When your home overlooks the Texas Hill Country, you’ve got to have an awesome deck because you’ll be spending a lot of time out there. Thanks to Archadeck of Austin, this home in the Great Hills neighborhood of Austin, TX, now has an awesome deck. And that’s not all. We created a total front and back transformation for these homeowners.
Great First Impressions Start at the Front Door
Let’s start at the front of the home, where a small deck serves as the entry area at the top of the front steps. Here we replaced the original wood steps and deck surface with AZEK low-maintenance synthetic decking. The homeowners will never have to worry about repainting this front deck again! We were able to use the existing substructure because the wood under this deck was still sturdy and solid.
— Before and during tear out.
We did have to reinforce and upgrade the front area to bring it up to code before laying the new deck surface there. The original deck ledgers had not been life-bolted to the home; they were just nailed on. So we bolted the ledgers to ensure the structure would be secure. We added new joists in between the old joists because the original system spanned 24" on center.
Under the front deck we installed a stone skirting system with tiny vent holes for ventilation. The homeowners chose a black railing system with trendy vertical cables to replace their old wood railing with traditional wood balusters. Now they have the perfect front steps and railings ascending to their big, red front doors – definitely a great first impression.
Starting Over: A Drainage System and New Deck Across the Back of the Home
This glorious view at the back of the Great Hills home deserved a glorious deck, and that’s what we delivered. As the premier Austin and Great Hills deck builder, we could do nothing less. We completely removed the original deck, but before we could build the new one, we needed to address drainage issues.
Water collected periodically in a large pit under the rear deck and flowed down under the house – all the way to the utility room under the home’s front corner. This utility room/basement in the front is where the home’s A/C system and furnace are located.
Before building the new deck’s substructure, we installed downspout drains and a French drain system along the walls of the home to carry the water away. We covered that with gravel. Now, water entering the new French drain system is diverted around to the back, around the side, and away from the home.
With that problem solved, we were able to build the new deck across the back of the home. This rear deck features a radius edge to go around a tree in the corner. The homeowners chose mahogany AZEK decking. We ran the decking boards diagonal to the house for visual interest. The entire deck is picture-framed for the same reason. We installed vertical cable rail for the back deck, too, and here it has a brown top cap over the black rail.
Archadeck of Austin is your local TimberTech by AZEK platinum contractor
No Challenge Too Great for Archadeck of Austin!
In addition to the substantial reinforcement required in the front, and the drainage issues in the back, the home’s rough terrain also presented difficulties. Our crew had to build a ramp system to navigate from the driveway in the front to the side deck. We were able to work through these challenges and complete a total deck transformation, front and back. Now the home makes a sleek and bold first impression out front and provides a top-quality deck overlooking the Texas Hill Country around back.
If you’re looking for a deck builder in the Austin area, now you know we are up to whatever challenges your project might present. We custom design and build decks, patios, and amenities like outdoor kitchens and outdoor fireplaces to create your family’s perfect outdoor living space. Call Archadeck of Austin today at (512) 886-8367 to schedule a free design consultation.
Jim Schallon, Lead Designer at Archadeck of Austin.
