November 2021 – Ram Houston

5 Minute, 3 Step, Easy, Mess Free, Easter Eggs!

Amelia Desimone November 4, 2021

Let’s be honest. It has been a doozy of year! Last Easter who would have thought we would still find ourselves socially distancing in a global pandemic? Yet here we…

Contractor Services

5 Big Considerations Before You Build That Deck

Amelia Desimone November 3, 2021

5 Big Considerations Before You Build That Deck So you’re all set to add a new custom deck or replace that aging wooden one that’s giving your home an unflattering…

Construction Business

Deck or Patio?

Amelia Desimone November 3, 2021

Deck or Patio for Nothern Virginia Homes — Which is Better? If you have a low-to-ground exit at the rear of your home, chances are that you have an old…

Contractor Services

Should Your Deck, Porch or Pavilion Pop or Flow?

Amelia Desimone November 3, 2021

Should Your Virginia Deck, Porch, or Pavilion Pop or Flow? When it comes to your new deck, porch or pavilion, should it pop or flow? That may sound like a…

Contractor Services

The Importance of Contractor Transparency

Amelia Desimone November 2, 2021

The Importance of Contractor Transparency It is an unfortunate side effect of being in the outdoor living business that far too many companies behave unscrupulously, giving the rest of us…

Construction Management

Decorating Tips for Your Outdoor Living Space

Amelia Desimone November 2, 2021

Decorating Tips for Your Outdoor Living Space Design and construction are over, the dust has settled (and been cleaned up), and now you’re ready to ‘ice the cake.’ Translation: It’s…

Construction Business

How to Secure a Building Permit for Your Deck

Amelia Desimone November 2, 2021

How to Secure a Building Permit for Your Deck If you’re considering adding any kind of new structure to your home, the idea of dealing with local authorities (aka bureaucracies)…

Contractor Services

What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Deck

Amelia Desimone November 2, 2021

What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Deck If you’re a parent like me, you’re probably at least familiar with the book “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” This book…

Construction Business

Which Outdoor Material is Best for Your Home?

Amelia Desimone November 1, 2021

Which Outdoor Material is Best for Your Virginia Home? We get a lot of questions from customers who are adding on a new custom deck, screened-in porch, stone patio, or…

Contractor Services

Choosing the Right Contractor for Your Deck

Amelia Desimone November 1, 2021

Choosing the Right Contractor for Your Deck How often do you hear about people having negative experiences when it comes to the design or construction of their new backyard deck,…

5 Minute, 3 Step, Easy, Mess Free, Easter Eggs!

Let’s be honest. It has been a doozy of year! Last Easter who would have thought we would still find ourselves socially distancing in a global pandemic? Yet here we are. So it’s time to have a little fun while spending time outdoors. TikTok has become the source of fun life hacks and we have been, ahem, dying to try this one. Here is a super fun and easy way to get outside, enjoy some fresh air and dye some Easter eggs without the usual hassle and mess! This fun, new technique is so fast and easy. Plus no fear of spillage! Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started:Step 1: Grab a carton of hard boiled eggs, Ziploc bags, rice and food coloring. Step 2: Divide the rice into Ziploc bags and then add a few drops of food coloring. Next drop in an egg. Step 3: SHAKE! Just make sure you close the top of the Ziploc first. For additional ease in clean up, grab a cute spring-themed vinyl table cloth. We got ours from Walmart for about $3 because you can just wipe off the table cloth afterwards and it will protect your patio, porch or deck. You could get a few tablecloths and lay them 6 feet apart. This is a safe and fun way to get together. Tag us in a photo of you enjoying your patio or outdoor space and let us know how your eggs turned out! Link to the original video by Celena Kinsey: https://www.tiktok.com/@celenakinsey/video/6942588293112466693 The post 5 Minute, 3 Step, Easy, Mess Free, Easter Eggs! appeared first on Core Outdoor. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.ramhouston.net/?p=123
5 Big Considerations Before You Build That Deck

