Building Outdoor Rooms

As homeowners forgo new homes and vacations, they’re investing instead in creative ways to enhance their yards—whether by expanding patios, segmenting land or installing stand-alone rooms—and not just in warm climates.

“By 2015 we expect most homes to have some kind of outdoor feature, even in colder parts of the country,” says Gopal Ahluwalia, VP of Research for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Offer multiple cooking options
Outdoor cooking areas are the latest trend, and customers might look to you to help them, for example, choose between a stonescaped grill built into the patio or a custom-made barbecue center.

“People are asking for the ultimate outdoor kitchens: Barbecues, refrigerators, warming drawers, pizza ovens and sinks with hot and cold water,” says Michael Glassman, author of Outdoor Designs for Living, an idea-book for outdoor spaces.

Also the owner of Michael Glassman & Associates-based in Sacramento,Calif., a firm that creates custom outdoor living environments, Glassman has designed many types of outdoor spaces. When discussing outdoor kitchen options, he says, suggest a layout that enables guests to interact with the chef. Don’t forget to include prep space, and be sure the cook will be facing their guests. For outdoor cabinetry and countertops, he often uses concrete masonry units, a durable, inexpensive option that can be faced in hand-troweled plaster, tiles or slate.

Educating your clients
Wendy Perry, a North Carolina-based outdoor living consultant, recently partnered with a builder on an outdoor kitchen that included a sink, grill, retaining wall, entranceway, L-shaped counter and bar area. Though originally estimated at $10,000, the cost ultimately tripled as the client opted for more expensive upgrades, including quartz countertops and high-end cabinet handles.

“You need to be flexible,” Perry says. “Just because people can’t afford to spend tens of thousands at the get-go doesn’t mean they won’t spend that much over time. Most people need a plan designed in phases to complete over time.”

Perry adds that expansion often happens in stages. Your expertise will keep you in the client’s mind when future projects arise.

Add a little warmth
Myriad fireplace styles can lend ambience to a dining area or warm the patio on a chilly evening. Consider prefab fireplaces—they’re lightweight, easy to install and inexpensive. A self-contained unit might be best for a small yard and limited budget, but someone with more space may prefer an extensive hearth of reinforced concrete with matching benches.

Glassman offers tips for outdoor fireplaces:

• Many communities outlaw burning wood, making natural gas and synthetic logs the default option.
• Chimneys must reach at least two feet above the highest level of the property.
• Installing a wood-burning fireplace in an open area negates the need for a massive chimney.

Bring the indoors out
“You’re trying to create an indoor-outdoor transition,” says Glassman. As long as they’re weather-resistant, he says, materials should create a sense of continuity from the home itself. If the kitchen inside has slate floors, suggest slate of the same color for the patio flooring, or mimic accents used over the indoor fireplace.

There are many ways to create the feeling of a room outdoors. Sometimes it’s a matter of segmenting land by installing a decorative screen or raised plants. Once the outline of a project is established, suggest features that will enhance the space, like stand-alone heat lamps, ceiling fans, light fixtures or torches.

Consider a cover
Covered spaces can offer privacy and coziness people don’t normally find outdoors. Here are some options:

• Loggia: This is a solid extension of the house. It’s pricier but can expand the outdoor dining area and create an indoor-outdoor flow.
• Pergola: This less expensive option is good for customers looking to enhance their gardens. The posts support vines and other climbing plants, and the trelliswork on top lets in more light.
• Gazebo: A free-standing structure is great for entertaining but may require a building permit. Gazebos are typically built away from the house, and the cost depends on the size and materials.

There are many other semi-permanent options for the summer, such as lathing, canvas or a lattice of 2”x2” boards. “I’ve used bamboo poles screwed into bamboo matting for a more tropical, rustic look,” says Glassman. Or, for an easier option, simply build a sleeve in the tabletop where an umbrella can be inserted.

Many covers are removable, but a permanent roof eliminates the hassle of storing them in colder climates. In areas with harsh winters, steel roofing with shingles is ideal, but make sure it’s sloped or peaked to handle heavy snows.

Assess the land
The utilities company will mark gas and electrical line locations in advance of any project. Also, have a plumber check the condition of the sewer and water lines—a spectacular patio could be ruined if unsound pipes lie beneath.