Years ago, wood decks were the most appealing choice for decks. That is short-lived when the wood starts to chip, peel, splinter, warp and fade. One of the most important decisions to make once you have decided on having your dream deck built is the ongoing maintenance costs of staining, water proofing and power washing. In the last decade, composite decking has been the decking of choice. It’s a combination of plastic and wood fiber, which is more resistant to the elements and although the majority of cost is up front with installation and material, you end up saving money long term.

As a design-driven firm, Doerler Landscapes emphasizes the outdoor space’s beauty and its functionality. This has been helped by using 3D imaging. This allows us to work with our clients on a myriad of conceptual ideas, which helps us to refine the project scope and budget. With 3D imaging, we can make revisions ‘on the spot,’ so that our clients … can envision what the finished project will look like.

I think attention to detail and a vivid focus on the client and their dream design is what makes an outdoor space special. Custom outdoor spaces become magnets for family gatherings, often utilized more than anticipated. By complementing the existing architecture, incorporating the client’s dreams along with maximizing their budget and amenities, the space feels even more special. I really love the ‘wow’ moments at the end of the project, when clients fill their new spaces with family and friends.

The market has gone towards thicker, heavier glass with less metal. A popular door is the Imperial slider, which is like a barn-style sliding shower door. The options for protective coatings on the glass have come along way. Shower Guard glass is a glass that we promote. It was actually invented during Desert Storm. They were looking to put a coating on windshields because they were going through so many of them on Humvees. They also realized it had a protective nature against mineral deposits and soap scum. I probably put that on half the doors we install now. There are a lot of different hardware options between handles and hinges, etc. With the frameless shower doors, everything is custom, so you can lay it out and put the door where you want as big as you want it. A lot of glass keeps the shower space open, makes the bathroom feel bigger and incorporates that space into the bathroom and shows off all the tile work that’s been done. People used to want to hide the shower, now they are so nice and expensive people want to show them off.

I prefer installing Fiberon because it is both beautiful and reliable. Fiberon adds a protective polymer capping on all four sides of the decking. This creates a look that emulates real world wood while providing superior performance to match every budget. Fiberon stands behind their products without any of the hassle that you might get from other companies. As the only Premier FiberPro installer in North Jersey, we have the exclusive ability to offer our customers a five-year labor warranty on specified material. That is something most other companies cannot offer.

We’re still seeing a high demand for outdoor rooms. I think this is reflective of the growing trends for staycations and outdoor entertaining. One element we’re noticing is on the rise is the overhead structure. Clients are looking to extend the use of their outdoor rooms to all four seasons, so many projects include rooks that are either attached or detached from the house. Overhead structures—which also might be a pergola—provide a sense of enclosure and act like a ceiling for an outdoor room. The structure then lends itself to the addition of ceiling fans, lights and infrared radiant heat. Kitchen stations, fire elements, water features and seating walls are also popular features.

The larger showers are definitely a continuing trend. But people are beginning to put freestanding tubs back in, not the platform tubs that take up a ton of space. Seats in a shower are so popular; you may not be sitting on them but they’re so handy for washing your feet or putting your leg up on them. Shelves or recessed areas to hold shampoo and soap are also very popular. The seat is also very helpful for that.

The door frame is a 4-sided unit—when the door jamb rots, the threshold comes loose and there’s no repairing that. Replacement of the door frame is the best option. We often recommend a composite door frame as opposed to a wood door frame; composite looks like wood but it does not rot.

Yes a natural gas fireplace can be installed into your bedroom which then can be dressed up in a variety of stone veneers or wood mantels from the inside.

We try and match the grain/pattern as best as possible.