Oregon City Outdoor Living: Trex Deck, Covered Patio & Hidden Screens
By Alex, owner of AB Construction LLC
A new deck is a good beginning. For this outdoor living project, we brought the space together with a custom patio cover, a Japanese cedar ceiling, hidden motorized screens and smart-home controls. The result is an outdoor living area with warm wood tones, daylight overhead and comfort features built into the structure.
Before the project, the homeowners had an old wooden deck that had deteriorated to the point that it was a safety concern. Their pergola had no cover, and they wanted to enjoy the patio when it rained. Bees and other bugs were another concern, so being able to enclose the space with screens was an important part of the plan. |
Project at a glanceLocation: Oregon City, Oregon Deck size: 24 × 15 feet · 360 square feet Decking: Trex Havana Gold body with Spiced Rum trim Steps: 15-foot-long side step; three 8-foot-long center steps; one 4-foot-long step on the third side Patio cover: Custom-built cover with skylights Ceiling: Tongue-and-groove Japanese cedar (sugi plank) Comfort: Recessed lighting, smart fan and two 6,000-watt Bromic Tungsten heaters Screens: Recessed motorized patio screens in a custom soffit (the finished enclosure along the edge of the patio cover) Maintenance access: Custom-fabricated hinged soffit panel Smart controls: Amazon Alexa voice control for all electronic features |
A two-tone Trex deck sets the foundation
We built the new deck with Trex decking in Havana Gold for the main body and Spiced Rum for the trim. The lighter main surface and darker trim give the deck definition without competing with the wood ceiling above.
The new deck measures 24 by 15 feet, creating a 360-square-foot footprint. A 15-foot-long step runs along one side, with three 8-foot-long steps in the center and a single 4-foot-long step on the third side.
That two-tone combination helps the deck feel like a finished part of the home. The broad steps connect the covered space to the yard, while the contrasting trim gives the edges a distinct outline.
A custom patio cover with daylight and natural wood
Above the deck, we built a custom patio cover with skylights. The skylights bring daylight into the covered area, while the roof provides overhead shelter. We finished the ceiling with tongue-and-groove Japanese cedar, also known as sugi plank.
The cedar adds natural color and texture across the ceiling. Together with the skylights and white posts, it gives the space a warm, open feel. Recessed lighting fits into the ceiling for evening use without a row of hanging fixtures interrupting the view.
Heat, airflow and lighting where they belong
The patio includes a smart fan and two 6,000-watt Bromic Tungsten heaters. The fan provides airflow, and the heaters add warmth to the seating area when temperatures drop. Recessed lights complete the setup for time outside after sunset.
These features were planned as part of the build, alongside the ceiling, cover and screens. That coordination matters: the structure has to accommodate more than the roof itself, and each feature needs a place in the finished space.
Motorized screens that disappear into the soffit
One of the most distinctive details is easy to miss when the screens are raised. We recessed the motorized patio screens into a custom-built soffit—the finished enclosure along the edge of the patio cover—keeping them hidden away when they are not in use.
With bees and bugs around the patio, the homeowners wanted a way to enjoy the space with fewer insects. The screens provide a barrier around the covered seating area.
Lowering the screens changes the feel of the patio, enclosing the openings around the outdoor living area. Raising them restores the open connection to the yard. The recessed installation keeps the screen system integrated with the cover instead of making it a prominent addition to the outside of the structure.
Motorized screens lowering from the soffit
The screens lower from their concealed position along the patio cover.
Hidden away, with access built in
Keeping the screens out of sight was only part of the detail. We also fabricated a hinged access panel in the soffit so the screen system can be reached for future maintenance.
The panel opens to reveal the space inside the soffit, giving service access while keeping the equipment tucked away during everyday use.
Inside the hinged soffit access panel
The custom hinged panel provides access inside the soffit for future screen maintenance.
Connected to the home through Amazon AlexaThe electronic features in this project are connected to the home’s smart system and controlled through Amazon Alexa, including voice commands. That includes the recessed lighting, smart fan, both heaters and motorized screens. Bringing these features into the home’s smart setup makes the outdoor area feel like an extension of the house. |
Planning your own outdoor living space?
This outdoor living project brings several choices together: two-tone decking, natural wood overhead, daylight through skylights and screens that tuck out of sight. Each detail contributes to how the space looks and how it can be used.
If you are considering a new deck, patio cover or motorized screens, AB Construction LLC can help you plan those elements together. Tell us what you would like to do outside—and what would make your current space more comfortable.
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