Home Remodeling & Construction Blog

<!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:”"; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} –>

There are few homeowners that fathom the potential that their backyard Virginia patio has. When most homeowners start thinking about home improvement ideas for their Virginia home, they’re a bit stuck on the inside – usually on little details to improve the overall feel. Many don’t stop to consider that the outside of the home is just as important as the inside.

You drab, boring old patio has an unlimited source of untapped potential that can be transformed into one of the greatest investments that will breathe life back into the value of your property. Potential buyers dig convenience and visual appeal – a patio home improvement project can certainly deliver.

A fantastic option to transform the patio space is by turning your open air patio into a patio room that is fully enclosed. With this type of upgrade, you’re not only adding to the value, but you’ve created a multi-seasonal area that your family and friends can enjoy with you for years to come.

Is there a different between a patio room, a sun room and a patio enclosure? Those are just a few of the fancy names given. You can expect to hear other references like conservatory (Colonel Mustard anyone?) or sunroom, even solarium. These are just a few of the terms contractors use to spice up their home additions that enclose the patio. It just sounds better than calling it an “enclosure”. That sounds like something out of Jurassic Park.

For the most part, a sunroom or solarium (even conservatory) refers to a patio enclosure that is predominantly glass and stay enclosed year round. This is what you would call the crýme de la crýme of patio sun room additions in Virginia. If that’s not for you (and it doesn’t fit the budget of your home improvement project) then a screened or walled patio is probably a more appropriate option. Read more…

You can turn your entire backyard into one of the most splendid oasis getaways, far more resplendent than anything you previously had, and all it takes is a little strategic planning and the right creativity.  Whatever the design, the perfect backyard getaway starts with the Virginia patio.

For most of us, we love to entertain when we have outdoor space, especially a lot of it.  It’s fun to have family and friends over, with gatherings spilling out into the backyard.  If you’re going to do that though you need a place for everyone to gather.  The patio offers a lot more comfort than plain grass, and there’s a lot of room for customization.
Read more…

Regardless of the season, there are a number of people who enjoy having guests over for various get-together events and dinner parties.  More often than not we end up entertaining our guests in the backyard so we can show off our Virginia patio designs. It lets us share the company of friends and family while enjoying a warm breeze under the afternoon sun.  If you plan on entertaining in the back yard, its best to create the ideal setting while beautifying the environment.  You can certainly do this on any budget by utilizing patio pavers.

Patio Pavers exude a welcoming and charming aura for all of your guests, making them feel at home among the design you carefully planned to make your back yard a wondrous outdoor living space.  Read more…

The way you design your Virginia patio is crucial to how well it holds up and the way it can be used by friends and family. Even if you have a pre-existing patio it can be updated to make sure that it fits your needs and uses. Proper patio design has to take into account the environment, the climate, the area in which you live and of course you want to make sure that your Virginia patio can be used year round.

The first part of Virginia patio design is to make a list of what you expect or want to get out of the build. Is it going to be used primarily for relaxation and recouping, or will you turn your patio into a workspace for other projects that are just too messy inside the house? Will it be holding a hottub? Will it be exposed to a lot of moisture or a lot of feet? Is it a fair weather patio or to be used all year round? Read more…

This style of patio door is exactly what the name makes it sound like. They’re a wide exterior door that comes in both sliding and accordion format. Likewise, they can be customized in a variety of finishes. Regardless of the style they all perform the same function – bringing your Virginia patio inline seamlessly with the interior of your home.

You can transform any room of your home into an extension of your Virginia patio with ease.

Consider the convenience of an entire wall within your home, perhaps your family room, being able to open up directly onto your patio. With Long Span doors, they can disappear revealing a wide open space right to the outdoors of your home. You could, in effect, be sitting within your living room while enjoying the outside weather.

Can you imagine how easy it would be to enjoy the outdoors in Virginia? Your patio could act as an extension of any room that you set to join it. A bedroom, the kitchen, the office. Where ever they fit your interior and exterior design.

These multi-paneled doors cover 8’ to 24’ foot spans and can retract completely to help anyone living in a comfortable climate be inside while staying outside.

How Well Do They Stand Against The Weather?

Very well actually. Long span Virginia patio doors are very versatile but of course it all depends on the quality of the doors, the installer and the fierce nature of the climate. They probably wouldn’t work well for someone in Alaska but for most homeowners these would be a perfect fit to allow access to their Virginia patio. Because there are a variety of doors, it’s important to get one that is rated for the climate you live in. A door built to keep the heat out of a home in Arizona might night work as well for a Virginia patio and the rainy season.

Installation

Getting long span Virginia patio doors put in is not a DIY project. Slight variations and incorrect measurements will not only cause the doors to function poorly but you’ll be letting in the worst of the elements – never something you want to do.

Most manufacturers of long span doors state that a competent contractor should be utilized when linking the inside of your home to a Virginia patio. The opening should be completely engineered by a professional to ensure that you don’t have any problems with your rooms. Due to the size and scale of the project, it’s important that the home be inspected to insure that creating such an opening (most are at least 8’ wide) won’t affect the structural integrity of the home.

Virginia patios can be made even more rewarding with access through long span patio doors. No other design and remodel offers the same mesh of indoor and outdoor for your home.

Building a patio is a great way to create that beautiful yard that your house needs. Whether you BBQ, entertain friends and family or just like to relax at home, a patio will provide much use and functionality for the years to come. Below are some do’s and don’ts when building your patio. Remember, a qualified Virginia patio contractor is recommended for installation…

DO conceptualize your design, measurements and decide on colors before you start work.
DON’T start digging and design as you go. You will end up destroying your yard.

DO call miss utility, or your local utility administrator before digging.
DON’T start digging without knowledge of your utility placement.

DO put compactable crushed stone at the base of the patio to allow water drainage.
DON’T use cement as a base. Water will not drain and might cause flooding.

DO use a sand based product to be based in between all pavers.
DON’T use cement in between pavers. Again, water will not drain.

It is very important that you thoroughly plan out the construction of your patio. Make sure you are familiar with the entire install process before you begin. For your local Virginia patio builder call 703-426-5555.

Thanks for visiting the Northern Virginia Home Remodeling & Construction Blog. This blog’s primary focus will be discussing:
• Industry News
• Contractor Requirements in Virginia
• What to look for when looking for a Virginia Contractor or Virginia Builder. How to find that top remodeling company?
• Home Projects
• Cost vs. Value Reports
Feel Free to browse our site to find our more info about different remodeling projects and finding Contractors in Virginia. We also have a great photo gallery showcasing a number of home remodeling projects in Northern Virginia.