Get Your Outdoors Installed Properly
Modern society conditions demand to pay more attention to the outdoors. TOLOKA General Contractor&Builder would be glad to design and install any type of outdoor exterior element for our customers. Our cooperation works with the best patio and decks installation companies in Canada. That’s why you don’t have to worry about quality.
The most popular variants for the outdoors include decks, patios, porches, balconies, or verandas. Each option has some or a little area to gather with your nearest and dearest. Depending on your budget, space, and needs, there’re plenty of choices for your building’s exterior. Let’s take a closer look at these outdoor constructions.
Deck: Meaning, Types, Materials
A deck is an outdoor platform without obstructions and a roof that forms an extension of a house. Outdoor deck installation provides you with a place for entertaining and rest. It also increases the value of the home and contributes to the overall style. This is a pricy investment that should be well-built or renovated. However, decking installation is an excellent alternative for building an addition to the building.
Deck Construction Types
Mostly, people know only two types of decks: elevated/attached deck (a raised platform that is an extension of already existing rooms) and ground-level deck (a lower option though still with sitting above the ground; doesn’t require staircase).
But it’s also essential to discover more specific deck construction types, like:
- Wraparound deck: a larger and more uneven porch variant with a room-like look.
- Side-yard deck: a small yard decorated with wood, often providing a comfortable exit from some rooms.
- Two-story decks: many of these have a platform beginning on a raised deck and finish being attached to a second story.
- Multilevel deck: a combination of a platform deck with additional terraces.
- Freestanding/detached decks: separated platform decks that can be roof-covered. These are great for installing a hot tub on a raised deck.
- Rooftop/over garage deck: decking for a flat roof.
- Swimming pool decks: a deck that surrounds a pool.
- Entryway deck: an uncovered part of a porch or a building structure of a few connected platforms leading up to the front door.
Decking Materials
If you considered the peculiarities of your house and territory near it, it’s time to have a material decision. Wood deck installation is widespread, but it’s not the only option. Here are more of them:
- Aluminum decking
It seems to be an extraordinary deck material. However, aluminum has strong water resistance, low heat absorption, various coating choices, and outstanding durability. Such decks don’t need maintenance and come in grated panels or decking boards.
- Vinyl or plastic decking
In case you don’t care about the wood look, vinyl deck installation is your solution. It’s lightweight, multi-colored, and low-maintained. Many manufacturers offer matching railings and other deck parts. But if there’s a significant temperature difference in your location, vinyl decks may crack.
- Composite decking
This material contains both wood and plastic in various colors. Composite decks may lose their tone in time. That’s why they are frequently used only for the deck surface.
- Pressure-treated wood
It’s an economical choice for decking that strongly resists wear-and-tear. PT wood is usually covered with chemicals for weather, insects, and aging protection. However, such a deck install requires many maintenance steps.
- Redwood or cedar
This is the solution for clients who would like to stick to the existing budget. Redwood and cedar are softwoods that can be mixed for deck installation. They are naturally pleasing to the eye and environmentally friendly. The working process demands specific skills from installers.
- Ipe or exotic woods
If you search for a durable wood option, pick up some exotic woods. Ipe wood is only one of them. With this decking, your house will look unique and sophisticated. But as these wood types are rare, a few manufacturers work with them.
- Modified wood
It’s one of the newest decking materials. Modified wood is softwood covered with a bio-based liquid that strengthens the boards. This type has low maintenance and can be installed for pool decking. You also will get natural resistance to bugs, mildew, and rot. However, it’s frequently used just for decking surfaces.
Patterns For Decking
As you see, to get a deck, typing “deck installation near me” in Google isn’t enough. We’ve studied two deck classifications. You’ve chosen the exterior design of a deck and the material for it. Now it’s time to observe what patterns are available for your deck installation.
- Parallel boards: give a more extended appearance
- Perpendicular boards: make a broader look
- Diagonal boards: add interesting details
- Parquet boards: a mixture of different patterns with the same sized panels
- Chevron and herringbone: two diverse V-shaped patterns
To conclude, TOLOKA General Contractor&Builder would like to say that every decking detail can be CUSTOMIZED. This is your choice, and we can combine anything you desire.
Patio: Meaning and Materials
A patio is an outdoor space with or without a roof, detached or attached to the structure. Patio deck installation is popular among homeowners. The general patio design can be created according to the surface around your building. What you have to decide on is the material. Here are the available options:
- Gravel
Pea gravel is the most common patio installation element. It can be made of granite, dolostone, limestone, or other rocks. Small pieces of them are used to cover the ground. However, there won’t be a solid and uniform surface. So, there’s a patio sinking possibility. It’s recommended to renew gravel every 3-4 years. This patio material has excellent drainage and excludes flooding. Besides, gravel keeps weeds from growing up in the patio area.
