During the short, cold, dreary days of winter, we often think longingly of summer days when we can spend time outside in the sun without a heavy coat. But when it comes right down to it, our winter memories of summer don’t usually live up to the reality of summer. Depending on the temperature, it isn’t the best time to be outside. It’s usually really hot, it’s often humid, and then there are the bugs. We tend to forget these discomforts when we are shivering in February.

Our falls, however, can be amazing. We have long, beautiful autumns here in Kansas City. From September, through October, and into November, we have moderate temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s with low humidity and very little rain. Many of the bugs and allergens that bother us in the backyard are gone and we don’t have to be as conscientious about using sunscreen. Sounds like the perfect time to enjoy a new Kansas City porch or deck.

Here in the Kansas City area, most of our trees change color and drop their leaves in the fall, making it a wonderful spectacle to enjoy daily over the course of several weeks during the autumn. A screened porch is an ideal place to watch the seasons change in your yard. Leave the door open between the house and the porch and enjoy letting the fresh air in and the pets out.

Luckily, there is still plenty of time to create a new outdoor living space in your yard before the start of foliage season in Kansas City. We provide a free consultation where we will thoughtfully and completely answer your questions and help you with the design of a great porch for how you want to live outside. There is a longer lead time for construction during the summer, but if you call soon, we can have your space ready to enjoy with family and friends in time for the first football tailgate of the season.

If you’d like to lengthen your outdoor living season even further, ask us about how you can integrate an outdoor fireplace into your porch. In addition to adding extra nights to your outdoor living season and value to your home, fire features are a unique gathering space for creating memories with friends and family.

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, 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.

I don’t think of myself as a deck or porch builder per se. I create personal outdoor spaces where people can connect with friends and family in a way that is meaningful for them.

This distinction is very important. Any builder can take a set of mass-produced plans and recreate them in your backyard. I listen to how my clients talk about how they want to live outside. No two customers are the same – every Overland Park porch should not be either.

This Overland Park porch project that is a testament to the clients’ love of the outdoors. They wanted to replace an older existing area with a light, airy porch that let them be in the yard while offering protection from sun and rain. We didn’t screen it because bugs are not an issue for them; they value openness. They also envisioned this space as being a “second dining room.” The porch is just a few steps from the main eating area inside and has a small adjoining deck for grilling. It couldn’t be more convenient.

They wanted a very compact stair configuration so as to not eat up yard space so we used the smallest footprint by aligning the staircase with the deck. Next to the stairs, we left some beloved trees untouched. A few years from now those trees will provide additional shade and privacy.

The home’s existing lines and window configuration suggested a combination shed and gable roof. The gables give the space additional light and airiness. The ceiling fan can create a breeze if there is none that day. We also painted the posts and columns to match the home and the Afco powder coated aluminum rail blends beautifully with the furniture the customers selected. The slender profile, dark color railings, draw your eyes up and into the yard.

The finished beadboard ceiling makes the porch feel like an interior space even while it is completely open. The canister lights add to that impression. The tongue-and-groove look of the beadboard has a clean, classic look that doesn’t distract from the yard view. The AZEK Silver Oak flooring fits in easily with the lines and colors of the rest of the porch and is a snap to maintain.

As outdoors-focused as this project is, our clients still want to be able to watch the occasional game or show from their porch, so we mounted a TV out there as well. For this family, that was it.  We hit all of the items on the wish list. The porch matches the style of their home and their lives. They have a wonderful new space that enriches their lives everyday.

Search for porch builder near me and choose Archadeck of Kansas City for your Overland Park KS porch project!

If you’re considering building an open porch, screened porch or outdoor room on your house, give us a call for a free consultation at 913-851-3325. We look forward to your call.

Deciding to add a porch to your home is a big decision. A new porch doesn’t only add to your home, after all; it enhances your lifestyle. For many people, it becomes their favorite room in the house.

Lenexa KS outdoor fireplace on porch Archadeck Kansas City

To find a reputable builder you can trust with such an investment, we suggest two things: research and patience. A quality porch takes time. It takes planning and it likely comes with a waiting list. For these reasons, you may need to begin your project several months prior to your porch’s construction.

Here are five reasons why you should plan ahead for your porch with Archadeck of Kansas City:

1. A waiting list is a good sign. Well-regarded builders have waiting lists for good reason: a porch is an investment in your home, and you need to entrust it with a respected builder. If you envision enjoying a brisk Kansas City evening on your porch in October, then you’ll need to begin the process three to four months prior.
2. The best price is now. Because of a resurgence in building – due to an improving economy and post-storm renovations – prices for building materials are expected to continue to rise. In addition the new year is typically when materials’ suppliers announce price increases for the new year. By beginning your porch project now, you may secure a rate you won’t be able to get in several months.
3. Time your landscaping. When planning ahead for your porch, think about timing the landscape adjustments to your yard’s new footprint. By planning ahead, you can time planting for the most natural and opportune time. Fall is usually an ideal time for landscaping, when the ground is ripe and temperatures are mild.
4. Advance planning is key. “A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door,” said Confucius. Giving your contractors time to plan your porch will result in a higher-quality porch, a design that better fits your needs, and a smoother building process.
5. Wind, rain, and acts of God. The part of the process we cannot control is the weather. By beginning your porch months early, we can compensate for unforeseen extreme weather conditions.

Waiting a few months for a high-quality porch built by a trusted builder is a worthwhile use of time. Let’s start the process of building your porch now, and within a few months, you just might have your new favorite room.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

If you’re considering add 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 drop us an email at kansascity@archadeck.net. We look forward to your call.