Outdoor living in good ol’ Prescott, Arizona. Here, outdoor living is a year-round experience.
And there are so many ways to make it happen. Outdoor living when I grew up was on the patio, uncovered, with a picnic table my dad made, and then we augmented this with lawn chairs. Our picnic table didn’t have an umbrella so no relief from the sun or protection from the rain. Hot sun or even the slightest rain drove the whole outfit indoors. Cold evenings were another challenge. Once the BBQ coals faded, the evening was over. The last roasted marshmallow was eaten and the s’mores were done. If it was warm out, we would linger; cool, we went inside.
Fast-forward to today and we are seeing all manners of outdoor living solutions in all manners of housing types. Urban, suburban, rural – all present unique opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors at home.
Urban dwellings such as apartments, condos and townhomes usually have a patch of ground for a BBQ and some outdoor furniture. This may be associated with a yard area, deck or a veranda. I refer to a veranda as a covered space. These spaces are usually a pre-determined size and offer the urban dweller a daily dose of that wonderful out-of-doors.
The suburban dwelling, usually a lot smaller than one acre, has more options. Nowadays, the patio is usually covered. Often, the outdoor living space has a fire pit, a gas fire ring (some very cool options here), and even a fireplace. Sitting outside on a warm summer morning with coffee just before engaging your day can set the tone for your outlook on the day’s tasks ahead. This setting can be gracefully achieved with an elegantly designed post and beam covering that is solid, keeping the rain off of you, or a ramada style that is open to keep the rain off, but designed to shade the sitting or gathering area.
Decks for homes in our mountainous terrain are very popular. We have completed several. Most frequently and quite recently, we have covered outdoor decks built 15 years ago. This brings new life to many homes. When originally constructed, scant consideration was given to the deck’s orientation to the sun and wind. Usually, these were constructed based on access from a kitchen or living space and with little consideration given to the impact our environment can have. Often, these decks were constructed with wood, and rarely the correct type of wood, therefore requiring tons of maintenance. Because of this, they very often fall into disrepair or are rarely used. New owners see the possibilities and want to restore these spaces as a useful and pleasant addition to indoor living.
Replacement decking is usually a composite product made from recycled plastic and wood particles. When installed correctly, these products last a long time and require little or no maintenance. Often, these products come in a variety of colors that will complement your existing home’s color scheme.
When we design and build new decks, we almost always use these products. While initial cost is higher than a cedar deck, the lack of maintenance over the years allows you to quickly recover that investment.
Rural outdoor living (on parcels greater than one acre and usually up to 35 acres), have a different perspective to living the outdoor lifestyle. From separate casitas to small pavilions and all manner of spaces mentioned above, the outdoor lifestyle is often a strong component on the larger lots. We have seen some wonderful spaces created adjacent to barns, with small kitchens and areas for entertaining like-minded friends. The barn for some folks is as popular a place as the kitchen for gathering and enjoying the rural lifestyle.
Whether you live in the city, a subdivision or a small ranch, outdoor living can be a wonderfully restorative respite. This is the time of year to begin that outdoor planning process. In a few months, you could be living your dream. QCBN
Thomas F. Reilly, Jr. is the president of Renovations. Please email him at [email protected] with any additional questions.
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