Why You Shouldn’t Clutter Up Your Verandah

So you finally have the verandah you have always wanted, and you love the reality of having a covered area in your garden that is right next to the house, and that you can enjoy virtually all year round.

But does it look exactly as it did when it was first put in?

That might sound like a strange question, but in actual fact it’s worth thinking about because some people are tempted to use the new covered area as a haven for storing things, and that can make it look untidy and uninviting as well.
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How To Have Attractive Plants On Your Verandah All Year Round

There is nothing better or more joyful than seeing gorgeously full hanging baskets creating a splash of colour during the summer months. They can also add a nice finishing touch to any verandah and make it even more welcoming and enjoyable.

But while there is no doubt we will use our outdoor spaces more during the summer, it’s still nice to see some colour during the winter too. We may not go outside quite as often but we can still see our garden from indoors, and this means it’s nice to be able to see a riot of colour throughout the winter too.

And it’s not as hard to make this a reality as you might think. The only thing stopping you from having a gorgeous looking verandah or patio area all year round is knowledge – knowledge of what grows at what time of the year, and how to grow it.
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How To Choose The Right Style Of Verandah For You

The addition of a verandah to your home can make a huge difference to the feel and quality of your property. Essentially it gives you another whole room to use, because it provides you with a covered area outside that you can use for many different reasons.

But of course you have to choose the right style of house veranda to have, and that isn’t always easy. The best way to begin is by looking at the amount of room you have available, as this can dictate your choice to a certain extent.

For example, not everyone has a large back garden and if this sounds like what you have you might think that a veranda just isn’t possible for you. However a curved roof veranda would be ideal, because it can stretch for the entire length of your house without having to extend too far out into your garden. You can even run it around the side of your house as well if you have the room, making it even more versatile. The curved design of the roof, which gives you more head height in the middle, also means you have the illusion of a larger space.
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Types Of Verandahs

There are lots of reasons for wanting to build a veranda onto your home, and there are also plenty of different types to choose from. But the one thing that you are sure to get as a result of your efforts – regardless of what type, size or style you choose – is the satisfaction of having a brand new area of your home to enjoy.

Once you have worked out the amount of space you can devote to this new addition, you will need to decide what style you want to opt for. The one you eventually choose may depend on what kind of property you have and how you want to make use of the space.

Here are a few examples of the verandahs you can have:
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Veranda Repair

Just like any other part of your home, your veranda will probably need some repairs from time to time. This is especially true given the fact that it is open to the elements, and sometimes a good rain storm or high winds can be all it takes to warrant having to get outside to repair any damage which may have occurred.

While it’s good to do any repairs as soon as they are needed in order to prevent any problems from getting worse, it’s also important to make sure that you are able to do what’s required. If you are unsure of anything then it is always best to get the experts in. Making a shoddy repair yourself can actually make the damage worse.

It’s obvious that repairs will be necessary now and again even if you are lucky enough to escape a lot of bad weather. Wooden fixtures may need re-staining to prevent them from rotting, and the simple process of aging will require regular upkeep to ensure your veranda always looks as good as the day it was first installed. Even when wood isn’t involved you will need to keep an eye on your roof and the supporting structure to make sure it remains in good condition.

You should also keep an eye on the floor of your veranda, since this is an area which can lead to accidents if brickwork or patio areas become damaged in any way. Herringbone design brickwork looks wonderful when it is first laid, but over time the bricks can become a little loose and this generates a tripping hazard if it is not seen to.

The offending bricks may have to be removed and bedded down again to provide the best repair; this shouldn’t actually take too long to achieve but that is also a good reason for wanting to put it off for a while! It’s always advisable to take good care of your veranda, both for aesthetic and safety reasons.

Alternatively, you might have installed decking as your preferred type of flooring. In this case it’s a good idea to check the boards every now and again and keep them as clean as you can. If you don’t you are liable to get a build up of a mossy type of substance, which can be extremely dangerous and slippery.

If the boards are wooden and not made from composite materials, then you should ensure you treat them every year to protect them against the weather. This will prolong the life of your decking; it’s also a great idea to treat any wooden planters you have at the same time, taking care not to harm any plants as you do so.

Keeping your veranda in good repair isn’t just about making it look good. Keeping it clean will help to prevent it from aging prematurely and causing unnecessary accidents. So long as you don’t try and make any repairs that you aren’t able to do yourself, some regular effort really will go a long way.

The Benefits Of Using A Patio Heater

There’s nothing quite like relaxing on your veranda and enjoying the long summer evenings with a cool drink in your hand, waiting for the barbecue to fire up so you can cook some homemade burgers to enjoy al fresco.

But even in the height of summer it can get a little chilly sitting outside as the sun goes down and it starts getting dark. There’s nothing better than enjoying your veranda late at night as you watch the stars above – but if you don’t have a patio heater you won’t feel like staying outside for very long.

Patio heaters are a wonderful addition to your veranda, and they can greatly expand the amount of time you can use your veranda for. Not only will you be able to enjoy longer evenings sitting outside, you will also be able to get outside far sooner each year, as the cold weather starts to recede and the spring arrives in full bloom.

They also give you more protection against the indecisiveness of the weather. We have all planned for a barbecue on what is forecast to be a warm sunny day, and similarly we have all come unstuck when a chilly wind starts to blow. If you have an instant source of heat that you can turn on and off as required, your plans won’t go awry.

