If you’re thinking about building a new deck, 3- or 4-season room, sun room, screened porch, patio, trellis, pergola, arbor or fire pit at your home in Montgomery County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County or Prince Georges County MD, give Archadeck of Central Maryland a call, we’d be happy to discuss your options and share what high quality projects we can create. Our design consultation is no obligation and free. Give us a call at 301-926-3001 or email us to schedule yours today.

Coming up this weekend, Friday March 9th – Sunday, March 11th, 2012 is the return of the popular Suburban Maryland Spring Home Show at the Discovery Sports Center at Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown MD. Admission is free (you can print a free pass from their website) and our company, Archadeck of Maryland, will be exhibiting at booth #624.

The Suburban Maryland Home Show is an event designed for homeowners in all stages of remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes. There will be hundreds of home improvement and landscaping exhibits with product demonstrations, displays and design ideas. With a combination of new products and expert advice from the pros, this home show helps inspire homeowners with countless ideas on enhancing their home’s comfort and functionality, as well as its aesthetic appeal and overall value.

This show is for geared toward new home buyers and long-time homeowners alike, and should be of particular interest to anyone wanting to update, enhance, or create a new look or amenity for their own home.

Show Address:

Discovery Sports Center at Maryland SoccerPlex (for direction click here, or view this on Google Maps)
18031 Central Park Circle
Germantown (Boyds), MD 20841

Show Hours:

• Friday, March 9, 2012 11:00am – 8:00pm
• Saturday, March 10, 2012 10:00am – 8:00pm
• Sunday, March 11, 2012 10:00am – 6:00pm

Be sure to stop by the Archadeck of Maryland booth to check out pictures of our latest projects, find out more about our products and services, and ask our experts any questions about your upcoming home project. We look forward to seeing you at the home show!

Coming up next week is the annual Washington Home & Garden Show at the DC Convention Center! Starting Friday, March 9th through Sunday, March 11th, 2012 you’ll be able to see HGTV celebrity experts in person, check out the latest in outdoor living trends and get inspired for your spring gardening & home projects!

Archadeck of Maryland & Archadeck of Northern Virginia will be exhibiting at booth #1437, so be sure to stop by our booth to check out the latest in outdoor living trends, see examples of our top-notch work in the region, including custom built decks and outdoor spaces, and feel free to ask questions about your own upcoming design project to our experts.

The show highlights are listed here and include:

• Celebrity guest Ty Pennington from HGTV, ABC Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and ABC The Revolution (appearing Sat. 3/10 at 2:00pm). To see the complete schedule of stage presentations time/dates, click here.
• Celebrity guest Todd Davis of HGTV’s Room Crashers (appearing Sat. 3/10 & Sun. 3/11). To see the complete schedule of stage presentations time/dates, click here.
• Celebrity guest Sasha Andreev from HGTV’s Curb Appeal (appearing Fri. 3/9 & Sat. 3/10). To see the complete schedule of stage presentations time/dates, click here.
• Local garden expert and publisher/founder of Washington Gardener Magazine, Kathy Jentz (appearing Sat. 3/10). To see the complete schedule of stage presentations time/dates, click here.
• Garden guru Kerry Mendez of Perennially Yours gardening services. She has been featured on HGTV and in many national gardening magazines plus hosted Horticulture magazine’s national gardening webinars in 2010 & 2011, and is the author of “The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Top Ten Lists: 70 Garden-Transforming Lists for Zones 3 – 7″ and “Top Ten Lists for Beautiful Shade Gardens.”
• Sarah von Pollaro, founder Urban Petals Floral Design, whose designs have adorned the White House, the Kennedy Center, and the Macy’s Flower Show (appearing Sat. 3/10). To see the complete schedule of stage presentations time/dates, click here.
• IKEA Furniture Fashion Show on Sunday, March 11th where you’ll be able to see the latest haute designs from IKEA’s 2012 collection, with DC’s own Michael Dumiao
• Innovation Avenue - check out the newest products in home decor, kitchen & bath, outdoor living & more!
• Glorious Gardens - Stroll through 16,000 sq feet of gardens and see the latest trends in landscaping & outdoor living. In the feature gardens you’ll be able to experience 6 movie-inspired gardens, designed by the area’s premier landscape designers!

