Before & After
Before & After of some of our past projects
Explore before-and-after photos of some of our past featured projects.
Featured
Featured Before & Afters
Gain insight and inspiration for your next project by browsing our Before & After Gallery.
Double-Decker Up High
This client was referred to us by his neighbor who had us build a relatively simple deck. Before arriving, he warned us that his deck was high up and he wasn’t kidding. The upper deck is 26’ above the ground below it but the grade falls away making it feel like you are 100’ in the air (which you could be!). The build was complicated by many factors—access being the main one. The client had no way to get into his backyard it was so steep. We suggested adding a catwalk to … [Read More]
Far from Ordinary
The client advised us that several other contractors they met with could not figure out how to build their vision. We took that as a dare. The roof tie-in of the porch was complicated to engineer but doable with the right know how. We wanted to make it look like it was original to the house and not an add on, so we incorporated fiber cement stucco panels on the chimney exterior. The large, screened porch features a wood burning fireplace and leads out to a two-level deck that incorporates a lower level for a dedicated grilling deck.
Creative Space
Sometimes zoning issues force us to get a lot of use out of a small area. In this case, the clients desperately wanted an enclosed space and a covered grilling area. We designed a combination roof with a vestibule area that leads out to an open-air grilling area. The gable roof design features exposed cedar rafters and a tongue and groove ceiling with a stone fireplace. We removed the existing patio and installed a stamped concrete patio.
Backyard Reclamation
This home had no deck and had an unusable backyard. There was also a small “breakfast nook” that really did not make sense the way it was built. Our design added a basic but modern deck off the back of the house. We removed the walls from the breakfast nook to make it a covered part of the deck that was quite a bit more useful. Our clients were thrilled with the end result and told us they never thought what we did could be done.
Bigger, Better, Stronger
To say that we didn’t start with much here was an overstatement. Multiple previous owners managed to pile on “features” (we use the term loosely) to the point that this deck was a disaster. At some point, a room coming off the basement was built under the old deck and the deck was leaking so we had to work around the room and keep it watertight. In the end, we came up with a functional deck design with a better design that moved the stairs to the side. A large, engineered beam was utilized to eliminate support posts under the deck to keep the view to the yard open.
Outdoor Room Addition
Like many of our projects, this one had humble beginnings—a worn out, builder-grade deck and a completely unforgettable space. We designed a gable roof porch, installed Eze-Breeze windows and a TV wall to add a new room onto their house. An open air deck area was created to connect a second house door and eliminate a very awkward step. Concrete was removed and replace with new pavers.
Elegant Upgrade
The old builder grade deck was past its prime and it was time for something new. Our clients had some good ideas to start with and we took those and came up with a different concept that gave them double the space they had and moved the stairs for a not only a better view but to create a separate grilling area because no one wants to look at their grills. The privacy wall was a combination of aluminum and real cedar panels.
Outdoor Paradise
Our client had a list of things they wanted to incorporate into the project. We designed this deck to get them everything they wanted in a relatively compact space. The fireplace below the deck has wing walls on either side for privacy. Their outdoor kitchen is a simple L-shape design but has room for both a gas grill and an egg. We moved the stairs to the side to keep the view from under the deck unobstructed. The patio wraps around the back of the house and gives them even more space.
Honey, We Need More Space
The small and worn-out deck was removed and replaced with a two-level composite deck. The far-right side under the deck was excavated and pavers installed to create even more space. The design uses interesting shapes to create separate entertainment zones. We added a heavy lattice wall for privacy.
Backyard Makeover
This client, like many others, decided to add a pool and then quickly realized their old deck wasn’t going to cut it anymore. We demolished the existing deck and porch walls, kept the roof structure in place and rebuilt a totally new watertight deck in a new configuration with relocated stairs that worked with the new pool design. Believe it or not, that is the old roof, with a completely new porch built below it. We even refinished the interior of the ceiling with new tongue and groove pine. Note: The outdoor kitchen was not in our scope and was installed in tandem with the pool company.
Function & Form
This “mature” backyard had several iterations of modifications and add-ons as different homeowners lived in the home. The current homeowners wanted to completely revamp their outdoor living space. We designed a free-standing shed roof over a new watertight deck with a huge storage area below. They love to entertain, so we added a bar area, a corner fireplace and infra-red patio heaters. Separately, we completely remodeled their existing screened porch with all new walls, screens and railing.
Made in the Shade
The client had a beautiful pool and no place to get out of the sun to enjoy it. We designed a new, larger deck and added a gable roof screened porch off their keeping room. For even more shade, we installed a freestanding low-maintenance vinyl pergola with a fan.
Envy of the Neighborhood
The roof design on homes like these is somewhat challenging, however our design experience makes it easy. Between the brick façade and the shape and design of the existing house, two different roof planes have been combined to create a functional outdoor living space. A fireplace was strategically located so as not to block the view from the great room. We added a small exterior grill deck, and the entire project is skirted using matching composite deck boards.
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Before & Afters
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Andrews
Banham
Beebe
Devine
Dinnerstein
Fisher
Fleming
Gimbel
Harris
Jones
Lemoine