5 Big Considerations Before You Build That DeckSo you’re all set to add a new custom deck or replace that aging wooden one that’s giving your home an unflattering reputation in the neighborhood and hindering your outdoor living fun. What are the key issues you should consider before signing up for a custom-designed deck? Based on our 5-star reputation designing and building decks for nearly 30 years, here are the top 5 issues to consider:.fusion-accordian #accordion-1141-1 .panel-title a .fa-fusion-box{ color: #ffffff;}.fusion-accordian #accordion-1141-1 .panel-title a .fa-fusion-box:before{ font-size: 8px; width: 8px;}.fusion-accordian #accordion-1141-1 .panel-title a{font-size:18px;}.fusion-accordian #accordion-1141-1 .fa-fusion-box { background-color: #333333;border-color: #333333;}.fusion-accordian #accordion-1141-1 .panel-title a:hover, #accordion-1141-1 .fusion-toggle-boxed-mode:hover .panel-title a { color: #de6e1f;}.fusion-accordian #accordion-1141-1 .panel-title .active .fa-fusion-box,.fusion-accordian #accordion-1141-1 .panel-title a:hover .fa-fusion-box { background-color: #de6e1f!important;border-color: #de6e1f!important;}#1 – Price Let’s not beat around the bush: price is the first question just about everyone asks. It’s the first line item folks turn to when they receive a proposal, and (wisely or not) it’s often what makes or breaks a deal. So let’s talk about price for a moment. When it comes to the cost of a deck, we’re pretty big on the Goldilocks principle, meaning you don’t want to go with the cheapest proposal and you probably don’t want to go with the most expensive either (unless there’s a ton of customization involved, but that’s a different story). Take a drive around just about any neighborhood and you’ll find cheap – er, inexpensive – decks. How do you know they’re cheap?The contractor used nails instead of screws, which means after a full calendar year of freezes, thaws, rain, heat, and more rain, the boards already are starting to loosen.Like a bad haircut or poor-fitting suit, the deck’s design doesn’t work well with the house. This would adversely impact the resale value of the home as well.They’re made of wood (often cheap wood) resulting in premature weathering and a costly (so much for those initial savings) never-ending need to apply sealant.Non-uniform gaps, crazy angles, and other unorthodox modes of construction, telling you a contract-for-hire work crew built the deck rather than a true outdoor living craftsman. The key here is to find a price that works with your budget and ensures you will be adding an attractive, high-quality deck to your home that will last for years and maintain (or even increase) the value of your home.#2 – Construction Practices You’ve decided to have that surgery you’ve been putting off and have a few choices. Do you make your decision based on the track record and expertise of the surgeon or photographs of the hospital’s operating room? In our experience, one of the smartest things a homeowner can do is focus at least as much on how a design is to be implemented as the design itself. Yes, everyone loves looking at beautiful images of decks, but it’s in the actual build that the true character of that design will be brought to life. A simple example: remember we mentioned using screws rather than nails? Most deck builders, particularly the cheaper guys, use nails. Nails are perfectly fine for things like internal home framing for the simple reason that they’ll never be exposed to the weather. Decks, on the other hand, take a meteorological beating and nails will corrode faster and start to lose their grip. (Don’t just take our word for it.) So take some time and quiz your contractor on construction practices and habits. The craftsmen of the bunch have mastered the art of deck building.#3 – Design Now for the fun stuff. Our era of social media means homeowners can dreamily scan endless deck photos and designs on Pinterest, Houzz, Facebook, and Instagram in addition to vendor websites. Who doesn’t get excited about envisioning Bill Gates’s deck added to their home? (Bill Gates does have a deck, doesn’t he?) But that’s the thing about design: you need to ensure the design works with your home and your outdoor living space. The key here is to find a design that:Creates a natural complement to your home’s own designEmploys materials that work nicely with your home and its surroundingsAccommodates all of your family’s outdoor needs #4 – Timing Many of our customers ask us how we’re able to compete on price with lower-cost deck builders. Our answer: we only employ true craftsman. We understand how to design and build a deck with proven techniques that save our time and the homeowner’s money. Find a contractor who builds quality decks at a timely, dependable pace.#5 – Professionalism One of our neighbors recently had new siding adding to their home. Each morning and evening as we walked the dog we were able to monitor the progress of the work. What stood out most was something few homeowners consider asking about: the overall behavior of the workers on their properties. In this instance, the contractors left a disaster in their wake every day, leaving the lawn littered with scrap materials, construction equipment, and even leftovers from their lunches. Contractors are like temporary visitors, occupying a part of a family’s lives while they’re there to perform their work. Find a contractor who respects your property and lifestyle as much as you do.We hope these tips are useful in your quest for a new deck!.fusion-button.button-1 .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1 i {color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-1 .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-1:hover .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1:hover i,.fusion-button.button-1:focus .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1:focus i,.fusion-button.button-1:active .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-1:active{color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-1:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-1:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-1:active .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-1:hover, .fusion-button.button-1:focus, .fusion-button.button-1:active{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-1 {border-color:#ffffff;border-radius:0px;}.fusion-button.button-1{background: #f26e27;}.fusion-button.button-1:hover,.button-1:focus,.fusion-button.button-1:active{background: #fcc300;}.fusion-button.button-1 .fusion-button-text {text-transform:uppercase;}Back to Blog The post 5 Big Considerations Before You Build That Deck appeared first on Core Outdoor.
Deck or Patio?

