Author Archives: archadeckkansascity

About archadeckkansascity

Archadeck of Kansas City had been designing and building custom outdoor living spaces since 2001. Locally owned and operated by Bonnie and Dan Hall, we serve families throughout the Kansas City area, designing decks, porches, and screened porches for the way they want to use them.

Why Porches and Decks Make Perfect Pairs

At Archadeck of Kansas City, we build more porch and deck combinations than porches or decks by themselves.

In times past, decks were the be-all and end-all outdoor living spaces. In their original iteration, decks were ultimately usable, simple to construct, and gave families a great space to gather outdoors. Used for sunning, outdoor dining, and myriad outdoor living purposes, decks are still a staple in outdoor living. But porches have given homeowners even more use of their outdoor spaces. When paired with a deck, our custom porches allow clients to have their cake and eat it too!

Open porch and deck design by Archadeck

Open Porches and Decks

Sometimes referred to as covered decks, open porches and decks are winning outdoor living combinations. By covering a portion of any outdoor living design, clients automatically get more use of their outdoor space. Homeowners love having the option to choose between a protected outdoor living area and one that is open to the elements. Deck roofs provide sun shade and rain protection, and offer more of an air of an outdoor living room. Often, covered porches and decks facilitate great amenities, such as outdoor fireplaces and TVs. This is not to say that you cannot have an outdoor TV or fireplace on your deck, but both are more functional and better protected beneath a roof.

Covered deck with outdoor fireplace

Screened In Porches and Decks

The beauty of a screened porch, aside from design aesthetics, is the absence of pests, added privacy, and weather protection. Our clients revel in bringing the comforts of their indoor spaces out onto their screened-in porches, and enjoying them without the interruption of weather or pests. Screened porches are the most sought-after outdoor living spaces in the Kansas City market, and most of our screened-in porches feature at least a small attached deck for grilling. Some of our screened porch and deck combinations feature full-scale living spaces in each area. You might see a screened porch serve as an outdoor TV room and dining area, while the deck includes enough space for grilling and a second seating or dining area.

Screened-in porch and deck by Archadeck of Kansas City

Search for porch and deck builders near me and choose Archadeck of Kansas City.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners
Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

When searching for trustworthy and experienced porch and deck builders, look no further than Archadeck of Kansas City. We have been building custom porches and decks throughout the area since 2001. Every porch and deck we build is custom-tailored to our clients’ needs. This includes shape, size, usage aspirations, and budget.

Put our expertise, commitment to excellence, personalized designs, premium materials, and unmatched customer service will to work for you. Call to schedule your deck design consultation at (913) 851-3325 or email us at kansas-city@archadeck.net.

Also read: Is a screened-in porch worth the cost?

Searching for Affordable Deck Builders Near Me?

If you are in search deck builders near me, should you be including words, like affordable, cost-effective, or cheap?

Careful what you search for. You just might get it. As deck contractors in the Kansas City area since 2001, we understand the perils of cheap and cost-effective choices in deck builders. There are more than a few reasons that you should not search for “affordable deck builders near me.”

Don't search for affordable deck builders near me.
Search for deck builders, who can give you a great value for the money, not a cheap deck.

What does “affordable” mean to you?

Or what does it mean to someone else, including the deck builders you are searching for? In the world of home improvement, terms like, “cheap” and “affordable” can be a hindrance to your intended purpose. What is affordable to one family might not be for the next. At Archadeck, we believe nobody really wants a cheap deck. If a deck builder offers you a cheap deck, we would caution you not to buy in.

High-quality decks are not cheap.
Quality decks are not cheap endeavors.

The Tale of Two Deck Contractors

If you receive two quotes from two different deck contractors in your area, they should be about the same price. How can this be? Well, any deck builder, who is an actual licensed contractor will be providing materials and labor at very comparable prices to another reputable deck builder. That is because licensed deck contractors have to pay for things, such as maintaining their license, and insurance for your deck project. The average cost to insure a deck project is in the area of $500. Additionally, a full-service deck building contractor will provide all the legwork on your behalf to submit for your project’s permitting and include the price of permits and subsequent inspections in your final cost.

Don't search for cheap deck builders near me.
Archadeck are licensed and insured deck contractors near you in Kansas City.

You’re not looking for affordable deck builders.

