June/July 2010 - Coulee Region Women's Magazine

The Silver Creek line of paver bricksand the Rochester and Interlock ConcreteProducts that Brudos uses come in variousnatural colors and textures, includingflagstone, limestone, slate and concrete.An advantage of using paver brick is thatit already has cracks in it, notes Brudos, andit lessens the likelihood of frost damage thatcan happen to concrete patios. “It is initiallymore money to put in paver brick, but itlasts a lot longer.”To help clients with their designdecisions, Brudos first listens to theirideas. “Most people have somethingin mind, and I just guide them in theprocess and let them know what willand won’t work considering drainageissues and where the sun rises and sets.”Sometimes determining the shape ofthe patio is as simple as using a gardenhose to lay it out on the yard. Brudosalso has brochures and photos to helpclients solidify their design decisions.Get off the ground with a deckIf you prefer a deck over a patio, you havemany of the same planning considerations.Regarding material, Jeff Baumbach ofWisconsin Building Supply notes, “Youhave to be a little careful, because there areso many different companies and productson the market right now. You want to staywith a name brand manufacturer.”Sticking with a name brand companylike Trex, TimberTech or Azec can eliminatefuture dilemmas. “We’ve heard of some thatfind material online and three years later wantto add to it, but you can’t get that materialanymore. A company like Trex is going to bethere for a long time,” notes Baumbach, whoalso advises customers to think about cost inplanning their outdoor living space. “Whenyou start looking at composite decking, itcan get really expensive. Size is a big thing.If you have a 14-by-16 deck in treated, itmay run $3,000. In composite, it may runA retaining wall creates a cozy, protected feeling onthis brick patio.$6,000 to $8,000.”Baumbach warns that some of thecomposite deck materials may stain easily.“So a lot of companies are going to vinyl. Itdoesn’t stain, and it’s not supposed to scratchor fade.”Retailers such as Wisconsin BuildingSupply often have in-store software programsto help customers design their decks andselect materials.AccessorizeFrom plants to hot tubs to lighting,it’s often those extra touches that turn theoutdoor room into a really enjoyable andunique living space. One trend in patioaccessorizing is an outdoor kitchen and barwith openings for a gas grill and refrigerator.Another more affordable trend is the fire pit.“I sell a fire pit kit for $380 that I candrop off in someone’s driveway, and in lessthan half an hour, they can set it up intheir backyard and have it operational,”states Brudos.Landscaping and lighting completethe picture. Landscaper ChristineChristen suggests Elegance roses,original Endless Summer hydrangeaand the new Twist and Shouthydrangea, which will thrive in a patiopot and bloom all summer. “Then theycan be planted in the ground in thefall and will come back in the spring,”she notes.Try a pot with fragrant herbs likechamomile, lavender and lemon balm forthat extra olfactory ambience. And annualsin a patio pot provide a splendid outdoorbouquet that lasts all summer.If you are worried about privacy, a fenceor trellis provides a barrier while creatinga safe place for young children and pets toenjoy the outdoors with you. DLeah Call, a freelance writer in Westby, enjoysspending time on her deck with her family,friends and two dogs.Christine Christen’s outdoor space allows for entertaining day or night, thanks to a fireplace and ambient lighting. Brick, umbrellas and potted plants create a warm andeclectic setting.www.crwmagazine.com JUNE/JULY 2010 29