Sometimes, even though there is nothing wrong with our home, we might feel like something is missing, be it just a little bit of extra space for entertainment or a bit more appealing outdoor space. One project that could be a solution to both of these issues is extending your living space with a patio or deck. If you have the room for it in your backyard, this new space could become the new center of your home – an extension of your living room that becomes everyone’s favorite place when the warm weather arrives. It’s also an amazing investment that will boost the value of your home, should you decide to sell it sometime in the future. But when it comes to adding a patio or deck, you have so many options it might be difficult to decide what fits your needs the best. Here are some of the best ways you could pull off this project.
The basics
When deciding how you should build your patio, you should take several things into account: your habits, the available space you have, the architectural style of your home, as well as your budget. First of all, evaluate your lifestyle. Are you and your family and friends outdoorsy people who like to spend every weekend barbecuing or do you just want a small corner outside for lazy summer afternoons? This will help you decide how large and detailed your project should be. Also, take into consideration the size and condition of your yard. This will help you decide on what type of deck or patio you should go for, which is discussed later on. If the terrain is very bumpy and uneven, keep in mind that additional work will have to be done. Finally, make sure you stay within budget as additions such as roofs tend to be costly, but they are quite necessary.
Types of decks and patios
First of all, we should talk about the difference between a deck and a patio, and it’s actually very simple. Decks are usually made out of wood (or synthetic wood), while for patios, different outdoor flooring materials are used (such as tile, brick, pavers, concrete and so on.) There are multiple possible patio layouts to choose from. Detached patios are great for large yards, but can be inconvenient if you plan on using the indoor and outdoor space at the same time. In that case, U-shaped, L-shaped or wraparound patios are a better choice, as these are accessible from multiple rooms.
The perfect dining area
If you cannot imagine weekends without spending time outside and cooking delicious meals with your friends, your new patio can be the perfect setting for this. What you should do is try and connect your patio with your kitchen – this will make it very convenient when you constantly have to step inside for something. Alternatively, you can even create a whole outdoor kitchen if you have the budget. Beside basic grills, today, everything is available from fire pits though fireplaces all the way to outdoor ovens and even stoves. Use the rest of the space for creating a large dining area, and family gatherings will reach a whole new level.
Many people regard the use of decks and patios limited as it is influenced by the weather. Of course, you don’t want to get a sunstroke nor do you want to get rained on, which will require you to invest in roofing your patio. This, however, makes space so much more versatile that it is more than worth the investment. If you intend on leaving your furniture out, it’s even more important to prevent any water from leaking in. So, make sure that not only the roofing but also the gutters are taken care of by getting reliable parts from Interline Manufacturing.
An additional room
A lot of people turn to build a deck or patio in hopes of enlarging their living space. If you find an open patio a little too exposed for these purposes, you can decide to install screens that will enclose the space to a degree while keeping bugs out and letting fresh air in. However, if it’s the temperatures that you are concerned about, you might not get full use out of your patio when the cooler weather hits. Still, if you really need that additional space, you can consider completely enclosing your patio and thereby turning it into a room, basically. For instance, sunrooms are very practical as they get plenty of natural light even during darker months, and they can be used all year round.
Adding a deck or patio to your home is an amazing idea that will provide you with a practical space. There are a few considerations to make, but once you’ll have your patio, you will love spending time outdoors.