- Concrete
It is more affordable and has fewer maintenance issues. The durability of concrete can be influenced only by the freezing and thawing cycle. Some causal cracks and structure weakening are possible. But more and more people still choose concrete patio installation as you can decorate it with tiles and create a unique picture.
- Paver patios
Installing patio pavers, you invest money into future rest, not maintenance. The establishment process does require a lot of steps. Our contractors know how to install patio pavers, and you don’t have to worry about it. Manufacturers offer a wide range of paver colors, sizes, and patterns. So, it’s easy to make a one-of-a-kind look. Also, this material is less prone to weather-related problems. But there’s one annoying paver feature: weeds can grow through it.
- Brick
Brick patios aren’t formed with the wall brick. Builders use thinner brick kinds with many color options. However, it’s pricy. In addition, bricks should be set in sand or mortar. The latter is more expensive but keeps bricks from becoming uneven. Weeds and grass growth, as well as weather cracks, are the damaging specifics of this material.
- Flagstone
Install the flagstone patio if you’d like to add some irregularity to the exterior. It’s possible to use uneven or flat stones. Flagstone patios have a great lifespan that can be enlarged if stones are not sealed. This material possesses drawbacks too. If the weather is hot, so is the surface. If it’s rainy, stones are getting slippery. What concerns the maintenance, you’ll need to sweep away the debris and mold regularly.
- Slate
To install patio stones, many people use slate. It comes in rectangular cut tiles but can be shaped roughly as well. Slate-decorated patios are durable and eco-friendly. But it’s pretty expensive and requires routine maintenance.
- Tile
A cozy patio can be formed with the help of tiles. Numerous visual variations of them will fit with other outer decorations. Concrete slabs are a joint base for tile installation. However, tiles have a flaw: they become slippery when it rains. Though installing patio stones is too expensive, it’s possible to create a cold stone look with tiles.
- Sand
This material is reviewed chiefly as a base for other patio surfaces. Suppose you plan to build a deck with a swimming pool. So sand will be appropriate as the upper layer as well. But keep in mind some negative aspects. Sand creates a mess, might cause patio furniture to stay uneven, and becomes impractical when wet.
- Cut stone
Some clients refer to cut stone as stone tiles. That’s because cut stones are stones cut into tile shapes. If you wonder how to install patio stones to oddly structured terrains, we’ll tell you it’s effortless. Cut stones have many variants, and all of them can be fit onto any surface. Marble is the most expensive stone with a stunning look. Sandstone will be more affordable and practical. It’s possible to place cut stones in rows tightly or leave a small gap between them filled with sand.
The Difference Between Deck And Patio
Both of these outdoor elements demand money investment. Both have many types and appearances. To help with your decision, we made a list of the pros and cons of the deck and patio.
The Pros And Cons Of Deck
The Pros And Cons Of Patio
Concerning More: Porch, Balcony, Veranda
A porch is a covered or uncovered shelter in front of the entrance to a house. It may be enclosed into frames, walls, columns, and be extended.
Porch types:
- An open porch: no sidewalls or enclosures; only an elevated structure with a roof
- A front entry porch: a simple element attached to the front door with a set of steps
- A farmer’s porch: resembles a deck with railings, roof, and support; creates the extension of a house
- A back porch: the opposite of a front entry porch with the same construction
- A detached porch: a separate small structure attached to a house via the pathway
- A screened porch: a porch with screens and a roof
- A rain porch: established to block out the rain; has the angled extended roof for water to drip down
- A portico: a specific type of front entry porch with columns
- A lanai: a patio with a roof and walls; one side of it is opened
A balcony is projected outside of the building platform. It can be surrounded by walls, barriers, columns, etc. Commonly, balconies are small.
Balcony types:
- A true balcony: an opened space with a floor and railings
- A faux balcony: a decorative structure, usually with no floor
- A false balcony: an element with a floor but no space to keep furniture
- A mezzanine balcony: an indoor balcony with a floor and railings
A veranda is a platform level with the ground. The roof is an optional element. It’s built to extend both the front and sides of a house. It may be decorated with railings.
Veranda types:
- A flat roof: a structure with a flat roof and simple design
- A curved roof: creates a distinctive and more detailed look
- A gazebo: a complex veranda with various styles possible
- A pergola: an attached or detached structure
- A sunroof: a veranda with a movable roof
- A gable roof: a rustic-styled veranda with snow/rain protection
Do you hesitate what to choose?
Our consultant will answer all your questions, just send your contacts and we will call you within 20 minutes. Or send your questions to our e-mail.
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