Playing with a Complete Deck

When Patrick Alt was transferred from Chicago to Charlotte, he needed a home suitable for entertaining clients and yet livable for his twin daughters. In the end, he and his wife, Neely, chose an existing home in River Run, a golf community in Davidson.

“It had everything we needed,” he says. The family room was located on a walkout lower level with access to a spacious backyard. And the living room on the main level opened onto an elevated deck. “The view is stunning,” says Alt, “overlooking the woods, the water, and the golf course.”

But there was a problem. “The deck was made out of a synthetic wood product,” Alt explains. “It was stained and sagging, and architecturally it had a ‘tacked-on’ look. Neely couldn’t stand the maintenance, and water dripped onto the patio beneath the deck.” Since the Alts wanted to build a walkout sunroom below their deck, they hired an architect and began searching for watertight decking materials.

Then the Alts learned about a process called DeckStone developed by Charlotte-based Thomas Pruitt Builders and installed by EnduraDeck Corporation, the latter started by partners Tom Pruitt and Greg Moore. “Stamped concrete has been around since the 1960s,” explains Pruitt. “What‘s new is the process we’ve created to meet the increased demand for raised stamped concrete decks.” Thus the advantages of a stamped concrete patio—longevity, low maintenance, a comfortable surface to walk on, attractive customized patterns—can come in an elevated deck.

Pruitt’s patent on the DeckStone process is pending. “But about the only difference you’ll notice is the deck supports are engineered for the weight of the concrete,” he notes. Yet when the Alts’ project was completed in May, they noticed an immediate difference. “Since our backyard view is so striking,”

Patrick explains, “many architectural elements of our house are designed around that view as a focal point. Because the stamped concrete deck looks so good, it really complements our house.”

At about $100 to $150 per square foot, Pruitt admits his DeckStone process “wasn’t the lowest proposal the Alts received—but wasn’t the highest. Compared to other products, our labor costs are lower because we’re not installing individual stones or pavers. It’s quick and affordable, and the stamped concrete process has almost endless versatility to create unique patterns, borders, and colors.”

For his part, Alt cites the intangible benefits. “Being in a business where I do lots of entertaining,“ he notes, “the new deck creates an outstanding space to bring clients and friends.” And now that daughters Claire and Currin are 11, he adds, “I appreciate how our watertight deck makes it possible to have a lower-level sunroom where our family can enjoy evenings together almost year-round.”

Learn about the DeckStone process by visiting www.enduradeck.com, and discover all the award-winning remodeling services of Thomas Pruitt Builders at www.thomaspruittbuilders.com or by calling 704-650-1000