Before
After
Surrounded by beautiful woods with an active waterfall within viewing distance, this small porch in rural Canterbury, CT was begging for an upgrade. Originally composed of a 1-sided covered porch and a staircase to a small 2nd level entrance, the owner of this property asked us to dream big and design him a show-stopping deck that would fit in with the post and beam interior of the home.
Starting with a detailed rendering to allow the client to visualize the plans, we got to work on details and material selection. After reviewing the available decking options, Thermory Benchmark Pine was the obvious choice in this setting due to its natural wood composition that would fit in seamlessly with the original construction of the house. Unlike most softwood decking, Thermory undergoes a thermal modification process that allows for a more durable, rot-resistant finish backed by an unbeatable warranty compared to other natural products. Finished with Cutek oil, the decking and timbers will stay looking like the day they were installed.
When considering framing options, we knew that Fortress Evolution steel framing was the best choice for this project due to the massive size and spans we were looking to accomplish. After educating the customer on the benefits of steel framing, he saw the value. We chose to leave the steel “unwrapped” so that our favorite mix of black metal and natural wood could shine. Deckorators ALX Contemporary aluminum railings fit in seamlessly, along with the black finish of the In-Lite lighting package we installed.
One of the top requests from the homeowner was that we incorporate a screened-in area off the primary bedroom and living space. We were able to accomplish this by using Screeneze screens and sliding screen doors. Paired with a waterproof bladder and finished ceiling, the entire lower level deck (along with the screened-in porch) is dry for enjoyment in all weather conditions! This project was easily one of our favorites – not just of 2023, but all time!
After photos:
