Patio doors are one of the first things guests see when viewing your new backyard. If you’re wondering which door fits your patio best, there are plenty of options to choose from. Understanding these options can help you make the right choice when choosing the best patio door for your space.

Sliding Doors

One type of patio door to consider is the traditional sliding door. These doors have two panels that slide back and forth on a track, with one panel remaining stationary while the other moves. This classic style is great for its ease-of-use and also doesn’t take up too much open space. Sliding doors can be a great option if you’re looking to maximize your view from the inside, but just like any other glass windows in your house, they require cleaning and maintenance for the best look possible.

French Doors

Another type of patio door to consider is the French door. French doors are hinged doors that open outward and often have glass panels extending the entire door length. This sophisticated style is great if you’re looking for a more traditional look and feel, and they’re often used to connect indoor and outdoor spaces. They’re also very energy efficient, with tight-fitting seals helping prevent drafts. However, they can be heavier than other options, requiring a bit more effort to open. They can also take up space, so the flow of the patio needs to be considered when using this style.

Bi-Folding Doors

Bi-folding doors are also popular options for patios. These doors have an accordion-like design, made from panels that fold back against each other when opened. This can be a great option if you’re looking to open up your space, since they can be folded back entirely to create a stunning and seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. They’re also very energy efficient and easy to operate, giving you more freedom to enjoy your backyard.

There are plenty of patio door options, each bringing its own style and function to your home, depending on your needs. Reach out to TCP, and we can help guide you through the process to ensure you’re getting the right door for your outdoor living space.

With a typical two-story home with a breezeway connecting the home to the garage, this home needed shade. It had a small patio area without any cover to it. A pool was also installed as a part of their backyard renovation, and the transformation is unbelievable.

The entire new backyard living room is about 675 square feet. We added a fireplace on one end that helps create a privacy wall and an outdoor kitchen on the other. The middle area was left open for a large dining table.

The kitchen is outfitted with appliances from Cunningham Gas, Expressions Home Gallery, and S.T.E.D. The doors, drawers, dry pantry, and outdoor fridge are RCS brand from Cunningham. The griddle is from Expressions Home Gallery, and the under-counter ice maker is from S.T.E.D. All three heaters are Bromic Heaters from Cunningham Gas. The beautiful counter is Taj Mahal Leather from Omni Surfaces, and the kitchen is faced with Nordic Silver split face stone from Keystone Tile that matches the coping on the pool.

The flooring throughout the project is Flagstone White 16X32 porcelain tiles. Above the ceiling is Smokey Bourbon pre-stained tongue and groove Fineline by Woodtone. The homeowner provided the beautiful lighting seen on the patio.

The fireplace that anchors the living area is a gas fireplace with black lava rock from Republic Fire Bowls, and the mantle is reclaimed red oak wood from The Reclaimed Wood Shop. The fireplace is also faced with the same Nordic Silver split face stone from Keystone Tile, and the hearth and seat/knee walls are honed Ivory Slabs from Legends Architectural Stone. The brick wall was slurry painted to give the new space an entirely new look.

Winter is often seen as the season to huddle indoors, but why not take advantage of your patio and enjoy the crisp, cool air? Here are some of the best ways to make the most of your patio during the winter months.

Invest in a Fireplace or Fire Pit

Nothing beats the warm feeling of a crackling fire on a chilly winter night. Whether you opt for a built-in fireplace or a portable fire pit, you’ll be able to extend the use of your patio well into the winter months.

Add Cozy Outdoor Furniture

Don’t let a little chill in the air keep you from enjoying your patio. Invest in weather-resistant furniture that will keep you comfortable, like plush outdoor pillows and blankets or a swing or hammock.

Create a Comfortable Outdoor Space

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your patio. Add heaters, outdoor rugs, and curtains or shades to create a cozy outdoor living space. Check out some of our favorite heaters here.

Host An Outdoor Winter Party

Invite friends and family over for a winter-themed outdoor party. Serve hot cocoa, make s’mores over the fire pit, and enjoy games and activities in the great outdoors.

