Qualified Remodeler helps independent remodeling firms to survive, become more professional and more profitable by providing must-have business information, namely best business practices, new product information and timely design ideas.
Issue link: https://qualifiedremodeler.epubxp.com/i/108899
exterior contractor Above: To meet durability and maintenance concerns, the design team chose to use ipe, Western red cedar and steel to construct the deck. Below: This Austin, Texas, house received a second floor addition and the first floor was reorganized. Because the home was located in a historic neighborhood, the homeowners wanted to maintain a traditional appearance from the street. decking only counts to 50 percent,��� Topham says. Impervious coverage was an issue throughout the site, Scott says. ���We took out the sidewalk in the front of the house, stairs on the side and concrete in the backyard to meet the impervious coverage code,��� he adds. ���When you add any coverage, you are required to meet those standards.��� The site���s impervious coverage was so close to code that removing two air conditioner pads helped CG&S; Design-Build meet the requirements. ���We could not have installed a concrete patio; we would have never met code,��� Scott says. Shield from the Sun Durability and maintenance were two major considerations in material selection. In a city like Austin that receives long hours of sunshine, the team wanted products that could handle that much UV exposure without requiring a lot of upkeep. To meet those goals, they turned to ipe, Western red cedar and steel. 36 February 2013 QR ���Ipe has a lifespan of 30 to 40 years. The posts are Western red cedar and will require some maintenance. Otherwise everything can withstand the UV rays. We don���t have a lot of severe, damaging environment other than the heat,��� Scott says. ���[Ipe] wears well, and most people allow it to turn gray like cedar. It���s strong and termites leave it alone.��� Using ipe, however, required more attention in the construction phase than other decking materials because the boards have to be predrilled. ���You have to lay out all the boards, mark each screw hole and then sand off the pencil marks,��� Scott says. ���You can���t put a screw through ipe without it breaking. It takes twice as long to complete an ipe deck versus a deck using other materials,��� he adds. The deck includes 2 by 10 joists on 16-in. centers. The trellis provides shade from Austin���s hot sun. ���The trellis was a big part of making the space usable,��� Scott adds. ���If you didn���t have any shade, you would never go back there.��� ForResidentialPros.com Outdoor Ambiance The above-ground pool helps with transitions from the deck. However, the pool did create some challenges. ���Getting the steps to flow into the yard and to the pool and connect to the storage building was a design challenge,��� Topham says. A barbecue area was added to the outdoor living space, enhancing the entertainment atmosphere. The main circulation cuts between the barbecue and the deck���s table. This barbecue design included steel panels. ���It was helpful to have the homeowners��� input to make sure they were happy with the steel plates around the barbecue,��� Scott adds. The homeowners were very involved in the project, visiting the site several times a week. The project���s success is due to quality subcontractors and teamwork, says Scott. ���Coordinating with the pool people was easier than I expected,��� he says. ���Working with a quality pool contractor made our life easier.��� In addition, the exposed electrical posed a challenge, but Scott says it was overcome by working with a good electrical contractor. Initially, Topham expected the layout to be a challenge, but it came together more easily than expected, she says. ���Once the layout to move the bedrooms upstairs came together, particularly the connection to the backyard, it ended up being much easier than anticipated.��� Maureen Alley writes about remodeling and design from Madison, Wis.