Deck or Patio for Nothern Virginia Homes — Which is Better?If you have a low-to-ground exit at the rear of your home, chances are that you have an old ground-level deck hovering over your rear property. Popular for decades, these decks were the norm for creating an outdoor living space. When it’s time to replace, however, you may be wondering whether a custom deck or stone patio is the best choice. People ask us this all the time, and we explain the numerous advantages of a patio versus a ground-level deck. First off, wood does not like near-ground or in-ground contact. This encourages rot and mildew to build up. It also traps moisture that permeates through the deck surface and sits near the foundation, looking for ways to enter your basement. Patios, on the other hand, are sloped just a fraction to allow moisture to follow gravity away from your home. Also, masonry patios are less expensive than decks in most cases, and especially in comparison to higher-end composite decks. Patios usually require no building permits and have no zoning setback restrictions, whereas all decks do. Also, patios require much less maintenance and cleaning over their lifetime when compared with ground-contact decks. When underground utilities exist, patios have a major advantage over decks. Paver patios, in particular, make it easy to access buried utilities by digging up and repairing affected patio areas. Low-elevation decks, on the other hand, most likely need to be destroyed to repair any problems underneath. Masonry patios are also hot-tub ready–unlike a deck, these patios require no additional foundation modifications. You can just drop a hot tub wherever you want on the surface. The same goes for the ever-popular fire pits which work well with patios but not with decks. Finally, there is the popularity factor. With the advances in masonry materials along with the reductions in price, patios have become increasingly popular over the past few years. So if you’re planning to sell down the road, you will receive a much better ROI for a well-constructed patio than a ground-contact deck (not to mention more enjoyment along the way). Choosing the right surface may take some planning, but there’s a good chance a patio will be the best choice when you consider cost, flexibility, and long-term performance..fusion-button.button-2 .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-2 i {color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-2 .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-2:hover .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-2:hover i,.fusion-button.button-2:focus .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-2:focus i,.fusion-button.button-2:active .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-2:active{color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-2:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-2:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-2:active .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-2:hover, .fusion-button.button-2:focus, .fusion-button.button-2:active{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-2 {border-color:#ffffff;border-radius:0px;}.fusion-button.button-2{background: #f26e27;}.fusion-button.button-2:hover,.button-2:focus,.fusion-button.button-2:active{background: #fcc300;}.fusion-button.button-2 .fusion-button-text {text-transform:uppercase;}Back to Blog The post Deck or Patio? appeared first on Core Outdoor.
Should Your Deck, Porch or Pavilion Pop or Flow?

