Summer Fun in the Yard

Summer is almost here, and with the warmer days and longer nights comes backyard BBQs and pool parties! Whether you have family coming to town or simply plan on hosting a Summer party, now is a great time to evaluate you front yard and backyard. Here are a few areas to look at:

Your deck: How is it holding up? Has it been painted or stained in the last 2-3 years? Check for warping of the wood or peeling paint. If you’re considering remodeling, rebuilding, or expanding on your deck, or simply building a new deck, then check out this article about deck remodeling.

Your pool: It goes without saying that a pool requires maintenance. This generally mean checking the water on a weekly basis and adding chlorine & other chemicals, when necessary. However, if you have an older pool, it is also wise to evaluate the tile or other material around the edge of the pool for cracking or chipping. The same goes for the base of the pool. Keep an eye out for any cracks. Now, if you’re looking to install a new pool then I recommend you check out this article.

 Your yard & landscaping: Start by evaluating your lawn. You may need to re-sod the entire area depending on the state of the grass. Next look at your flower beds. Could they use some mulch and some new flowers? Just these two steps alone can dramatically improve the appearance of your yard. You can always take it a step further and consider some additional landscaping ideas, such as stone walkways or water fountains.

Other ideas: Bring your home outside! Nowadays outdoor “living rooms” and outdoor kitchens are all the rage. The furniture makes for an inviting and comfortable outdoor experience. Just make sure it is meant for outdoors and that you cover it when not in use, store it in a shed, or at the very least, keep it protected from any rain or dew.

As for outdoor kitchens, when a simple charcoal BBQ isn’t enough, a full-blown outdoor kitchen may be best for you. You can incorporate the grill, refrigerator, sink, counter-tops, shelves/drawers, and even a hot tub, into one solid structure. Like indoor appliances, stainless steel and granite hold up very well against the elements (just make sure you cover your grill when not in use). If adding the hot tub stretches your budget then consider concrete counter-tops, which are cheaper, but also very durable. Check out this article about outdoor kitchen remodeling.

If you would like to learn more about how to improve your yard, or you’re considering an outdoor remodeling project, talk to Escondido-based general contractor and home remodeler Greyhound General. We serve all of San Diego, from Chula Vista to Oceanside, so don’t hesitate to leave us a note here or call us directly 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.