My Outdoor Area

[Gonna Smoke]

Wowser! Very nice. What a cool family gathering place!

Is your ceiling fan from www.BigAssFans.com? It looks like it could be. Their fans are crazy good at moving air!

My fan is Fanimation...

 

[Fueling Around]

...
Can't believe anyone , especially someone that does that for a living would install that ceiling with the reveal not lined up . He should have pulled string line end to end first thing .
...

I had a long conversation with an employee at the local Lowes. He also notices the amount of untrained laborers versus skilled workers.
My flooring buddies back north had to fix a lot of the errors from the cheap labor

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I had a long conversation with an employee at the local Lowes. He also notices the amount of untrained laborers versus skilled workers.
My flooring buddies back north had to fix a lot of the errors from the cheap labor

Yep, cheap labor...

 

[912smoker]

What a great family space Charles and I'm sure many great times to come.
Food always tastes better when you're surrounded by friends and family!

Keith

 

[Gonna Smoke]

What a great family space Charles and I'm sure many great times to come.
Food always tastes better when you're surrounded by friends and family!

Keith

You are absolutely correct, Keith!! Life is short, family is irreplaceable, and friends are so important...

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Wow that is Awesome Charles! Nicely done.

 

[DRKsmoking]

Very nice Charles. Great area for the family and friends to gather.
Or just Shelia and yourself to relax after a hard day of smoking .

Keep an eye on them contractors , not all , but I hate to say too many.

David

 

[schlotz]

Tough 9 months Charles but in the end it sure looks like it was worth the headaches. Great addition for you both to enjoy along with family. Time to get a smoker running out there.

 

[hoity toit]

I've been wanting to build an outdoor cooking/entertainment area on the back of our house for many years so this has been a long, long journey. Finally last year I decided to go ahead with the project since we're not getting any younger. I wasn't going to post about it until it was finished, but decided to post what is complete which is about 90-95%.

Well, what started out as a simple project has dragged on for almost 9 months and I'm still not quite finished, it's always something. Anyway, we live in a 50 year old neighborhood of typical 3-2 ranch style homes. Our house was actually built in 1974, 2 car garage with a finished room over, we've lived here for over 30 years.

My patio in the back yard was 10x12 and I added about 5' to one end using square pavers. When it rained, I used a pop-up canopy to cook under. Here it is just before demo...
View attachment 715205

My plan was to build a 20x24 covered area which tied into my house with the roofline following the small gable you can see in the picture and the ceiling would be on the level of the eaves. After some thought, that turned into 24x24. Demolition started and the concrete was poured on July 18, 2024. I really wanted to save my concrete steps so they were able to cut out around them to remove the slab...
View attachment 715206
View attachment 715207

Formed up and concrete about to be pumped. I decided to have the concrete dyed to match the color of my brick...
View attachment 715208
View attachment 715210
View attachment 715211

Cured for a month or so then sealed...
View attachment 715212

Construction started on September 25 with the 1st post...
View attachment 715213

All the posts are set, LVLs set, time to start with the trusses...
View attachment 715214

Try to set the 1st truss and we have a problem, the new roof is supposed to follow the same line as the existing gable. The pitch was measured by 2 different contractors and the trusses were made...WRONG because they measured the pitch wrong.
View attachment 715215

That's not going to work, but they set them anyway and the contractor ordered 40 2x6 and the framer set the correct pitch with them along side the trusses...
View attachment 715216
View attachment 715217
View attachment 715218
Roof should be strong with basically double trusses even though the wrong trusses aren't doing any of the load bearing.

Sheathed and shingled...
View attachment 715219
View attachment 715220

Dry-in was completed October 8. My son did the electrical rough-in, time for some vinyl and metal. Here comes the next problem, getting the right color material to match my existing soffits and trim. Took over 4 months to find it and they started the work February 18...
View attachment 715221
View attachment 715222

Got to this point and the next problem...the contractor didn't order enough material, so we wait some more. Finally got the rest of the material in so they can finish when the next problem shows up. The ceiling has to be done in 2 halves because of the size and maybe I'm too particular, but this isn't going to work...
View attachment 715223
View attachment 715224
Come on man, make it line up. I stopped them and made them pull it and get it right.

