Ipe Wood Deck and Covered Patio that Frames the WOW Views for Cherry Creek Reservoir Home
- Feb 3
- 4 min read
Interview with Shawn Vernon, Owner | Home Renonvations Colorado
What inspired this wood deck and covered patio idea for this home?
This homeowner lives near Cherry Creek Reservoir on about five acres, so they have a large yard and incredible views. From the beginning, they knew they didn’t want a composite product. They really love the natural look of wood, so we went with Ipe. We sanded it down and stained it to a slightly lighter color to keep the look clean and natural. The wood deck wraps around two sides of the home and comes directly off the sliding doors, which creates a very natural transition from indoor to outdoor living. Ipe (pronounced EE-pay) is an extremely dense, durable tropical hardwood, also known as Brazilian Walnut, from the Handroanthus genus of trees in Central & South America, prized for outdoor uses like decking due to its natural resistance to rot, insects, and fire, and its rich, dark brown color. It's one of the hardest woods available and is a high-end material. It is crucial to purchase FSC-certified, legally harvested Ipe to ensure it is sustainably managed.
Walk us through the details of this gorgeous indoor/outdoor Colorado patio that showcases the views
The views were a major factor in the design. They can look right out at the lake and the mountain range, so we incorporated a lot of glass into the covered patio. We added plenty of windows so they could enjoy those views year-round. This approach really creates two outdoor living spaces: an open wood deck and a covered patio that still feels like you’re outside because of all the glass.
When you build a covered patio like this, especially with an enclosure, it becomes usable all year. We built a gable roof and matched the roof lines of the existing home, which is critical. The sliding glass doors open wide in the summer, so it becomes true indoor-outdoor living. If it’s raining or windy, they can still enjoy the space without losing the views. That’s what makes these wood deck and covered patio ideas work so well in Colorado.
What role did material selection play in this custom wood deck in the Colorado climate?
Ipe is a very dense wood that comes from Brazil, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s difficult to work with, but the end result is worth it. The homeowners understood the maintenance side of using real wood. With Colorado’s intense UV exposure, the stain will fade over time. Typically, you want to re-stain every couple of years, usually just a top coat. That’s the tradeoff with natural wood versus composite, but visually, nothing compares.
How did your design connect the outdoor space to the interior of the home?
Because of the style of the home, we wanted the covered patio to feel like a true extension of the interior. The tile flooring in the covered patio actually matches the tile in their kitchen. It’s an older tile, likely from Mexico, and it has a slight dome to each piece. Matching it was a challenge because none of my usual vendors carried it anymore, but we sourced it outside the typical channels. Once it was installed, it tied the indoor and outdoor spaces together perfectly.
What comfort features were included in this custom deck?
This is a large space, so airflow and lighting were important. We installed three ceiling fans to circulate air throughout the covered patio. In the ceiling, we used recessed can lighting that’s wired directly into the home. Between the fans and the lighting, the space is comfortable day or night. Even on hot days, the airflow makes a big difference, especially with all the glass letting in sunlight.
How do you ensure the addition matches the original home?
We ask a lot of questions during the design process because it’s not my home, it’s theirs. Many homeowners don’t think about roof lines, matching paint, or matching roof tile, and that’s where experience comes in. I don’t believe in building something that looks like a barnacle stuck onto the house. The structure needs to blend perfectly with the home’s design so it feels like it was always meant to be there.
When does a deck or covered patio add value to the home or not?
When you custom build and properly tie into the existing roof line, shingle it correctly, and match the home, you’re adding real living space. That added square footage translates into long-term value. Freestanding structures don’t offer the same benefit because they can feel temporary. When it’s integrated correctly, it becomes part of the home.
What should homeowners ask about before choosing a deck builder for their project?
Homeowners should ask how the structure will connect to the home, how flashing will be handled, and how water will be managed. I’ve seen structures built too close to the home without proper flashing, and over time that leads to water damage and rot. With custom wood decks and covered patios, experience matters. Doing it the right way from the start prevents costly problems down the road.
