Guide to Building a New Deck or Porch in Ann Arbor MI
Posted on April 13, 2021
Considering building a deck or porch for your home? You’ve made a great choice. Decks and porches make great additions to any outdoor space, and although they might seem a big undertaking at first, they can greatly reduce the amount of maintenance you need to do to keep your yard looking good. As well as boosting the look of your home, decks and patios also extend your living space, providing a wonderful outdoor area for entertaining, cooking, and relaxing.
Whether you’re looking to renovate an existing deck or patio or to build one from scratch, here’s everything you need to know about decks and patios in Ann Arbor, MI.
The Best Materials for Patios
The best material for your Ann Arbor patio will depend on the look you’d like to achieve. Two of the most popular are slab style and natural bluestone.
Bluestone is quarried in North America and loved for its durability and aesthetic appeal. Ranging in color from light blue through to earthy red, bluestone is a great option for those looking for a high-quality, timeless finish on their patio. Installing a bluestone patio is a real art – particularly if you opt for irregular pavers. Because each piece of stone is unique it requires planning and skill to place them into a beautiful arrangement suitable for a patio. With the right designer and installer, the results are well worth the extra effort.
Slab-style patios have exploded in popularity over the past 10 years, thanks to their sleek, modern aesthetic and budget-friendly price tag. Pavers come in all shapes and sizes, but large slabs are popular among homeowners for their smooth, contemporary finish. At Lotus Gardenscapes, we’re big fans of Unilock – Beacon Hill XL smooth and High Format ‘Montrose’.
The Best Decking in Ann Arbor, MI
The number one choice for homeowners in the USA is composite decking – and with good reason. Durable, attractive, and lower maintenance composite decking offers both function and form. Composite decks are made up primarily of plastic and wood. A large portion of the plastic and wood used to make composite decking is recycled, making composite decking a particularly green choice. While composite decks are more expensive to install, they can save you a ton of money in the long run, and require less maintenance than natural wood.
Looking for something a little special?
At Lotus Gardenscapes we have a talented team of carpenters, who are experienced at creating stunning bespoke decks. As well as traditional raised decking, they can create full-sized outdoor rooms and pergolas, made according to your unique vision.
StruXure pergolas are a fantastic choice for those looking to completely transform their outdoor space. The clever system created transitional outdoor rooms, which can integrate fans, lighting, and water amenities. The panels are attached to a pivot system, so you can choose the level of shade depending on your mood.
Choosing a Deck Builder in Ann Arbor, MI
Deciding which company to hire to build your deck can be difficult. Even in a small city like Ann Arbor, you will find numerous contractors all claiming to offer the best results for the lowest prices.
In our more than 10 years of building decks and patios in the Ann Arbor area, we have seen countless examples of projects gone wrong. Customers often don’t realize that poorly installed pavers are causing their patios to sink, fall apart, or cause damage to their yard until it is too late.
All the problems we attend to could have been avoided with foresight and proper installation.
If you want quality, long-lasting results, it’s crucial that you do your homework. As well as checking online reviews, there are a few essential things to look out for when choosing a deck or patio builder.
Comprehensive Insurance
Insurance is one of the most important things to check for before hiring a deck builder in Michigan. The company should carry comprehensive business liability insurance and Workman’s Compensation insurance. If the company doesn’t carry both of these then it is breaking state law.
ICPI Trained
The ICPI program trains pavers in the minimum industry standards on estimating, planning, and executing residential paving projects. It requires intense and ongoing training, and contractors are only certified once they have installed at least 10,000 sq ft of paving. An ICPI certification means you can be sure that the company is dedicated to quality installation and ongoing education.
Fully Licensed
Before hiring a company to build your deck or porch, make sure you check it employs only Licensed Residential Builders in the State of Michigan. You should also look for team members who are Certified Green Industry Professionals through the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association. This is a sure sign the company you’re hiring cares about quality work.
Ann Arbor Deck Builders You Can Trust
Lotus Gardenscapes, Inc is a nationally recognized design/build landscape company located in Ann Arbor, MI. We have been widely acknowledged for our customer-focused and effective custom designs, as well as our attention to detail and artistry. The team at Lotus takes pride in bringing the highest standards in construction to our clients and specializes in creating “wow” moments for homeowners in Ann Arbor.
If you’re interested in a high-quality deck or patio build or renovation, then fill out our Design Survey to get started.