Coastal Lifestyle Blog

Keep the Bugs Away With a Screened-in Porch

Tue, 23 May 2023 14:34:00 GMT

With school coming to a close and summer almost here, it’s time to start thinking about what comes with the warmer temps: bugs. As great as it is to be outside in the summer and fall, it’s even better to have a place to hang out without worrying about bugs. Enter screened-in porches.

The examples below show the different designs and how they relate to the rest of the home. Given that screened-in porches are ideal as additions, how they flow is particularly important, both architecturally and in terms of how the spaces mesh from inside to out.

Screened-in porches provide not only a peaceful place to enjoy the outdoors bug-free, but they also protect against harmful UV exposure, rain and moisture, glares and extreme heat and add instant value to your home.

We can provide whatever outdoor living design and structure that enables you to reach your goals. To learn more about your options for a new addition or to build on to an existing deck, call us today or visit us here .

Decking material options

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 14:07:00 GMT

If you’re looking to build a deck this summer, you may have noticed that choosing a decking material has become much more difficult than ever before. Just a few years ago the only option was wood, which came in perhaps two or three species. Today, there are dozens of different decking materials available, including composite lumber and plastic decking

Before breaking ground on your new deck, let’s take a close look at basic types of decking, each with its own aesthetics, maintenance requirements, and price range.

Pressure Treated Lumber

The most affordable option is pressure treated (PT) lumber. It is readily available in almost any home supply store or lumber yard. It is also easy to stain or paint in virtually any color.

PT lumber does come with some down sided. It is not the most stable of material. It does tend to shrink, swell, split and crack as it is exposed to the elements.

Like any decking material, PT lumber will need routing maintenance. Power wash it once a year, and a new coat of stain or paint every two to three years will help keep your deck looking like new.

Redwood & Cedar

Redwood and Western red cedar are the most popular option for a wood deck. The are beautiful with deep, rich colors. A natural beauty that doesn’t need to pumped full of chemical. They are resistant to rot and decay.

Prices range from high to low quality of the wood specified. B-grade redwood is a solid choice, and is the most common choice.

Pressure washing once a year. New clear finish every three to four years. If you want to maintain the natural colors of your redwood or cedar, then you need to use a semi-transparent stain that is tinted and formulated for use on cedar or redwood.

Composite Decking

Composite Decking or PVC (Plastic Decking) are a popular choice because they are mostly maintenance free. Composites are weather resistant, easy to clean, and will not warp or rot. All of which makes it a easy and practical choice.

Prices vary with the quality of the decking and it’s mixture of recycled material. Some will definitely absorb and give off more heat than other. Composites may also be heavy and need more effort to install.

Maintenance is a snap, and composites come in a wide range of colors and style.

At Coastal Outdoors, we work with all deck material variations and would be happy to discuss what would work best for you. Visit coastaloutdoorspaces.com for more information.

Why You Should Start Planning For Your Spring Outdoor Project Now

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 14:00:00 GMT

With warmer temperatures right around the corner, it is likely you are itching to be able to enjoy the outdoors again. There is a chance you have been dreaming up ideas or even planning exactly what you might want all winter. Now is the perfect time to start planning your outdoor home improvement projects for spring! A patio, deck, or even a sunroom is an excellent addition to your home that can provide you and your family with more functional living space and add value to your home.

Spring is the busy season for most patio, deck, and outdoor living contractors. Now is the time to get your project on the books to ensure you can enjoy it during the peak outdoor season.

Planning takes time – and with some properties that can include permits, HOA approvals, and the like – so it is important to work out these details with enough time before construction begins. Similarly with design, taking your time to research designs, and customizations, you’ll end up with a deck or patio that truly fits the needs of your family.

Coastal Outdoor Spaces builds decks, porches, pavilions, gazebos, and sunrooms that will fit perfectly with your vision for a custom-designed outdoor living space. From start to finish our crew will keep the lines of communication open. We will listen and devise a plan that combines your ideas and the industry’s best practices. It is important for you to know that we can grow with your ideas. What starts out as a deck project may turn into a deck with screened porch and patio. We can provide whatever outdoor living design and structure that enables you to reach your goals.

Interested in learning more about how Coastal Outdoor Spaces can transform your outdoor spaces? We serve clients in Annapolis and all over Anne Arundel County. We look forward to helping you. Click here or call us today: 443-223-9518

Outdoor Updates That Add Value to Your Home

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 17:17:00 GMT

Looking to add value to your home in 2023? While a home’s value depends heavily on its interior square footage, having functional and attractive outdoor spaces can add a lot to the value of your house. Investing in these outdoor upgrades now means you have the time to enjoy them, and they’ll produce a high return on investment later. It’s a win-in!

Here are a few updates that the Coastal Outdoor Spaces recommends:

1. Make your yard functional: Use landscaping, hardscaping, outdoor kitchens, firepits and other add-ons to create new outdoor zones! These spaces can then be used to entertain, for kids to play, exercise and more.

