DIYer Transforms Balcony From Eyesore Into Relaxing Outdoor Space
Project by project, Astra Spanbauer is gradually transforming her red brick American farmhouse, chronicling her journey along the way through her “At Home With Astra” blog and social channels. A Realtor and operations manager in her day job, she’s quickly turned her love of interior design into a full-fledged online platform to educate and inspire other DIYers on everything from creating eye-catching accent walls to a complete kitchen gut remodel with poured concrete countertops.
Along with refurbishing areas of the home that were deteriorating with age, the single mom of two is infusing Modern Farmhouse touches into the décor, elevating yet preserving the home’s original style.
Two of her latest projects are some her favorite to date: Rehabbing the home’s deteriorating second-floor balcony and replacing and expanding the back deck.
The replacement of the balcony, a long narrow span above the front porch, was much more than a cosmetic issue: The space was in such disrepair that it went unused for fear of falling through the rotted boards. Spanbauer ripped out the existing deck boards and was pleased to find that a water barrier had protected the substrate and structural framing underneath.
Wanting to avoid the issues in the future, as well as cut way back on maintenance, the DIYer opted to swap the original wood deck boards for Envision Outdoor Living Products’ Ridge Premium capped composite decking in the Vintage Oak hue.
The balcony boasts large brick columns, which Spanbauer wanted to both honor and emphasize with the decking surface. She installed the Ridge Premium decking as a picture frame around the balcony edge and the columns themselves, then filled in the space with the same color boards in a horizontal pattern; three vertical boards installed at intervals break up the expanse. The Vintage Oak color, blending light and dark browns, respects the home’s traditional feel while complementing the red brick façade.
Ridge Premium combines a budget-friendly price point with Envision’s proprietary Compress Technology™, which uses tremendous heat and pressure to squeeze out air pockets, physically bonding the cap and EverGrain Core™ together, and press its signature non-repeating grain into the cap.
“I knew there was no way I would use wood, seeing how rotted everything was,” Spanbauer says. “Especially with the warranty Ridge Premium comes with and the time that composite lasts. I won’t have to replace it in my lifetime.”
Completing the look is Envision’s CP310 Composite Railing in black with black horizontal balusters. The traditional-style railing offers a robust profile well-suited to the scale of the adjacent brick columns, and the black infill offers a contemporary update without feeling too modern. And, like the decking, the composite material won’t need painting or refinishing to maintain its look and integrity over time.
“I love the color I chose. It looks really good out there,” Spanbauer says. “When you pull up to the house, you can see the beautiful black railing. It really elevated the look of the house.”
With the addition of chairs, a rug, and speakers, the balcony has quickly become Spanbauer’s go-to spot. “Every morning I have coffee out there. I’ll take calls from work out there. I sit there in the evenings, relax, and listen to music,” she says. “It’s my favorite outdoor space.”
What’s more, completing the balcony empowered Spanbauer to tackle the home’s rear deck, a large project that will include replacing the boards of the existing deck, then completely rebuilding a walkway to the connected second deck, as well as adding a new outdoor kitchen. She is using Envision’s Ridge Premium for the deck replacement, as well.
“I was very nervous when I started the balcony project,” Spanbauer recalls. “But after I did enough research, I realized I’m fully capable.”
Other than the fact that the balcony was 25 feet in the air, Spanbauer says the installation of the decking and railing itself was straightforward, following the manufacturers’ recommendations and calling Envision with questions when needed. “But the actual install was easy. It all came together so nicely,” she says. “They were so great to work with; they answered all of my questions. And there were no issues with getting material.”
Perhaps most importantly, Spanbauer was thrilled to show her audience what they too might be capable of, especially as she embarks on the larger deck rebuild. “I’m so excited I’m doing this project. It’s not something I ever thought I could do,” she says. “I love being able to show people ‘Don’t be afraid to try.’”
Ready to get your outdoor living project moving? Visit our Start Your Project page to find inspiration, request samples, and get a quote!