What you seek is a deck builder, who offers the most value for your investment. A high-quality, well-built deck will never be cheap, but it should provide the value-added benefits you are looking for. Will it be spacious enough to accommodate entertaining opportunities? Will it be built with low-maintenance materials? Will it include usable upgrades, such as pergola, a roof, or an outdoor fireplace. Search for trusted deck builders, not affordable deck builders.

Search for deck builders near me and choose Archadeck!
Search for deck builders near you and choose Archadeck of Kansas City!

Search for trustworthy deck contractors near me and choose Archadeck!

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners
Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Put our expertise, commitment to excellence, personalized deck designs, premium materials, and unmatched customer service will to work for you. Call to schedule your deck design consultation at (913) 851-3325 or email us at kansas-city@archadeck.net.

Also read: Do you want a pergola or a roof?

Is a screened-in porch a good idea?

The Allure of Screened-In Porches: A Perfect Blend of Comfort and Connection

In the realm of home improvement and outdoor living, the idea of a screened-in porch has gained substantial traction. This is especially true in the Kansas City area. This ingenious concept strikes a harmonious balance between the indoors and outdoors, offering homeowners a space that’s both inviting and protective. But, is a screened-in porch truly a good idea for every home and family? Let’s discuss why it might just be the perfect addition to your home.

A screen porch could be the answer to your outdoor living needs.

Embracing Nature, Minus the Bother:

Breeze in, bugs out! One of the foremost benefits of a screened-in porch is the ability to revel in nature while foregoing potential inconveniences. Imagine enjoying a morning cup of coffee or an evening conversation with friends, all while being sheltered from mosquitoes, flies, and other pesky insects. A screened-in porch serves as a seamless barrier that lets you bask in the refreshing outdoors without worrying about unwelcome critters.

Comfort Nearly Year-Round:

Unlike traditional open-air decks, screened-in porches equipped with proper heating offer a distinct advantage: nearly year-round usability in the Kansas City area. Regardless of light rain or cool breezes, a screened-in porch can still be made a cozy space of respite. This means you can relish the beauty of every season, reaping the benefits of unseasonable late fall, winter, and early springtime warmth. No more waiting for the perfect day to spend time in your custom outdoor space.

Comfortable and beautiful screen porch interior in Lee’s Summit.

Enhanced Home Aesthetics:

A screened-in porch can significantly enhance your home’s visual appeal, as you can see in the Lee’s Summit home below. Its architectural charm often complements nearly any style of home, from rustic cottages to contemporary abodes. This additional element can add tons of character to your property and in our area, can even increase its resale value. Whether you opt for a classic design or something more modern, a well-designed screened-in porch by Archadeck of Kansas City will integrate seamlessly into your home’s overall aesthetic.

Up your home’s beauty with a custom Archadeck outdoor living design.

Multipurpose Space:

A screened-in porch isn’t limited to a single purpose. It’s a versatile space that can be adapted to suit your needs. It can serve as an outdoor dining area, a cozy reading nook, a playroom for kids, or even a tranquil spot for yoga and meditation. The possibilities are virtually endless, and with Archadeck of Kansas City, you have the freedom to tailor it to your lifestyle.

Connection without Confinement:

While a fully enclosed indoor space provides comfort, it may sometimes isolate you from the outside world. A screened-in porch bridges this gap, offering you a place to feel connected with nature while still enjoying some protection from the elements.

Affordability Over a Full Room Addition:

Even though we design and build sunrooms, at Archadeck of Kansas City, we find that most prospective clients don’t really need more indoor living space. Ergo, they choose an enclosed porch instead. Compared to a full-blown home addition, a screened-in porch can be a more budget-friendly option. It offers a cost-effective way to expand your living space without the complexity of traditional construction. Plus, the construction process is often quicker, allowing you to start enjoying your space sooner.

A porch fulfills the need for more outdoor living time, when indoor living space is plentiful.

A screened-in porch is undoubtedly a fantastic idea for those seeking a harmonious blend of comfort and connection with nature. It’s a sanctuary where you can unwind, entertain, and enjoy the outdoors without the bother of insects or unpredictable weather. Whether you wish for a tranquil retreat or a versatile space to gather with loved ones, a screened-in porch opens up a world of possibilities, making it a worthy investment.

Search for screen porch builders near me and choose Archadeck.

