Outdoor Living in Greater Seattle

Seattle summers are worth waiting for. CH&R Inc. builds decks, patios, backyard cottages, and outdoor kitchens that help you make the most of every sunny day. Serving Seattle, Bellevue, and the Eastside for over 30 years.

Seattle home with golf course view

Why Invest in Outdoor Living?

  • Extend your living space without a full addition
  • Increase your home's value and appeal
  • Create space for entertaining and relaxation
  • Enjoy Seattle's 4+ months of great weather

Seattle Outdoor Living Services

Seattle gets a reputation for rain, but locals know the truth: summers here are spectacular. June through September offers long days, comfortable temperatures, and minimal rain. A well-designed outdoor space lets you host dinners, relax after work, and enjoy your backyard during the best months of the year.

We build outdoor spaces designed for the Pacific Northwest. That means proper drainage, materials that handle moisture, and covered options that extend your outdoor season into spring and fall.

What We Build

  • Custom decks in cedar, composite, and tropical hardwoods
  • Covered structures including pergolas, pavilions, and roof extensions
  • Patios and hardscaping with pavers, natural stone, and concrete
  • Outdoor kitchens with built-in grills, counters, and refrigeration
  • Backyard cottages for guests, rental income, or home offices
  • Fire features including fire pits and outdoor fireplaces
  • Outdoor lighting for ambiance and safety
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Popular Outdoor Projects

Here are the outdoor living projects we build most often for Seattle area homeowners.

Covered Decks

A roof over your deck means you can use it even when it sprinkles. Popular in Seattle for extending outdoor season from April through October. We match rooflines to your home for a seamless look.

Outdoor Kitchens

Built-in grills, countertops, sinks, and refrigerators. Cook and entertain without running inside. We handle gas lines, electrical, and drainage for fully functional outdoor cooking spaces.

Backyard Cottages

Detached structures for guests, rental income, home offices, or aging parents. Seattle and Eastside cities have relaxed regulations making these easier to build than ever.

Multi-Level Decks

Seattle's hilly terrain often calls for creative deck design. Multiple levels can create distinct zones for dining, lounging, and cooking while working with your lot's slope.

Patio Spaces

Ground-level patios with pavers, natural stone, or stamped concrete. Often combined with fire pits, built-in seating, and landscaping for complete outdoor rooms.

Pergolas and Shade Structures

Define outdoor spaces with overhead structures. Options range from open pergolas that filter light to fully covered pavilions for weather protection.

Decking Materials for Seattle Weather

The Pacific Northwest climate is tough on outdoor materials. Moisture, mild temperatures, and shade create conditions where some materials thrive and others fail quickly. Here is what works:

Cedar

The traditional Northwest choice. Naturally rot-resistant and beautiful when maintained. Requires regular sealing and will gray over time without treatment. Good value for natural wood.

Composite Decking

Brands like Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon require minimal maintenance and resist moisture well. Higher upfront cost but lower lifetime maintenance. Available in many colors and wood-grain textures.

Tropical Hardwoods

Ipe, cumaru, and similar hardwoods are extremely durable and naturally rot-resistant. Premium pricing but can last 30+ years with minimal maintenance. Heavy and requires specialized installation.

Pressure-Treated Lumber

Budget-friendly option for structural framing and sometimes decking. Requires sealing and staining for longevity. Best used for substructure with better materials on top.

Drainage and Waterproofing

Seattle decks need proper drainage planning. Water should never pool on deck surfaces or collect against your home.

For covered spaces and decks over living areas, we install under-deck drainage systems that channel water away and create dry storage below.

All our deck installations include proper flashing where the deck meets your home, preventing water intrusion that causes rot and structural damage.

Outdoor Living FAQs

Deck costs depend on materials, size, and complexity. Cedar costs less than composite or tropical hardwoods. Covered decks, multi-level designs, and built-in features add to the cost. Every property and project is different. We provide detailed estimates after visiting your property and understanding what you want to build.

Most decks require permits. In Seattle, decks over 200 square feet, higher than 30 inches off the ground, or attached to your house require permits from SDCI. Bellevue, Kirkland, and other Eastside cities have similar requirements. We handle all permit applications as part of our service.

Most likely yes. Seattle significantly relaxed regulations in recent years. Most single-family lots can now have a detached accessory dwelling unit up to 1,000 square feet. Eastside cities have similar allowances. Setback requirements, lot coverage limits, and height restrictions apply. We can evaluate your property and explain what is possible.

Outdoor kitchens typically take 3-6 weeks depending on complexity. Simple built-in grill stations can be completed in 2-3 weeks. Full outdoor kitchens with counters, sinks, refrigeration, and covered structures take 4-6 weeks. Gas line installation, electrical work, and permit requirements affect the timeline.

We build decks year-round, but spring and summer are ideal for outdoor construction. Starting in April or May means your deck is ready for summer entertaining. Fall projects work well too. Winter construction is possible but weather delays are more common. Book early for summer completion as our schedule fills up.

Related Services

Home Additions

Need enclosed space rather than outdoor living? We build room additions that expand your home's interior.

Learn more →

Kitchen Remodeling

Love to cook? Pair your outdoor kitchen with an indoor kitchen upgrade for the ultimate cooking setup.

Learn more →

Custom New Construction

Building a new home? We can include outdoor living spaces in your new construction plans from the start.

Learn more →

Ready to Enjoy Your Backyard?

Contact us for a free consultation. We serve Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville, and communities throughout King and Snohomish counties.

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