Tickets will be sold at the door (Adults $12; Children Ages 6-12 $3; Children 5 and under: FREE).

If you’re looking for a deal on tickets, you can buy tickets online and save $5 with Promo Code “FCBK” (according to their Facebook event page here): http://bit.ly/s3yck5

The show times/hours are:

• Friday, March 9th, 2012 10:00am – 9:00pm
• Saturday, March 10th, 2012 9:00am – 9:00pm
• Sunday, March 11th, 2012 10:00am – 6:00pm

If you’re in the DC area and have an upcoming outdoor or home project you’re planning this spring, be sure to stop by the Washington Home & Garden Show next weekend. We look forward to seeing you there!

Near the end of one of the warmest winters recorded in Maryland’s history, our team at Archadeck of Maryland is finding that more clients are looking to get their home improvement and renovation projects started earlier this season, so they can leap into spring. On Leap Day it’s only fitting to remind you that spring is right around the corner and now is the time to start working with your custom design or renovation professional if you want a project completed in time for full enjoyment of a new deck, hardscape, patio or outdoor living space for the majority of spring and summer. If you’ve been considering a new deck or 3- or 4-season room to help you create your own outdoor oasis, follow these five simple steps to “take the leap” into a new project:

1. Make a list. Putting your home & design projects in writing and making a timeline is a great way to start tackling your new project and clarifying any desired features, specifications, intended use, and goals for the finished project or living space.
2. Collect pictures of projects for design ideas. Clip pictures from magazines, start a virtual pinboard on Pinterest, or find a way to collect photos that help you visualize your desired end result.
3. Ask for referrals. Word of mouth is a good way to start when finding a good contractor or renovation specialist. But don’t just ask friends and neighbors in person; be sure to check websites like Angie’s List, Yelp, My Neighbors Network (covering Maryland and Northern Virginia), the Better Business Bureau, Consumer’s CheckBook, etc. or look for testimonials on a company’s website.
4. Check contractor for accreditation, to make sure they are licensed and insured. This information can be found through your state’s department of labor. In Maryland you can check the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation website to search for contractor licenses here. You’ll also want to make sure a company is insured and verify their warranty protection.
5. Schedule in-home consultations. Start the process of getting quotes and scheduling design consultations so you can get a feel for a company or contractor before making a commitment.

Take these simple steps to get your project on track and leap into spring with a new outdoor living space to enjoy.

If you’re thinking about building a new deck, 3- or 4-season room, sun room, screened porch, patio, trellis, pergola, arbor or fire pit at your home in Montgomery County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County or Prince Georges County MD, give us a call to discuss ideas. Our design consultation is free. Give us a call at 301-926-3001 or email us to schedule yours today.

This outdoor space has it all, a screened gazebo, fire pit and grill area all of which can add the utmost enjoyment during the fall months.

Fire pits are very popular right now and likely will be for many years to come. Here’s why. Fire pits not only add beauty and ambiance to our outdoor living areas but they are also more functional than you may realize. Here are 5 considerations if you’re thinking about adding a custom fire pit to your backyard living space.

1) Heat direction

Fire features are very popular in outdoor living environments. These can include anything from custom made fire pits to outdoor fireplaces to other outdoor fire features such as outdoor ovens. While these fire features add tremendous ambiance and are often the focal point of your custom outdoor environment, they also have the utilitarian benefit of providing heat. A fire pit radiates heat outward where a fireplace will direct the heat up through the flue. Think about the evenings you will spend outside and how many people want to convene around your outdoor fire feature. Consider whether you will want to roast marshmallows or just enjoy the vision of a roaring fire.

2) Placement

While fire pits do a great job of radiating heat out in all directions, they don’t need to be placed in the center of your outdoor living environment. Many customers decide to build the fire pit into the corner which provides more space for furniture or movement. This allows substantial space to sit in front of the fire pit while allowing more usable space for furniture and movement.