When seeking the screen porch builders in the Kansas City area, look no further than Archadeck of Kansas City. Put our expertise, commitment to excellence, personalized designs, premium materials, and unmatched customer service will to work for you. Call to schedule your deck design consultation at (913) 851-3325 or email us at kansas-city@archadeck.net.

Also read: Is a screened in deck worth it?

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners
Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Discover the Finest Deck Builders in Kansas City: Choose Archadeck for Your Dream Deck

When searching for deck builders near me, choose Archadeck to design the ideal deck for your home and family.

Kansas City homeowners seek to make the most of their outdoor spaces throughout springtime, summer, and even fall. A well-designed and constructed deck can transform your backyard into an inviting escape for relaxation, entertainment, and memorable gatherings with loved ones. When searching for “who builds decks near me” in the Kansas City area, one name stands out for exceptional craftsmanship and unparalleled customer service. That name is Archadeck of Kansas City, your hometown deck contractors since 2001. Here’s why you should call Archadeck for your new deck project.

Archadeck builds decks near you in the Kansas City area

Deck builders with design and building expertise

Archadeck of Kansas City boasts a team of seasoned professionals with a wealth of experience in designing and building custom decks. With decades of expertise under our belts, our deck builders have completed hundreds successful projects, earning a reputation for excellence within the local Kansas City market. Each member of the team is dedicated to turning your vision into reality, ensuring your new deck complements your home’s architecture and your lifestyle.

Archadeck, deck builders near you in Johnson County Kansas

Deck designs, unique to every home and family

Choosing Archadeck means choosing deck builders who understand that each client has unique preferences and needs. Our Design Consultants offer tailored deck designs for each client’s specific requirements, whether you desire a spacious multi-level deck, a covered deck, or even a screen porch and deck combination. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to quality, Archadeck ensures your deck is ideal for your needs, and blends seamlessly with your home’s architecture.

Screened porch and deck in Olathe KS by Archadeck of Kansas City

Premium decking materials

Longevity and durability are never a question with our custom decks. Archadeck of Kansas City exclusively uses premium composite decking materials, like TimberTech and Fiberon. From the sturdy foundation to the finest decking materials, every aspect of the construction is executed with precision and care. With Archadeck, you can rest assured that your deck will withstand the test of time and the ever-changing Kansas City weather.

Archadeck, composite deck builders near you in Lee’s Summit MO

Unparalleled customer service

Beyond our exceptional craftsmanship, Archadeck of Kansas City takes pride in delivering unmatched customer service. From your first consultation to the final touches on your deck, our team will keep you abreast of every detail concerning your project. We devote time to listen to your ideas, answer your questions, and address any concerns, ensuring complete satisfaction at every step.

Also read: Is it cheaper to repair or replace a deck?

Local deck building expertise

As a locally owned and operated business, Archadeck understands the unique challenges and opportunities presented Kansas City area cities and towns. Our team is familiar with local building codes, permits, and regulations, streamlining the process and making it hassle-free for you. Our vast knowledge of the region’s climate also enables us to design decks that can be enjoyed even outside the typical spring and summer seasons. Many of our screened porches, decks, and covered decks include outdoor fireplaces and installed radiant heating.

Covered deck with radiant heating by Archadeck of Kansas City

When seeking the best deck builders in the Kansas City area, look no further than Archadeck of Kansas City. Put our expertise, commitment to excellence, personalized designs, premium materials, and unmatched customer service will to work for you. Call to schedule your deck design consultation at (913) 851-3325 or email us at kansas-city@archadeck.net.

Also read: How much does it cost to build a deck?

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners
Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Screen Porch Ideas

If you are thinking about building a screen porch, you likely wonder what will make your porch perfectly your own.

Looking for screen porch ideas? Archadeck of Kansas City has been designing and building screened in porches since 2001 throughout the Kansas City area. We have built porches of every shape, size, and orientation. We have a good grasp on what homeowners are looking for in a new screen porch design for both aesthetics and function. Check out these fantastic ideas for your new porch!

Here are some great screened in porch ideas to inspire your own porch design.

screen porch ideas

Screen porch idea 1: Beautiful outdoor fireplaces

One of the most popular options for the screened porches we build is an outdoor fireplace. Not only does an outdoor fireplace add a bit of warmth on cool days, it also provides a beautiful focal point and ambiance abound. That is why adding an outdoor fireplace is one of the most popular screen porch ideas around!

