Qualified Remodeler Magazine

MAY 2017

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.

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to screened-in porches that employ vinyl window inserts as opposed to glass. "It's not a conditioned space, but we find a lot of people wanting to do that, at least in our area, so they can use the room pretty much year-round as long as they just block the wind," she says. INTERIOR MATCHMAKER Homeowners typically sought simple and inexpensive treatments when making decisions about the shading ele- ments for their outdoor living spaces, notes Jack Crocker, owner and president of Classic Home Improvements in Escondido, California. As the economy has recovered, though, more clients request fully enclosed ceilings with design features usually found inside the house. "We were doing some pretty basic aluminum-wood patio covers and things like that," Crocker says. "Now we're starting to see more intricate outdoor living spaces, which include open beam ceilings with rafters, tongue and groove [ceilings], and roofs that match the house— the whole nine yards. We've definitely seen what they're willing to spend on outdoor living has gone up." Solid-top patio and decking covers, nonetheless, present a dilemma for contractors because they reduce the amount of natural light available inside the home. If clients desire a hard cover right outside their patio doors, remodelers need to suggest imaginative solutions that strike a bal- ance between shading the outdoor space and permitting enough natural light, such as pitched roofing. "When you have a pitched roof, now you can think about throwing in skylights as a potential option," Crocker says. "You can talk about leaving the gable ends open so that you let in more light but still provide basic who asks her clients questions until she understands com- pletely. "A lot of people will come to you with what their wants are, but really what is their need? How are they going to use that space? en, take what they're going to use that space for and try to incorporate elements." A recent decking project included a hot tub that re- ceived direct sunlight; therefore, T.R. Builder erected a pergola over the hot tub in addition to the main roof structure. "ey want to use the hot tub in the spring and early months of the summer when it's still warm, but they don't want that direct sunlight hitting them; so we incorporated a pergola to create some shade," she says. e company mostly constructs covered, lanai-type areas because homeowners in Virginia can utilize the space more often; however, Reed has been talking with clients about three-season rooms, which basically amount Classic Home Improvements built this covered structure for an outdoor living project in Oceanside, Calif. As the economy improves, more clients are opting for interior finishes outside, such as this stylized ceiling fan. Photos: Classic Home Improvement PROJECTS: QR Outdoors 38 May 2017 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com

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