This custom fire pit is built into the corner to allow for lots of seating area

3) Heat source

When you have your fire pit built, you will want to determine if you want to run gas to the fire pit as a heat source. Many fire pits these days don’t just burn logs. You will certainly want to think about running any lines to your fire pit before you build your patio or other structure that is the base of your fire pit. In fact, some of our customers know they will be building gas features in the future since they are building their outdoor living area in stages. You will want to ask your builder to run any gas and electrical lines you may need when they build the deck, patio, porch or other room.

Montgomery County MD fire pit with built in hardscapes

4) Alternate uses

Fire pits look beautiful just by themselves but creative uses of them can make them even more beautiful. We can also equip them with gas and use glowing glass fire rock. The fire rocks come in lots of different colors, shapes and patterns. Also, in addition to having gas run to your fire pit, we can even  run water to the fire pit to use it as a water feature during the hot months of the year. We can put a drain and an exterior plug to the fire pit so you can use it as a planter during the warmer months.

Archadeck of Maryland fire pit with seating wall

5) Custom built-in features

One of the benefits of building your custom outdoor living environment is you can add built-in features that add to the beauty as well as the functionality of the space. For example, a retaining wall can be built around the side of the fire pit which can also serve as benches. Flower boxes can be added to the seats. There are limitless opportunities to add custom features to make your customer fire pit exactly what your family needs.

If you’re thinking about building an outdoor living environment at your home, give us a call to discuss ideas. Our consultation is free. Give us a ring at (301) 926 – 3001 or email us at centralmaryland@archadeck.net.

This front porch addition in Rockville, MD is a great example of the charismatic charm of a front porch

The front of your  house is such an important feature of your home. It’s an invitation. It’s a welcome. It’s a place to greet your guests and a dry to place to hug and say goodbye. But protection from elements is but a small piece of what a portico and porch can do. We explore the importance of choosing the right feature for your home’s front door. Home is where the heart is and it begins at your home’s entrance.

This stylish open front porch uses hardscapes and beautiful columns

Not so very long ago the front porch served as a refuge and a prime location for social interaction. I can remember hearing my grandparents talk about “courting” their suitors while sipping iced tea on the front porch swing. Porches over the years have taken on their own persona as not only serving as an outdoor room but there was a nice social aspect to front porches. Front porches used to be very popular, the southern Georgian home of yesteryear as seen in story books always had porches, as did the ranchers in the endearing stories of the era of the cowboy. Since the onset of air conditioning the front porch is now looked at in a different manner because people have  moved inside and left behind the lazy Sunday afternoons taking in the cool breeze on the porch. Front porches along with porticos aim to bring back that first impression charm. Deciding which structure is best for you depends on personal preference and simply what would harmonize structurally with your existing home. We are hear to give you the FYI on both structures, to make your selection effortless with no lingering regret.

Portico with decorative columns

A portico serves a functional purpose and is also aesthetically pleasing much like the front porch. It makes a dramatic difference to the look of your house and how it welcomes you and your guests. A porch serves a social purpose and provides your family with an outdoor living area, whereas a portico adds more formality to your home’s entrance. Porticos can have  decorative seating but are not intended to be used as living space. A portico is there to protect the front of the house and guests from weather and rain when entering your home. A portico can be built over an existing stoup. A Portico has a depth minimum is 5 ft  and if your existing stoup cannot facilitate a portico addition then the  stoup can be removed and expanded.

This Maryland front porch addition welcomes guest with open arms

In terms of which design would work best for you and your home, you have to first take your homes architecture into consideration. For example, square colonials can better benefit aesthetically from adding a portico to your home. Many colonial homes benefit from the addition of a colonial house arched portico addition.  Gabled porticos can also harmonize beautifully with your gabled roof ranch style home. We have a huge portfolio of portico designs to serve as inspiration when considering the addition of a portico to the front of your residence.

