What does a screen porch contractor do?

A screen porch contractor designs and builds enclosed outdoor spaces with screens and structural framing. They handle permits, foundation work, framing, roofing, and finishing. Design Builders serves Maryland and Virginia homeowners seeking custom screened porches that replicate interior comfort and…

How much does a screened porch cost?

Screened porch costs vary by size, materials, and complexity. Factors include foundation type, roofing, screening, and interior finishes. Design Builders provides detailed estimates for Montgomery County MD and Fairfax County VA projects during in-home consultations.

What's the difference between Trex decks and pressure-treated wood?

Trex is a composite decking material offering superior durability, low maintenance, and fade resistance versus pressure-treated wood. Trex deck contractors like Design Builders recommend composites for Maryland and Virginia homeowners seeking long-term value and aesthetics without annual staining.

How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?

Outdoor kitchen costs depend on appliances, cabinetry, countertops, and layout. Basic kitchens start modest; luxury installations cost significantly more. Design Builders customizes outdoor kitchen designs for DMV homeowners, balancing budget with premium finishes and functionality.

What should I look for in an outdoor kitchen designer?

Choose an outdoor kitchen designer with portfolio experience, local permitting knowledge, and understanding of weather durability. Design Builders' designers serve Bethesda, Rockville, McLean, and Arlington—ensuring kitchens withstand DMV climate while matching your home's aesthetic.

2020 Outdoor Living Trends for Maryland & Virginia Homes

Yes, 2020 is the perfect year to transform your backyard into an outdoor living space. Whether you're in Montgomery County, MD or Fairfax County, VA, homeowners are embracing screened porches, composite decking, and integrated outdoor kitchens. We'll walk you through the top design trends that are reshaping how families enjoy their outdoor spaces—so you can make confident choices for your home.

Whether you’re looking to start from scratch with your exterior living space or you’re just enhancing an area you already have, here are the top four trends that are set to dominate 2020. Hopefully these can help guide your aesthetic and functional direction as your plans finalize.

Trend #1: Replicate the Style and Quality of Your Interior Living Space

An outdoor living space used to mean a deck or a patio. It was a place to put your grill and maybe a few chairs, and that was about it. The exterior living areas of 2020 are a whole different thing! From high-end finishes to luxury outdoor kitchens, outdoor living spaces this year aim to be as comfortable, beautiful, polished, and functional as any square footage within the home.

In this way, the outdoor living areas of 2020 are an even better investment than they have been in the past. By adding usable square footage to the home and incorporating high-quality elements that replicate the look and feel of the interior space, an outdoor living area can add significant value to the home when it eventually comes time to sell.

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Trend #2: Customize the Area to Accommodate Your Interests

Along with being more beautiful, finished, and functional, outdoor living areas look to become increasingly customized and personal as 2020 marches on. If you’re a cinema fiend, for example, an integrated television could be important to you for outdoor family movie nights. If you’re a hardcore gourmand, an elaborate, top-of-the-line kitchen and entertaining area could be the most important features for you. Whatever your personal interests, more and more outdoor living areas in 2020 will be designed specifically around these factors.

Customization doesn’t just have to relate to hobbies and interests, though. You can also customize your outdoor living space according to whenyou want to use the area. If it’s important for you to be able to use your space for as many months out of the year as possible, consider looking into any number of heating solutions. This could include a range of options from a fire feature to infrared heaters. If the area where you live experiences lots of bugs and insects during certain months of the year, you might also want to look into retractable screens or other ways to wall off the area against invading critters.

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Trend #3: Emphasize Safe, Secure, Weatherproof Storage

Because these outdoor living areas are becoming increasingly elaborate and involved, it makes sense that 2020 is a time for people to start emphasizing storage. Whether you’re looking to stow away pillows and blankets for your outdoor furniture or pots and pans for your five-burner gas range, high-quality, secure, weatherproof storage is a must in any 2020 outdoor living space.

Especially within the world of outdoor kitchens, Danver is one notable name in high-end cabinetry and storage. Their stainless steel options can withstand a range of weather conditions, including moisture, as well as the normal wear and tear of regular use without rusting, denting, or incurring any other impairment to looks or function.

Trend #4: Incorporate Multiple Products and Appliances in Any Outdoor Kitchen

In the not-so-distant past, an outdoor kitchen was essentially just your propane grill. Today, outdoor kitchens are the things of chefs’ dreams. Gas ranges. Smokers. Refrigerators. Pizza ovens. Sinks. Wine coolers. Warming drawers. The list goes on and on.

If you’ve been keeping your eye on the progression of this outdoor feature, you’ve likely noticed this steep rise in the number of outdoor kitchens that would make most interior cooking areas jealous! All these cooking appliances and amenities make a 2020 outdoor kitchen the ideal place to cook while entertaining and socializing with friends and family.

If you want to discuss the options within your outdoor living space or what brands, such as Danver, might suit your needs, reach out today!