BACKYARD IDEAS & PLANNING

Every day more people are discovering their own backyards and the fun and beauty they can find there. As folks decide that the time to sell their home isn't now, they are instead looking for design ideas to help them take advantage of what they already have. One of the best home improvements you can make is to enhance the outdoor living areas around your own home. Enjoy the great outdoors without leaving home! Often, the cost of those improvements can be offset or even overcome by the enhanced resale value.

The secret to a beautiful and functional backyard design is planning. Don't just start putting the pieces in place randomly. Decide what you want. Think long term! It's fine and normal to do a little at a time. But you still need to add those pieces with the overall design in mind. You don't want to have to tear down one part in order to add the next part. The most important time you spend will be the time spent thinking and researching - before you actually start implementing the design.

Outdoor living enters a whole new realm with an outdoor kitchen. Whether a fun dinner with the family or a larger gathering for outdoor entertaining, cooking outside is always great. Now it can be as easy as cooking inside - and a lot more fun! A new patio cover offers the perfect gathering place for friends and family. An outdoor fireplace is an increasingly popular way to keep your extra living space useful throughout the year.

Concrete patios are the most versatile outdoor areas of all. They are durable multi-purpose areas where all kinds of outdoor activities take place. With a simple patio cover and a gas grill, you're ready for the good times. Does your existing concrete need improvement? If so, that's the ideal time to enlarge it and add features that compliment your lifestyle.

Let us help you as you design the perfect backyard living space that fits the needs of you and your family.

Planning:

Breaking ground. The biggest mistake people make is to think the concrete comes first. This is true if a concrete slab is all you desire. If you are wanting more for your patio, think about adding footings for overhead structures, plumbing for water and gas, electrical runs for power to fans and lights. This can be a costly mistake if you're not thinking ahead.
Once you know what you will be doing with your outdoor patio, it will be easy to determine the appropriate size for it. Will you be using it for barbecue parties on weekends, or will you keep it as a peaceful retreat for yourself and your family? Share these priorities with your Sunset Contractor so that you both understand the final result of the patio construction that you are looking for.

OUTDOOR LIVING AT ITS BEST

Sunset Construction creates outdoor living areas that beckon you to come and sit. We design and build comfortable and inviting porches, patios, and yards. As a designer/builder, I encourage my clients to always have places in the home that make you feel good, places you will use; because, if you do, you'll love your home even more.  We invite you to extend your indoor comforts outside and let us show you how to increase your home's living and entertaining space. It makes sense, by adding outdoor living areas you will not only increase the living space of your home, but also help it bring a much higher resale value with more market appeal. 

It means so much when you find a place where you can feel that sense of solitude, whether it’s a small table under an arbor in the garden or a shady setting for summer lunches, or a special place to start a busy day with your morning coffee, or an area for hosting a large dinner party… Outside entertaining is not only special, it can be magical. You will feel like you’re being transported to another place.

As demand has risen over the last few years, we have designed and built more outdoor living areas, and the feedback from these projects has been outstanding. By combining customer requests with our expertise and creativity, we have been able to create structures that not only satisfy customers’ practical needs, but also their aesthetic ones. If you are interested in a Sunset Construction custom living addition, we encourage you to start your project while conditions and pricing are ideal.

What materials should I use for my patio?

With an outdoor space, your materials help dictate the overall style and feel, so make sure your patio accurately reflects the style of your home. Stone pavers and terracotta tile are common with Mediterranean houses, while brick is most often seen in traditional homes. Concrete works well with most spaces, so it's a great option to use when you're unsure what direction you're heading.  For a more dramatic look, consider natural stone overlays.  (It can be cheaper than ripping out your old cracked concrete and pouring new stamped). After you figure out your foundation, decide whether you want a covered or uncovered space. You can add a pergola, arbor, awning or trellis for some shade, or you can let the sun shine in and go without. 

What should I incorporate into my patio?

Even though a patio can just be a paved slab, it can also be much more, if you add the right additions. Fire pits and fireplaces are great for cooler nights, while an outdoor kitchen and bar make it the ideal party spot. Regardless of what you do, a grill and eating spot is a must for al fresco dining, and you need good-quality furniture to truly enjoy even the most basic outdoor space. Depending on your budget, you can even opt for a hot tub and pool, if you don't mind the maintenance.

Sunset Construction in California’s Central Valley.

Our professional outdoor living specialist will use several different mediums to construct patios in Fresno and Clovis using materials such as: blue stone, flagstone, silver quartzite, sandstone, granite, slate or tile.  A unique patio that is custom designed to fit your landscape will give you maximum enjoyment by complimenting the existing elements of your yard.  A well planned patio will give you a sense of balance and harmony by creating a stunning, usable outdoor living space.

Sunset Construction specializes in creating residential gardens, patios, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces and luxurious outdoor living rooms.  We can turn an ordinary back yard into a natural extension of your home giving you a whole new dimension for entertaining or simply unwinding at the end of the day.  If you’re interested in converting a boring back yard or starting from scratch in a new home, give us a call today!  A great patio and outdoor living area can easily be yours.