Nothing complements a home like a well-planned and designed deck. Choosing the right deck is a lot like deciding on a new pet - both require well-reasoned planning.
Here are some considerations to help ensure that you build the ideal deck.
First, consider the location: front, back, sides or a wrap-around. The north side of a home is typically on the bad side of mother nature, so avoid the north side if possible. Front decks on most homes typically sacrifice privacy and are more subject to increased noise levels. However, front decks can often accentuate the front of a home, and can give an otherwise non-descript home front a deeper look. Back decks are the most common, because they offer more privacy and are often located closer to other amenities, such as outdoor fireplaces, etc. There is no right answer as to where a deck should be located, but it is important to consider all factors.
Second, what will be the primary function of your deck? How often do you plan to use your deck? If your deck is primarily for parties, you will want to consider access issues. Do you have a brick walkway to the deck? Do people have to trample your lawn or venture through your home to access it? Does your deck maximize its space by incorporating bench-rail seating? Is there a designated hot tub or cooking area on your deck?
Third, do you want a basic one-level deck? Or is the landscape such that a multi-level deck blends well into a sloping landscape? A deck is like a great hat — it completes. I often wonder why more people do not have a spiral stairway as a second deck entry where the landscape allows. If you are going to hold a lot of parties, plan a deck for performance and enhancement.
Fourth, plan some great amenities for your deck. Railing systems, rail seating, picture-framed decking, outdoor stone kitchen area, privacy walls and skirting are all things to consider. Work out size, location and style with your contractor before building- it is time well spent.
Kaile Warren has been an industry resource for publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Redbook etc. Kaile is also an accomplished public speaker related to business matters. If you have a small business or business branding issue for Kaile write us at columnist@TheWindhamEagle.com
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Entrepreneur Nest Week 1
Maybe
you are an established entrepreneur or perhaps a struggling one; and then
again, maybe you are an entrepreneur in waiting. Regardless of your current
status, you are to be congratulated for landing here in the Eagle’s
entrepreneur nest.
Entrepreneurship
can be lonely, ever changing, rewarding, ego driven and/ or driven by social
responsibility. My monthly business column is designed to share my
thoughts, past successes, challenges and best practices. I hope you will take
away what you consider is best for you and your particular situation. With this
business column, the Eagle has created a place where you can learn, respond and
relate.
In
this first column, I would like to introduce myself and give you a snapshot of
my entrepreneurial background. My background is very diversified and includes
national recognition of my accomplishments, and it has also been punctuated by
extreme setbacks.
Through
it all, I have loved, lost and learned. In this column, I want to share all,
with the hope that my experiences can help guide you to more success, and help
you to avoid heart- breaking failure.
I
am the architect of the unique and nationally recognized Rent-A-Husband
business model. I started Rent-A-Husband with the 500 dollars I carried on my
person. Forty eight months later, I had built its investment value up to
7,000,000 million dollars, a several thousand percent increase in just 48
months. Additionally, through a partnership with global giant ACE Hardware,
Rent-A-Husband posted unmatched levels of success within four key metrics
designed by ACE Hardware. ACE Hardware also considered the Rent-A-Husband brand
to be the most recognized brand in the handyman industry. So whether it is
building company value, best practices or great branding, I have been there and
done it. I am also a nationally accomplished author, TV personality and writer.
With
this in mind, I hope you will follow this column, as I plan to put my heart and
experiences- both good and bad- into helping YOU best develop your business and
your career. Entrepreneurship is a tough road, let’s learn and laugh as we
travel it together.
Kaile's Korner Week1
Congratulations! You have just landed in the Eagle’s home improvement nest. Wait - do not flutter away out of fear of the “Honey Do” list. If you will make a commitment to follow this column on a regular basis, I will make the following commitment to you: I will teach you how to overcome the 3-T rule, which is that most people fail at maintaining and/or remodeling their homes because of either the lack of time, tools or talent. And for some of you, it may be a combination of all three. Well, fail no more.
Whether
you want to learn how to do home improvement tasks, or how to put yourself on
equal footing with the contractors you hire, this column will get you where you
want to be.
You
might be thinking, I’m going to tell you that when hiring a contractor, get three
references, check with the Better Business Bureau and don’t pay more than
one-third upfront. Blah, blah, blah. Well, it is hard to make an intelligent
argument against this conventional wisdom. However, this wisdom has become an
unsophisticated way to best put yourself on equal footing with your contractor.
I am going to teach you a much more sophisticated way of dealing with
contractors.
If
you lack the confidence or conviction to do more repairs around your home, this
column is going to give you what you need to change all of that. My focus will
be on safety, skill sets and savvy. You will learn that safety is number one
with any effort. You will learn basic skill sets that are transferable to a multitude
of tasks, and you will acquire the savvy to make home repairs and improvements
in a very proud and self-fulfilling way.
I
am Kaile Warren, a Windham resident and nationally known home improvement guru.
I would be honored to guide you on your home improvement journeys. No Fear. Tools
are like pets - the more you learn about them, the more you get out of them.
To
ask Kaile about your home improvement dilemma, email
columnist@TheWindhamEagle.com.
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