Outdoor Living Spaces in Twin Cities, Minnesota by Archadeck

Brighter days on the horizon–and good news for Twin Cities economy

John Buenneke — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:00:36 +0000

Isn’t it amazing what a couple of 40+ degree days in March will do to boost your spirits? (I would feel this way EVEN IF my Archadeck business wasn’t directly related to offering products and services used primarily during warm weather…!) The deep ruts of alley ice that have been wreaking havoc on my low-wheelbase vehicle are just about completely melted and it finally seems as though we may have reached the turning point where it appears spring will yet again triumph over Old Man Winter.

Of course, we all know the cycle of seasons is a function of Earth’s position relative to the sun during a 365 day period. Although each season has somewhat predictable averages for temperature and precipitation, significant variations can occur on a year-to-year basis. (Our friends north of the border can attest to the challenges this can bring– Olympians were trying to sled, ski and skate in 50 degree weather… )

Interestingly, our economy operates under a cyclical pattern as well, although it is much less consistent and predictable than the changing of the seasons. For many (most?) of us, the current economic “season” we are in feels like the most brutal and unforgiving winter Arctic that any of us have ever experienced.

In the same way that the worst of “seasonal” winter appears to now be behind Minnesotans, there is a glimmer of good news that the current “economic” winter is beginning to thaw in the Twin Cities as well.

Forbes.com: Cities where recession is easing article

Minneapolis / St Paul metro easing out of recession

According to a 3/3/2010 story on Forbes.com, Minneapolis / St.Paul is the 4th-highest ranked metro area in terms of its recovery out of the current recession. The 10 cities where the recession is easing all have relatively healthy housing markets and are buffeted by industries like government, defense, education and technology that can offer work even in a national slump. Forbes used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on job growth and unemployment, Moody’s Economy.com’s predictions for how much jobs would grow in three years, as well as their estimate of each metro’s Gross Domestic Product, and the median sales price for a single-family home, according to the National Association of Realtors.

So, although the economic hardship and uncertainty that has been caused by the current recession affects every household and person uniquely and personally, there DO appear to be brighter days on the horizon.

For many folks who aren’t planning a move from their current home, 2010 may in fact be a fantastic time to get going on that backyard improvement with a new deck, screened porch or other outdoor living project.

Stretch your “outdoor living” in Minnesota — there’s no time like the present

John Buenneke — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:09:58 +0000

As Minnesotans, we all seem to agree on at least 2 things about our warm weather season: 1) It’s never long enough; and 2) We are determined to squeeze every last drop of enjoyment from our comparatively short spring and summer months.

If you are considering a new deck, porch, patio or other outdoor living project and want to maximize its use this year, my only question is: What are you waiting for??? Believe it or not, many outdoor structure companies (including Archadeck) build year round. It can take a bit longer due to limitations on how effective carpenters and their tools can be when the temperature gets too low, but the majority of carpentry for framing, decking , wall construction and roof building does not require that temps are consistently above-freezing. The benefit of having a contractor start your project before spring is fully in bloom is having many aspects of your project expedited earlier in the season. The same “critical path” tasks that are part of every deck or porch project may take significantly longer if you wait even a few more weeks to get started. One example is city building departments, which are typically slammed with permit applications by mid-April. If you are able to finalize your project plan and your contractor selection by the end of March, you should be at the front of the line for having you permit reviewed and approved.

Open Gazebo addition on deck

Pergola over low deck for shade

The opportunity to “extend the season” with your outdoor living space can also come down to the types of options you choose for your specific project. For instance, although summers in Minnesota may be too short for most of us, summer days in July and August can be downright HOT in western exposure areas that have little protection from the sun. Transforming your existing deck into a “sun room” can be as simple as adding a 12′ x 12′ pergola or as transformative as recreating an entire outdoor living room with a screened-in porch or even an open gazebo structure over an existing deck. And for those Minnesotans who would like to extend their summers as long as possible into the fall season, adding removable window inserts into a screened porch can give you an extra month or two outside, especially with a little help from a space heater! There is no limit to the creativity and the willpower of Minnesotans who may not be able to change the weather where they live, but who CAN adapt how they live regardless of what the weather dishes out.