  • Outdoor porch fireplace
  • Outdoor porch fireplace

Screen porch idea 2: Radiant porch heating

Radiant heating is one of the newest screen porch ideas that is trending in the Kansas City market. While building an outdoor fireplace into your new screened porch will add a bit of warmth, including radiant heating will really warm up your porch. About 60% of our screened in porch clients choose to add heating to their porch plans, which gives them much more time spent outdoors each year.

Screen porch ideas - radiant heating

Screen porch idea 3: Finished porch ceilings

Porches in days of old might have excluded intricate porch ceilings, or even finished ceilings altogether. Today, however, clients want complete electrical installations. Not only does adding a finished tongue and groove ceiling accommodate wiring, lighting, and fans, it adds a lovely custom aesthetic to any porch design. In addition to tongue and groove porch ceiling finishes, some clients wish for exposed beams to offer a rustic or farmhouse aesthetic to their screened porch.

  • Finished porch ceiling
  • Finished porch ceiling

Screened porch idea 4: Painted ceilings and trim

One of the benefits of hiring a screened porch design firm is that we can help you achieve a cohesive aesthetic between your home’s exterior and your new porch. While some of our clients love the look of pine or cedar ceilings and trim, others like the appeal of a porch that is painted in the same color palette as their home. In addition to achieving a complementary or matching porch design, paint can bring a more contemporary flair to a porch. A painted white ceiling, like the ones you see below, will even help an otherwise dark porch appear brighter.

  • Painted porch ceiling and trim
  • Painted porch ceiling and trim

Screen porch idea 5: Mixed materials and finishes

While it’s true that screen porches can be painted for color harmony, they can also be finished to include complementary colors and finishes. The screened porch below is a great example of mixing materials and finishes. The stark white paint and fireplace are beautiful complements to the Ipe hardwood flooring, as well as the tongue and groove ceiling. These mixed-materials porches can provide a refined and rustic aesthetic together.

Screened in porch idea - mixed building materials and finishes

Screened in porch idea 6: TV walls

This is one of our clients’ favorite screen porch ideas. Often, they wish to add a fireplace to their porch, partly to accommodate an outdoor TV. However, a fireplace will add a lot of cost. Whether you prefer your new porch without a fireplace or a fireplace does not fit into your budget, a TV wall can be added instead. TV walls can be constructed on your exterior porch wall or on a more interior wall for ample protection. They can be constructed of natural wood, painted wood, drywall, or your choice of material. TV walls, like fireplaces, can become a focal point on your porch, and can additionally provide privacy to your porch.

  • Screened in porch idea - TV wall

Screen porch idea 7: Custom lighting

Screened porch lighting can come into your porch design in many ways. Many of our clients love having overhead lighting by way of recessed lights or ceiling fans, which is great for task lighting. For more ambient porch lighting solutions, clients also love choosing beautiful sconces, pendant lights, and our custom porch perimeter lighting, for which we build a special ledge around the exterior porch walls.

  • Custom porch lighting
  • Custom porch lighting
  • Screen porch idea - custom lighting
    Custom porch lighting

Screened porch idea 8: Surround sound installation

Since our screen porches are built with finished ceilings, many of our clients love adding extra electrical amenities. In addition to TVs, lighting, radiant heaters, and ceiling fans, our porch clients also love to have surround sound installed. Adding speakers to your screened porch will help you ramp up movie night or enjoy sporting events viewing without outside noise distractions.

Screened porch idea - surround sound

Screen porch idea 9: Comfortable furniture

Not every screen porch design need have run-of-the-mill outdoor furnishings. Many of our clients choose high-end indoor/outdoor furniture, which provides as much comfort as their indoor sofas and chairs. This provides a supremely luxurious aesthetic, as well.

  • Comfortable porch furnishings
  • Screen porch ideas - comfortable furniture
    Comfortable porch furnishings

Screen porch idea 10: Porch sunshades

As much as our clients love spending time outdoors, harsh sunlight can prohibit use during certain hours of the day. Therefore, they choose so to have custom sunshades installed on their porches. These shades can also help protect furniture and finishes within the porch from sun and rain.

Screened in porch idea - custom sunshades

Which of these screen porch ideas was your favorite?

