Understanding the Design Process with Design-Build Firms

Posted in: Deck Design, hire a decking contractor, design aesthetic of a contractor, patio design, Contracting Questions, interior design, deck contractors, kitchen design, Hire a Contractor

James Moylan

Wednesday, June 06, 2018

custom deck design rendering fulton maryland

Great news! You've decided to build a beautiful new deck in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC and are looking at hiring a contractor. As you are determining which contractors are reliable and are collecting bids, you will begin to notice differences in the design and estimation process between deck builders.

These differences are telling of what working with a screened porch builder will be like. How long does it take to get a home estimate, and is it fully detailed? Are you being walked through the process? Are they asking the right questions? Ultimately, a contractor like Design Builders' first objective is to help you visualize your final project, be it a screened porch, outdoor kitchen, home addition, or interior renovation.

Design Highlight: How to Capitalize on Big Spaces in 2018

Posted in: Decks in Maryland, Deck Design, Screen Porch in Maryland, Screen-Porch Design Tips, Howard County deck and patio, patio design, infrared heaters, patio tips, Infratech infrared heaters, porch topics, porch add-ons, Porch and Deck Accessories

James Moylan

Thursday, March 22, 2018

design builders screened porch rendering for fulton, maryland

Design Showcase: Capitalizing on a Large Outdoor Space in Fulton, Maryland

Whether you’re living in an older home on acreage or a more contemporary space with ample square footage, designing an outdoor living space for a large area can actually be quite overwhelming. After all, when you have a lot of space, you have a lot of options, and that can quickly go from liberating to paralyzing. If you’re currently in this conundrum, here's an ongoing project in Fulton, Maryland, that demonstrates one way a large space can be turned into an ideal outdoor living area.

How to Prepare for a Flagstone Patio in 2017

Posted in: patio design, patio questions, how to build a patio, patio tips

James Moylan

Monday, January 30, 2017

curved flagstone patio, recessed hot tub, and Phantom retractable screened potio at night Clifton, VA (1).jpg

What are the first steps of installing a flagstone patio?

Flagstone patios are a great way to incorporate the beauty and uniqueness of natural stone into your outdoor living space. Because the process involves real stone with natural variations in thickness and dimensions, each flagstone patio is a unique creation. Although the process for actually building a flagstone patio is essentially the same, the patio built for this particular project reflects that every job yields a personalized result.

2017 Guide to Patio Materials: Concrete Pavers, Brick Pavers & Natural Stone

Posted in: Decks and Patios, patio design, how to build a patio, patio tips, porch topics

James Moylan

Friday, October 14, 2016

 elevated flagstone patio with white trim in Rockville, Maryland 

Common Materials You Can Use in Your Next Outdoor Patio Project

When you’re starting to examine your options for building a patio, it can feel overwhelming trying to sort through all the potential materials you could use. How do you know which one is right for your Maryland patio? Keep reading for a basic breakdown of some of the most common materials used for this purpose and a few considerations to keep in mind before committing to that material.

Considerations for Building Retaining Walls in Maryland & Virginia

Posted in: Decks and Patios, patio design, patio questions, patio tips

James Moylan

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

 curved retaining wall for a Bethesda flagstone patio

One common feature in landscaped exterior living spaces is the retaining wall. As a feature that adds functionality and aesthetic value, these are common implements in newly designed or renovated outdoor areas. However, with somewhat minor changes to the design plan, you can quite significantly alter the price and ease of building that structure.