Removable window inserts on screened porch

DECK-orating Basics: 5 keys to creating your dream project

John Buenneke — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:09:59 +0000

TC Home Improvement June 2008

DECK-orating Basics pg 1

DECK-orating Basics pg 2

DECK-orating Basics pg 3

DECK-orating Basics pg 4

DECK-orating Basics pg 5

DECK-orating Basics Pg 6

One of the best articles written recently about how to determine the key elements you are looking for in a deck, porch or patio project was published in Twin Cities Home Improvement magazine in June, 2008. It lays out a basic, easy-to-understand and thorough approach for all the most important questions and considerations in your outdoor living project.

(Each page is a separate JPEG file, so the article can be printed without photo-only pages 1, 4 & 6 if you prefer.)

Spring is on its way: How safe (and sound) is my deck?

John Buenneke — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:07:21 +0000

The weather is finally starting to warm up and the piles of snow covering your deck for the last 3 months are starting to recede enough to show that your deck boards DO still exist. Upon further melting, you notice for the first time some alarming deterioration in the wood and it feels a bit shakier than you remember. You are starting to wonder how many more winters the wooden deck you’ve enjoyed for so many summers can stand. (It’s ironic how similar decks are to the Minnesotans that own them…!)

Although there are no definitive statistics tracking this, my experience in countless conversations with customers and prospects is that most have no idea when their deck/porch was constructed or what processes and materials were used to build it. Since so many decks and porches are added months or years after the original house is completed, there is typically little documentation or record left for subsequent owners of the property.

The lack of information on construction techniques, materials used and age of many decks and porches makes it even tougher for the typical homeowner to assess its soundness and safety.

Wooden deck past its prime

Of course, there are some instances when you don’t need an expert to tell you your deck is well past its prime and needs replacement for functionality, aesthetic appeal and safety.

In other instances, a relatively new and seemingly sturdy deck can take homeowners by surprise and fail structurally. The vast majority of these deck collapses occur because of an improper or inadequate fastening connection to the house wall.

Deck connection failure at house wall

There are some telltale signs of whether or not this connection was done correctly when the deck was first built, but they may not be obvious to the average homeowner. Although the odds of actually experiencing a deck failure such as this are not exceptionally high for any given homeowner, the potential consequences of such a failure are so severe that it makes sense to take necessary steps to mitigate this risk.

Archadeck Deck Inspection Form

Archadeck Deck Inspection Program flyer

As a way to help Twin Cities homeowners in this effort, Archadeck offers a Deck Inspection Program to address this need. We will send an expert to your house to do a thorough exam of any/all potential problem areas and evaluate the fundamental soundness and safety of your structure for a $99 fee. The inspection includes rating on each of the applicable items on our 38-point checklist (see below) so you can retain a physical record of our evaluation regardless of the outcome.

Call Archadeck of Minneapolis & Hennepin County at 612-861-3325 if you would like to set up a no-obligation Deck Safety Inspection this spring.

Adding a deck or porch to a home built before 1978? READ THIS!

John Buenneke — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:07:51 +0000

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, there were just slightly over 2 million housing units in the state of Minnesota in the year 2000. About 1.4 million of these units–or 70% of the total–were constructed prior to 1979. So what difference does this make if you’re planning a deck or porch project in the coming season? It means that you need to be more selective than ever when you determine which contractor to hire for your project.

Based on a new EPA rule that goes into affect in April, 2010, remodeling/renovation projects undertaken on all residential homes, day care centers and schools built before 1978 will be required to have interior and exterior paint tested for lead concentration level. If the paint is found to contain lead level higher than the acceptable limit, the new EPA rule requires all subsequent demolition/removal of materials by a contractor with EPA-certification for lead paint renovation and repair. The new federal law also requires the renovating contractor to provide the Renovate Right pamphlet (click here to download/print a copy).

