Category Archives: Outdoor fireplace

The Solution to Cool Weather, an Outdoor Fireplace

Is the cold weather keeping you inside your Olathe home? It doesn’t have to!

When we designed this versatile outdoor living space, we kept two things top of mind: what factors were keeping the family inside and what amenities could draw everyone outside. This customer already had an old deck, but it was surrounded by quite a few trees that shadowed the deck and drew insects to the area. The family also found that during the spring and fall they found themselves keeping to the house because of the chill..

And outdoor fireplace was built to take the edge off – but first…

The first step in creating this showcase Olathe Cedar Creek porch with outdoor fireplace was to demolish the old deck. That gave us the flexibility to enlarge the project footprint and the opportunity to switch from pressure treated pine to low maintenance AZEK decking in silver oak. By upgrading from a deck to a covered screened porch we captured a number of benefits. Cleaning yard debris and battling bugs are non-issues now. Instead of spending valuable time caring for a deck, they are enjoying relaxing on the porch.

The new gable roof porch creates a vaulted ceiling that lets lots of light into both the porch and the rear of the home. A centerpiece of this porch is a built in outdoor fireplace. This Olathe KS porch fireplace is as beautiful as it is functional. Because it is powered by gas, it ignites with the the flick of a switch and you never have to haul or stack wood. It features a cultured stone fascia. Both the mantle and hearth are solid stone and add tremendous warmth and style to the room. We designed and installed a custom lighting combination of track lighting and recessed downspouts to highlight the fireplace.

Outdoor living home upgrades are ultimately value-added improvements!

The client wanted to use this project as an opportunity to make some other upgrades to their home and we were happy to oblige. We designed a roof that worked well with their existing roof lines and then arranged for the whole home to be shingled at once. The result looks terrific, was less trouble for the homeowner, and was certainly cheaper than breaking the project into two phases. We also replaced a sliding door with a better looking, better insulating set of French doors. We finished off the porch with painted 4×6 posts that match the house trim and 100% aluminum railings by Westbury. They are durable, easy to care for, and blend in with the screening.

Also read: Is an outdoor fireplace worth it?

What will it take to get you outside? Is it a toasty Olathe KS porch fireplace? The promise of a spacious dining area that you don’t have to sweep before each use? The opportunity to throw open your French doors and let the fresh air in without welcoming the bugs? Whatever you want, we can create the custom solution that will meet your outdoor living needs and exceed your expectations.

Also read: Enhanced Outdoor Living with an Archadeck Design

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

If you’re considering adding a sunroom, or screened porch or other roofed structure to your home, give us a ring. Our consultation is free. We can discuss options, provide design ideas and of course give you some price ranges to consider. Give us a call or send us an email. (913) 851 – 3325 or kansascity@archadeck.net.

What is your porch fireplace profile?

Do you love the idea of gathering with friends and family around shifting, crackling logs as you watch the sparks meander up the chimney?

Perhaps you have fond memories of splitting logs out in the backyard with your dad and have always wanted to recapture that in your own home. Some people revel in the natural ambience created by a genuine wood-burning outdoor porch fireplace, complete with keeping the kindling pile stocked and with the necessary chore of sweeping out the ashes. If these scenarios sound familiar, you are a great candidate for a porch fireplace built into your screened porch or sunroom.

Gas-burning outdoor fireplaces provide low-maintenance appeal.

Other people really respond to the warm, romantic mood created by the presence of a fire crackling nearby, but don’t want to have to do a lot of work to get it. What is better than flipping a switch on a wall or, even better, clicking a button on a remote, to bring a bright and cheery fire to life in your outdoor space? If you think gas is the way to go, you have something in common with 95% of our customers who choose gas fireplaces over wood. Many love the value and convenience that gas provides.

Who doesn’t want an outdoor porch fireplace?

Believe it or not, porch fireplaces are not for everyone. Although they offer wonderful benefits in terms of helping you extend the usable season of your porch by keeping the space warm in all but the coldest months of the year, there are some practical considerations that might argue against installing a fire feature. You may want to maximize the panoramic porch view and don’t want to give up window space to a fireplace. Some properties don’t have good access to a gas line. Some homeowners prioritize spending their money elsewhere. Of those interested, we find that cost is the number one reason clients choose not to include a fireplace on their porch.

Also read: Is an outdoor fireplace worth it?

