How To Pick A Patio
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from local landscapers
Patios are like snowflakes: no two are completely alike. And for good reason - no two households will have identical needs when it comes to outdoor living. If you’re thinking about having a patio built, there’s a number of questions you should be posing to the family - how are you hoping to use the space? How durable do the materials need to be? Will it be in use year-round or seasonally? Will it be integrated into the house or remain a free-standing structure? What level of UV protection do you require? How will you keep the space comfortable in the hot Australian summer?
Concrete, stone or timber?
Floor paving can make or break an extension. Not only do the tiles need to match the ambiance of the home and the construction, they need to be easily cleanable and sturdy enough to endure exposure to a range of weather conditions, including any interior heating systems. Luckily, there are options to suit every budget - poured concrete and concrete pavers are popular options on a tight budget, especially since they come in a variety of colours and textures and can imitate other materials, while clay and natural stone are great choices if you’re looking to indulge. Timber decking can be a happy in-between.
Structural material?
Depending on the weight of your roof material, you’re generally looking at a choice between timber, aluminium, galvanised steel and brickwork. The frame design obviously requires a lot of thought - and professional advice. Patio frames can be bought in pre-determined dimensions or custom constructed - if your home exterior follows an unusual shape or size, you may be stuck with pursuing the latter.
Roofing material?
Two factors come to mind when thinking about patio roofing - noise and temperature control. Your requirements for these will depend on your geographical location and the design of your home, especially where the patio will sit in terms of sunlight exposure along the east-west axis and proximity to neighbours and loud roads. In general however, polycarbonate roofing is a great middle-ground choice, since it blocks the harshest of UV rays and protects against light rain but keeps the space light, open and connected to the outdoors. If you need maximum sun protection, try aluminium-coated steel.
Level of accessibility?
The characteristic feature of a patio is that it can be opened up to the backyard or to the house. Without the versatility of access, a patio is reduced to the category of extension! Glass is a very popular option for patios since it lets in the light most effectively, but can be tiresome to clean. Without the proper protection or double-glazing, sliding glass doors and full length glass panels may prove difficult with young children or very hot weather. Lighter, more casual options include retractable plastic screens or flyscreens. Bi-fold windows and doors are perfect for connecting a patio to a house or a verandah and there’s a variety of curtain and blind systems designed specifically to complement patios. Essentially, determining the boundaries of your patio will be an exercise in mixing-and-matching to find what works for your home.
Cost?
Perhaps the most important consideration. Since patios exist in a diverse range of materials and sizes, the answer might well be “how long is a piece of string?” However, what’s especially comforting about patio construction is that, unlike many other home renovations, there’s no need to do everything all at once. If you cannot commit to a full renovation at present, you can put in the patio deck with a simple shade sail before investing in the roof and, likewise, the beautiful bi-fold doors and elaborate shade systems can wait for another year or two. After all, patio renovations consist of several composite projects. Patio decks can range between about $180 per square metre right up to $900 depending on your choice of paving. They usually range between 8 and 12 square metres in size. Roofing costs are tough to estimate since there’s definitely no one-fits-all material. Corrugated iron roofing can be as little as $12 per square metre. Remember, it’s always important to get an individual quote, one that takes into account all of your personal requirements.
Ready for that post-Christmas investment? Service Central has plenty of landscape artists ready to advise you on developing your backyard. Just post your job to receive three free no-obligation quotes today!
Landscaping Quotes
from local landscapers