In Minnesota, Archadeck was among the first residential contractors for outdoor deck and porch projects in Minnesota to be certified by the EPA to do this work.

If you are not sure on why this new law was passed or would like to learn more about the potential danger of lead-based paint in your home, click here to watch a video from NBC Today Show that provides an excellent overview.

Is a “custom” deck design necessary for my project?

John Buenneke — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:14:05 +0000

In assessing the need for a “custom” deck design for your home, there are 2 primary factors to consider: 1) Functional requirements; and 2) Your personal taste and aesthetic preferences.

From a functional standpoint, many standard deck designs (or templates) have been developed over the years and one of these may be completely appropriate and viable for the design/structure of your home and the physical construction site layout. Archadeck has created eight such modular deck designs in its Lifestyle Classics series, and each one can be adapted to fit various house sizes and incorporate different building materials, such as natural wood or TimberTech composite wood.

: Rendering of Archadeck “Newport” design

However, if you don’t find a standard design that meets your specific functional needs or simply does not lend itself for building/installation for your particular house and/or site layout, you will probably need to rely on a custom deck design for your project.

On the other side of the equation–aesthetic and personal taste–a simple way to assess whether a custom deck design is right for you is tied to how important being a trend-setter is in your purchase decisions. If you have a high expectations for “uniqueness” in the products you buy and the image you want to project, you are a prime candidate for working with a design/build deck contractor who can provide multiple options to choose from.

Archadeck has 30 years experience in the outdoor living category, so we have a well-defined and thorough process for helping customers identify their specific wants and needs for their deck project. In addition to design expertise, we can provide insight on the latest decking products and accessories from companies like TimberTech, Azek, Deckorator, and VAST Pavers.

: VAST composite deck pavers – Minneapolis

Regardless of what level of customization you elect for your deck, Archadeck has developed a needs-based customer approach that has transformed our sales force into true design consultants for our customers. Call Archadeck’sMinnesota office at 612-861-3325 to get more information or click here to schedule an online design consultation.

Screened porch or deck? 5 important considerations in Minnesota

John Buenneke — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:40:08 +0000

I recently met with a potential Archadeck customer who was having a tough time determining if they should build a deck or a screened porch on their house in a western Twin Cities suburb. Although budget was somewhat of a consideration, she was more concerned about making the right call for the needs of herself and her family today and for the future. After we discussed the pros and cons, it seemed clear that there were 5 key things (excluding price) that were central to her in this decision (roughly in order of priority).

: Twin Cities deck WITHOUT screened porch

1. Fair weather vs. All weather

The most obvious implication of choosing a screened porch over a deck is the presence of a roof. Although a screened porch doesn’t give much additional insulation against cold weather, it provides plenty of protection from rain and inclement weather in the warmer months of the year. If you are someone who likes to read a book outside with the summer rain pattering on the porch roof, an uncovered deck may not be for you.

: Same Deck WITH screened porch added

2. Pesky pests

This may not be as big a deal in other parts of the U.S., but many a pleasant summer evening in Minnesota has been entirely ruined by the arrival of a seemingly endless arsenal of our unofficial state bird, the pesky mosquito. The addition of three screened walls, a roof and screening underneath the deck floor can be the difference between summer evening splendor and an uninvited and unwanted blood-letting .

3. House design /roof tie-in considerations

This is something that many prospective porch-building customers don’t factor in until they have a professional consult with them on the project. While it is true that a roofed porch CAN be added to most styles of homes, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it SHOULD be, at least from a design and aesthetic standpoint. The roof line of your existing house, the location where the new roof would connect and the height/location of current door and window openings will greatly influence your options for a screened porch, both from integration of design and for watershed direction/flow from the various roof levels.

4. Space limitations / Ancillary usage

The specific functional needs that you and your family require for the new structure must not be overlooked. If you love to grill and entertain large groups or if you have teenagers that need a great suntanning spot for themselves and their friends, then adequate uncovered deck space must be in your project plan. This doesn’t necessarily preclude the addition of a roofed structure, but the design and budget should be developed to accommodate a “dual-use” deck + porch project.

