NEWSROOM
6 Reasons Screen Porches Are Wonderful
As MA deck builders, we’re often asked our opinion of screen porch on the deck. We’re very pro-screen porches. We think they’re wonderful, and we think they’re wonderful for six specific reasons:
1) Screen porches provide shade. In Western MA, the summer sun can be intense. While that sounds wonderful right now, when March skies are cold and snowy, come June or July, you’re going to want a place to retreat from those rays. Some people can’t tolerate sun very well, especially if they take prescription medications that make them photosensitive. Having a screen porch means you can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about sunburn.
2) Screen porches provide privacy. Even if you’re the friendliest person in the world, there will be times you want to enjoy your outdoor living space by yourself or with your favorite people – and no one else. The screen porch defines a space that’s private yet outdoors, a very comfortable, relaxing atmosphere.
3) Screen porches keep mosquitoes and other bugs outdoors. If you’re worried about West Nile Virus, Zika, Lyme Disease, or any of the many insect-borne diseases that impact people and pets, it’s good to have a space that you can keep bug free. Screen porches provide a physical barrier that insects can’t penetrate.
4) Screen porches look cool. If you’re looking for a classic New England touch for your Framingham home, you can’t go wrong with a screen porch. The aesthetic of the screen porch can range from elegant and upscale to casual country. Let your creative deck designer know what look you’d like to have, and they’ll make it happen for you.
5) Screen porches provide a space to get away without going away. There are families who live in total harmony all of the time, without any conflicts or disagreements. For the rest of us, it’s nice to have a space to step away and collect our thoughts when things get a little tense. A screen porch is the perfect space to calm down, count to ten, and center.
6) Screen porches are the perfect setting for ‘date night’. When the kids are sleeping and you want to reconnect with your sweetheart, the screen porch is a convenient getaway. Light a few candles, put on some music, and enjoy each other’s company. Try it once and you may be hooked on screen porches for life.
Did This Winter Wreck Your Deck?
Boy, we’ve had some wild winter weather out here in Western Massachusetts. A combination of wind, snow, and ice has caused a lot of damage to local homes. Trees have fallen, power lines were pulled down, and everyone’s more than ready for spring to arrive.
If your deck’s taken the brunt of winter’s wrath, the time to start planning deck repairs or deck replacement is now. If you’re content with what your deck looked like and how it functioned, your MA deck builder can certainly provide the needed repairs to return it to its pre-winter state. If you’ve been thinking about improving or upgrading your deck, an opportunity has just presented itself to you to explore your creative deck design options.
Creative deck design means creating a deck or patio that enhances your home’s appearance and the amount of joy and happiness you get from your home. Every family is different, so the elements of a deck that creates happiness varies. For the social family that loves to entertain, having plenty of seating, an outdoor kitchen, and a fire feature to gather around all make sense. If you have small children, you may want your deck to include a screen porch area to provide shade and security. Does your family love plants and flowers? Creative deck design in MA often includes built in planters that make it fun and easy to garden.
Another factor to think about when planning your new deck is durability. We’re not even finished cleaning up from the most recent storm, and another one is in the forecast. Wooden decks are really being tested by this steady bombardment of snow and ice. When everything melts, wooden decks are particularly vulnerable to water damage, mildew and rot. Choosing to have your new deck built of composite materials or PVC decking means you’ll have better protection from the elements next winter!
What Kind of Fun Can You Have in a Sunroom
Imagine a space devoted to making your family’s life better. That’s what a sunroom is. Everything about a sunroom is a positive when viewed in terms of happiness: you get extra room, there’s lots of natural light, and the perfect combination for outdoor living of nature’s beauty and a private space.
Sunrooms are ideal for hanging out. Toss some comfortable furniture, a few plants, some relaxing music, and you’ve got a great setting for life’s precious moments – the time you spend with your kids, talking about the most ordinary things, is absolutely priceless in retrospect. Spend time with your special someone in the sunroom, or enjoy your own company. It’s nice to curl up with a book and ignore the world for a while. A sunroom gives the kids a place to play that’s safe and sunny; in a more formal room, the sunroom provides a more casual, relaxed space.