If you are searching for screen porch builders in the Kansas City area, choose Archadeck. We are locally owned porch and deck contractors in the Kansas City area, who have been designing and building custom outdoor spaces since 2001!

Call to schedule your deck design consultation at (913) 851-3325 or email us at kansas-city@archadeck.net.

Also read: Is a screened in deck worth it?

Can we add a roof to your Kansas City area deck?

Perhaps we can add a roof to your Kansas City area deck. Read about what’s involved in making that determination.

We are often asked if we can add a roofed structure to an existing deck. The answer is… it depends. It depends on the structure of the deck. If your deck was well built from the beginning, it is possible that the deck could support the additional weight of a roof without making any changes to your deck. However, it is more likely that even if your deck substructure was very well built, it will at least need some reinforcement to support the additional weight of a roof. There are strict building code requirements about holding up a roof so we need to ensure those will be met.

Archadeck is a choice deck builder in Kansas City, who can help you decide if adding a roof to your deck is possible. We are one of the only deck contractors, who builds gable roofs to boot!

We recently finished a job in Shawnee KS where the homeowners did have a well built deck that only needed some reinforcements to be able to support their new porch roof. The original deck had a strong beam but the beam was away from the edge of the deck. For a roof, the structural support needs to be right up at the edge. We added new columns and new footings to make sure the rim of deck was strong enough to bear the weight of the roof. We installed all new posts at the rim of the deck while leaving other recessed posts and beams in place. There wasn’t any reason to take the old posts and beams out so we left them in place. However, some decks are so poorly built that it might be more cost effective to tear the entire deck home and rebuild it from scratch.

The next step in adding any sort of new outdoor living space to a home is making sure it fits well with the architecture and aesthetics of the outside of the house. Our goal, as yours, is to make your outdoor living addition look as original to your home as possible. With this porch, we utilized a shed roof style to match the home.

We also designed and installed a new BBQ grill deck landing area and new steps for the area. This particular porch is about 7′ in the air so creating an adjoining grilling space at the same height allows the grill chef to interact with others enjoying the porch.

Can we add a roof to your Kansas City area deck? Yes, most likely. We will evaluate your existing structure and let you know for sure and let you know any additions or changes to make it happen.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

If you’re considering the addition of a deck, porch, patio or other outdoor living structure – to your Kansas City area home, don’t wait. Give us a call at (913) 851-3325 for a free consultation or email us at kansascity@archadeck.net. We look forward to your call.

Also read: Can I have a gable roof on my covered deck?

Is a covered deck worth it?

If you are considering a covered deck for your home, there can be multiple value-added benefits!

Many of our clients build covered decks and porches. They often will cover at least a portion of their outdoor living space to add more
usability. Building a covered deck will add value to the myriad ways you can use your space. A covered deck, or deck with a roof, will
offer full weather protection, which will allow you many more hours outdoors each year.

covered deck by Archadeck of Kansas City
Covered deck by Archadeck of Kansas City

A deck or covered deck is a great home investment.

Whether you choose to build a covered deck, open deck, or screened deck, any choice is a worthy investment. According to the most recent Cost vs. Value report, a deck addition is in the top 10 outdoor home upgrade investment choices you can make. Depending on where you live in the United States, and which type of deck you build, you can expect anywhere from a 63% to 81% return on your initial investment. Some clients prefer to cover their deck with a pergola, but there are downsides to choosing a pergola over a full roof design. Read about pergolas vs. roofs here.

pergola covered deck in Lee's Summit MO
Pergola-covered deck in Lee’s Summit MO by Archadeck

What are additional benefits of covered decks?

Covering your outdoor living space with a roof can introduce a plethora of comfort amenities into the space. Roofs do not simply protect us from the weather outside, they can accommodate radiant heating, lighting, ceiling fans, and more! These amenities will offer a true multi-seasonal outdoor living addition. Screening your deck in will offer additional protection from insects, tree debris, and wildlife.

screened covered deck with radiant heating, lighting, and outdoor fireplace
Screened, covered deck design with radiant heating, lighting, and outdoor fireplace by Archadeck

Also read: How much does it cost to build a deck?

Choose Archadeck of Kansas City to be your covered deck builder. We are locally owned deck contractors in the Kansas City area, who have been designing and building custom decks since 2001! Call to schedule your deck design consultation at (913) 851-3325 or email us at kansas-city@archadeck.net.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners
Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

What is a deck with a roof called?

