Creative Decks

Your Outdoor Living Specialist

"Design Drawings and Construction Plans"

Framingham, MA

508-877-1060

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Everything Old is New Again: 2017 Porch Design Trends You’ll See in Metrowest MA

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Colorful, big and bold defines porch design trends for 2017. The Hygge trend and desire to enjoy the comforts of one’s home have had a direct impact on porch construction. Expect to see decks and porches getting bigger, as families realize they really enjoy using their outdoor living space. 8 feet wide is large enough to realistically contain seating or dining for a family; porches that run the entire length of the home are making a comeback.

Many of the porches we build in the Metrowest area require porch steps or a ramp to be added to the porch. That brings us to the next part of the porch design conversation: color. Perhaps it’s a widespread hunger for cheer; perhaps it’s because people smile when they’re exposed to bright color – either way, it’s very common for current porch designs to include one or more bold color elements. Composite and PVC decking is available in a variety of colors, which means you can do some really fun things design wise without increasing your budget.

What’s nice about colored composite decking is that the color stays strong and true for decades and you never have to worry about it fading. With traditional wooden decking, plan on painting or restaining the deck periodically to keep colors bright and bold.

Columns, rails, and other porch elements are being designed in bigger, bolder shapes. Work with your porch construction company to choose the right size elements. You don’t have to go dramatically larger to create an outsized impression: simply scaling a column up from a 4X4 to a 6X6 can be very impactful. Columns, rails and other porch elements can be created in the same color as the porch for a monotone look, or in a contrasting shade for increased visual interest.

 

Exciting Entrance way Designs In Framingham MA

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“When you talk about boosting the curb appeal on an older home, the first advice is to paint the front door,” Ryan said. “I get it: changing the color of the door can create visual interest and is a relatively affordable way to spruce things up. But I don’t want just a little pop. I want the entrance way to our Framingham home to really set the entire tone of our residence.  When you see our entrance way, you should know that we’re a family that cares about details. We’re a family that cares about design.”

As custom deck builders in Framingham, there’s nothing we enjoy more than working with homeowners who have a vision for their home. Transforming dreams into reality is what we do best. Entrance way design is so much more than front door selection: constructing a front deck and stairs that grant graceful, inviting access to the home is job number one. The tone of home can be formal, quirky, or casual: deck designs range from classic traditional lines that evoke New England grandeur to family friendly spaces that invite visitors to relax and spend time chatting.

Stone veneers for the home’s exterior is an increasingly popular trend in the Framingham MA area, and we’ve found that this natural look pairs incredibly well with composite decking for the entrance way. There’s a few reasons for this, but the one we’d like to focus on first is how composite decking resists wear and damage caused by moisture. Stone veneers tend to chill and warm at a different rate than the rest of the home’s structure; this can result in dripping and pooling water that forms subsequent to changes in the weather. If that water accumulates on traditional wooden decking, problems with rot, mold and mildew can result. Composite decking resists all water damage, which makes it the best choice for your exciting entrance way in Framingham, MA.

Have The Cutest Front Steps in Framingham

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Pinterest and Instagram abound with images of cute front steps. Many of those ideas focus on things you put on your steps, from whimsical planters to lighting, but let’s take a moment to talk about the actual steps. Your front steps serve as the entrance way to your home. Everyone sees them from the road, making them a vital part of your home’s curb appeal. Great front steps are visually appealing, as well as fully functional.

As Framingham custom deck builders, we build a lot of front steps. We strongly recommend having your front steps built using either composite or PVC decking: these green materials are extremely durable, making them suitable for the high traffic area. Choosing composite decking for your front steps means you never have to worry about insect damage – termites, carpenter ants, and other bugs just aren’t interested in this stuff. Added bonus? Composite and PVC front steps resist mold and mildew growth. Good news if anyone has allergies!

Color is a huge consideration when creating your front steps. There are so many options, from the bright and cheerful to traditional subdued shades. Porch and entranceways are an area where many Framingham homeowners are more comfortable with bold color: a small, bright pop of color can attract the eye and put a smile on your visitors’ faces!

From a design perspective, you want front steps that are steady and easy to climb. Wide treads are particularly smart choice for families with small children or anyone with mobility or balance issues. Rails can be installed along the sides as well as down the middle of the staircase. Rails can also be made of PVC or composite to keep your maintenance workload to an absolute minimum: all it takes is a periodic spray from the hose to keep your porch looking great.

 

Can You Have a Three-Season Deck in Framingham MA?