You can play cards in a sunroom. You can play music in a sunroom – if you haven’t exactly mastered your guitar just yet, don’t sweat it; the sunroom is a great place to practice. If you like to paint or draw or create any kind of art, a sunroom is a great place to work. With strategic placement of screens, you can play video games in a sunroom. Some families choose to make the sunroom a device-free zone; others do the total opposite. Play is important. It is good for a family to have a place to play.
In Massachusetts, sunrooms are special because they make it possible to enjoy the outdoors without having to actually go outdoors. There are days when it is definitely too stormy to play outside – but the kids can still have fun in the sunroom watching the rain pouring from the sky or the snowflakes swirling to the ground. Truth be told, sometimes the big kids enjoy that too. At night, you can see the moon and stars from the sunroom, which is good to know if you’re interested in astronomy or romance.
Who’s Ready for a Deck Party?
With the Super Bowl and Daytona 500 both behind us, it’s time to find another reason to have a party. Getting together with family, friends and your other favorite people is one of life’s finest pleasures. Having a great deck means you have space for entertaining. The arrival of spring weather is a great reason to celebrate.
To have an awesome deck party, you need to keep the three s’s in mind: safety, seating and snacks. Deck parties don’t have to be complicated. You need a simple reason, like “Hey, it’s nice enough to enjoy the deck!” and you’re good to go. Let’s take a look at the three essentials:
S is for Safety: If you’re going to be entertaining people on your deck, you want to be sure the deck is in good shape. This means no loose boards for people to trip on, no broken or uneven porch steps, and no missing or broken railings. If you have any issues your deck’s safety, talk to your Framingham MA deck designers – they can take care of any repairs you need, and if it’s time for a deck upgrade, make that happen too.
S is for Seating: Your guests are going to need a place to sit during your awesome deck party. Patio furniture is one option. You can also have your deck designer create integrated seating for you, with built in benches and other comfy sitting spots for guests. Some custom seating features can be child sized, which is great news if your family and friends group includes lots of little ones.
S is for Snacks: Part of the fine of being outdoors is eating outdoors. You can’t go wrong with a classic like burgers cooked on the grill. Many families like to take things to the next level with an outdoor kitchen. Choose the menu you find most appealing. Making food safety simple – outdoor kitchens often contain mini fridges or a strategic space for coolers.
Outdoor Living Top Trend in the Sometimes Chilly Northeast: Why?
As deck contractors in Metrowest MA, we pay a lot of attention to the outdoor living trends we think will be of interest to local homeowners. Being in a cold climate -it’s February when we’re writing these words, and believe us, it’s definitely on the chilly side – does little to impact the enthusiasm area residents have for outdoor living. In addition to creative decks and patios, we’ve seen increasing numbers of requests for more complex outdoor living features, including things like outdoor kitchens and fire features. Making these features usable and enjoyable throughout most of the year is the creative deck designer‘s challenge, but the results are well worth it.
For a moment, stop and think about why you chose a home in the Metrowest area. Proximity to work may be a reason – it’s nice to commute to Boston and live somewhere more affordable – but there’s no denying that this is one of the most beautiful regions in the country. Once winter snows slip away, spring roars to life with lush greenery and flowers everywhere. Summer brings us dazzling blue skies and the fun sounds of kids playing all over the neighborhood. When fall arrives, it’s a festival of color. Why miss a minute, when you can enjoy it all from the comfort of your own home.
It turns out that being outside has some serious health benefits as well. Simply being out in nature has been proven to increase brain activity and boost energy levels. The sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D, which plays a huge role in countering seasonal affective disorder, a common form of winter time depression.
What to do about the cold? Fire features aren’t the only form of deck heating available. Heating and lighting can be integrated into your creative deck design. Additionally, consider the appeal of hybrid spaces that blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor living. Sunrooms are a great way to get four seasons of enjoyment from your home.