Living in Conifer or Evergreen comes with incredible views, beautiful surroundings, and the opportunity to experience Colorado at its best. It also comes with a constant battle against the elements.
One day can bring bright sunshine and comfortable temperatures. The next can bring strong mountain winds, heavy snow, freezing temperatures, or a sudden change in weather that sends everyone back inside. For many homeowners, that means their deck becomes a space they only use when the conditions are just right.
“Every element works together to make the outdoor space feel like a natural extension of the home… ”
That was the challenge facing the homeowners of this Conifer project. Their existing deck was small, exposed, and largely unused. Instead of accepting that their outdoor space could only be enjoyed for a few months of the year, they decided to completely transform it into an extension of their home. The result is an outdoor space designed to be enjoyed throughout the year, regardless of what is happening outside.
Built for the Reality of Mountain Weather
Designing an outdoor space in Conifer requires more than simply adding a roof over a deck. The mountain environment presents unique challenges that have to be considered from the beginning. Wind can move through the trees with incredible force. Snow can accumulate quickly and heavily. Temperatures can change dramatically throughout the day. An outdoor space that looks beautiful on a calm summer afternoon still needs to perform when winter arrives.
For this project, the goal was to create a space that could stand up to those conditions while still feeling comfortable, inviting, and connected to the home.
The original deck was transformed with a custom roof featuring an integrated skylight, providing protection from snow and weather while still allowing natural light into the space. ClearView glass walls provide another layer of protection without blocking the mountain surroundings. When the weather is beautiful, the glass walls can be opened to bring in the fresh mountain air. When the wind picks up or snow begins to fall, they can be closed to create a comfortable environment protected from the elements. That flexibility is what turns an outdoor deck into a true four-season outdoor space.
More Than a Deck
The transformation goes far beyond weather protection. The new space was designed around the features the homeowners actually wanted to use. An outdoor kitchen makes it easy to prepare and enjoy meals without constantly going back inside. Infrared heaters provide comfortable warmth when temperatures drop, while low-voltage lighting keeps the space inviting after the sun goes down.
At the center of the experience is a sunken hot tub, creating a dedicated place to relax and enjoy the surrounding mountain environment.
A 10-foot fire rail and signature fireplace add another layer of warmth and atmosphere, making the space especially enjoyable during Colorado’s colder months. Every element works together to make the outdoor space feel like a natural extension of the home rather than an area that was simply added onto it.
A Space You Can Actually Use Every Day
The biggest difference is how often the homeowners can use the space. Before the transformation, the deck was exposed to everything Conifer’s weather could throw at it. Its usefulness was largely dependent on the forecast. Now, the homeowners have a comfortable place to spend time outside whether it is a warm summer evening, a cool fall afternoon, or a snowy winter day. Instead of asking, “Is the weather good enough to go outside?”, the space is designed around a different idea: The weather should not determine whether you can enjoy your deck.
Start Planning Before Winter Arrives
With winter approaching, now is the ideal time to start thinking about what you want your outdoor space to become. If your deck sits unused whenever the wind picks up, temperatures drop, or snow begins to fall, a thoughtful redesign can turn that exposed, underused space into a comfortable extension of your home that works throughout the year.
Every property presents different opportunities and challenges. The right design can incorporate weather protection, heating, glass walls, lighting, kitchens, fireplaces, hot tubs, and other features to create a space specifically suited to your home and the Colorado environment.
This Conifer project demonstrates what is possible when an unused deck is redesigned around the way homeowners actually want to live. Your deck does not have to be a seasonal space; it can become the place you want to be every day.
If you are ready to transform your deck into your dream outdoor space, scan the QR code to see video walkthroughs of this Conifer project, explore more photos, and schedule your free in-home consultation. Your transformation can start today.
