WHAT WE DO

Whether using southern pine, teak, cedar, or a composite material, a deck should be equal parts function and beauty. Unfortunately, many decks built in Arkansas miss both marks. Because they frequently involve important structrual framing, deck design and construction is not something to be taken on by the inexperienced. Decks are also often built as though they are not on full display for all the world to see. When Arkansas Outdoor Craftsman builds a deck, we do so according to the applicable building code with an artisan's eye on the finished details. We conceal grain ends of lumber, we do not leave nails, screws and other fasteners exposed, and we aim to create uniform negative spaces between deck boards so that the finished product looks like a work of art instead of rough framing.

When most people think about a privacy fence, they envision six foot pickets arranged vertically like soldiers in a rank. That is certainly one way to build a fence, but often the terrain, the rest of the backyard living environment, and the location of the lot will allow for different, more creative options, including horizontal slats, capped vertical slats, insets, shadow box, and other building options.

Patios are most often built at grade, or the grade is brought up to the finished patio height. Using flagstone, native field stone, brick and stone pavers, and even cast concrete to create the finished patio surface can create a beatiful and lasting living area that can be enjoyed year round. As with all designs outsite, surface water, frost heave, topography, and other physical characteristics must be planned for in order to correctly build a lasting patio structure.

Surface water, either as direct rainfall, gutter flows, or water coming off an adjoining tract, must be directed away from your house or other buildings, and towards an appropriate water catchment system. This will not only protect your building structure; it will also ensure that your outdoor living spaces do not hold water, get soggy, mossy or moldy, or otherwise lose their appeal during periods of wet weather. Most frequently, the installation of french drain systems, gutters, catchment basins, and light surface grading is all that is needed in order to fix the problems of surface water.

Any landscape design in Arkansas is going to include trees, shrubs, plants, flowers and grass, which means your outdoor living space must be watered. Often this is done by hand with a hose and sprinkler, but sometimes that job is too burdensome to be done consistently. In those cases, an in-place irrigation system may make all the difference. These can be installed and set on automatic timers to ensure that lawns and gardens receive adequate hydration when rainfall is insufficient.

Achieving a flat, smooth and weed-free lawn and garden does not happen by accident. Site preparation is 90% of the work of achieving a fine, golf course-like lawn. And because these are growing things, lawns and gardens must be consistently maintained in order to keep their desired look.