sb 721

Elevated Walkways: How They Came to Be

Elevated walkways have become an important part of urbanization. Aside from being an efficient solution to busy foot traffic, walkways also offer extra business space and are often regarded as a safer alternative to walking beside automobiles. But how exactly did elevated walkways come to be?

 

 

The first sidewalks were built in the 13th century in Chester, England. Although historians couldn’t tell the exact reasons they were built, these old sidewalks known as the Chester Rows are now considered a protected heritage site and have inspired many walkways built in the United States at the turn of the 20th century.

 

 

Elevated Walkways: Sky Bridges

The proposition to make Manhattan a “city of bridges” came about in 1913 with the publication of “The Elevated Sidewalk: How It Will Solve City Transportation Problems.” But that idea never came to life until the 60s when several towns in the United States started to consider the idea of elevated walkways again. The Minneapolis Skyway system was built in 1962 and it inspired many towns to do the same over the years.

 

 

Today, elevated walkways can be seen all over the world. What started as a simple concept of separating humans and cars on the road has now become an indispensable tool for living in a lot of cities.

 


Deck Inspectors for Southern California is happy to offer our services in Los Angeles, Orange County as well as San Diego and all Southern California surrounding areas like: Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Santa Monica, Anaheim, Temecula, Vista, Escondido, Carlsbad, and El Cajon

sb 721

Building a Balcony? Here Are Your Design Options

It’s been a long-time dream of yours to wake up and look out from your elevated balcony. And now that you have the chance to add that extra feature to your home, you want to do things right by choosing the right design elements for your balcony. To make things easier, we rounded up some of your best options:

 

 

The railing

 

Your railing will be the most visible part of your balcony, so it’s only fitting that you find the right design to match the rest of your house and make the balcony as safe as possible, especially if it’s an elevated balcony.

 

Wrought iron railing is a common choice because of how it gives off that classic look, especially when paired with a wrought iron spiral staircase. This option is perfect if your house has a European or old-world feel.

 

Glass railing, on the other hand, offers uninterrupted views without compromising safety. It is perfect for modern minimalist homes, but it can also blend well with most home designs.

 

 

The décor

 

Decorating your elevated balcony is an exciting part of this entire process because you have endless options to choose from. One of the most popular décor pegs for balconies its urban charm. Think about a mix of industrial and rustic charm where you can use wrought iron railings and add bistro-style seating for that urban effect. This style is especially perfect if you have brick exterior walls.

 

A lot of homeowners also love modern design, which is basically keeping things as simple and minimal as possible. Use muted palettes for your theme and dress the space up with pops of color through your outdoor cushions or even some wall décor.

 

Play with different textures and shapes to give your balcony extra flair. If you’re into Moroccan-themed spaces, you’d love the eclectic design for your balcony. This style is all about using bright colors, unique accessories and gold accents to create a space that makes you feel like you’re on a holiday.

 

 

The floors

 

Aside from your railings, your floor also needs to be chosen well to create the look and feel that you want for this outdoor space. Wood is usually the go-to option for a lot of homeowners because it can match with any theme and essentially easy to maintain.

 

You can also go for concrete flooring for your elevated balcony and use reactive or nonreactive stain to make it less boring. If you want to get the look for a marbled floor for your balcony, you can use an acid-based reactive stain that will change the color of the concrete to natural earth tones. But if you want a stronger color, you should use nonreactive stains.

 

 

The bottom line

 

The possibilities are endless when it comes to dressing up your balcony. From awnings to lighting, there’s a lot that you can do to create an outdoor space that’s conducive for relaxation and even entertaining. You just have to choose your design elements wisely to achieve a cohesive and structured look for your elevated balcony.

 


Deck Inspectors for Southern California is happy to offer our services in Los Angeles, Orange County as well as San Diego and all Southern California surrounding areas like: Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Santa Monica, Anaheim, Temecula, Vista, Escondido, Carlsbad, and El Cajon

SB 326

Here’s Everything You Need to Do to Pass a Deck Inspection

Like any part of your home, a deck has to be functional, sturdy and safe for you to use it well. This is why you need to have it checked by qualified deck inspectors at least every two years. But before you do that, you have to ensure that you will pass the deck inspection by following these tips:

 

 

Look for Any Signs of Damage

 

Your deck goes through more wear and tear than other parts of your house because it’s constantly exposed to the elements. Since it’s made of wood, it’s also more prone to pest infestation and other problems.

 

Check every nook and cranny of your deck and take note of any signs of damage. You’ll most likely see ants and termites in its framework or rust in its bolts, nails and other metal connectors.

 

Most of these damages are not really visible outside, so make sure to look under your deck. Address these issues right away to avoid flagging by your inspector.

 

 

Clean your Deck Regularly

 

If your deck has been around for many years now, you probably start to see some green tints around it due to mildew growth.

 

This is especially visible on your steps where mildew can make it slippery, which is why it’s very important to wash your deck regularly to get rid of that mildew and other dirt that’s a red flag for qualified deck inspectors.

 

You should also be on the lookout for mold and fungus growth, especially around the pillars of your deck because it could be a serious health hazard if not addressed right away.

 

 

Make sure to Follow your Decking Plans

 

If you’re building a deck for the first time, you will need to have qualified deck inspectors come over before the deck is installed so they can check your framing from above the deck. These inspectors will usually look at your construction plan and compare the end result to ensure that you are complying with standards. Aside from the form of your framing, inspectors will also look into the type and size of wood that you’re using and the proper joist spacing. If you don’t adhere to your original floor plan, your deck could be flagged as failed.

 

Of course, nothing beats a good walkthrough of your deck on a daily basis to make sure that it’s still in tiptop shape. When you walk on your deck, do you notice any screeching sounds from the wood? Do you notice that some areas are not as sturdy as they were?

 

Are you seeing any signs of damage around the deck? Be vigilant enough to notice anything that warrants a repair or replacement. Whether or not you are having qualified deck inspectors around, following these tips will make your deck safer and more functional for a longer time.

 


Deck Inspectors for Southern California is happy to offer our services in Los Angeles, Orange County as well as San Diego and all Southern California surrounding areas like: Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Santa Monica, Anaheim, Temecula, Vista, Escondido, Carlsbad, and El Cajon