Replies

1. 
   peteshlagor | Sep 28, 2007 08:54pm | #1

   Tell us more about this deck.  Got any pictures? What type of concrete?

    

1. 
   kshoe4 | Sep 28, 2007 09:24pm | #2

   Here's a picture of what it currently looks like.  I'm hiring a concrete contractor to do stamped concrete from the far left of the house all the way to the far right.  On both outside corners, there will be built in seating and a built in table...like what you might see at some restaurant patios.  Just looking for some ideas on how to go about this. 

1. 
   peteshlagor | Sep 28, 2007 10:46pm | #3

   Forgive me for coming across wrong, but may I suggest you rethink this.

   You have a nice house and backyard as it is.  Yeah, you could get a bit more function out of what you have planned, but...

   Take the money from the sale of this house and what you have planned on spending on this project and upgrade from there.  Do it before you mess up the resale value of this one.

   I'm suggesting it would be a better investment perspective.  And allow you to grow into the house and yard your own way.  This lot is too flat, new, and in a vinyl sub.  Buy one with some brick or stone that's on some slope and not as many nooks and crannies to build around.

   By building in what you describe, you're forcing the lot and house to do something it wasn't intended for.  And at a pretty good price.  But add that price to the value of the present house and you got a good leg up on the next one.  But in this house, it'll take some time.

   On the other hand, if you insist one this one, consider pavers.  Unless some darn good hardscape designer is involved, stamped ceement can look out of place rather than part of the whole picture.  Pavers (properly installed) will give you some breathing room for the drainage issues you have.

    

    

    

1. 
   kshoe4 | Sep 28, 2007 11:20pm | #4

   Interesting thoughts, I appreciate your honesty.  I'm curious to see if anyone else agrees. 

2. 
   Dave45 | Sep 29, 2007 12:56am | #6

   Personally, I wouldn't want permanently attached patio furniture - and I certainly wouldn't separate it at each corner of the house.  What will happen if you have a large gathering and everyone wants to sit and talk together? - lol

2. 
   runnerguy | Sep 29, 2007 12:47am | #5

   Even before I read Petesclagers reply, upon looking at the photo I thought "that  little bit of stamped concrete looks completely out of place".

   Look to using genuine materials in lieu of fake "Disney" type stuff nd you'll do much better.

    

   Runnerguy

1. 
   kshoe4 | Sep 29, 2007 05:14am | #7

   When you say genuine materials, do you mean pavers/flagstone type stuff? 

1. 
   runnerguy | Sep 29, 2007 01:43pm | #8

   Either that or even exposed aggregate concrete. At least all those materials are honest.

   Runnerguy

1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 29, 2007 02:57pm | #9

   it might be too busy.. i'd tend to think so.... and i'm not a big fan of the built-ins

   but as for stamped concrete being disney.. i think you should get out and look at current efforts

   well done stamped concrete has great looks and great durability

   i'd use stamped concrete again... in the appropriate placesMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

3. 
   Piffin | Sep 29, 2007 03:26pm | #10

   Pete might or might not be right from the investment/improvement POV. It might be a matter of taste, but the locked in place furniture idea definitely seems like a bad idea to me.

   Here is what sticks out to me though...

   I do not know what your climate is, but that flat site can make for drainage problems.

   The placememtn of all that stone next to the house suggests that it ccould be in part a drainage pan to collect water and divert it to the perimeter draiange and thence to...

   So if you replace it with hard surfaced tight to the house, you might possibly mess that up, so be sure where you are headed before you go down that road. It is always good to know just what you have to deal with first thing. I give that advise to a lot of people.

   One couple decided they wanted to reshape their front yard immediately after they bought it. They got a guy in with a small dozer and not much more sense than they had.

   A week later, they were paying the soils engineer to redesign their septic system.

    

    

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1. 
   kshoe4 | Sep 29, 2007 07:49pm | #11

   Will a licensed landscape architect be able to address all the issues I need to be concerned with?  For example, drainage, materials, design, etc.  I've never worked with one before.  If so, know any good ones? 

1. 
   Piffin | Sep 29, 2007 07:57pm | #12

   Maybe, maybe not. As will all trades and professions, there are good ones and bad ones.Of the ones I have worked with, 2/3s do pretty pictures with plantings and just make a notation for me to provide drainage. In absense of details from them, it is always the builder's liability anyways. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!