When you make that decision to install a patio, there’s more to it than buying materials from perthbuildingmaterials.com.au,
measuring off a chunk of your backyard and pouring the cement. But before we get into some handy tips, it should be categorically stated that in Australia, a house is not a home without a patio. The word might be Latin, from Roman days, but it was created to describe the Aussie lifestyle even before Australia was discovered!
Must Have – No Question
Because a patio is such a way of life here, there is no end to designs, paving materials, roofing styles, BBQ areas, and the finishing touch with smart looking outdoor furniture. The shape and size of your property might be important for your design, but does not affect your decision to build your patio. It’s going to be your main entertainment area and you just make sure it looks great nestled in your garden and home.
Some Considerations
Apart from being a great place to relax, for what else will you be using the patio? If you have lots of friends do you intend to entertain large groups of people, or host intimate gatherings? How close to your home should it be? Will you install a fire pit so you can be outside in the colder weather? Better you make sure the fire pit is well away from the home, as recommended by Fire Services. Just how big is your yard? A big patio will overtake a smaller yard. Do you want some sunshine or for your patio to be completely shady?
Shapes
- Square: Square patios are the most common and can blend in well with formal or contemporary garden. If you like to entertain a lot of people, a large square or rectangular patio is a great way to go.
- Circular: these can either be a full circle or a half circle. The full circle patio is generally freestanding and is probably more likely to be a central focal point in the yard. Half circle patio attach to a building, such as your home, the garage or another landscape feature like a garden wall.
A Seriously Clever Tip
Buy your outdoor furniture before you install the patio. Then set it all up in the way you expect to use it. How’s the space? Can people walk around the furniture freely? What other accessories will you want to add? Side tables? A bar, maybe? Okay, once you have all that done, then that’s how big you want your patio to be!
The Pavers
Before you get too carried away with the look and styles that you will find in great abundance at your nearest gardening warehouse, ask yourself a few questions:
- What is my budget?
- What is the area that I need to cover?
- How suitable is the material for my patio?
- What about drainage?
- Can I do this myself as a DIY project?
- What type of material do I want? Will people be sitting or standing on this surface?
- How easy is it to maintain?
- What sort of look do I want?
Patios may seem like a simple task anyone can take on, but for a great patio that you are proud of and excited to show off, a little bit of time and thought needs to be put into the planning process.