Should Your Virginia Deck, Porch, or Pavilion Pop or Flow?When it comes to your new deck, porch or pavilion, should it pop or flow? That may sound like a funny question, but it’s actually an important one. After all, every custom-designed composite deck, wooden deck, screened-in porch, or pavilion we’ve built over the past 20 years has either included a unique blend of color combinations (i.e., Pop) or followed a more uniform design (i.e., Flow). It all depends on your personal sense of style, of course, and we remind clients there is no right or wrong answer. But we understand the confusion, so let’s dig into the topic more thoroughly. Typically, decks and screen porches come in one of two design styles. The first and most common design is where the floor is one color and the railing and trim are white. The school of thought here is to keep both the horizontal and vertical colors consistent and let the adjacency of the two create an appealing contrast. The second and less common design is where the entire structure is a uniform color. The flooring, railing, and trim components all draw from the same color palette. While these are the two most prevalent designs, you don’t have to be handcuffed by them. You can deviate as heavily or minutely as you please, and we can help you break it all down to identify what design works best for you. For example, you can preserve the railing post and trim in white, and introduce a colored post cap to match the floor. Some clients go gaga over this look, while others find it less appealing. Another option is that the railing can be one color while the pickets (technically called the balusters) can be a different color. This is a bold choice that appeals very deeply to some people. The key is knowing which colors work best together. A less common but potentially stunning idea is to introduce a third material, such as matte-black or antique-bronze railing, with white trim and a third color for the floor. It is unusual and risky to mix three colors of composite into one deck railing, trim, and floor package, but it can work to great effect. You just need to choose carefully. A major factor in this decision process is your existing home colors. We want your outdoor living space to blend harmoniously with your home, so we consider this oft-overlooked aspect during every design session. Two-color combinations that don’t involve white can be fantastic choices. Darks and light browns work great together. Black with mostly-dark composite colors such as redwood, cedar, walnut or teak also looks great. We calibrate our advice by observing your home, landscape, and individual tastes. We also listen carefully to you and integrate all of these factors with current trends as well as the feedback we’ve heard from hundreds of clients, designers, real estate agents, and partners over the past 21 years. None of that amounts to anything, though, unless you’re thrilled each time you step onto your new deck or screen porch that was designed with you in mind. This is why we’ll review photos with you and offer to take you on a tour of our completed projects in your area. We also have access to several showrooms where you can see the materials and combinations firsthand. Once we figure out what you like, we’ll leave you with samples so you can play around with different combinations. We never rush you or try to force our sense of style on you. This is important stuff, so we give you the tools and information you need to make the best decisions for you. With a little time and diligence, you’ll be rewarded with many years of pleasure in your outdoor living space..fusion-button.button-3 .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-3 i {color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-3 .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-3:hover .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-3:hover i,.fusion-button.button-3:focus .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-3:focus i,.fusion-button.button-3:active .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-3:active{color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-3:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-3:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-3:active .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-3:hover, .fusion-button.button-3:focus, .fusion-button.button-3:active{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-3 {border-color:#ffffff;border-radius:0px;}.fusion-button.button-3{background: #f26e27;}.fusion-button.button-3:hover,.button-3:focus,.fusion-button.button-3:active{background: #fcc300;}.fusion-button.button-3 .fusion-button-text {text-transform:uppercase;}Back to Blog The post Should Your Deck, Porch or Pavilion Pop or Flow? appeared first on Core Outdoor. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.ramhouston.net/?p=114
The Importance of Contractor Transparency

The Importance of Contractor TransparencyIt is an unfortunate side effect of being in the outdoor living business that far too many companies behave unscrupulously, giving the rest of us a bad name. Fortunately, there are a few traits you can use to identify the deck, screened porch, and patio contractors with which you do – and do not – wish to work. In this post, I’ll discuss just one: transparency. Case in point: Like most men I know, I do not enjoy clothes shopping. As a result, I’ve developed the following 3-step process: 1) Once a year, I find a pair of pants and a shirt that I like. 2) I buy three of each color. 3) Bam! I’m good until next year. This year, I went shopping with my 11-year-old son, and the clothing store did something that made me really uncomfortable. The cash register’s display didn’t show my purchases as the cashier rang them up. Instead, the display kept scrolling to remind me to “Have a Great Day!” I quietly pointed this out to my son and asked him why he thought the store wasn’t showing us our purchases. He off-handedly said, “They don’t want us to know if they make a mistake.” As I wiped a tear of joy from my eye, I told him that I agreed with him. My wife and I have tried to help our children become educated consumers, and this was a parental high-point! Next thing I knew, the cash register’s display had changed and it was now showing our purchases. I looked up and the cashier had a sly grin on her face. She had obviously overheard me and had hit a button to change the display. Apparently, she didn’t like the store’s anti-consumer policy either. Now, what in the heck does this have to do with decks, screened porches, and patios? Well, it reminded me of something we do that is highly pro-consumer. Whenever there is a change to our proposals, contracts, invoices, etc., we always highlight those changes in bold-orange and point them out to our clients. We do this to ensure that everyone knows exactly what is happening along with any financial impacts. If there is any concern about a change, we want to know upfront. We dislike the typical contractor behavior of grouping changes at the end of a project and then pressuring clients into paying up to avoid a conflict. We want our clients to be completely comfortable each step of the way. If there is a concern, we want to know immediately so we can work together to resolve it. We sometimes make mistakes, and the only way we can fix it is when it’s pointed out to us. Like any healthy relationship, the key to success is communication. Everyone at Core Outdoor is also a consumer, and we want each of our employees to be proud of our pro-consumer policies. Most importantly, I want my son to know that I followed the golden rule by treating our clients the way I wanted to be treated. Happy shopping!.fusion-button.button-4 .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-4 i {color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-4 .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-4:hover .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-4:hover i,.fusion-button.button-4:focus .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-4:focus i,.fusion-button.button-4:active .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-4:active{color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-4:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-4:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-4:active .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-4:hover, .fusion-button.button-4:focus, .fusion-button.button-4:active{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-4 {border-color:#ffffff;border-radius:0px;}.fusion-button.button-4{background: #f26e27;}.fusion-button.button-4:hover,.button-4:focus,.fusion-button.button-4:active{background: #fcc300;}.fusion-button.button-4 .fusion-button-text {text-transform:uppercase;}Back to Blog The post The Importance of Contractor Transparency appeared first on Core Outdoor.
Decorating Tips for Your Outdoor Living Space