If you think you fall into group one or group two, give us a call and we will gladly discuss options for making a new fireplace the focal point of your Kansas City porch. We can show you options at a few different budget points. We can also discuss some fun decorating options for lighting, mantels, fronts, and surrounds. There are many, many ways to create a space your whole family will love.

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

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

If you’re considering adding a sunroom, or screened porch or other roofed structure to your home, give us a ring. Our consultation is free. We can discuss options, provide design ideas and of course give you a price quote to consider. Give us a call or send us an email. (913) 851 – 3325, kansascity@archadeck.net or visit our website at kansas-city.archadeck.com

A New Porch Shouldn’t Look Like A Late Addition

We’ve all seen it before, the new porch that looks, frankly, like an inexpensive addition or afterthought. Perhaps the porch materials are different than those used on the house itself. Perhaps there is no siding or exterior finish. Perhaps the paint color doesn’t match or care was not taken to compliment the other architectural details of the home. Perhaps the trim details are completely different than the home

It feels mismatched with good reason – the builders of such porches are more interested in a one-size-fits-all approach than a customized home solution. At Archadeck of Kansas City, our porches are designed to match your home from the roofline to the scale, siding, gutter lines, and other key details.

By working with a builder who’s concerned with matching your new porch’s look with your home, you’ll have a new space that looks like it was there all along. Taking this approach usually requires more labor, trim, and materials – and hence, somewhat higher costs – but you get a room that’s a natural extension of your home.

Creating a custom porch for your home is not just about style, but also substance. The materials should not only be cosmetically matched to your home, but they should also be strong enough to stand up to weather and to the test of time. Posts, trim, and fascia should protect your porch from the elements. These considerations can maximize the life span of your porch.

Archadeck of Kansas City doesn’t strive to be the cheapest option in porch building. Instead, we strive to create structures with both the style and the substance worthy of your home.

If you’re considering the addition of a deck, porch, patio or other outdoor living structure – to your Kansas City area home, 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.

Adding an Outdoor Fireplace: Important Factors to Consider

If you’re considering adding an outdoor fireplace to your home, you may not be alone. To know if one is right for your home – and if so, what kind of fireplace is right for your home – consider these important factors:

Outdoor fireplace indoors?

You may have more options for the placement of your outdoor fireplace than you realize. Many people are pleasantly surprised to learn they can include a fireplace not only on a patio but in a screened porch or open porch as well.

Lenexa KS outdoor fireplace on porch Archadeck Kansas City

Adding a fireplace will affect your porch

The fireplace will take up a bit of wall space. This may affect your view and furniture placement. But it can infuse warmth – both literal and figurative – to your screened porch.

Gas vs. Wood

Once you know where you’d like to add your outdoor fireplace, you’ll need to decide whether gas or wood is the better option for your lifestyle and budget. Gas and wood each have advantages. For gas, you’ll spend less on the fireplace itself because you’ll have fewer chimney requirements to meet. Plus, you’ll have less maintenance once your fireplace is built. That said, gas fireplaces require gas line access and the purchase of a fireplace box. Check with your builder to ensure that your gas outdoor fireplace uses an outdoor-rated box. In addition, you’ll need a gas line installed by a licensed and certified plumber and a separate inspection for that line. On the other hand, a wood outdoor fireplace can offer a more traditional feel and will spare you the additional gas line. That said, wood fireplaces do have many code regulations to meet. A reputable contractor will ensure that your fireplace meets standards regarding heat, air clearance, chimney regulations, and other local codes.

Budget

The budget of an outdoor fireplace can vary widely depending upon the fireplace and builder chosen. Builders and contractors offer varying rates, but selecting a reputable builder who is familiar with local regulations and codes is of utmost importance to such a project. Additional upgrades like fascia trim or a mantle can increase the value of your fireplace and the cost of your budget. Depending upon the fireplace type you choose, the budget can range between $6,000 – $10,000 or in some cases more.

Considering how an outdoor fireplace can extend your porch season and lift your home value, it’s of little surprise that the trend has become so popular in the Kansas City area. With so many options, though, it’s important that you find the fireplace that’s best for you and that you find a respected builder who will guide you through the maze of regulations that come with adding an outdoor fireplace.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

If you’re considering the addition of an outdoor fireplace – or a deck, porch, patio or other outdoor living structure – to your Kansas City area home, 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.