Take Advantage of Natural Light

Even on the darkest days of winter, the sun can provide some much-needed warmth and light on your patio. Add plants or a small garden to bring a touch of life and color to your outdoor space.

Get Creative With Lighting

String lights, lanterns, and candles can add a warm and inviting glow to your patio during the winter months. Consider installing permanent lighting fixtures for added convenience and ambiance.

With a little creativity and some cozy additions, your patio can be the perfect winter retreat. Embrace the cold and enjoy the beauty of the season from your outdoor living space.

Wanting to enjoy your patio to the fullest without worrying about the outside world? Here are a few benefits of building a privacy wall in your outdoor living space.

Privacy and Seclusion

This may seem obvious, but privacy walls are great for blocking out neighbors’ views. If your fences are short, you don’t want your neighbors looking in, or you want to relax in your own space without worry, privacy walls are a great solution. Many privacy walls also incorporate a fireplace or TV to add even more functionality and privacy.

Weather Resistance

Windy days can be a drag. If you’re in an area that gets a lot of wind and want to keep your hair in place, a privacy wall can provide a barrier between you and the elements. Not to mention, privacy walls also provide great protection from the sun, making summer days in the shade that much better.

Sound Barrier 

If you live next to a busy street, it may seem like your days of relaxing outside are over. Fear not, because privacy walls can be the perfect protection between you and the rest of the neighborhood. Not only does it block out outside sound, but it also helps block the sound you’re making.

Style

There are plenty of privacy walls to match your patio’s style. From wood to plastic to iron to aluminum, you’re sure to find a design that fits your vision. They can also be covered with various plants and flowers to create a secluded garden atmosphere.

If you think a privacy wall might be just what you need, let us know during the design process of your project. Knowing your wants and needs are important to the process and allows for more satisfaction with the finished product. With the versatility they bring, privacy walls may be the perfect addition to your patio. 

This home had a large pool in the yard and a very small covered area, but the homeowner was looking to upgrade the entire yard and create their own paradise.

TCP added a new patio cover along the side that includes an outdoor kitchen and fireplace. We upgraded the existing cover as well as added a pergola and firepit.

We added about 1000 square feet of new stamped concrete to the backyard. The new covered outdoor living area is roughly 435 square feet with a high-vaulted ceiling and an open gable on the end and along the front side. The ceiling is English Porter pre-stained tongue and groove from Woodtone. The outdoor kitchen was placed at the end and is also an L-shape to allow plenty of room for the 40” grill, sink, outdoor-rated fridge, and storage. All appliances RCS are from Cunningham Gas, while the counter has a raised bar top for seating on the outside and is Coffee Brown Leather granite from Instyle Granite.

We placed the fireplace along the side to help provide privacy to the yard. It is a custom-built gas fireplace with an insert from Perfection Fireplace, and all of the stone caps are Chiffon Moire Ashlar Natural White from Apex Stone. The fascia of the fireplace, kitchen, and columns are Blanco Chopped from Rock Materials, and the mantle is custom-stained cedar.  On the far side of the pool, we added a gas firepit. All stones and caps match the rest of the project, and the black lava rock to fill it is from Republic Gas Bowls.

To upgrade the existing patio cover, we changed out the ceiling to match the new cover and hung new lighting. To extend their space along the home, a new pergola was added. At roughly 185 square feet, this structure has a Hercules Pergola Cover from Cover Your Pergola to keep everything nice and dry underneath.

This backyard is now truly a place to Live it Out.

Picking between an attached and free-standing patio may be confusing at first, but both can serve different purposes for your backyard depending on your usage and the space you have.

Attached Patios

Attached patios, as the name suggests, are outdoor living spaces connected to the back of your house. There are plenty of factors to consider when designing your attached patio, including your price range and usage. Because of its close proximity to your home, attached patios are easier and are typically less expensive to run water, gas, and electric lines to appliances like sinks and grills. Other things to consider when choosing an attached patio are the roof lines and elevation of your backyard, as well as windows on the back of your home that may need to be worked around.

