One element that’s becoming increasingly popular in outdoor living spaces is the hot tub. Especially in areas that experience cold winters, this can be an excellent addition to any outdoor area. It is, however, a very involved process and one you’ll need to carefully discuss and coordinate with your design build team. These are your top 8 steps and considerations for installing a hot tub in Virginia or Maryland.

Long-Term Costs of Operating an Outdoor Fire Feature in Bethesda, Maryland

Nothing provides quite the same blend of ambiance and function as an outdoor fire feature, but many people wonder about price. With so many fire features to choose from, which one is going to provide all the aesthetic beauty and functional warmth without breaking the bank?

This article compares three of the most common fire feature types: natural wood-burning fireplaces, biofuel fireplaces, and natural gas fires. For the sake of comparison, electric heaters are also included below. While not a traditional fire feature, they are a common alternative for those looking to heat their outdoor spaces.

Are Steel Cable Deck Railing Systems Right for Your NoVA or MD Home?

If you’re in the process of designing an outdoor living space, it’s likely you've been evaluating the relative pros and cons of various railing systems. One such railing system involves stainless steel cable rails. Steel cable railings are durable, contemporary deck railing options, whether you're looking to complement Zuri decks in Virginia or porches in Maryland. Keep reading to learn if steel cable handrails are right for your outdoor living space.

Even though porcelain paver tiles have been in the home construction arena for a while now, they continue to grow in popularity. As more and more people discover the benefits of working with porcelain for exterior living spaces (everything from rooftop decks to patios to walkways), this material becomes more prevalent across residential and commercial jobs with each passing year.

Among companies that provide this material, Archatrak is one of the leading industry names. They’ve been in the business since 2001 and were instrumental in bringing Italian-made porcelain pavers into the US construction market.

If you’ve been looking into materials to use for your rooftop deck, patio, walkway, or other exterior living space, you might have come across the various benefits of porcelain paver tiles. If you’ve been researching this material, you might also be familiar now with Archatrak, one of the industry-leading purveyors of these Italian-imported porcelain pavers.

In addition to the more practical benefits of porcelain—minimal weight; durability; impermeability; ease of maintenance; frost, scratch, slip, and fade resistance; and more—the sheer beauty and craftsmanship of these tiles are undeniable, and it’s that aesthetic factor that’s on full display in these stunning Archatrak installs across the United States.