Decorating Tips for Your Outdoor Living SpaceDesign and construction are over, the dust has settled (and been cleaned up), and now you’re ready to ‘ice the cake.’ Translation: It’s time to make that custom deck, screened porch, or stone patio really shine. In this post, we’ll offer you some decorating tips from the pros on how best to jazz up your outdoor living space. Decorating your outdoor living space can be fun by following a few simple tips. You don’t have to spend much money or time to personalize your deck, porch, or patio. You just need to provide a comfortable experience for family, friends, and yourself! Here are a few ideas to get you started:Arrange conversational areas similar to an indoor living room by clustering seating around a focal point like a sofa, chairs and coffee tablePlace different candles and votives around the spaceConsider outdoor lamps and outdoor heater lamps with washable shades (we are happy to recommend some of our favorite models)String lights wherever you can: along the top of a deck, at the edges of a table umbrella, at the wall/ceiling line of your screen porch, etc. Lighting creates warmth and ambiance which is key to bringing comfort to your outdoor spaceFind furnishings with an indoor feel that can be left outdoors like overstuffed, comfy sofas, chairs made of all-weather materials, drainable cushions, and water-resistant pillowsWhen it comes to ceiling fans, our clients universally tell us that dark colors are best—black oil-rubbed bronze, espresso—regardless of the ceiling colorAccessories and pillows give you a chance to add color and contrastIndoor/outdoor rugs are key to soften the floor area of your screen porch or deckCoffee tables and dining tables that have a built-in fire pit or cooler area for drinks are a bonus for entertainingMulti-functioning pieces of furniture will help save space–coffee tables that have storage areas underneath are a great place to store cushions and pillowsAdd a splash of color by filling planters with colorful seasonal blooms or greens Decorating your new space can seem a bit overwhelming until you break it down into simple steps. Keep in mind that you don’t need to do it all at once. You can start with a few pieces of furniture and build over time. By adding your personal touch, you can enjoy many years of happy memories on your deck, porch, or patio. Happy decorating!.fusion-button.button-5 .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-5 i {color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-5 .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-5:hover .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-5:hover i,.fusion-button.button-5:focus .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-5:focus i,.fusion-button.button-5:active .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-5:active{color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-5:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-5:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-5:active .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-5:hover, .fusion-button.button-5:focus, .fusion-button.button-5:active{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-5 {border-color:#ffffff;border-radius:0px;}.fusion-button.button-5{background: #f26e27;}.fusion-button.button-5:hover,.button-5:focus,.fusion-button.button-5:active{background: #fcc300;}.fusion-button.button-5 .fusion-button-text {text-transform:uppercase;}Back to Blog The post Decorating Tips for Your Outdoor Living Space appeared first on Core Outdoor. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.ramhouston.net/?p=108
How to Secure a Building Permit for Your Deck