This front porch in Rockville, MD makes afternoons linger a bit longer, and living a little easier

A porch can do all of what a portico can plus give you valuable outdoor living space. Porches serve a social purpose and provides your family with an outdoor living area. They can also provides a covered pathway from your driveway to the front door by adding stairs to the side of the porch. Whether or not a front porch is the best choice for your individual needs depends on your homes architecture and if you are looking for function as well as form. There are certain structural criteria that need to be met in order for a front porch to work for you. On a full front porch, the roof style is a little more restrictive than with a portico. You need to use a shed or very wide hip roof to soften the design you can add an accent gable to bring the focal point to your front door. When considering using your front porch addition to accommodate seating, it must be at least 8 feet deep, any less would make the area to tight for outdoor seating or proper traffic flow.

This design and architecture of this Rockville, MD home lends itself perfectly to a front porch

When you explore the ways in which front porches and porticos can be finished, there is a wide variety of styles and materials to choose from. On front porch flooring we often use  PVC tongue and groove.  Many times running standard decking parallel to house looks less formal and it is usually better to use composite or PVC. Even though with both porches and porticos we can paint any material, often people want more of a painted look and PVC already looks that way. Front porch ceilings are most often flat and not cathedral, whereas a portico many times can facilitate a cathedral ceiling. Since front porches are often used for outdoor living space you want to make sure to have proper outdoor lighting and ceiling fans so you can enjoy the area in comfort. With both front porches and porticos it is important to select columns to match the period, style and architecture of the house in most cases the columns can have capital and base trim.

Interior view of this new Rockville, MD portico by Archadeck of Maryland

Homeowners also opt to put railings on their front porch even though many times it is not required by code. Railings give the area more of a room feel when used. Last but not least, on front porches we generally use lattice skirting to finish out the area if it is a few steps above the ground. If the elevation is only one step we will use solid board skirting. Both lattice skirting and solid board skirting gives the porch a finished look  and makes the design cohesive. Our most popular color for skirting is white because it looks more formal which fits the goal of adding curb appeal.

No matter which style of entrance you choose to welcome friends and family into your home, Archadeck of Central Maryland  and Archadeck of Montgomery County can plan, design and build a portico or front porch that will make you the envy of the neighborhood. Contact Archadeck of Central Maryland and Archadeck of Montgomery County today to learn more. (301) 926 – 3001
centralmaryland@archadeck.net or montgomeryco@archadeck.net

To see more stylish front porch additions and portico designs, visit our front porches and portico gallery located on our website.

Our 3-dimensional design rendering shows the open porch design and how it flows from the deck to the homes interior with ease

Maybe you can relate to this scenario…  You move from your existing home into a home that offers more of what you need and want out of a house. The basis  for your move may be a bigger home, a better address, a shorter commute to work or possibly all of the above. Once you get settled into your new location and it begins to feel like home you realize that the outdoor structure that you had at your previous home has been much more sorely missed than you would’ve ever imagined. Even though your interior living space exceeds your expectations, when you reminisce about the old deck and porch you left behind you find yourself humming the tune of the Michael Bolton song, ” how am I supposed to live without you”?

This image shows the Chevy Chase, MD outdoor living areas in their entirety

This is exactly what happened to these Chevy Chase, MD homeowners upon their recent move. They really enjoyed spending time outdoors and they found themselves in a most unfortunate circumstance; their wonderful new home had no outdoor living space at all. Their old home had a nice deck that they used frequently and they contacted us to get the ball rolling to design an outdoor space for them to help quench their thirst for outdoor living.

This detailed drawing shows the back elevation of the structure and how it harmonizes with the architecture of the home

We set out to design an elegant and formal looking space for them that would incorporate a roomy new deck and open porch. The couple’s existing home is a two-story with a  basement that grades up from one side to the other. Our challenge was to overcome the slope of the space as well as incorporate a large tree that the outdoor structures needed to harmonize with. Our solution was to concentrate our design on the homes rectilinear design to create a space that compliments the home, offers a comforting flow to and from the home’s interior spaces and lends itself to future projects in the back yard.

