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Porch Covers, Decks and Patios in Springdale and across Northwest Arkansas
Outdoor structures built to tie into the house and shed water the right way, from a shaded porch to an open patio.
Chapter 01
Where an outdoor structure meets the house
Every outdoor structure is a new surface that takes rain, and every one of them has to be joined to the house somewhere. That joint is where trouble starts. A deck fastened to the wall through a ledger board, or a porch roof carried on the house, moves a little through the seasons, and any gap in the flashing lets water into the rim joist or the wall cavity behind.
That is why the best outdoor structures are planned as part of the house and not bolted to its side. The flashing, the slope of the roof or deck and the path of the downspout all decide whether the water leaves cleanly.
A new patio cover with a timber post, finished timber ceiling and downspout on a brick home
What Iron Shield builds: Porch Covers, Decks, balconies and Patios
Iron Shield builds Porch Covers, Decks, balconies and Patios across Northwest Arkansas. A porch cover gives a shaded, weather-resistant place to sit. A deck or balcony adds usable space for grilling, coffee or company. Patios can be shaped and finished to blend into the yard.
The hub for the work also names pergolas, patio covers and carports. Most outdoor structures in Northwest Arkansas need a local building permit, and Iron Shield guides the owner through it.
Outdoor structures sit at the wall on the path of water. They take the rain that the roof and gutters above them hand down, and pass it to the house or the ground.
Chapter 03
Living with an outdoor structure
Wood asks for sealing or staining every few years, and it rewards the owner who does it on schedule.
Composite and metal structures ask for less. Whatever the material, regular cleaning keeps mildew from getting a hold on shaded surfaces.
After a hard storm, walk around the structure. Look at the fasteners, the flashing where it meets the house, and the downspouts nearby. A small gap found early costs far less to fix than rot found late.
Randy Martin, Google review: “Had our patio covered and Iron Shield did a fantastic job.”
Had our patio covered and Iron Shield did a fantastic job. Excellent craftsmanship & crew. John did a great job of explaining what they were going to do. Couldn’t be more pleased with the service they provided!
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Built to meet the house and the gutters.
A finished structure still needs a way to shed its water. See how gutters and siding carry it away, or send the details and ask for a free estimate.
Questions
Questions about outdoor structures.
Do I need a permit for a porch cover or a deck?
Most outdoor structures in Northwest Arkansas need a local building permit. Iron Shield guides the owner through the process, so ask about it when you request your free estimate.
Will a new porch cover make my roof leak?
It should not, if the roof tie-in is done properly. The place to look is where the new roof meets the wall, which needs flashing that laps under the siding and over the new roofing. A poor tie-in there is the usual cause of a leak.
How much upkeep does a deck need?
It depends on the material. Wood decks may need sealing or staining every few years, while composite and metal structures ask for less. Regular cleaning and a look after storms keep any of them in good shape.