How to Secure a Building Permit for Your DeckIf you’re considering adding any kind of new structure to your home, the idea of dealing with local authorities (aka bureaucracies) can be intimidating. The good news: once you know the secrets, it’s not nearly as intimidating as you might think. In this series, I’ll show you how to secure a building permit for your deck, porch or patio in Northern Virginia. I’m called the Permit Queen around here because I spend a lot of my time mastering the art of the deal, and believe me, there’s an art (and science) to it. There will always be gray areas, largely because every county, processor, and project is unique and ever-changing. However, experience has taught me how to reduce the amount of time, frustration, and risk associated with achieving the ultimate prize: an approved building permit. There is too much information to share in one blog, so today I’ll focus on the first step: understanding why permits are necessary. The overarching purpose is safety. According to one Fairfax County inspector, for example, poorly-constructed outdoor living structures are the number two cause of injuries to adults in the state of Virginia (automobile accidents are number one). As a result, the counties want to ensure that decks, screen porches, pavilions, pergolas, etc., are built to exacting standards that will endure for 20 years or more. As you might imagine, last year’s earthquake that was felt in Northern Virginia only heightened this sense of urgency for the counties. The second reason that building permits are necessary is to ensure that you adhere to the zoning requirements for your property. Every outdoor living structure has rules about how far back it must be from your property lines (i.e., setbacks). Roofed structures like a porch, screen porch, pavilion, pergola, garage, etc., have more stringent setback requirements than non-roofed structures like decks, patios, fireplaces, built-in grills, and so forth. If you build one of these structures without the proper setback, it could lead to expensive remedies (a modification at best, and a tear-down and rebuild at worst). The third reason for a permit is to ensure that you aren’t violating any easements associated with your property. You would be surprised to know how many homes in Northern Virginia have been designated as flood zones, have county sewage systems running through them, or have nature-preserve building restrictions (not to mention the importance of building too closely to privately-owned septic systems). Another important zoning consideration, especially in Alexandria and Arlington, is the presence of the lot-coverage rules that dictate how much of your property you can cover with certain types of materials.b When homeowners and contractors fail to secure building permits, they are taking significant risks with regard to safety, zoning, and easements. The building permits themselves are not very expensive, but the process of securing them can be somewhat time-consuming. However, this short-term investment will pay huge dividends by enabling you to relax and fully enjoy your properly-constructed outdoor living space for many years! Now that you have a good idea of why building permits are necessary, I’ll discuss the next step in Part 2: being prepared with the correct paperwork. That may make your heart race a little bit with anxiety, but it’s actually a snap once you know the secrets. Stay tuned….fusion-button.button-6 .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-6 i {color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-6 .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-6:hover .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-6:hover i,.fusion-button.button-6:focus .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-6:focus i,.fusion-button.button-6:active .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-6:active{color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-6:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-6:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-6:active .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-6:hover, .fusion-button.button-6:focus, .fusion-button.button-6:active{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-6 {border-color:#ffffff;border-radius:0px;}.fusion-button.button-6{background: #f26e27;}.fusion-button.button-6:hover,.button-6:focus,.fusion-button.button-6:active{background: #fcc300;}.fusion-button.button-6 .fusion-button-text {text-transform:uppercase;}Back to Blog The post How to Secure a Building Permit for Your Deck appeared first on Core Outdoor.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Deck

