Halloween snuck up on this year, how in the world is it almost November, right? If you have a petrifying party to attend and you need something tasty to offer, don’t be scared… we have some spooky sweets and terrifying treats to try!
Halloween Mummy Jalapeno Poppers
Low Carb Witch Finger Breadsticks
Click here to discover details about this beautiful modern/transitional outdoor living project.
Improving your home can be both exciting and stressfull, but we try to take away the stress so you can focus on the fun. The red tape gets rolled out when you have to work with the HOA and since most areas require a permit or HOA approval for outdoor living projects, headaches can happen. Leaving you thinking, “is this even worth it?” The answer is YES! Texas Custom Patios will handle the headache for you, so all you have to do is be excited for your new custom outdoor living space.
Your project developer will work with your HOA and get approval for you. Just provide a lot survey to us and we will do the rest! If you live in a municipality that requires a building permit, we will handle every submission, inspection, and approval required. Depending on the location, this process can take between four and six weeks, so patience is a virtue!
Once we get the green light, the building process can begin and the fun is within reach! At Texas Custom Patios, we really get to know our customers. When you choose to build with us, you get your own project team who will get to know you, your goals, and your style, and will oversee your entire outdoor living project, from start to finish.
We also get to know your budget! When we say “exact quote,” we mean it. This quote is not an estimate, and there will be no surprise expenses during the course of your project. If changes or additions are made during the construction process, we will address those changes as they occur. If there are options you would like to see in the design process, your project developer may give you some pricing that addresses those options prior to signing the contract.
Schedule your free consultation today by calling our office (below) or filling out our contact form, here. We will set up a virtual appointment with one of our experienced project developers – after your initial appointment they may need to visit your home to gather additional information. If we can provide an outdoor living project that meets your budget, then we will create a proposal for you.
Not sure how to budget for your outdoor living project? Look at our dream patio budgeting guide for some ideas.
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Texas weather can be brutal on your outdoor furniture, from Houston humidity to the Dallas sun, keeping your furniture looking nice can be tough. We have some tips and tricks to try, so that you can feel good about investing in your outdoor style.
Let’s start with buying the furniture, don’t fall for the cheap stuff, you will only need to replace it every season. By investing in nicely-made and designed furniture and taking care of it, you will save you money in the long run! By spending a little extra money at the beginning, you will save your money (and time) and end up with something more comfortable and most likely require less maintenance and repair.
As we cannonball into our tips, you must know that different material requires different levels of after-care. Aluminum for example, is not great for H-town because of the moisture that is in the air. Humidity… great for our skin, not for our furniture. But Teak on the other hand, holds up a little nicer.
A Crowd Pleaser … TEAK
We will start with an easier one to manage. Teak is a go-to material for outdoor furniture of all kinds, from side tables to dinner tables, benches to couches. This durable; water-, pest- and rot-resistant wood gets a bad wrap for it’s high price tag, but a solid piece of teak furniture will have minor shrinkage and will weather beautifully.
Taking care of it is even easier, you can almost set it and forget it. Leave it alone through cold winters and hot summers alike. Just be sure NOT to cover it in wet climates: direct exposure to rain and and random snow flurries is fine, but covering it while the wood is wet can actually do more damage than good by creating a space for mold to grow.
To keep the grime away, simply wipe it down with a teak furniture cleaner a few times a month, this will keep it looking new and of course help it last longer!
Minimal Maintenance – Man-Made Wicker Style
The “wicker vibe” is all the rage, but the man-made version as opposed to its natural rattan counterpart is much easier to maintain and more affordable, too! The man-made version is built to resist elements and deterioration. It’s lightweight, so super easy to move around. If you’re one to move things around a lot, to get a different feel in your own home, this style of furniture is for you!
This type of furniture does well in any climate, it’s flexible, yet strong! Ready for the best part? To clean it, all you have to do is hose it down, crack open a cold one and call it day!
A+ For Aluminum
In the beginning we talked about the down side to aluminum, but it does have an upside, especially if you’re a “Do It Yourselfer.” If you enjoy DIY projects, this metal furniture can serve as a blank canvas to paint any color of the rainbow. Many outdoor paints are powder-coated and have UV inhibitors to help minimize damage from the sun. Repainting is always easy and can serve as a fun weekend project, so change it up as often as you would like.
So it’s light, it’s stylish, but is it easy to clean? The answer is, YES! Just a little soapy water and a little rub down and you’re back in business.
A Concrete Choice
Concrete tables, chairs and benches have become increasingly popular in the last five years because of its blend-ability and contemporary look. It’s heavy, but durable!
Because concrete is so porous, you will want to place a sealant on it to prevent damage from spills and stains. If you forgo this step, expect some beer can rings and marks that will last longer than the memories made there.
To clean this rock-hard furniture, wipe it down with a damp cloth and let air dry. If there are some deeper stains on the untreated parts, use a soft brush, some soapy water and a little elbow grease to lift the stain. Wear and tear due to weather won’t be an issue for concrete furniture.
Patio furniture is meant for a good time, but it can last a long time too, you just need to take care of it!
Score big this football season with some tasty treats sure to have everyone screaming, TOUCHDOWN! Tailgate or patiogate… either way, give these recipes a go and someone’s tastebuds will win!
Pull-Apart Pretzel Skillet with Beer Cheese Dip
Candied Sriracha Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings
Click here to discover details about this beautiful transitional project in a northern suburb of Dallas.
