Outdoor Living
Outdoor Spaces Designed for How You'll Use Them
From quiet morning coffee to a yard full of guests.
More Ways to Enjoy Your Home
A deck, porch or patio gives you another room, one without walls. It's a place to unwind at the end of the day, have dinner on a summer night or catch up with friends around the grill. And when the weather's nice, you might find yourself out there more than you expected.
Which one fits depends on your house, your yard and how you want to use the space. If you'd like to enjoy the outdoors beyond Michigan's warmer months, a three- or four-season room may be worth considering, too. If that sounds like a better fit, learn more about our home additions.
Decks, Patios and Porches
Decks
A deck gives you outdoor space right off the house: one level or several, with access from more than one door if you want it. Planning for a hot tub or an outdoor kitchen? Tell us at the start, so the structure and layout can be planned around it.
For most decks, we recommend composite. It lasts longer than traditional wood decking and doesn't need the regular staining and sealing wood does. It still needs some cleaning, but it's a good choice for Michigan weather and means less upkeep over the years.
Patios
A patio can be a quiet spot to relax or a place for outdoor dining and entertaining. Concrete, pavers and outdoor tile each offer a different look, and we'll help you choose what makes sense for your home and how much upkeep you want.
Then there's the layout to consider. Where the patio sits, how it connects to your house and what you want to include all play a part in how the space comes together.
Porches
A front porch gives the house a welcoming face. A back porch gives you shade and somewhere to sit out of the rain.
How the porch connects to your home matters, too. We consider the entry, the steps and how the roofline, columns and trim fit with what's already there. The goal is a porch that feels like it's always been part of the house.
How We Build a Deck
Stronger than code requires, and straight wherever you look.
- Footings about 42 inches down, below the frost line.
- Tied into the house's framing.
- Joists 12 inches apart instead of the 16 code allows, so it feels solid and composite boards stay flat.
- Framed edges, so you never see the cut ends of the boards.
- A snapped line for the screws, so every one is straight.
Taylor's rule: when you look back at the deck from the yard, nothing should look wonky.
Craftsmanship is meticulous. Rot issues were resolved without extra cost. … Deck was built in mid November, survived a harsh/cold winter with no issues. We enjoy it every day!
Hear It From Our Team
Recent Projects
Questions Homeowners Ask
How Do You Build Your Decks?
We build them stronger than code requires. Footings go about 42 inches down, below the frost line. The deck is tied into the house's framing. Joists go 12 inches apart instead of the 16 that code allows, so the deck feels solid underfoot and composite boards don't sag. We frame the edges so you never see the cut ends of the boards, and we snap a line for the screws so every one is straight. Taylor's rule: when you look back at the deck from the yard, nothing should look wonky.
How Big Should My Deck Be?
Start with how you'll use it. How often do you have people over, and how many? Do you want a table and chairs, a place to sit, room for a grill? We'll talk through those questions with you and size the deck to fit.
Composite or Wood?
For most decks, we recommend composite. Wood needs staining, sealing and power-washing every couple of years. Composite gives you the look of a finished deck without that, and it stands up to Michigan weather and everyday use. If you'd rather have wood, we'll build that, too.
How Long Does Composite Decking Last?
Most quality composite decking is designed to last 25 to 30 years or more, depending on the product. It holds up well to Michigan's changing weather, and you don't have the same concerns about rotting or splintering that you do with wood. Plus, there's no regular staining or sealing.
Is Composite Decking Slippery When Wet?
It can be. Many composite decking products have textured surfaces that help with traction, but some perform better when wet than others. That's something we'll consider when choosing materials, especially if your deck is near a pool or in an area that tends to stay damp.
What Kind of Maintenance Does Composite Decking Require?
Not much, and that's one of the reasons we often recommend it. Unlike wood, composite doesn't need regular staining, sealing or sanding. You'll still want to keep leaves and debris off the deck and give it a wash with soap and water as needed. The exact care recommendations depend on the product.
Do I Need a Permit for a Deck?
We handle the permits your deck needs and schedule the inspections along the way, so that part's taken care of.
Do You Offer Financing?
Yes. We offer financing through GreenSky. If financing is something you're considering, we can go over the available options with you as part of the project conversation.
Tell Us How You Want to Use It
Maybe there's a spot in your yard you've been wanting to do something with, or a deck or porch you've had in mind for a while. Tell us what you're picturing, and we'll take a look at what could work for your home.