What to Expect When You’re Expecting a DeckIf you’re a parent like me, you’re probably at least familiar with the book “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” This book has helped many new parents navigate the murky waters of parenthood. So why not a guide – albeit much briefer – on what you, dear homeowner, should expect when expecting a new outdoor deck, screened-in porch, or stone patio. Our hope is to anticipate questions and concerns upfront so that our clients are prepared and excited about creating their new outdoor living space. We believe this type of open communication between our clients, project managers, and crew chiefs is essential. We can’t include the entire document here, but some of the key points are below..fusion-accordian #accordion-168-2 .panel-title a .fa-fusion-box{ color: #ffffff;}.fusion-accordian #accordion-168-2 .panel-title a .fa-fusion-box:before{ font-size: 9px; width: 9px;}.fusion-accordian #accordion-168-2 .panel-title a{font-size:18px;}.fusion-accordian #accordion-168-2 .fa-fusion-box { background-color: #333333;border-color: #333333;}.fusion-accordian #accordion-168-2 .panel-title a:hover, #accordion-168-2 .fusion-toggle-boxed-mode:hover .panel-title a { color: #de6e1f;}.fusion-accordian #accordion-168-2 .panel-title .active .fa-fusion-box,.fusion-accordian #accordion-168-2 .panel-title a:hover .fa-fusion-box { background-color: #de6e1f!important;border-color: #de6e1f!important;}Placement Please let us know where you would like us to place materials, park our vehicles, and keep our equipment. Our goal is to be as non-intrusive as possible. We all have families, so we deeply respect your need for safety and functionality. Of course, it would be ideal to have our materials, vehicles, and tools as close to the construction area as possible so we can save time and complete your project faster.Pets We all have pets that we adore, so we’re especially sensitive to their needs during construction. Your routines may be disrupted during construction, and we’d like to minimize that impact as much as possible. The first priority is to keep them secure. If you have any special needs or instructions, please let us know.Preparation Please clear the construction area of all loose items (such as furniture, grills, etc.) prior to our arrival. We’re happy to help you move any heavier items and return them once construction is complete. Our main concern is that you move anything that is delicate or sentimental. If there are bushes near the construction area that are important to you, please let us know by tying a ribbon around them.Dust We suggest that you cover or remove any items that may need protection to avoid dirt or damage. While our crew is very conscientious and will make their best efforts to keep the area tidy, the nature of this project makes dust and debris unavoidable.Noise Construction is disruptive by nature, so we will make a good amount of noise throughout construction. As we like to say, ” you need to break a few eggs to make an omelet.” You and your neighbors will hear banging, hammering, etc., on a regular basis. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. It all goes toward accomplishing your beautiful new outdoor living space.Grass Depending on the season, we recommend that you mow your grass as close to the project’s start date as possible. Routine lawn cutting will need to be put on hold during project construction. Because of the equipment and foot traffic, there will be some disturbance to your grass. We do our best to minimize this, and it should return to its original state within a few weeks of project completion.Completion Once your project is complete, we’ll review the proper maintenance steps with you. We’ll also delivery a Maintenance & Warranty binder for easy reference. The information contained in this binder will help you to enjoy your new outdoor living space for many years, and it will increase the long-term performance of your deck, porch, and patio.The above items are only a partial list of our What to Expect When You’re Expecting document. And no document is a substitute for great communications. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know right away so we can address these items sooner versus later..fusion-button.button-7 .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-7 i {color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-7 .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-7:hover .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-7:hover i,.fusion-button.button-7:focus .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-7:focus i,.fusion-button.button-7:active .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-7:active{color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-7:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-7:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-7:active .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-7:hover, .fusion-button.button-7:focus, .fusion-button.button-7:active{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-7 {border-color:#ffffff;border-radius:0px;}.fusion-button.button-7{background: #f26e27;}.fusion-button.button-7:hover,.button-7:focus,.fusion-button.button-7:active{background: #fcc300;}.fusion-button.button-7 .fusion-button-text {text-transform:uppercase;}Back to Blog The post What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Deck appeared first on Core Outdoor.
Which Outdoor Material is Best for Your Home?

Which Outdoor Material is Best for Your Virginia Home?We get a lot of questions from customers who are adding on a new custom deck, screened-in porch, stone patio, or some other outdoor living structure. A big one is the question of which outdoor material is best for a Virginia, Maryland, or DC-area home. This is important for a variety of reasons, including our area’s unique climate, the diversity of housing styles, cost, longevity, maintenance, and more. In order to determine the right materials for your project, it takes a little time to navigate the trade-offs and make a choice that balances form, function, and budget. Over the past 21 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to learning the latest innovations and to sharing this knowledge with our clients. We enjoy building with all types of materials, so we’re able to focus on what is best for you. Pressure-treated Southern pine is the standard of outdoor construction. It’s inexpensive and can last for decades, and it stays looking great with proper care and protection. Aesthetic appeal can be enhanced with higher-grade clear lumber and routed edges that deliver more of a finished furniture appeal. This material requires routine cleaning and periodic staining and/or sealing. Even with a higher level of care, pressure-treated pine will ultimately age with minor cracking, warping, and darkening of color. Mixing materials such as metal pickets can make long-term care easier and cheaper, and it helps your deck or screen porch look better for a longer time. Composite decking has been a popular upgrade for nearly 20 years. The technology has greatly improved since its inception, where earlier technology often scratched, stained, and swelled with moisture. Basic composite is a wood/plastic mix that tends to scratch easily and looks like a synthetic version of painted wood. More modern, all-plastic decking carries a higher price tag but greatly resists scratching and staining, and it also looks remarkably realistic like hardwoods. Composite decking can be used with either traditional wood railings or composite railings that greatly reduce long-term maintenance. Adding a synthetic railing will add significant materials cost to your project but should be considered to achieve lower maintenance with superior long-term performance. There are also powder-coated metal railing components that are often less expensive than composites. The third major class of decking materials consists of alternative woods and exotic hardwoods. Alternative domestics are cedar and redwood, but they’re not cost-effective choices on the east coast since they are grown in the pacific northwest. They have natural decay resistance but require the highest level of care. Exotic imports such as Ipe, Cumaru, and Brazilian Cherry have incredible fiber strength and anti-rot properties but cost more than the highest-priced composites. They are extremely elegant and a must-have for some consumers, but they do require consistent refinishing and cleaning to maintain their great beauty. No material is the perfect choice for everyone. It’s all up to your budget, upkeep expectations, and personal style. We provide pricing and detailed information for each material to help you decide. There are also numerous websites that provide quality ratings, environmental concerns, and manufacturing company reputations. A little bit of research can help you decide what material is the best match for you..fusion-button.button-8 .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-8 i {color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-8 .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-8:hover .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-8:hover i,.fusion-button.button-8:focus .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-8:focus i,.fusion-button.button-8:active .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-8:active{color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-8:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-8:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-8:active .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-8:hover, .fusion-button.button-8:focus, .fusion-button.button-8:active{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-8 {border-color:#ffffff;border-radius:0px;}.fusion-button.button-8{background: #f26e27;}.fusion-button.button-8:hover,.button-8:focus,.fusion-button.button-8:active{background: #fcc300;}.fusion-button.button-8 .fusion-button-text {text-transform:uppercase;}Back to Blog The post Which Outdoor Material is Best for Your Home? appeared first on Core Outdoor. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.ramhouston.net/?p=99
Choosing the Right Contractor for Your Deck

