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Topic: Outdoor Living Ideas



Date Posted: Thursday, June 11, 2015
Posted by: Tanya Zanfa (Master Admin)
Source: http://www.coloradoan.com/story/life/2015/06/05/plan-outdoor-livi...


How to plan your outdoor living space


How to plan your outdoor living space

After such a rainy spring, it felt good to soak up some sunshine and summerlike temps this week. The best part? No more Seattle jokes (we hope).

The warm weather inspires many of us to whip our overgrown backyards into shape.

But according to a report by the American Society of Landscape Architects, homeowners want more than just a neatly trimmed square of turf in their backyard. Outdoor living spaces, specifically kitchens and entertainment areas, received a 94.5 percent popularity rating in the most recent ASLA survey.

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This covered backyard dining room in Old Town Fort Collins has a seating area, a fire feature and paver patio. (Photo: Courtesy of HighCraft Builders)

Demand for outdoor living spaces loaded with features and hardscape continues to grow in Northern Colorado. Hardscape is defined as the human-built surfaces and structures that form the solid backbone of your landscaping. These include walkways, stairs, fences, retaining walls, decks, patios, shade structures, garden borders, water features, fire features and more.

A five-panel, 15-foot glass wall system opens this

A five-panel, 15-foot glass wall system opens this dining room to a second-story deck with mountain views south of Livermore. (Photo: Courtesy of HighCraft Builders)

As builders, we're not in the landscaping business, but we work with some of the best landscape architects in the region. There's often project overlap during a remodel. We've installed many of the popular projects described in the detailed ASLA report, including outdoor kitchens, greenhouses and even a swimming pool.

Consider these tips when creating an outdoor living space and installing hardscape:

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This greenhouse in Loveland is accompanied by a stone walkway, steps and water feature. (Photo: dgmosby@OUTDRS.NET)

Create a plan

Design a master plan for your entire property that includes landscaping and hardscaping, or consult with a professional to design a plan for you. If it's not realistic to tackle all of your backyard projects at once, develop a plan that can be carried out in phases. Depending on the project, you may need to pull permits and call for utility line locates (and do so well in advance). Thorough preparation and planning reduces errors, which can save you a ton of time, energy and money.

Hardscape before you plant

Hardscaping projects usually involve construction and equipment, which can compact soil, tear up your lawn and damage plantings and irrigation systems. Whenever possible, install hardscape first before you plant.

Protect your foundation

Proper drainage and soil grading is key. Downspouts should extend at least four feet from your exterior walls, and soil should be graded to slope away from the foundation. If you're tempted to plant shrubs, grasses, flowers and trees next to your home, consult a landscaping professional to determine best practices and the implications of root systems. If your plan involves an unstable wall or slope, work with a structural engineer to identify and resolve issues.

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This second-story covered deck in south Fort Collins has lounge seating and a raised dining area. (Photo: Courtesy of HighCraft Builders)

Consider sun exposure

Few people enjoy spending time on a patio that's a scorching heat sink. The Colorado sun is intense, and our weather can change on a dime, so be sure to consider durable materials and protection from the elements when planning outdoor living areas, such as decks and patios.

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Here’s a paver walkway and accent pergola. (Photo: Courtesy of HighCraft Builders)

Guide foot traffic

Create well-defined walkways that welcome guests to your front door, lead them to special features and invite them to explore gardens. Paths provide safe transitions between popular areas of your yard and they can set the mood, formal or informal, for your landscape.

FTC outdoors 6

A five-panel, 15-foot glass wall system opens this dining room to a second-story deck with mountain views south of Livermore. (Photo: Courtesy of HighCraft Builders)

Don't forget to facilitate foot traffic flow between indoor and outdoor living spaces. Oversized entries, such as folding glass-panel wall systems, French doors or pocket doors, make it easy to entertain and maximize both living spaces.

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This outdoor bar and natural gas fire pit anchor multiple seating areas on a patio west of Windsor. (Photo: Courtesy of HighCraft Builders)

Take the heat outside

A natural gas fireplace or fire pit is the perfect anchor for a seating area, adding ambiance and warmth when the air turns chilly.

Grilling stations and outdoor kitchens allow you to cook full meals without heating up the house on hot summer days and nights.

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This Loveland outdoor living space includes a grilling station, seating area, and dining table/fire pit. (Photo: Courtesy of HighCraft Builders)

Outdoor living spaces and hardscape provide year-round enjoyment and boost the value of your property. If you're not sure where to start with an outdoor building project, contact a professional landscape architect or residential remodeler to help you design your backyard escape.

Bryan Soth and Dwight Sailer have owned and operated HighCraft Builders, a Fort Collins design-build remodeling company, since 1998. Contact them at (970) 472-8100 or visit www.highcraft.net.



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