: Dual-purpose Twin Cities deck /screened porch project

5. Longer-term needs /Potential resale

The final factor involves the future considerations for what you build on your house right now. Whether it’s due to budget or uncertainty about what your future needs will be, you will be well-served to project your most likely scenario 10 years from now for the house you currently own. This may lead you to a different decision about constructing a deck vs. a porch than if the only criteria you use are immediate in nature. (For additional information on investment payback, See Remodeling Magazine’s 2010 Cost vs.Value Report for North Central U.S.) An example of how you can “hedge your bets” to account for this future need are to build a deck with footings and framing that are designed/engineered to support the later addition of a screened porch structure if you choose to do so.

7 keys to choosing the right contractor for your new deck or porch

John Buenneke — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:53:13 +0000

So 2010 is the year you’ve decided to invest in a new Outdoor Living project for your Minnesota backyard (or front yard). Maybe you’ve identified a rough budget for the project and have some basic ideas of how this new deck or porch can address your family’s functional needs. If you’re like most Minnesotans who haven’t gone through the process of making decisions on a new Outdoor Living space recently (or ever), taking the initial step can be somewhat challenging.

One of the best ways to get the most “bang for the buck” in your effort is to identify your top criteria for choosing your project contractor. At my firm, Archadeck of Hennepin County, we try to lead customers through this upfront to assess if there is a potential fit between the customer’s needs and our capabilities. This may seem like a daunting task, but it’s an important starting point that will dictate the success of your project as it evolves. Establishing criteria for choosing a contractor helps YOU get the best value for your investment. It not only helps you prioritize the essential attributes and needs of the project in your own mind, but it also provides a checklist to determine the “fit” between your needs and the capabilities of the diverse array of Deck & Porch builders across the Twin Cities metro.

After designing/building 75,000+ outdoor living projects across the U.S. since 1980, Archadeck has established itself as the clear leader in scope and influence for the custom deck & porch building category. In the course of building tens of thousands of projects, Archadeck has gleaned insights from customers about the key things they look for when choosing a contractor and determining which company to trust with their project. This learning has been refined over time into a list of seven attributes that Archadeck has most identified as most essential in choosing a contractor.

1. EXPERIENCE. Length of time in industry. Networks established with partners/experts. Level of knowledge in product features/benefits. Access to outside expertise/resources. Commitment to training of personnel and development of new products & services.

2. PROFESSIONALISM. Adoption/integration of best practices. Commitment to service, follow-up and follow-through. Compliance with all code requirements, permitting, inspections. Developed protocols for company operations. Strong reputation / quality of firm’s “brand”

3. PROCESS. Emphasis on understanding customer’s needs. Level of detail in site survey, functionality and project viability. Ability to provide customization in design and construction. Methodology and flow for project construction. Level of customer input & involvement.

4. CUSTOM DESIGN. Creativity and experience in structural design. Access to ideas and plans internally and from external resources. Ability to translate custom design into practical construction project. Effectiveness of renderings, drawings, plans to visualize finished product.

5. CONSTRUCTION. Detailed construction standards and benchmarks. Consistent building practices that meet/exceed code requirements. Specific methodology to track and report project progress. Attention to framing and finish carpentry that integrates into existing home.

6. SAFEGUARDS. Length and type of warranty on labor and structural. Insurance coverage for contractor and carpenters. Previous customer input/referrals. Third-party business practice references. Adherence to local code requirements and inspections.

7. VALUE. Reasonableness of the price in return for 1-6 above. Ability to enhance person’s most important investment–their own home.

Hopefully this list can help YOU to determine your own priorities for your project and who you choose to build it. By investing a little time up front to think about what’s important, you will avoid headaches down the road. This will lead to the a satisfying and rewarding project building experience because you were able to identify the right contractor who best understands you needs and can uniquely deliver on them.

