Openings, decks and shade in West Hills, Los Angeles County
Shaded Outdoor Rooms in West Hills
Palmcrest Contractors plans West Hills patio covers first, then the deck and glass doors beneath, built for the strong sun and dry wind of inland valley lots.
Shade is the first thing an outdoor room needs in an inland valley setting, the general kind of place West Hills belongs to. On inland valley lots the midday sun can be harsh, so the cover is drawn before the deck boards or the door hardware. Its depth is set to keep direct light off the new glass for most of the afternoon, while the open sides still let the yard show through.
Cover and boards for the sun
An aluminum cover with insulated foam core panels blocks heat from above and can carry recessed lights and a fan in its ceiling. A wood pergola with closely spaced slats casts lighter shade and can take a retractable fabric canopy for the summer months. Under it, the deck surface comes in pale tones that stay cooler underfoot, and the boards are spaced and fastened to allow for movement as they heat and cool. On the door side, glass with a heat reflecting coat and frames that resist warping complete the shaded room.
Wind, storms and the LADBS review
Dry wind and the odd hard storm are the other inland conditions the plan answers. Cover posts sit on concrete piers with connectors rated for uplift, which resist a gust pulling the roof off its beam. The cover's gutter empties through a downspout carried clear of those piers, and the patio is graded so rain moves off toward the yard. At the door, a tight sweep and full weather stripping keep blown dust out of the track. Because West Hills falls under the City of Los Angeles, the structure goes to LADBS for plan check and staged inspections.
What we build in West Hills
Every service below is available here, from a wider opening at the back of the house to a full remodel.
Open up your house in West Hills
Tell us which wall, room or yard you have in mind, and we will arrange a measure.