Butler County builders have shrugged off their winter gear and are ready for the typical summer season jobs, but some residents are going beyond the standard deck.

Rick Edwards says a good start this summer leads him to believe sunrooms and enclosed patios are the trend. Edwards is manager of Pro Home and Sunroom, which serves the Pittsburgh region, employing five two-man crews and three designers to meet this season’s heightened demands.

Edwards said he has had six builds over the past two weeks, totaling $281,000. A large part of that was from one job totaling $90,000. Edwards said price has not been an issue for most of his customers. He said they are basing their decisions on design and a desire to have the most aesthetically pleasing addition possible.

“Most people are choosing a more elaborate sunroom style,” he said.

Edwards said he has been in the business for over 40 years and has built more than 2,000 additions over the past 20 years.

“It’s a fun business,” he said. “I build them in my sleep.”

Edwards estimated a low-budget sunroom could cost $10,000 to 15,000, but these projects can also become intensely expensive when building with fancier materials and styles. He said an average high-end enclosed patio or sunroom ranges from $80,000 to 100,000.

Edwards said people choose sunrooms over decks because usage is less seasonal. True, a sunroom is in its glory during the summer, but heating and cooling systems make these additions comfortable year round, while decks can simply become an extra surface to shovel in winter.

Edwards’ company calls these sunrooms four-season sunrooms, which are fully insulated; however, this comes with heftier prices.

Edwards said in terms of use, customers would see more for their money with higher-end sunrooms, but for homeowners and builders alike, decks open a new realm of creativity. Decks are not solely one 10 by 20 square-foot platform; although this is where Edwards starts basing his sample estimates.

Deck boards can be arranged in an array of patterns, and joist hangers and hidden fastening systems can create a seamless appearance. Edwards said he enjoys building tiered decks that change levels. He said if this is combined with good lighting designs and products, such as under-tread lights and solar post toppers, a customer can truly make a deck original.

“It’s so easy to build one level to another,” he said.

Edwards said many customers are disregarding prices in decking as well. He said he used to give quotes for both wooden decks, which range from $7,000 to 8,000, but now gives quotes solely in composite decking, ranging around $10,000.

“They don’t even ask for a price on wood,” he said.

He said when explaining the difference between composites and regular wood, most end up choosing composites because of their longevity.

Similarly Bill Thomas of Lezzer Lumber said all plastic decking, known as PVC, is starting to prove its worth. PVC decking is typically more expensive, but needs less maintenance.

Thomas said decks are always popular projects for summer, and after a couple lackluster years, the last two have been good.

“The building industry is funny how trends change by months,” he said. “Decking is one of our lead sellers this time of year.”

He said most customers tell him they want a deck to expand on their living space and to enjoy outdoor activities, like grilling and Jacuzzis. He said treated wood decks still sell the most, but behind this is the PVC decking. He said his company also sells railings and lighting that can accent a deck.

“There’s all kinds of balusters now that can change the way your deck looks,” he said. “ You can even get glass balusters.”

Thomas said commercial sales are more prevalent in Butler County, specifically through the development in Cranberry Township. But Thomas said the commercial sales have been great all-around. Thomas said there is always potential to grow in the residential community.

“Commercial sales are really on fire for us,” he said.

Following the recession some residents may be only testing the waters, but that hasn’t stopped others from jumping in. Either way, it’s deck season, and people may be starting to feel that their backyards are a little too empty.