Choosing the Right Contractor for Your Deck How often do you hear about people having negative experiences when it comes to the design or construction of their new backyard deck, screened-in porch, stone patio, or other outdoor living structure? In this post, we’ll discuss how to choose the right deck contractor. First, you should schedule at least three estimates with highly-recommended contractors. Aside from family and friends, there are many web-based resources to assist you. Contractors can no longer hide their problems and hand you a reference list of cherry-picked clients who will sing their praises. Ratings websites such as Angie’s List, Consumer Checkbook and Yelp will help you find contractors who have a long track record of high ratings. Once appointments are made, pay close attention to who is on time, articulate, a good listener, and exhibits other qualities you seek. If the salesperson isn’t crisp and organized, you can bet the people doing the work won’t be either. When proposals arrive, you should take the time to discern between price and value. You must evaluate competing proposals based on what you’re receiving for the price, not just the price itself. It’s harder to achieve an apples-to-apples comparison than you might think because there are so many moving parts to a proposal. It’s hard enough to compare materials, design, and service, but how do you compare the all-important factor of craftsmanship? This question leads to a crucial step in your decision-making process, and one that surprisingly few clients take: go see some completed projects. Photos can be deceiving, and references can be highly subjective. When you invest a few hours to see completed projects yourself, you’ll know exactly what’s being proposed. Oftentimes, this alone will keep you from joining the legions of unhappy clients who have to live each day with their contractor-selection mistakes. If you do this and still don’t find the right contractor for you, don’t settle! There are many more qualified candidates out there, and you’ll know when you find the right one. If you take these few simple steps, you will likely become one of the elite group of clients who look forward to showing off their completed projects to others..fusion-button.button-9 .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-9 i {color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-9 .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#ffffff;}.fusion-button.button-9:hover .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-9:hover i,.fusion-button.button-9:focus .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-9:focus i,.fusion-button.button-9:active .fusion-button-text, .fusion-button.button-9:active{color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-9:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-9:hover .fusion-button-icon-divider, .fusion-button.button-9:active .fusion-button-icon-divider{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-9:hover, .fusion-button.button-9:focus, .fusion-button.button-9:active{border-color:#333333;}.fusion-button.button-9 {border-color:#ffffff;border-radius:0px;}.fusion-button.button-9{background: #f26e27;}.fusion-button.button-9:hover,.button-9:focus,.fusion-button.button-9:active{background: #fcc300;}.fusion-button.button-9 .fusion-button-text {text-transform:uppercase;}Back to Blog The post Choosing the Right Contractor for Your Deck appeared first on Core Outdoor. Did you miss our previous article… https://www.ramhouston.net/?p=96