The Lake Hills yard before
A 1960s rambler with a sliding door onto a narrow concrete pad and lawn. The owners used the yard about ten weekends a year.
Designing for Lake Hills
A gable roof matching the house pitch, extending fourteen feet off the back wall, over a new paver patio. Two infrared heaters, a ceiling fan, dimmable recessed lights and an outlet for a weather-rated television. The roof was set to clear the existing eave and tie under it with flashing.
The Lake Hills structure
Three posts on engineered footings carry a glulam beam; rafters bear on a ledger fastened to the house wall framing. The roof was framed for the city's snow load, sheathed and shingled to match. Gutters drain to a dry well away from the foundation.
Building it in Lake Hills
Permit review came first. On site: footings and pavers in week one, framing and roofing in week two, electrical, ceiling and fixtures in week three.
The Lake Hills result
The owners now eat outside from March to November and host through the rain. The cedar ceiling and heaters make it feel like a room, not a shelter.
Want to use your yard in the rain? Start here.