Build a Year-Round Outdoor Area
With everyone spending more time at home these days, we look at a few ways to build an outdoor area for your-round entertaining.
30/08/2020
Spending time outdoors is a South African lifestyle. What could be nicer than setting up a comfortable outdoor area that is shaded from the sun and lets a cool breeze keep down the temperature during the hot spring and summer seasons? A covered patio is an easy installation to do yourself, or you can hire someone to do it for you, and with all the planning and preparation completed well in advance, it shouldn't take more than a couple of days before you can enjoy your new outdoor area.
PLANNING AND APPROVAL
One of the most important steps in any project is the design, planning and approval for the new structure. You are going to need to hire an architect, architectural designer or draughtsman to help you draw up the plans so that you can obtain the necessary approval from your local Planning Department. These days, almost every building project requires some plan or another so it is always wise to make sure you have approved plans in place before you start any construction.
Working with an architect or draughtsman is the sensible approach to a project like this, as is working with a reliable and trusted contractor that will do the work for you. They will be able to let you know what is and what is not possible when it comes to adding onto your house for the covered patio and the most cost effective-method for doing it.
Create the perfect place to set up the braai that is close, but not too close, to keep the conversation flowing.
MAKE USE OF WHAT YOU HAVE
Building a covered outdoor area can work out to be an expensive project and a roofed enclosure that offers shade during hot days and protection when it rains requires a fair bit of materials if you want something that looks modern and will last a long time. One way to cut down on the cost of a structure of this kind is to tie it onto the existing structure. That way, you instantly cut down on the costs by using existing walls.
You ideally want your covered patio to be close to the kitchen for ease of access, but if that's not too important, make sure there is plenty of space for the braai and for people to move around.
If you are digging up and relocating plans and the like, try to put these into temporary containers so that they can be replanted once you are done. The same applies to any lawn or grass that needs to be removed for the covered patio. It might not seem much, but just these few items will save you money on not having to buy replacements.
WISE CHOICE OF MATERIALS
When in the designing phase of the project, make sure to allow enough space for any furniture you plan to place in your covered patio and how you want the structure to look and feel. These factors will determine the materials needed for the construction of the structure, the product and materials required to finish it off, as well as the flooring and optional extras you want to include.
Added details, such as the slats around the front and side of the covered patio, not only provide additional shade but also increase the level of privacy.
adapted via article better homes and gardens magazine