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“Summers here are glorious and short,” Angie, who owns a home in the Framingham area, loves to entertain. “Our yard is just the perfect backdrop for the fall – when the leaves change color, it’s gorgeous. I want to host a harvest season barbecue, but I worry it’s going to be too cold to do much outdoors.”

As Framingham deck builders, we’re definitely see an increase in the number of people who want to make sure their decks stay comfortable when the temperature drops. Heating decks was identified as a cutting edge deck trend for 2017 by building professionals: top choices include deck designs that accommodate ceramic heater installation or built in fire pits.

“I had never really thought about having a fire pit built into our deck before, but when our builder suggested it, I fell in love with the idea instantly. It’s so fun for the kids – they can toast marshmallows! And it’s good for them to get at least some fresh air, which is hard to do when the days get short in the fall. Once bedtime happens?” Angie laughed. “It turns out adults like to toast marshmallows too – although we might have a glass of wine with our s’mores!”

Along with heating, adding lighting to decks is a popular trend in Framingham. “This really turned out to be an opportunity to add some personal style and do some creative deck design,” Angie said. “There are so many different ways to add lighting to your deck, and our deck builders came to us with many exciting suggestions. We looked those over and thought through what would work best for our family. Now that the lighting’s in place, I have to say it’s one feature of our custom built deck that really gets a lot of compliments: the lighting is bright without being harsh, and it creates a warm, welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable gathering.”

Metrowest Home: Creative Decks Boost Curb Appeal

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If you’ve ever watched HGTV, you’ve heard about curb appeal. Curb appeal refers to how your home looks to people passing by. The more attractive your home is, the greater the curb appeal. Just as society judges people by their appearance, they assess real estate, especially in pricey markets like Massachusetts’ Metrowest area. The nicer looking you are, the more people like you. If the exterior of the home is comparable to a person’s face, a creative deck is like a winning smile.

Deck design has definitely evolved over the course of time. One of the most important innovations has been the introduction on new decking materials, including PVC decking and composite decking. Not only are these building materials planet friendly and long lasting, but they come in a variety of colors and finishes that allow the Metrowest homeowner to really flex their creative muscles.

Home experts agree that the best creative deck designs combine smart building principles with personal preferences. This means if a family really loves entertaining and cooking out, their deck design should incorporate enough room for both. Choose a color that complements your home’s exterior. Classic choices are wood look finishes, classic black, and shades of green and rustic reds.

Accessibility is a key component of creative deck design. Some Metrowest decks include wide, broad steps with railings that are great for active families with small children. Ramps are fantastic for anyone with mobility challenges, including those who need a wheelchair accessible deck. Decks must be accessible from inside the home as well. Your Metrowest deck builder can work with you to integrate sliding glass doors, patio doors, or other entranceway options into your plan.

When searching for someone to build your creative deck, ask to see examples of other decks they’ve built. Test their curb appeal for yourself! It’s a good way to find the builder that’s right for you.

Framingham Home: Creative Deck Designs

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One of the things that makes Framingham MA unique is the amount of pride homeowners take in their property’s looks. Curb appeal is a big deal, and lots of families go above and beyond to ensure their homes look attractive and inviting.

Decks are the ornament of a home’s facade. Each home has its own unique style and look. Good deck design complements the look of the home; creative deck design enhances it. By combining solid design principles and construction best practices, we’ve been building some of Framingham’s favorite decks for a while now.  Here’s what we’ve learned local families really love:

  1. A Deck that Lasts – Hands down, Framingham homeowners want to make smart purchases. We have some pretty harsh weather in the region, and wooden decks can be destroyed by the environment in less than ten years. PVC and composite decking is planet friendly, lasts for decades in all kinds of weather conditions, and never needs to be painted or sealed!
  2. A Deck with Space for Everyone – Decks are the ideal place for family and friends to hang out and enjoy each other’s company. There has to be space for everyone to relax comfortably. Your Framingham custom deck builders will help you figure out  how much space you need, and explain different deck styles and configurations that provide that much area.
  3. A Deck that’s Easy to Enjoy – The best custom decks are easy to access from the ground and from within the home. That means well-built porch stairs, secure patio doors, and more. Deck railings provide both style and safety. Families with small children appreciate creative deck designs that make it simple for the kids to be outdoors for safe fun.
  4. A Deck that’s Affordable – Every family has a budget. Working with an experienced custom deck builder means you’ll save time and money. Call us with your questions about custom deck design. We’d be happy to help!