteners or nails can rust within the year.
  • Inadequate or non-approved structure – All structural beams and girders must be constructed with multiple 2x4s to 2x12s. Using 4x4s or 6x6s as girders is no longer allowed.
  • Insufficient support and anchoring – To prevent the deck from racking or becoming a projectile in high winds or earthquakes, the deck footing is required to be anchored against uplift and braced laterally.
  • Missing or noncompliant guardrails and handrails – If the floor surface is raised more than 30 inches off the ground, a guard rail is required, and benches alone cannot serve as a guardrail.

If you would like a deck constructed onto your home in Fairfax, Loudoun or Price William Counties of northern Virginia with the kind of expertise only Distinctive Deck Design can offer, please contact us today for a free consultation.