AUGUST 2004 RECREATIONAL / TRAIL RIDING ISSUE
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AUGUST 2004 RECREATIONAL / TRAIL RIDING ISSUE |
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CONTENTS Trail Riding with Backcountry Horsemen
UPCOMING
ISSUES |
Real Estate: Taking Your Deck To The Next Level (ARA) - Turning the backyard into an outdoor living retreat is one of the hottest trends among American homeowners. It makes sense; with televisions, computers and phones in nearly every room of the house, the backyard deck is the final safe haven from life’s pressures. Escaping to a quiet corner of the yard provides a necessary respite. But don’t be fooled. Creating a truly relaxing setting takes more than a laid back approach. There is work to be done before it will feel like a restful place, and one of the most important tasks is to do some thoughtful planning. Creative thinking will pay off in a big way when your deck turns into a favorite spot for your whole family. Today’s decks are a far cry from the rectangular slabs of yesterday.
They serve different purposes than simply sunbathing and grilling, and so they
are being designed and built accordingly. In developing your own concept for an
outdoor retreat, be sure to consider the following: It all begins with knowing the activities you’d like to include on the deck. How much area is needed to comfortably accommodate every activity? The average size deck is 300 to 400 square feet, and the more activities you add to enjoy the outdoor experience, the larger deck required. Having those activities in mind can help you divide the deck into different zones — one for the grill, one for the hot tub, one for a sitting area, etc. You may want to consider giving each zone its own level. Levels are a great way to define areas — a few steps up or down gives the allusion you’ve entered a new space. Another way to distinguish deck areas is to change the deck board direction; an angle change or unique board pattern provides the subtle indication that you’re in a separate deck area. “Many of my customers are requesting distinctive board designs lately. One of the most requested is an octagon inlay underneath a cedar table,” according to Tim Meisch, owner of Custom Cedar Decks in Mill Creek, WA. “It’s so unique, people often mistake it for a decorative rug.” Traffic flow affects the usability of your deck. It’s all about remembering the practical realities. For example, dining areas require extra space. Grilling areas should be close to the kitchen so you’re not shuttling things back and forth more than necessary. If you want to include a conversation area with a warm fireplace for people to gather, make sure you will have enough room to move around safely and comfortably. Weather conditions can also impact layout. If you need protection from the beating rays of the sun or protection from the wind, a sheltered spot under a canopy of trees might be sensible. Or, consider building an arbor or roof over the dining area to create more of an indoor feeling and a transition to the outdoor setting. When choosing a grilling area location, think about the prevailing winds
and pick a spot where the smoke blows away from the guests and cook. And try not
to isolate the grill, as this is a common gathering area for pre-meal
conversations. One great way to make a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors is by incorporating a decking material that gives the impression it is an extension of the room inside. This can be done through the right selection of color and material. While a number of imitation products have hit the market in recent years, all-natural western red cedar remains one of the most widely favored and versatile decking materials. Many people choose western red cedar due to its aesthetic appeal and physical properties. For centuries, cedar has been known for its exceptional beauty, versatility and longevity. Cedar brings an exceptional all-natural look, aroma and character to outdoor spaces. “Natural qualities of western red cedar make it an excellent choice
for a wide range of building projects both inside the home and outside the
home,” says Peter Lang, general manager of the Western Red Cedar Lumber
Association. “It is one of the most environmentally-friendly building
materials you can use. It’s naturally durable without the need for
chemical treatment, dimensionally stable, resilient, and lightweight — unlike some plastic or imitation wood products.” Placing some furniture just outside the main deck entrance provides a smooth segue between spaces and invites guests to move freely between the indoors and outdoors. Choose cushioned fabrics to visually tie the interior and exterior together for a cohesive look. Built-in benches add both style and function to your deck. They are a great way to capitalize on longer stretches of decking with unobstructed views. Adding western red cedar planter boxes at select locations can create focal points. You can also add a birdbath to bring another dimension of enjoyment. Myths And Legends (ARA) - As summer approaches, many of us use our local retailers or contractor as a resource for information for all our home renovation needs. When it comes to innovative building materials, not all the retailers have had the time to educate their staff. With all the options on the market, both retailers and homeowners are confused by the overwhelming choices available in composite deck products. Alternative decking materials, such as composites, have flooded the market. Each product has its own features and benefits and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. When choosing new decking or dock material, most homeowners look at aesthetic beauty, but don’t forget that endurance and strength are extremely important to the life span of the project. Do you wonder whether the new hollow flooring material is as strong as a solid material on the market? Hollow profiles, such as Nexwood, are stronger and lighter then existing solid materials. Nexwood’s Coretech technology was developed using the same concepts you’ll find in I-Beam construction today. Just like steel, aluminum, graphite and fiberglass, plastics can be manufactured in a tubular shape or I-Beam construction to form a stronger member. Mother Nature herself has made tubular structures that are stronger than solids. Trees are a collection of tubular shapes called fibers. It is the orientation of these fibers that give wood its strength as a tree or a piece of lumber. Bamboo is an example of Nature’s innovative tubular design; and honeycombs are another example of strength in a circular, non-solid pattern. Hollow products like Nexwood can span up to 24 inches on center for the 2 by 6 and 5/4 Radius Edge profiles and can be carried by one person without the ends of the boards touching the ground. They can accommodate lighting or speaker wiring, ideal for residential projects, and can be filled with supporting wood inserts to make picnic tables, benches and overheads. And on a sunny day, the hollow profile will stay cooler longer, compared to a solid floor board, allowing you to walk barefoot in the middle of the day. Visit www.nexwood.com for technical information, decking designs, to view photographs and to find dealer listings. The above articles are reprinted with permission from the www.aracontent.com website. |
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