Back Yard Makeover

My wife and I purchased this beautiful house built in 1952 that was originally her grandparents.  Between the two of us we hope to renovate our entire back yard including a large deck, flagstone patio limestone planters and 3, count them 3 sheds.  Some with a green roof.

We started with our deck:
Here are some before pictures
Great old flagstone patio but in the wrong spot

Steve trying to enjoy one last breakfast on the old patio

Sorry Poppies,

 Our two dogs Bella and Gibson always want to help

Again sorry poppies.
It's going to hurt.....

We had a 40 year old spruce tree taken down because it was causing problems in our basement.  The stump and roots are still causing us problems.

lousy roots!!!

lousy stump!!!!

We then poured a 4 inch thick concrete pad that we are then going to mortar the old flagstone down on to.

laying them out to see our design...

Mandy and the dogs seeing if it's walkable...

Still smiling....

All the Stones are mortared down, now time to grout

Mandy always wanted to be a stone mason. A natural grouter!!!

still going....

As you can see behind Mandy in this picture a wall is forming behind.

These limestones were donated by a friend who was doing an amazing reno to their 100 year old stone house.

Remember the stump?

We are now fully enclosing it turning it into a garden bed.  Steve's brilliant cousing Wes is doing all the limestone walls.

Wes' son Leaf was also on hand helping:

As the wall was happening so was the deck.

Fastening the Ledger board,

We had some great help putting this deck together Steve's brother Bill and Sister in Law Neisha came down to help for the week.

Steve still smiling.  It looks fake doesn't it??

Next we put the deck boards on, and finished the pergola,

Before:

After:

Still have to finish lower part of the deck

simple shed design

Our next client wanted a shed that was simple in design but would stand up to both weather, and time.  After going to the big box store and seeing their sad display of plastic and wood sheds, he was surprised at how economical a hand built shed could be.

Sturdy and timeless board and batten

Hand made windows and doors

Simple, Sturdy, and practical

Homeowner opted to stain himself.  Now just waiting for the stain.

Project #1 Cedar Deck and Cabana with Privacy Screen


This project started in a backyard in the Chicopee area of Kitchener the Architecture was described to me by the client as "1980's Medieval".  The goal of the project was to create a backyard oasis with a distinct shaded area as this area receives a large amount of sun.

Before Picture:

Footings and Framing:

As with most houses built in this time the soil was not ideal in digging the footings.  Filled with Rocks clay etc. we had a fun time digging the footings.

The 4 Big Posts are put in to support our Cabana

After our footings are poured it is time to frame up our structure

        All the joists are hung uses 45 degree joist hangers

 

The top level is hung opposite to the bottom level for contrast

 
Next the Deck boards:

All Hidden fasteneners: No visible screws

The Framing of the "Cabana"

Large Beams are Pressure treat that will be clad with Cedar:

All Exposed rafters are Cedar

 Finally the Sun goes down but we need to get some shade into this blazing back yard!!!

Tongue,Groove and Shingling:

The Exposed Ceiling lends itself well to tongue and Groove Pine

All Beams are clad with Cedar to complete the look:

The Roof is the Shingled matching the house's existing shingles

Privacy and Final Touches:


A privacy is then assembled on both sides of the deck:

On one side to hide the Air Conditioner and outdoor plumbing:

The other to give privacy from the Neighbours:

Then we just stain and skirt the deck:

Time to get some Furniture on Here and we are Done!