Close up design rendering showing the flow and function of this Chevy Chase, MD deck and porch by Archadeck of Maryland

We are constructing a deck which also includes a large rectangular open porch which matches the architecture of the house. The area will tie together with a hip roof on an open porch. The open porch is six plus feet above the grade of the lot so they will enjoy insect control because of the elevation. The french doors that are being installed off the home’s dining room will spill out onto the porch and will also provide access to the family room addition which was added to the home a few years ago. We are flanking either side of the doors which will serve as eating and seating areas. From one side of the open porch the homeowner will have close proximity to the interior kitchen. We also designed the deck to include the family barbecue area in close proximity to the kitchen area for ease and convenience when entertaining or dining outdoors. Since one of the homeowner’s wishes is to focus on the elegance within the outdoor space, the columns will be trimmed to blend the front exterior of the home and will make the design refined, tight and cohesive.

Design rendering prepared for Chevy Chase, MD porch and deck by Archadeck of Maryland

The stunning deck is designed to allow for future projects in the backyard as the homeowners see fit. On the deck and open porch we are using Guardian Prestige in weather wood with Shoreline railings. The entire project was carved like a diamond out of the rough for these Chevy Chase, MD homeowners. Archadeck of Central Maryland and Archadeck of Montgomery County was able to overcome the designing obstacles with ease and perfection. The homeowners are eager to enjoy their completed deck and open porch for many years to come.

Contact Archadeck of Central Maryland and Archadeck of Montgomery County to find out how to create an outdoor oasis in your own backyard. We provide quality outdoor structures that will not only add value to your home, but enrich your life as well. (301) 926 – 3001
centralmaryland@archadeck.net or montgomeryco@archadeck.net

See more deck and open porch designs by Visiting our Deck galleries and porch galleries located on our website.

This deck by Archadeck of Central Maryland is constructed from AZEK, a composite decking material that looks lovely against the backdrop of autumn leaves.

You can probably feel the sting in your wallet every time you visit the pump to fill up. With the ever-increasing price of gas, many aspects within our economy can be affected. Gasoline is derived from crude oil, which is a commodity, and like many other commodities when demand is on the rise, the price goes up. Everything from hand lotion, to dish washing detergents and even frozen foods are made using derivatives of crude oil in one form or another, and when the demand from crude oil rises, so do the prices we pay for these everyday items.

This composite deck with pergola by Archadeck of Maryland, is just one example of the many outdoor structures we can have ready for you by spring.

One aspect that is affected by the rising price of crude oil, is composite decking materials. One major component that goes into creating composite decking is plastic and plastic is a bi-product of refining crude oil . The plastic is costing the composite manufacturers more so the composite prices will increase. Throughout the year the trend in rising crude oil prices fluctuates and intermittent pricing of materials that are derived from crude oil will be affected, however through past price hikes we have seen a trend in crude oil prices experiencing a brisk rise during the month of December in recent years. There is always an increase in composite deck materials which occurs twice a year. The increases are generally seen in December and during the mid-summer months.  This means that deciding to go ahead and build that deck or outdoor structure you have had on hold now may save you quite a bit of green in the long run. Aside from the avoidance of rising composite prices, there are many other reasons why building your outdoor structure now, rather than later can benefit you greatly.

An outdoor oasis by Archadeck of Maryland

Not only will you avoid the long lines and waiting periods that usually accompany Spring construction, your structure will actually be ready for you and your family to use and enjoy in the Spring. You can enjoy the first blooms of spring from your deck or outdoor structure instead of saying, ” I wish we already had our outdoor structure up and running”. There are also  fewer winter weather delays now than in the months of January and February. The cooler weather conditions also means the crews can work longer hours because of the absence of the summer heat which can sometimes create a longer than expected building deadline to occur if weather conditions are too hot and require more hydration breaks for the workers.

GuardDeck Guardian Elite composite decking by Archadeck of Maryland

Another key aspect of choosing to build now is there is less damage caused to your turf and landscaping when materials and construction crews are upon it. Most plants and turf are dormant during the late fall and winter months which helps protect them from damage that may occur from construction, as well as cooler temperatures creating a firmer ground to work on with less risk of turf damage.  Archadeck of Montgomery County  also encourages homeowners to consider building now because of the savings that can be accrued by just the concrete aspect of your outdoor structure.  During the cooler months concrete is being poured below the frost line which means you can use cold water concrete and this can be poured down into the lower single digit temperatures, and financially this comes out to a great deal for the homeowner.