2. Create an outdoor living space: According to a recent survey from Rocket Homes, an attached outdoor living space, such as a deck or porch, can add almost $20,000 to the value of your home. The team at Coastal Outdoor Spaces can help you determine which type of outdoor space is best for your home. Click here ( https://coastaloutdoorspaces.com/design-build-services-outdoor-living-spaces/decks-porches-pavilions-gazebos-sunrooms/ ) to learn more about our deck, porch, pavilion, gazebo and sunroom design and installation.

3. Enhance your landscaping: Landscaping is an easy way to not only add a lot of visual appeal to your house but can also build equity in your home. Low-maintenance plantings for colorful but easy upkeep can help keep your landscaping looking great. The experts at Coastal Outdoor Spaces can help you design landscaping that is a perfect reflection of you and your home. Click here ( https://coastaloutdoorspaces.com/design-build-services-outdoor-living-spaces/landscape-design/ ) to learn more about our landscape design capabilities.

Together, we can make your outdoor living dreams come true. Contact us today ( https://coastaloutdoorspaces.com/contact-us-outdoor-living-spaces/ ) to get your patio, deck, porch, or landscaping project started today!

A New Year, Another Happy Client!

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 15:45:00 GMT

Recently, Coastal Outdoor Spaces received a 5-star Google Review from another happy client. Click here or read below to learn about their positive experience with Coastal!

We contracted with Coastal to replace our large wood deck with a new composite deck, paver patio, and firepit. We also contracted with them to replace our front walkway. We chose Brandon and Coastal after conducting a lot of research and getting quotes from many companies. Brandon was by far the most thoughtful, creative, and knowledgeable of all bidders. His price was competitive and the creativity of his design was outstanding. He was so knowledgeable about functional and aesthetic aspects of the work– he informed us about things we would have never known, even after extensive research.

Once the Coastal team came onsite to do the work, the efficiency of the delivery of the material, combined with the execution of their work schedule, were exceptional. They showed great pride in their work, and were open to input from us while they were executing the design. The team cleaned up after each day, and were so respectful and nice throughout the entire process. The music they played contributed to a festive atmosphere.

When we think about the value we received, we are so pleased. Here are a few examples:

Other companies were going to use the existing wood platform and overlay the new composite material to replace the existing deck, but Brandon’s team took the time and material to replace everything. During the demolition process, his team found several potential entry points for mice, which they sealed for us.

The original patio design was smaller, but Brandon’s team enlarged it to make it so much more stunning and beautiful. They also added a landing area in the front of the deck which tied the entire space so beautifully
The original front walkway was a basic rectangular design that had fallen. Brandon and his team opened the design adding movement and flair, and used a concrete base to ensure it never falls again.

After a week or so, we thought we needed one more light to illuminate a tree. We called Brandon, and within a week he sent one of his team out to install the extra light.

We recommend Coastal Outdoor Spaces so enthusiastically to everyone! Thank you Brandon and team for our beautiful outdoor spaces!

Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner Outdoors

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 17:04:00 GMT

With the warm Indian Summer we are having here around the Chesapeake Bay, you might consider hosting your Thanksgiving outdoors. Of course, here at Coastal Outdoor, we love that idea. Food Network published some great tips for hosting your Thanksgiving celebration outdoors so we thought we would share a few!

Keep the food warm! If you live in a cool climate, your food will cool down surprisingly quickly when you take it outside. And no one wants to eat stone-cold mashed potatoes. It’s worth using serving dishes with lids and investing in a few different insulated serving dishes for each table. You might want to get some insulated glasses, too, for warm beverages (tea and piping hot cocktails are a great way to keep people warm).
Keep the people warm, too! Warm diners are happy diners, so consider stashing a few washable blankets at each table. If you want to really up the ante, invest in some matching seasonal colored blankets and drape one over the back of each chair. One or two heat lamps are also a great investment. You can reuse the blankets and heat lamps well into the fall as you entertain outside. Coastal Outdoor Spaces has designed and built many custom porches, gazebos, and outdoor fireplaces that can certainly keep your guests warm for many Thanksgivings to come! Get some inspiration here.
Set the mood with magical ambiance. Vases of flowers and twinkly lights will go a long way. But here are a few more ways to really stun everyone. First, if you’re dining at night, you’ll want to make sure the tables are well-lit. Chic battery-operated lanterns placed on each table will do the trick. Second, a firepit is a great way to pull your dining scene together and provide more light and warmth. See our projects here.
Protection against rain is important! Not to rain on the parade, but unless you’re hosting Thanksgiving on your porch or have an indoor backup plan, it’s a good idea to put a plan in place for inclement weather. Coastal Outdoor Spaces can design and build pavilions and sun rooms to ensure you can enjoy the outdoors but keep you sheltered from the elements!

Don’t wait. Contact Coastal Outdoor Spaces today to start planning your next project!