Depending on where you live, a deck with a roof could be called different things. What do you call a deck with a roof?

Since we are Kansas City area deck builders, we will first address the local terminology. Archadeck of Kansas City’s clients typically refer to a deck with a roof as a covered deck. However, other terms relating to these outdoor living spaces are: covered porch, open porch, and more simply, a porch.

A deck with a roof is often called a covered deck.
Covered deck in Prairie Village, KS – by Archadeck of Kansas City

Why are decks with roofs so popular?

These days, many clients inquire about designing their deck to include a roof. Obviously, covered decks provide more usability by offering protection from rain and harsh sunlight. But at Archadeck of Kansas City, we know that deck roofs can provide much more than that. They are striking architectural features, and can be custom finished inside with pine or cedar wood tongue and groove. Deck roofs can also be outfitted with electrical installation for lighting, ceiling fans, and radiant heating, which makes the deck even more usable – at night, during hot summer days, and even on cool days. Not only that, but if you really want to add a roof to your deck project, but fear it might make the interior of your home too dark, we can add skylights to your roof.

A covered porch roof can have heating, lighting, fans, and skylights.
Prairie Village covered deck with lighting, fan, radiant heating, and skylights – by Archadeck of Kansas City

What if your deck builder says you can’t have a gable roof on your new covered deck?

Archadeck of Kansas City designs and builds many covered decks with gable roofs. It’s the most requested roof line for our decks! If you have received a quote from another deck builder, who says they cannot build your covered deck with a gable roof, call on the design-build experts at Archadeck. One complimentary design consultation will allow us to determine whether your new deck can accommodate a gable roof! Not every local deck builder offers gable roof design and building.

Also read: Can I have a gable roof on my covered deck or screen porch?

Covered deck in Johnson County, KS – by Archadeck of Kansas City

What if you don’t want to fully cover your deck?

No problem! Archadeck of Kansas City builds many combination outdoor living spaces. If you prefer to have only a portion of your deck covered, we can design your space to have one covered area along with an open-air area. With a covered deck and open deck design, you can have the best of both worlds.

Leawood, KS covered deck and open deck design – by Archadeck of Kansas City

If you want to add a great focal point and ambiance to your covered deck, consider a custom outdoor fireplace for your space!

Also read: Can you have an outdoor fireplace on your deck?

Is a roof your only option for a covered deck?

While roofs are very popular, some folks prefer partial sun protection provided by a pergola. Pergola covered decks also popular, because pergolas are beautiful design features. Like a roof, a pergola can be equipped with electrical installation for fans, lighting, and more.

Also read: Pergolas vs. Roofs – Do I want a pergola or a roof?

Lee’s Summit, MO covered deck with pergola – by Archadeck of Kansas City

Are you ready to design and build your dream custom covered deck? Choose Archadeck of Kansas City as your deck builder.

We are locally owned deck contractors in the Kansas City area, who have been designing and building custom decks since 2001! Call to schedule your covered deck design consultation at (913) 851-3325 or email us at kansas-city@archadeck.net.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners
Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a deck?

Enhanced outdoor living is at the top of many local homeowners’ lists of home improvement projects.

If you are thinking about upgrading your deck, you are likely wondering whether you should invest in a completely new build. Is it much cheaper to repair or replace a deck, though? It all depends. Are you talking about replacing one or two boards on your deck, or undertaking a full redecking project? If your deck structure is built to code, properly attached to your home, and still has usable life left in it, replacing a few damaged decking boards will be less costly than building all new. The problem is, many homeowners are not sure of the age of their deck structure. They are unsure of whether the structure is properly attached to the home. They too, are unaware of whether the deck structure has damage, such as that caused by termites.

Carpenter ant damage at the deck connection on the home.

If you are considering redecking, the money you would save on keeping your existing structure is minimal. Your money would be better invested in an all-new deck.

We always recommend building a new deck, rather than redecking or extensive deck repairs.

It is not only because of the potential damage or poor deck structure construction that Archadeck of Kansas City recommends building new instead of major deck repairs or redecking. Redecking an aged wood structure with premium composite decking materials puts each element of the deck on a different timeline. The structure is well-aged already and the composite, all-weather decking is manufactured to last for decades. Owner, Dan Hall, says, “You wouldn’t purchase a new luxury car and put your old car’s tires on it.”