This deck by Archadeck shows the beauty that can be yours with a composite deck.

If you are yearning and dreaming of a new deck, patio or other outdoor structure choosing to build now can mean a big difference in the savings, and in having your structure sooner than you could’ve imagined by avoiding the spring backlogs. Even choosing to wait until April or May to begin construction could put you into mid-summer having your structure completed. Right now Archadeck of Montgomery County is offering up to $2,500 off your project if you sign up before the end of 2011. Our offer gives you 10% off with a cap of $2,500, contact us for details.

Don’t wait any longer, wouldn’t the perfect outdoor structure be the perfect holiday gift for yourself and your family? Contact us today to get in on the savings, from the gas pump to your backyard. (301) 926 – 3001
centralmaryland@archadeck.net or montgomeryco@archadeck.net

For more beautiful composite and PVC deck designs, visit our composite and PVC deck photo gallery on our website.

Archadeck of Central Maryland and Archadeck of Montgomery County offer homeowners peace of mind that their dreams will become a reality.

Imagine dreaming, planning and saving to build your outdoor structure. Imagine hiring what you think is a reputable builder to bring your dream patio, screened porch or deck to fruition, only to have the builder walk off the job with your structure half completed, never to return. Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming more and more common among the building industry. Now more than ever it is important for consumers to learn the true meaning of what it means when a builder is licensed and insured, which safeguards the homeowner from having this type of travesty from happening to you.

Octagonal IPE deck and custom-built screen porch in Rockville MD

I recently had a call from Bel Air, MD where a homeowner had a contractor start a deck for her over a year ago. The contractor was a reputable builder that had been in business in her market for many years. The contractor then went “belly up” as a result of the recession. The builder had references and a good reputation, and the homeowner felt the builder she had hired did good work until her deck was halfway completed and the builder went out of business. The homeowner then had no protection because the builder’s insurance did not cover guaranteeing her deck would get 100% finished. Archadeck of  Central Maryland went in and picked up the pieces and finished the homeowners deck to her complete satisfaction. Had she went with a company such as Archadeck from the beginning, this ordeal would have never happened because we are licensed and insured with Archadeck’s own National Guarantee Corporation which gives the homeowner a performance guarantee with no additional cost to homeowner. The frequency of these occurrences and  scope of the problem is being felt nationwide according to national statistics.

Mahogany deck Bethesda Maryland

According to recent data the 18 month recession which began in 2007 and formally ended in 2009 represents the longest economic downturn America has experienced since World War II. The NBEA, ( National Bureau of Economic Analysis)  has noted that the economic recovery actually began in 2009, and they also noted that as of yet the economy has not returned to normal capacity. Among the hardest hit during this economic downturn are the contractors that make their living in various trades of building. From commercial to residential  building, contractors are competing for less work and their failure rates are rising sharply. Some of the hardest hit are the “fly by night”, unlicensed and uninsured contractors. All over the country the failure rates for contractors that are not adequately licensed, permitted or insured are extremely high. The failure rate is impacting the entire genre of building as a whole. From bankruptcies and foreclosures, the wave of failure rates can be felt all the way down to the consumer, leaving unfinished structures and shattered dreams in their path.

This two-story screened porch by Archadeck of Central Maryland and Montgomery County is an example of our excellence in design, quality with guarantees to match.

This cannot happen when you choose to hire Archadeck of Central Maryland and  Archadeck of Montgomery County  to build your structure. We not only enjoy the benefit of being part of a national company that’s nearly 25 years old. But, we have an unprecedented guarantee in the business. We GUARANTEE that your project will be finished. Even if the unforeseen were to happen like  someone in the family falls ill or I get stuck in Saskatchewan and can’t get back, someone else will step in from Archadeck and finish your job. We know that things happen. We’ve seen it happen everywhere in this recession. But you can have the most peace of mind with Archadeck. We are a fully funded corporation, guaranteed – I have been the chairman of the board for two of my last six years on the board and I am still board member. Not one single customer has been left holding the bag in the six years that we’ve had the corporation.

