This outdoor setting makes great use of the apartment's large private balcony.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary deck in Brisbane.

Second story upgraded Timbertech Pro Reserve composite deck in Antique Leather color with picture frame boarder in Dark Roast. Timbertech Evolutions railing in black was used with upgraded 7.5" cocktail rail in Azek English Walnut. Also featured is the "pub table" below the deck to set drinks on while playing yard games or gathering around and admiring the views. This couple wanted a deck where they could entertain, dine, relax, and enjoy the beautiful Colorado weather, and that is what Archadeck of Denver designed and built for them!

Solus Hemi Fire Pit Photo by Chris Snook
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary deck in Surrey with a fire feature.

This project required a unique design to fit within the building envelope of this property while maximizing living space on and under this unusually high deck. This curved deck answered the challenge while creating a one of a kind space, connecting the second story indoor area to relaxed seating convenient to the kitchen and the lower living area to a completely protected space under the deck. The rounded design and detailed trim work add character to every perspective. Illuminated for evening entertainment the party continues after dark. A grand staircase descends to the paver patio area below. The landing at the base of the staircase adds scale while smoothing flow whether heading to the swings or to the patio. At the far end of the patio a fire feature flanked by two arched benches provides for a reflective moment or relaxed conversation amid the warm ambiance of the fire. Substructure is ACQ pine with all Zmax hardware on 12” & 16” X 42’’ deep footings. Average live load exceeds 80# per sq ft. Framing lumber is blacked out for better aesthetics.

Mid-sized contemporary backyard deck in Seattle with a fire feature and an awning.

Beautiful outdoor kitchen with Custom Granite Surround Big Green Egg, Granite Countertops, Bamboo Accents, Cedar Decking, Kitchen Aid Grill and Cedar Pergola Overhang by East Cobb Contractor, Atlanta Curb Appeal

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard deck in London.

Mid-sized contemporary rooftop deck in Chicago with a fire feature and a pergola.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE PROJECT The customer requested a large 22 foot 11 inch wide x 14 foot, attached, 2 span (3 post) water proof retractable deck patio cover system with front water drainage. The plan was to have rain water drain through the invisible downspouts (inside the posts) and exit through a hole at the bottom of the posts. The entire system used one continuous piece of fabric and one motor. The system frame and guides are made entirely of non-rusting aluminum which is powder coated using the Qualicoat® powder coating process. Frame color chosen was our vendors proprietary Grigio Ferro. The stainless steel components used were Inox (470LI and 316) which are of the highest quality and have an extremely high corrosion resistance. In fact, the components meet the European salt spray corrosion test as tested by Centro Sviluppo Materiali in Italy. Fabric is Ferrari 302 Precontraint color Avorio P741, light filtering and opaque, a PVC fabric that is fire retardant and totally water-proof (not water-resistant). This retracting patio cover system has a Beaufort wind load rating Scale 10 (up to 63mph) with the fabric fully extended & in use. A hood with end caps was also used to prevent rain water, leaves and debris from collecting in the folds of fabric when not in use. Purlin covers were requested to prevent rain water, leaves and debris from collecting in the space between the two sections of aluminum (purlins) running from the house to the front posts. Motor operated with remote control. PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT The homeowners preferred a more modern design to their entire home. They are very active people and enjoy the outdoors (they both train as triathlete’s). Their desire was for the retractable patio cover system to provide shade on the desk that receives a great deal of afternoon sun. Prior to the installation, it got so hot, the client could not walk on the deck without shoes. Essentially, as much as they enjoy the outdoors, they did not use their deck. Again, with the modern design preference, a traditional roof structure was not their vision. They printed a retractable patio cover picture from Pinterest for the contractor. That was the start of the entire project. In addition to the upper area, they wanted to utilize the area below their deck, as well as create an area for their Jacuzzi Hot Tub. All this work was to be performed while keeping the overall design modern. UNIQUENESS OR COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT First and foremost was the initial design of the project. The contractor worked with the client for 11 months creating this living area using Chief Architect software. They created numerous different designs & elevations. They looked at every aspect of the design in great detail. For example, the slope of the retractable patio cover structure and if the retractable patio cover base plate would be above or below the transom windows on the house. They revised the width of the structure numerous times, which then affected the posts below with each design change. The width of the space was decided based on the clear span of the structure. There were multiple design options with the retractable patio cover & the contractor looked at each of those options. When ordering the retractable deck cover system, the contractor had to have it fabricated to a fraction of an inch because the cable railing posts where to be directly adjacent to the retractable deck cover posts. There was very little margin for error. Planning was essential! The deck posts below needed to be replaced, this included new footings. The layout of the posts and the sizes of the posts needed to correspond to the supports of the patio cover structure. The posts for the rail system were designed to duplicate the posts of the retractable patio cover structure. The contractor created a method for draining the rain water from the posts of the retractable patio cover structure to the ground below. PROJECT RESULTS One extremely happy homeowner and proud contractor. Our company is honored to work with a client who allowed us to assist them in providing a retractable shading system to keep the homeowners deck cool. We are very proud to have been a part of this project. This complex and time consuming project met every desire the clients had. After the project was complete, the homeowners told the contractor how excited and pleased they were with the space. That, to us, is what is so critical in our line of work. The comments related to how they enjoyed the entire process and are able to enjoy their lives even more now.

The Trex Deck was a new build from the footers up. Complete with pressure treated framing, Trex decking, Trex Railings, Trex Fencing and Trex Lattice. And no deck project is complete without lighting: lighted stairs and post caps.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard deck in Marseille with no cover.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary rooftop and rooftop deck in Tampa with a fire feature and no cover.

Interior Entry Courtyard
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary deck in Los Angeles with a roof extension.

New garden design & installation in McKinnon Melbourne. Architectural wall trellis adds visual interest on an otherwise bare brick wall, and merbau hardwood decking adds to the indoor-outdoor flow of this residential project. Garden design & installation by Boodle Concepts, based in Melbourne and Macedon Ranges, Kyneton.

Spiced Rum flat patio deck, featuring the spiced rum color and white under hanging. The sand is laid and ready for pavers to be set, completing this back yard.

Monica Keßler
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard deck in Other with no cover.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard deck in Brisbane with a vertical garden and a roof extension.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard deck in Seattle with a container garden and a pergola.

Our clients in Chifley are definitely ready to host the ultimate BBQ with their amazing new outdoor space complete with a SolarSpan flyover pergola with dimmable downlights and an outdoor servery/bar table.