Deck collapse due to poor deck-to-home connections

While Archadeck of Kansas City does not repair decks, if you require only a small amount of repairs, we recommend reaching out to a company that does. Such a company will be able to inspect your deck structure to determine whether it is worthy of a simple repair or if it requires replacing.

Olathe Kansas deck with cable railing

We build premium heartland decks, but we are not just deck builders.

Archadeck of Kansas City doesn’t simply build heartland decks, we custom-design each deck to suit the specific needs of each client. Our custom deck design process ensures that the deck you wish for is the one you receive in the end. During your in-home design consultation, you will be shown various materials options, as well as past projects that are similar to what you have in mind. This consultation also allows our Design Consultant to see your property, noting any potential problems with your intended size and layout. Don’t have ideas about size and layout? That’s okay! We can help with that too.

Parkville MO TimberTech deck design with lighted stair

Choose Archadeck of Kansas City as your deck builder. We are locally owned deck contractors in the Kansas City area, who have been designing and building custom decks since 2001! Call to schedule your deck design consultation at (913) 851-3325 or email us at kansas-city@archadeck.net.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners
Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Heat options to extend the months you can use your screened-in porch

Many people ask us how many months throughout the year they’ll be able to use their Kansas-City area screened-in porch. It would be difficult to provide precise information since every winter is different. We want to share some porch heating options along to provide more insight in answering this question.

Screened-In Porch with Outdoor Porch Fireplace

A porch outdoor fireplace adds warmth and ambiance to a screened-in porch

There are multiple options for controlling temperature in your screened porch and they each have different costs and levels of effectiveness

Are windows a good option for the colder months?

When in the planning stages, the first thing our clients often ask is whether they should have a room with movable or removable windows. There are different types of movable windows including glass or plastic, to name a couple.

Movable or removable windows have some substantial pros and cons. If you want to simply stop wind and that’s your only objective, windows are a possible option. But in the summer months, almost every kind of window will make the porch hotter which is generally not desirable as you likely look to your porch to enjoy a cool breeze and to escape baking in the sun. Completely removable windows sound attractive on the surface but have their own set of peculiar drawbacks. They are large, bulky, hard to handle, hard to store and can be quite heavy. For these reasons, and because they add heat to the porch in the warmer months, windows are not a very popular option.

How about sliding windows?

If you’re looking at sliding windows of some type, they all increase your cost and usually block 50% of the air flow even when they’re open. Just like windows in your house block airflow, so do sliding windows on your porch. Consequently, with windows of any kind, you’re sacrificing some cooling in the summer to gain more weather control in the colder months and you’re also increasing costs. While we generally don’t advocate using windows for your screened porch, there are great heating options available.

Here are some great heating options.

For heating your porch, there are multiple choices. One option is electric radiant heating using outdoor weather-resistant radiant heaters. These heaters are usually permanently mounted and wired. They work really well but they do have a drawback. Because of the amount of power they use, they generally require their own circuit wired to your main panel which can be inconvenient and costly.

A less expensive option that is quite flexible is propane or natural gas floor-mounted heaters which are portable and come in serval sizes and configurations. They are portable and are not too expensive. They have the advantage that they can be moved around to suit different furniture configurations or moved completely if desired.

The last heating option is an outdoor fireplace which goes far above and beyond because it has aesthetic benefits as well as functional benefits. A gas fireplace puts out a considerable amount of heat and adds ambiance to the porch.

Also read: Can I have a fireplace on my deck?

There are also some portable floor-mounted electric heaters that are inexpensive but most are low power, don’t put out a lot of heat and will be less than desirable other than to heat just one small corner of the porch if that’s the goal. They will do a limited amount of heating but they won’t heat up much more than one person in a chair.

As you read above, there are some great ways to achieve a little warmth on your porch allowing you to enjoy it more months out of the year. If you are looking for a Kansas City porch builder, give us a call for a free consultation at (913) 851-3325, drop us an email at kansascity@archadeck.net or visit our website to view more pictures and contact us online.

Also Read: Enhanced Outdoor Living with an Archadeck Design

Here are some additional links you may enjoy:

Read about outdoor porch fireplaces
Read about screened in porch ideas
Enjoy our screened porch photo gallery
View our gallery of outdoor fireplaces

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners