Northern Patio Design helps homeowners stretch out the seasons with outdoor living in Sault Ste. Marie by transforming underused yards and decks into serene, wind-sheltered retreats—perfect for relaxing, entertaining, or simply escaping the bugs.
Founded by Julian Boettcher and Jessica (Jess) La Combe, the business grew from Boettcher’s extensive background in general contracting and cottage restoration. After clients began asking for specialty outdoor-living products not available off the shelf, he became a dealer for Sunspace and later added other products.
“It started with me doing general contracting since I was 18,” Boettcher said. “People wanted products you couldn’t just buy at a hardware store. There was no Sunspace dealer here, so I approached them—and that got the ball rolling.”
Today, the pair describe their work as equal parts craftsmanship and problem-solving. They favour projects that require custom thinking over generic one-size-fits-all designs.
“We’re interested in the unique jobs,” Boettcher said. “The goal is an oasis at home, no matter the size or scope.”
For many local homeowners, that oasis begins with relief from wind and insects. Blackflies and mosquitoes peak in May and June; strong winds can shorten the summer. Screened rooms, three-season sunrooms and timber-frame additions enclosed with retractable screens or stacking windows are their most common requests because they add usable space to both spring and fall seasons.
“The big draw is being able to enjoy your property more instead of feeling you have to leave it to relax,” La Combe said. “You can come home from work, step into the sunroom or porch, and actually feel at peace.”
Choosing between three-season and four-season construction, Boettcher said, comes down to priorities. A true four-season room is essentially a home addition with a lot of glass and thermal windows. A three-season room offers more ventilation options—retractable screens can open fully, while stacking windows open wider —so it can feel more like being outdoors while still blocking wind and bugs.
Design decisions that determine comfort and longevity start with seating and size. The team often advises the client on the right size of build to best meet their needs and wish list.
“People will say they want Thanksgiving dinner outside, but a table for eight takes more space than you think,” Boettcher said. “On the other hand, going grand for a simple evening seating area can dwarf the house and look out of place.”
Northern Ontario’s weather drives the engineering. Boettcher said projects use manufacturer engineering or third-party engineers to meet local snow-load and wind requirements, with drawings and permits handled in-house.
“Everything is engineered for the area,” he said. “We build above what’s necessary, so people aren’t worrying every time there’s a storm.”
The couple emphasize functionality in small details—door swings, traffic flow, and how the space connects to the rest of the home—so rooms feel natural to use.
“A lot of value comes from those little decisions people might not have considered,” La Combe said. “It’s about making the space flow and functional.”
Northern Patio Design’s vendor list has grown since 2021 to include Canadian-made brands such as MacDonald Awnings, Mirage Screens, MagnaTrack, Talius Rollshutters, Wizard and Portlan Habitat screens, in addition to Sunspace. Boettcher said the criteria were quality, support and warranty.
“I don’t want service calls caused by poor products,” he said. “We looked for companies that stand behind what they sell. And for local clients, ‘Canadian-made’ matters.”
Typical lead times are six to eight weeks from deposit to installation, as each order is custom-made. Permits and engineered drawings can add time depending on the municipality, but Boettcher said clients are kept informed as applications move through city offices and inspectors.
For those planning ahead, the advice is straightforward: start early, arrive with ideas, and clearly define how you want to utilize the space.
“Although manufacturing takes six to eight weeks, my schedule books up,” Boettcher said. “Visit the website, look through vendor galleries, and think about how you want to use the room—bug-free summer evenings, winter hot-tub shelter, or shade.”
Maintenance, they added, is modest. Sunspace WeatherMaster panels can be cleaned with mild soap and water once a year. Retractable screens benefit from a simple spring cleaning and a light application of lubricant on moving parts.
Northern Patio Design can deliver projects end-to-end—from first call to final walkthrough—but often collaborates with a homeowner’s preferred contractor. In simple cases, they supply products for the contractor to install; for complex systems, Boettcher’s team measures, supplies, and installs, then hands them back to the contractor for finishing.
“In a small city, people have relationships with trades they trust, and that’s great,” Boettcher said. “We keep a close line of communication so measurements, ordering and installation happen at the right time and nobody is waiting on a half-finished project.”
“We want people to feel proud of the space we’ve made together,” he said. “If it lets them spend more enjoyable days at home, we’ve done our job.”