Customizing your patio isn’t just a great way to enjoy your outdoor space, it’s also a terrific way to showcase your style. The three owners of Houston-based Texas Custom Patios, husband and wife Rob and Katherine Douglass and Steven Schell, have learned an array of techniques for maximizing any outdoor space. They’ve discovered that the best patio designs are a blend of a home’s architecture and the owners’ personal style.
Creating the market. In 2004, Rob Douglass saw an opportunity. Working for the YMCA and living in Fort Bend County, he noticed “a lot of rooftops going up,” he says. “Although the new homes were on decent-sized lots, the new backyards had a 10-by-10 slab and not much else.” Douglass realized he could create a specialized service designing and building outdoor living spaces, dining areas and kitchens. He brought his wife, Katherine, on as partner and then enlisted the help of YMCA co-worker Schell.
Your new favorite room. In the ensuing 15 years, the company has grown to include offices in Houston and now Dallas. The team has created an array of outdoor living rooms, customized kitchen spaces, dining and living rooms with outdoor entertainment centers, as well as customized pool houses. “We’ve learned from all the mistakes,” says Schell, who has a background in architectural drafting as well as his on-the-job experience. “We spend a lot of time designing and building each job and have gotten pretty good at it. We can give our customers a good assessment on how and what they should do.”
Ready to fully customize your patio?
1. Extend Your Home’s Architecture
“A typical outdoor project gives people 500 square feet of shade and adds a dining space and a lounging space,” Douglass says. “We can also add kitchens and fire features, but our main goal is to match those outdoor rooms to the home’s original style.”
The patio of this Houston brick traditional home was created by extending the home’s wide overhanging roof line and then matching the trim detail of the original structure. The team added Craftsman-style columns and coffered ceilings with oversize beams to the roof’s interior. Two new French doors provide easier access to the outdoor space from inside. “The owners really liked the mix of the brick and the white wood,” Douglass says.
2. Make It Your Own
Designing a patio provides a great opportunity to design and build a new favorite room. “Most people really enjoy the opportunity to customize the space to reflect their style,” Schell says. This Houston pool house was originally designed to be an open porch with a contemporary flair. “It was partially enclosed,” Schell says. “However, the owners wanted both a fireplace and custom kitchen.”
Schell designed a waterfall island wrapped in white oak for the kitchen, then used large terrazzo tiles as a backsplash. He finished the floor with Pennsylvania bluestone. In the sitting area, a contemporary gas fireplace features ceramic fire balls. The owners liked the resulting space so much, they decided to transform it into a full pool house that could be used all year. Schell added glass windows and accordion-style glass doors.
3. Take Up Some Space
For comfort’s sake, don’t skimp on space. “In the initial planning stage, we ask in-depth questions,” Douglass says. “It’s important to consider exactly how someone plans to use a space.” By getting into the nitty-gritty of how many people will sit at a dining table, for example, or whether a family entertains a lot, the team can plan for the appropriate amount of square footage. “If you want an outdoor kitchen, you’ll need enough space to move around,” Douglass says. “You don’t want to be backing into the grill, for example.”
This 850-square-foot patio in Houston is ideal for entertaining. The natural stone work area includes a grill and a power burner for crawfish. Both the lounge and dining table can accommodate up to 10 guests. The white brick walls and tile floor are offset by a dark wood tongue-and-groove ceiling.
For more information or examples of Texas Custom Patios’ work, visit the Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
This month we are featuring “PHAT FOODS” – Pretty Hot And Tempting bites of deliciousness! A little spice is always nice, so let’s finish out the summer with something we are all used to in Texas… HEAT!
Nashville Hot Whole-Roasted Cauliflower
Brie with Spiced Nuts and Caramel
The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) announced the 2021 Star Awards winners in conjunction with the 20th Sunbelt Builders Show™ at Hilton Anatole Dallas. There were a record setting 720 entries that resulted in eight Grand Awards and 173 elite trophies being handed out. These awards are highly coveted within the industry. Our great State should be proud of its builders, remodelers, architects, designers, developers, and sales, marketing, and construction professionals. Projects and nominations were submitted by 120 companies from 60 cities across Texas. In 1992, TAB launched the Star Awards – the only statewide tribute to excellence in the homebuilding industry.
Texas Custom Patios is excited to be amongst such a stellar group of builders and remodelers. We are pleased to announce we placed as a finalist for three different projects!
We brought home the win for “Remodeler – Best Outdoor Living Space” for the project below!
We aren’t just a one-style builder. Adding your personal flare to your outdoor space is what it’s all about. We do build to look original to your home, but there are always details that can be added to enhance the style you are looking for. Putting little twists can transform the look of an area, it doesn’t have to be a major overhaul.
Just a few examples…
French Country – add a little window box, shiplap or even a chandelier
Mid-century Modern – incorporate clean and simple lines
Rustic – add beautiful cedar beams
Hill Country – include rock and stone finishes
There are so many ways TCP can help you get the look you want with the right details and material selections.
More completed projects can be found on our Houzz page, click here!
You want to know how soon you’ll be able to enjoy your new outdoor style life? Use the handy guide below to know when your custom patio project needs to begin in order to be completed by these commonly requested dates. Factors such as material supplies and weather prevent us from guaranteeing completion dates, but we understand your desire for having projects completed for the important elements of your outdoor style lifestyle. We created this guide to give us the best opportunity to serve you by getting started in a timely fashion for your desired completion date. If for instance you are hoping to have something built by Super Bowl Sunday … NOW is the time to call and get the process started!
We spent 4 years looking for a contractor to deal with our funky roof line. Not only did Texas Custom Patios have new and different ideas, they listened to us. They worked together with us to create a patio design we love. Exceptional service, great price.