While it may seem like the easier option to have an attached patio, there are some circumstances where that may not be possible. Previously installed pools and uneven terrain may only leave room for a free-standing patio. Multiple roof heights and breezeway placement are also factors that may prevent an attached patio.

Free-Standing Patios

Free-standing patios are outdoor living spaces that provide an outdoor retreat just a few steps out of your backdoor. These are also commonly known as pool houses or cabanas, which we’ve previously discussed. Being in the middle of your backyard, most of these structures are shaded to keep you and your guests away from the heat. Both spaces can be fitted with a privacy wall, but you might find it more beneficial with a free-standing patio, depending on its location. However, being far away from the house means that adding water, gas, and electric lines can be more difficult. 

Regardless if your backyard has a free-standing or attached patio, both provide shade and great areas to spend time outdoors. The decision between one or the other all depends on the layout of your home and the configuration of your backyard. No matter which outdoor living space suits your home, we’re more than happy to help you achieve your patio dreams.

No matter what time of year it is, you deserve to enjoy your patio. While we’ve previously talked about ways to cool off your patio on hot summer days, what happens when the temperature starts dropping?

Here are a few of our favorite patio heating options:

Fireplace

You can’t beat the classic fireplace. Whether wood or natural gas, it’s hard to deny the crackling, cozy comfort that a fireplace brings. Not only does it help heat up your outdoor living space, but it’s a beautiful addition to your porch that everyone will gravitate around.

Fire Pit

A fire pit is a great way to bring people together while still staying warm. Like fireplaces, fire pits are mostly wood or natural gas-based, but their size and central locations are great for huddling around. If you don’t want to add a permanent pit made of brick or stone to your backyard, you can purchase more portable options, allowing you to store the pit when you’re not using it. 

Patio Heater

Heaters from brands like Bromic and Innova can both be installed under your patio cover, which allows for them to be directly connected to your power source. This way, you won’t have to worry about filling up a propane tank, just enjoying your warm outdoor living space.

If you don’t want to install a permanent heater, portable umbrella heaters have become increasingly popular over the years. Usually running on propane, these heaters can keep your patio warm throughout the winter without taking up too much space. This is the way to go if you’re looking for a non-invasive, portable heater.

Regardless of which heating option you choose, the only other things you’ll need are some chairs, some hot cocoa, and your loved ones, and you’re set for a great winter.

2022… the year of no more Covid-19? … health and new beginnings? … possibly even a six-pack stomach, and not beer this year? Whatever it is, make sure your goals will bring you happiness! For our customers this last year, a new custom patio brought great joy and a new place to make memories. See gallery of featured projects here. If you love what you see and would like to get the ball rolling, there’s no time like the present.

One of the first things that most people want to know, is how soon will they be lounging on their new patio? 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 excitement and work diligently to meet a desired date. The guide below was created to give you a ballpark look!

First, determine when you want your project completion to be, then discover what month you’ll need to contact our office to get started. For instance, if you would like to sizzle in style in your backyard for Father’s Day, pick up the phone and call now!

When you call our office, we’ll schedule an initial appointment. After the initial visit, we’ll follow up with a proposal. Once you’ve selected Texas Custom Patios as your outdoor design-builder, we’ll begin the permitting and homeowner association process. This can take up to 90 days depending on the particular rules of your community. When the design has met all requirements, a simpler concrete and cover takes about four weeks to complete(including a kitchen adds a couple more weeks).

Give one of our outdoor-living specialists a call at 281-265-1994 in Houston, or 972-915-2727 in Dallas/Fort Worth. Here’s to 2022 with a view!

In 2021, Texas Custom Patios completed 200 projects with each one having their own story to tell, all of them custom-designed and built to look as though it is original to the home. While it’s hard to pick a fav, here’s a look back at some top picks from 2021! Click the link below each image for full details.

Click here to discover details about this beautiful, modern project in Fulshear, TX.