Anyway, here's where we are now, all covered in pine pollen...
View attachment 715225
View attachment 715226

It is a big space, much bigger than I could've envisioned when all I had were some stakes in the ground almost a year ago. The ceiling is right at 11' and that 84" ceiling fan looks small, should've went with a 10' fan, but it does move some air. I made that table last week so I'd have a work space when smoking or grilling.

I really tried to think about what I may do in the future with the space. Everyone of the posts has an outlet in the ceiling at the top and they are 8' apart (maybe enclosing it or part of it one day?) Thinking maybe corner fans or electric roll down blinds($$$$), etc. I have additional wire pulled in the ceiling for whatever I may want later.

Things to come soon are gutters, manual roll down blinds between the posts, a work table with a sink along the area under the window (I actually have separate overhead lighting and an outlet for that), a cover for the TV, and a sectional of some kind to fall asleep on while watching TV at night... Sheila and I sat out there alone last night for the first time just to relax, but we have plenty of room for our zoo to enjoy, as well like this past Sunday afternoon when we celebrated our daughter's 40th birthday. Yes, we have a 40 year old child...makes me feel old...
View attachment 715229

When I first started getting quotes last June, the contractor I eventually went with said, "This is a small, easy job and shouldn't take long." Here we are 9 months later and it's still not quite finished, could've built a house in that time, but I guess Rome wasn't built in a day...

Really looks nice...I approve the electric job too.(retired elec. contractor)

HT

 

[chopsaw]

Those are what I'm looking at and for the same reasons. Like the idea of the extra brackets, hadn't thought about that...

I have zero complaints about those shades . They take a fair amount of wind , but if the weather calls for high winds I roll them up .

I got the extra bracket kits on Amazon . I've yet to roll them all the way down .
Gives privacy and some nice shade without feeling closed in , and the dog can still walk in and out when they are half way .

 

[texomakid]

Wow! That is so cool! Congrats on a beautiful area.

 

[Colin1230]

What a wonderful place to relax! You and your family deserve that, Charles. I'm very happy for you.
Pam and I went through the same thing back in 2020 with a 15x15 sunroom above and 20x20 patio below on the back side of our home. All of the construction pitfalls are just a faint memory now and we have been loving our new space year after year.
I need to look into those shades from Lowes.

 

[JLeonard]

totally jealous! Great looking space. I'd never come in the house!

Jim

 

[Winterrider]

Wow, that is beautiful. Very nice place to hang out or entertain. Congratulations . . .

 

[bigfurmn]

That is beautiful. As a former ready mix driver nice choice on the concrete color. That looks great.

 

[fxsales1959]

I've been wanting to build an outdoor cooking/entertainment area on the back of our house for many years so this has been a long, long journey. Finally last year I decided to go ahead with the project since we're not getting any younger. I wasn't going to post about it until it was finished, but decided to post what is complete which is about 90-95%.

Well, what started out as a simple project has dragged on for almost 9 months and I'm still not quite finished, it's always something. Anyway, we live in a 50 year old neighborhood of typical 3-2 ranch style homes. Our house was actually built in 1974, 2 car garage with a finished room over, we've lived here for over 30 years.

My patio in the back yard was 10x12 and I added about 5' to one end using square pavers. When it rained, I used a pop-up canopy to cook under. Here it is just before demo...
View attachment 715205

My plan was to build a 20x24 covered area which tied into my house with the roofline following the small gable you can see in the picture and the ceiling would be on the level of the eaves. After some thought, that turned into 24x24. Demolition started and the concrete was poured on July 18, 2024. I really wanted to save my concrete steps so they were able to cut out around them to remove the slab...
View attachment 715206
View attachment 715207

Formed up and concrete about to be pumped. I decided to have the concrete dyed to match the color of my brick...
View attachment 715208
View attachment 715210
View attachment 715211

Cured for a month or so then sealed...
View attachment 715212

Construction started on September 25 with the 1st post...
View attachment 715213

All the posts are set, LVLs set, time to start with the trusses...
View attachment 715214

Try to set the 1st truss and we have a problem, the new roof is supposed to follow the same line as the existing gable. The pitch was measured by 2 different contractors and the trusses were made...WRONG because they measured the pitch wrong.
View attachment 715215

That's not going to work, but they set them anyway and the contractor ordered 40 2x6 and the framer set the correct pitch with them along side the trusses...
View attachment 715216
View attachment 715217
View attachment 715218
Roof should be strong with basically double trusses even though the wrong trusses aren't doing any of the load bearing.

