It’s difficult to imagine a modern single-family house without a porch or a deck. Both small houses and luxurious mansions have them – from simple unroofed detached and multi-level decks through portico or front-entry porches to screened and wrap-around porches. We value spaces that guarantee typical home comforts – appliances, lighting, safe and even ground, protection against harsh weather conditions, and at the same time allow direct contact with nature. And you can create your new space by commissioning professional Chicago deck builders to build your deck.
Porches and decks are very popular because they connect the house to the front or back yard in a way that is aesthetically pleasing. A porch or a deck will give your house character and give curb appeal, but also provide a place where you can relax and spend time with your friends and family. It can be a beautiful and functional addition to your home if you build and design it properly.
Branico Construction, Inc. is a professional Chicago deck builder, that has a proven track record for completing deck and porch construction projects throughout the Chicagoland area.
As a professional deck contractor, we’ll work with you to design your unique Chicago porch that will fit the layout and the unique needs of your home.
There are a lot of options to choose from, and the ones you decide on depending mainly on your taste, creativity, and budget. When designing a deck or porch there are a few essential factors to consider…
Deck or porch?
A porch
is a part of a building that is usually located in the front of a house with external stairs in front of the entry door (although a ground-level porch is also becoming a popular solution). It may be open or enclosed with walls or screens and is usually covered with a roof supported by posts. Porches can be used as outdoor living spaces or in some cases – as storage.
Decks,
on the other hand, are outdoor extensions of buildings’ ground floors. A deck most often serves as a recreational space in residential architecture. In-office and service buildings (e.g. in hotels), decks can additionally play the role of an outside café, restaurant, garden, etc. Decks are usually located at the back or side of the building – that way they’re not directly facing the street or garbage area, and function as a natural connection between the house and the yard. If we have a large house, we can even consider building several decks in different places.
Budget
Construction projects can be troublesome by nature, both financially and strategy-wise. Creating a budget for a new project is a huge challenge, and sticking to it is even harder. When it comes to deck and porch construction costs, planning a reasonable budget requires a detailed approach and a good deal of research. Our experienced Chicago deck builders will assist you with creating a financial budget that won’t empty your pockets but meet the vision that you have for your house at the same time.
Each porch or deck should be priced individually. Their costs depend on many factors: their shape, size and height, location, purpose, number of stairs (if any), type of substrate and foundation, and the type of material used. Building a porch can also be more expensive than building a deck, as the construction is usually more complex.
Location
Assess the desired access points for your porch or deck. As previously mentioned, decks are usually located at the back of the building, while porches are situated at the front. When thinking about where you would like to build your decking, you should consider your home’s architecture and sunlight.
A porch roof, for example, will greatly minimize the amount of natural light entering through the front windows of your home. However, roofing should either way always be considered, as it is an extremely important element of porch construction. It not only protects from rain, falling leaves, and other organic matter but also makes the space more comfortable during hot summer days.
You can also hang additional lighting on such a structure, grow climbing plants, and design other interesting compositions. It is a beautiful finial of the decking construction that can change the look of the entire building.
Decks in many cases are not roofed, considering their many location options: attached or detached decks, multi-level decks, swimming pool decks, rooftop or over-garage decks, and many more. If you’re still not sure which type of porch or deck to choose, contact Branico decks and porch builders, who will advise on which design and location will be right for your home.
Material
The choice of material for the surface finish of a deck or a porch is not easy. We must remember that the finishing material is not only aesthetically important – it must be durable and functional at the same time. When planning your deck or porch construction, everything must be considered: the style, color, quality, and price.
Unfortunately, our climate does not allow us to enjoy the sun 365 days a year, so the selection of material must take into account the whims of the weather. High-temperature fluctuations, cold winters, heavy rains alternating with heat are just some weather conditions that we experience here in Chicago.
The material must, therefore, be resistant to thermal and mechanical effects. The most popular types of materials used are weather-resistant woods, pressure-treated woods, hardwoods, composite, concrete, or paving stones.
Extras
In order to fully enjoy the charm of your own open-air corner, it is worth thinking about adding some extras that might enhance the appearance and value of your home and add charm to your life. Depending on the type of deck or porch you’re looking to get, consider adding railings, roof, fencing, and other deck structures. These additions will add cost, but will also make your porch or deck shine.
Branico porch builders Chicago will help you throughout the entire deck or porch construction process and offer guidance to ensure that you make the right decisions.
We know that installing a deck or porch may be overwhelming, but with the right deck and porch contractors, the right amount of research and help from Branico porch builders, the entire process will be a stress-free and rewarding journey.
If you’re thinking of adding value to your home by installing an entirely new deck or porch, call (708) 268-5405 Branico Construction today to get your deck or porch construction project started!