We offer protection for homeowners that no other contractor can provide and ensures project completion. Our guarantee  also includes a two-year structural guarantee and a one year workmanship and material guarantee. This is why we call our warranties a “performance guarantee”. We also have million dollar liability protection and all of our worker’s are covered by workman’s compensation which means that if a worker gets hurt while working on your structure, you are not held liable for any injuries or medical bills that may incur from an accident or injury.

If you are ready to turn that dream of an outdoor structure into a reality in your own backyard by a builder that will stick by you through thick and thin and see that your outdoor structure comes to completion in all it’s glory, contact Archadeck of Central Maryland or Archadeck of Montgomery County today to learn more.

(301) 926 – 3001
centralmaryland@archadeck.net or montgomeryco@archadeck.net

The addition of this portico by Archadeck of Maryland gives this Rockville, MD home a new look.

In a world where first impressions mean everything, making the decision to upgrade your front entry or front porch can add tremendous curb appeal to your entire home. A front porch or portico addition can make your home appear larger and more inviting. When you look at the dynamics of design and construction, many times little things can mean a lot. Changing a small area of a home can make a tremendous impact on how the home feels, and especially in the way the home is perceived. Making changes to areas such as entrances, porches or even a upgrading your front door can improve upon your homes aesthetic  appeal and play a role in how visitors and guests feel as they enter your home.

This photo shows the new and improved front porch area perfect for these Rockville, MD homeowners to enjoy their beautifully landscaped front yard.

These Rockville, MD homeowners recently contacted us to transform their home’s front entrance to not only beautify the front entrance but to also provide them with the ability to enjoy their beautiful front yard within a “rocking chair” front porch environment. By adding the front portico to this already nice looking home, we were able to provide all this and a great deal more for these Rockville homeowners and turn the residence into a stunning structure which is alive with timeless elegance.

This is the "before" photo of this Rockville, MD home before Archadeck of Maryland added the front portico to the structure.

Their home is a circa. 1960′s traditional two-story colonial with an attached 2-car garage constructed in brick and clap siding. The front door to the home was a standard door with federal style trim. This home although classic in its design, was built during a period in architecture when entrances to homes were not considered to be a prominent feature in the home’s design. We set our sights on changing this to a front entrance that would become a focal point for the home and also encompass everything that the homeowners desired to achieve by transforming this area of their home.

Interior view of the new Rockville, MD portico by Archadeck of Maryland

Archadeck of Central Maryland and Archadeck of Montgomery County built a front porch over half of the front between the family room kick out with low maintenance tongue and groove AZEK  porch flooring which allowed for continuity of the home’s traditional style. We then add footed columns on either side of the porch which give the portico a regal and stately feel as you enter. We even added ceiling fans to make the portico easy to love even when the weather is warm. The end result is a stunning transformation that looks original to the home and gives the entire house a new look.

The homeowners couldn’t be more pleased with their new portico that looks original to this classic structure. They can now enjoy their front yard season upon season, and receive guests in style with this gracious portico.

The new portico changes the whole dynamic of this Rockville, MD homes design.

If you are looking for a way to add style and curb appeal to your home, consider updating your homes front porch or adding a portico to your existing home. Making the decision to transform this area can give your home a more updated look, and in many cases can add tremendous value to your home as well. Contact Archadeck of Central Maryland and Archadeck of Montgomery County to discuss design options for the front entrance to your home. We can give your residence the face-lift you and your beloved home deserves. (301) 926 – 3001
centralmaryland@archadeck.net and montgomeryco@archadeck.net

See more stunning transformations featuring our custom front porch and portico designs by visiting our photo galleries at http://central-maryland.archadeck.com/pickYourProject/FrontPorchesPorticos.html and http://montgomery-county.archadeck.com/pickYourProject/FrontPorchesPorticos.html