Sheathed and shingled...
View attachment 715219
View attachment 715220

Dry-in was completed October 8. My son did the electrical rough-in, time for some vinyl and metal. Here comes the next problem, getting the right color material to match my existing soffits and trim. Took over 4 months to find it and they started the work February 18...
View attachment 715221
View attachment 715222

Got to this point and the next problem...the contractor didn't order enough material, so we wait some more. Finally got the rest of the material in so they can finish when the next problem shows up. The ceiling has to be done in 2 halves because of the size and maybe I'm too particular, but this isn't going to work...
View attachment 715223
View attachment 715224
Come on man, make it line up. I stopped them and made them pull it and get it right.

Anyway, here's where we are now, all covered in pine pollen...
View attachment 715225
View attachment 715226

It is a big space, much bigger than I could've envisioned when all I had were some stakes in the ground almost a year ago. The ceiling is right at 11' and that 84" ceiling fan looks small, should've went with a 10' fan, but it does move some air. I made that table last week so I'd have a work space when smoking or grilling.

I really tried to think about what I may do in the future with the space. Everyone of the posts has an outlet in the ceiling at the top and they are 8' apart (maybe enclosing it or part of it one day?) Thinking maybe corner fans or electric roll down blinds($$$$), etc. I have additional wire pulled in the ceiling for whatever I may want later.

Things to come soon are gutters, manual roll down blinds between the posts, a work table with a sink along the area under the window (I actually have separate overhead lighting and an outlet for that), a cover for the TV, and a sectional of some kind to fall asleep on while watching TV at night... Sheila and I sat out there alone last night for the first time just to relax, but we have plenty of room for our zoo to enjoy, as well like this past Sunday afternoon when we celebrated our daughter's 40th birthday. Yes, we have a 40 year old child...makes me feel old...
View attachment 715229

When I first started getting quotes last June, the contractor I eventually went with said, "This is a small, easy job and shouldn't take long." Here we are 9 months later and it's still not quite finished, could've built a house in that time, but I guess Rome wasn't built in a day...

dang that's nice wish I had a backyard instead of my @#$ pool

 

[seenred]

That's a beautiful space Charles - I'm envious! I've been wishing I could do something similar on the back of my house. Sounds like you had your challenges getting it finished, but that's an area you'll really enjoy!

Red

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Wow that is Awesome Charles! Nicely done.

Very nice Charles. Great area for the family and friends to gather.
Or just Shelia and yourself to relax after a hard day of smoking .

Keep an eye on them contractors , not all , but I hate to say too many.

David

Tough 9 months Charles but in the end it sure looks like it was worth the headaches. Great addition for you both to enjoy along with family. Time to get a smoker running out there.

Really looks nice...I approve the electric job too.(retired elec. contractor)

HT

I have zero complaints about those shades . They take a fair amount of wind , but if the weather calls for high winds I roll them up .

I got the extra bracket kits on Amazon . I've yet to roll them all the way down .
Gives privacy and some nice shade without feeling closed in , and the dog can still walk in and out when they are half way .
View attachment 715241

Wow! That is so cool! Congrats on a beautiful area.

What a wonderful place to relax! You and your family deserve that, Charles. I'm very happy for you.
Pam and I went through the same thing back in 2020 with a 15x15 sunroom above and 20x20 patio below on the back side of our home. All of the construction pitfalls are just a faint memory now and we have been loving our new space year after year.
I need to look into those shades from Lowes.

totally jealous! Great looking space. I'd never come in the house!

Jim

Wow, that is beautiful. Very nice place to hang out or entertain. Congratulations . . .

That is beautiful. As a former ready mix driver nice choice on the concrete color. That looks great.

dang that's nice wish I had a backyard instead of my @#$ pool

That's a beautiful space Charles - I'm envious! I've been wishing I could do something similar on the back of my house. Sounds like you had your challenges getting it finished, but that's an area you'll really enjoy!

Red

Thank you all for the comments. The end is in sight and I can almost touch it, hopefully soon...

 

[masssmoke]

that looks awesome! congrats!

 

[civilsmoker]

WOW Charles! that is a nice space and it looks like you know how to use it well, congrats!!!