Beautiful Backyard Remodel in Carlsbad

Greyhound’s latest project was a backyard transformation for a home in Carlsbad. The design was done by Laura Wireman of Innerspace Designs, and Greyhound provided the actual building plans, permits and engineering.

Some of the projects highlights are:

  • steel pavilion
  • palapa: powder coated steel with “Hardi siding”
  • landscaping
  • landscape lighting
  • fireplace: using natural gas
  • spa

The palapa weighed 1,900 lbs and the support bolder was over one ton, so that in itself made the project a little more challenging. You can see this incredible transformation here:

Special thanks to our sub-contractors and designers, including the aforementioned Laura Wireman; PoolSpecs of San Diego, who constructed the spa; and National Quarries in San Marcos, who provided the granite and did an incredible job on the BBQ countertop, the round palapa bar top, and supporting bolder.

If you’d like to learn more about remodeling your backyard then leave Greyhound a message here, or call us at 800-568-7108.

 

San Diego Deck Remodeling

Summer is almost here, so get ready to get outside and grill! There’s nothing like the smell of BBQ in the air on a warm summer day, especially when you’re accompanied by friends and family. These types of social gatherings bring people together, but before you think about hosting any summer party you need to assess your backyard. A good place to start is your deck.

If you have a deck then you should asses it structurally. How is it holding up? Has it been painted or stained in the last 2-3 years? Is there room to expand on? If you don’t have a deck, but you’re considering adding one, you need to assess the space available for a deck.

Here are several tips to consider when deciding whether to build a new deck or remodel an existing deck:
1) Who’s going to be using the deck? The size of the deck, as mentioned above, is very important and you need to know how many people you’d like to entertain on the deck.

2) How will the deck connect to the house, or will it? You need to think about all the side or back doors that you have and all the space arround each door. Ideally, if you’re planning on hosting big events the deck should be connected to the door closest to the kitchen.

3) What style of deck do you want? There are many different types of decks, one’s with trellises, multiple levels, steps, gazebos, and so on. You need to balance the look you want with the style of house you own. Does your home have a more modern look or a rustic charm? This will play a role in the style of deck you choose.

4) Are there any privacy concerns? Typically a new deck will mean that people are standing higher off the ground than they would be if there was no deck. If that’s the case then you need to determine if the fences surrounding your yard are tall enough.

5) How’s the weather? In areas where there is heavy snowfall and rain then simply using high quality stain should be fine. In areas with abundant sunshine, such as San Diego, you may want to consider some overhead protection for your deck, such as an awning or deck cover.

If you’re considering remodeling or adding a deck to your San Diego home then you should talk to Greyhound General. They will help find a deck that meets your budget and the architects will help come up with a design that fits your taste. Greyhound will also make sure that any and all work is up to code, based on local building codes and regulations.

If you’re interested in learning more about how you can upgrade your deck, or improve your entire backyard, then contact Greyhound General today, or call 800-568-7108.

Tips for upgrading your backyard

In a previous post, Outdoor Kitchen Remodeling and Design- the newest trend, I mentioned a few ideas for building an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens are great for families that like to have family and friends over to cook and entertain outside. However, there are several things you can do as a home owner to remodel and improve your backyard before you even consider that amazing outdoor kitchen.

For starters you may want to consider:

  • Upgrading the lighting- Improving the light can brighten your backyard and make it more inviting
  • Improve the landscaping- This could be fairly easy or a huge project. Planting flowers in an empty flower bed is a good start. Re-sodding your law and plating trees and shrubs is a bit more labor intensive. If you want to go all out you can consider stone walkways and water fountains
  • Replace the deck- Decks can last a long time if they are properly constructed and maintained. It is always a good idea to restain or repaint your deck every year or so to preserve it. If there is rotting then you may be able to simply replace some of the wood. However, if there is significant rotting you’ll want to replace the deck entirely
  • Utilize a tool shed- Unless your garage is exceptionally organized you might want to consider a tool shed. This especially true if you’re using you garage to park in or for more than just tool storage. These sheds can be found in many different sizes and materials for as little as $200-$300

Of course, you may just be in need of a total backyard makeover. Maybe you’re looking to add that guest cottage to the backyard you’ve been dreaming of, or maybe you want to add that new deck with the hot tub. Whatever the case, San Diego general contractor, Greyhound General can help you with more than just your home and kitchen remodeling needs. Contact Greyhound today for a free estimate, or call 800-568-7108.