Want to know the best time of year for outdoor living projects? It depends on a couple of different factors, namely:
- Your Location (Rural or Urban)
- The Type & Scope of the Project
- Specific Materials
In general, though, early spring tends to be when you should start outdoor living projects. Especially here in Texas. Here’s why.
Weather is one of the most important factors in project planning.
In fall and winter, build-ups of leaves, debris, and ice can cause problems with gutter replacements, renovations, and outdoor living projects. Cold weather simply makes construction more challenging.
Low temperatures affect materials like concrete and wood, causing cracking and brittleness. Paints and adhesives also take longer to dry.
Late spring and summer pose problems, too.
Excessive Texas heat can lead to issues with roofing and patios. When pouring concrete, you have to take extra steps to make sure the ground is cool enough for the concrete to set. High temperatures make caulks and sealants less effective.
Then, there’s rain.
Projects should be completed well ahead of the rainy season.
Let’s talk about Texas—specifically, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where Juno Construction is located. In our part of the state, the rainy season really kicks off in May, causing delays to outdoor projects.
Rain can halt construction, especially when concrete is involved, which needs dry conditions to set. That’s why it’s best to plan ahead and schedule projects before rain sets in. A start in early spring will minimize weather-related issues.
Keep in mind different project durations.
Outdoor living projects have varying timelines. Knowing how long your job will last can help you prepare for bad weather.
Patios take two to four weeks to complete, on average.
The timeline here obviously depends on the size you’re looking for.
A simple 100-square foot patio could be as little as a week, while a more intricate 300-square footer could take over a month.
If you want custom features like a wet bar, fire pit, or built-in seating, that’ll take more time.
A pergola is typically one to two weeks.
The main tasks are setting foundations, assembling the frame, and installing cross beams. Extras like lighting or a unique design may extend construction time.
Laying concrete can take up to 28 days, depending on the size of the patio or driveway.
Concrete for a patio can be walked on after a few days, but it needs 28 days to “cure” completely and reach its top strength. Note that concrete can get wet during the curing process, but too much rain, especially too soon, can damage your project.
Stone is a faster option.
There’s no curing involved with stone flooring, so it won’t take as long. Natural stone also looks great.
Spring is the best time of year for outdoor living projects.
Remember: Plan so you’re not scrambling to finish your outdoor living project during thunderstorms.
The months leading up to spring — February, March, and April—are perfect for beginning construction on outdoor living projects. Mild, dryer weather is less likely to impact your work and materials.
Contact Juno Construction today.
We’re a Dallas and Fort Worth-based construction company and remodeling service that wants to work on your next outdoor living project (whatever time of year you need). We care about quality work and responsiveness to our customers.
Tell us about your outdoor living project today. You’ll get a free quote and consultation within 24 hours.
