Design Online
31 Oct, 2006 By: Jamie J. Gooch LDB SolutionsSummerwood’s website allows you to customize outdoor structures right on your screen before ordering them for your clients. Sheds, pool cabanas, playhouses, spa enclosures, garages, home studios – even cabins are available for online customization.
The Custom Design Center tool allows you to choose one of many styles of each structure, then set the size, roof overhang and siding. You can even choose a background scene. Zoom in, move the image about and get views from different sides. As you drag and drop options -- such as material upgrades, doors, shutters, flower boxes, cupolas and more -- a running total and detailed quote lets you keep track of the cost. The finished design can be sent to clients or colleagues electronically, or printed. You can also save it for later in your own online portfolio on the site.
 It's not a full-featured 3-D design application, but the Custom Design Center tool is useful. |
The site includes a photo search tool with hundreds of real-world examples of the company’s custom-designed outdoor structures. On the virtual side, the site provides 3-D tours of a number of its structures, as well as an online installation video.
The site also provides building plans and information for beginners and do-it-yourselfers. It explains how to prepare foundations, material options, permits and zoning. For more advanced needs, the company has a professional services section that explains how it caters to experienced installers and designers.
 Photos of cabanas and sheds (inset) are just a few of the examples available on the site. |
Whether you want to show you client some examples of outdoor structures, design a quick digital version for them or just get some ideas, the Summerwood site is a great resource.
Please send any technical comments or questions to our webmaster.