Decks rated as #1 home investment in Upper Midwest for 2009

John Buenneke — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:11:42 +0000

Remodeling Magazine just issued its 2010 Cost vs. Value report detailing the investment payback across 33 different types of home improvement projects over the past year. In the West North Central region–which includes all of Minnesota– the #1 project for ROI among all 33 types was installation of a natural wood Deck Addition on the home. Wooden Deck Additions returned an average 83 cents of every dollar invested within the Upper Midwest region, and placed it higher than Attic Bedroom Additions (77 cents) or Steel Entry Door Replacements (76 cents). Coming in a close fourth with a return of 73 cents was another outdoor living project, Deck Addition using Composite materials.

Custom wood deck project - AFTER

Wood deck project - BEFORE

Deck Additions in Minnesota (and the Upper Midwest), whether built with natural wood or composite materials, recouped a higher percentage of dollars in 2009 than projects with traditionally strong returns on dollars invested, like Siding Replacement and Minor Kitchen Remodeling. Better Homes & Gardens supplements this with its own survey research. An article on the BHG.com website speaks to the relative value of various remodeling projects: ”Even big projects such as a new roof, siding, or windows won’t necessarily pay off — many external projects are viewed as maintenance, not renovation. Anything that’s seen as simply keeping the elements from reaching the interior won’t add much resale value to your home.”

On the other hand, outdoor living spaces that can enhance the functionality, livability AND aesthetic appeal of a home would clearly extend beyond this definition–it’s likely a key reason for the strong payback on decks compared to other home improvement investments. In a different source of information from Better Homes & Gardens, the 2010 Next Home survey found that 68% of consumers indicated that an Outdoor Grilling/Living area was on their “wish list” for items in their next home, second only to a separate Laundry Room (85%).

If you are considering an Outdoor Living project in 2010, the above information should ease your concerns about the financial viability and soundness of a deck or other outdoor space addition you might undertake. Archadeck has been building these types of projects longer than any other national firm–30 years, so we have have the experience and creativity to build whatever fits your needs. And as the Minnesota franchisee, Archadeck of Hennepin County is one of the premier Outdoor Living space design and build firms across the Twin Cities metro. If you would like to learn more about how a deck addition or outdoor living project can be a great investment for you and your home in 2010, contact us through our website.

Got Cabin Fever? Start planning your great outdoor escape now!

John Buenneke — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:03:18 +0000

One of the great things about living in Minnesota is that we are (generally) willing embrace the outdoors BECAUSE of the weather, not in spite of it. A recent radio ad by Gander Mountain said there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate outdoor clothing. This hardy spirit and enthusiasm to take whatever Mother Nature dishes out is not only a necessity in this climate, but it also gives us a greater appreciation for our beautiful summer weather. And if you are like the vast majority of Minnesotans, you don’t want to sacrifice a single moment outdoors during our warmest months.

There is no better time while it is still frigid outside to get a jump start (pun intended) on your plans for creating a new Outdoor Living space for your home this spring. After the belt-tightening we’ve had to do during the current recession, many homeowners have put home improvement projects temporarily on hold. As the economy slowly but surely continues toward recovery in 2010, pent-up demand for many of these projects will likely open up over the next few weeks and months. If you are among those homeowners who is considering an outdoor construction project–a deck, screened porch, 3-season room or a gazebo–there is no time like the present to get started! The top design/build firms for Outdoor Living projects tend to fill their early-season schedules sooner than you might think, so it’s not too soon to begin the process of choosing a contractor for your job.

ARCHADECK BOOTH - 2009 Mpls Home & Garden Show

Archadeck and many other Outdoor Living design/build firms will be exhibiting their products and services at the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show from February 24 through February 28th at the Minneapolis Convention Center downtown. Stop by the Archadeck booth #325 in the Outdoor Living area so we can meet you and learn more about what you would like to do to transform your backyard into your own personal “Great Escape”. We’d love to share information, ideas and project photos so you can get a good sense for what our custom deck building capabilities are. And make sure you stop by and meet with the other top-notch Minneapolis, St. Paul deck/porch builders at the show– what is most important is that YOU feel comfortable with the firm you decide to hire.