There are plenty more benefits of having a patio heater as well, quite apart from extending the usefulness of your veranda in the first place. Depending on the size of your veranda you may find that you only need one heater in the first place, since each one gives out a lot of heat and distributes it over quite a large area. This makes them very cost effective.

They are also surprisingly cheap to buy and come in a wide range of designs and styles, so whatever your budget may be you are sure to find a patio heater that will suit your needs. Whether you want something quite flamboyant, or a heater that is simply practical and serves its purpose, you will find a huge range to choose from.

Another benefit is that they don’t take up a lot of room, which makes them ideal for even the smallest veranda. The surface area is relatively small because they stand quite tall. This fact does put some people off from buying one because they have a tendency to look somewhat fragile, as if they could be knocked over in an accident.

Fortunately the makers of these heaters have thought of this, and you will find them to be bottom heavy, making it virtually impossible to knock them over even if you were to try.

In short, if you enjoy using your veranda and getting out into the garden then a patio heater is almost an essential. What’s more you will find that you want to use your garden even more, thanks to this neat piece of equipment that creates atmosphere as well as warmth.

Installing A Trellis

A trellis can provide a sensational addition to any veranda, regardless of the style you have and what kind of room you have available. If you are considering adding some to your existing layout however, it’s a good idea to sit down and consider where you want to install it before you start.

Trellis is extremely versatile, which makes it ideal for using with any kind of veranda. From the complicated designs to the simple ones, whatever you choose provides a way of softening the design of your veranda and introducing more greenery at the same time. It can also close off your space from prying eyes, should you want a little more privacy.

Begin by sketching out a rough plan of your veranda and mark out where you might want to include some trellis. There are several different types you could go for – if you have a large section of blank wall that you would like to liven up you could attach a single piece of trellis to it. On the other hand a trellis gateway to link your veranda with your garden can look sensational once you have flowers and climbing plants trailing all over it.

But perhaps the most stunning option is to build a low trellis wall right along the length of your veranda, which will help to create a divide between this area and the rest of the garden, while softening it by encouraging climbing plants to wend their way all over it. Over time it really can grow into a wonderful feature.

Once you have decided what you want to do you will need to buy the right amount and size of trellis you need, and get ready to fix it into place. The best bet is to mix up some concrete to ensure it has firm footings, but if you aren’t confident about doing this yourself it is best to get an expert in. The alternative is to use Metposts and hammer them into place, which is much easier and should withstand all but the fiercest of winds.

However you choose to insert them, once the trellis panels have been put in place and attached to one another you will need to make sure they are protected against the elements by using a reputable wood stain to waterproof them to a certain extent. It’s essential to do this before you get any climbing plants since once they are in place it is virtually impossible to paint your trellis; ivy and other plants will simply grow over it and take over.

While brand new trellis will look good in any garden, the eventual growth of the plants and shrubs around it will soften the look and help it to blend in more easily.

While you can build your own trellis by getting the right lengths of wood and attaching them to the lattice sections, it’s usually easier to buy it ready made and erect it yourself. Once you do, you will notice the huge difference it can make to your garden.

Installing A Portable Hammock

It’s always nice to sit out on your veranda and enjoy some peace and quiet while you relax in an armchair or garden chair of some kind. But these come with their own problems – come winter time when it’s too cold to sit outside you may need to find storage for your outdoor furniture, and if you haven’t got room it can cause problems when it comes to keeping it protected from the elements.

So just imagine being able to lean back and relax in a hammock which you can easily put away in storage once the summer is over – and still be able to get it out in just a few minutes when the weather allows for it again.

Once you’ve mastered the challenge of getting in and out of a hammock you’ll certainly enjoy having one. But not every location is suitable to hang one up permanently – and on a veranda this kind of hammock can really take up a lot of space. If you decide to have friends round for a barbecue it will be more in the way than anything else.

That’s why a portable hammock is a great idea. When you have a few minutes to enjoy your veranda on your own, you can get your portable hammock out and have it set up in minutes. Most of them come in a handy bag which is designed to be carried to the beach if you take it away on vacation with you, so they are ideal for storing away when not in use.

These portable hammocks are close to the ground and are suspended by their own tubular frames, which are easy to put together and locate anywhere on your veranda. So long as you follow the instructions you should have a complete hammock to relax in within minutes of going outside – it really is that simple. If you have a large veranda you may want to buy more than one, so you have room for your partner as well!

As an alternative you can buy a hanging hammock too, which is more like a chair style hammock instead of one that you would lay down in. This isn’t portable however, and requires that you fix it to one of the roof beams of your veranda.

If you decide on this option you will need to ensure the roof is strong enough to take the weight, and it will need to be hung slightly away from the wall to allow for swinging comfortably.

Whatever form of hammock you choose, they will usually be built to withstand the weather if they are left outside, although it is advisable to dismantle your portable hammock and bring it inside when the weather changes or if you think it may rain.

If there are any disadvantages of having a portable hammock at all, it’s that everyone will want to try it! You might even find you have a queue of people lining up to take a turn the next time you have a party.

Types of Carpeting and Rugs to Use in a Veranda

If you have a conservatory, adding those finishing touches with a rug or carpet is easy. But how do you go about buying rugs for your veranda?

The key feature for any type of outdoor rug or carpeting is durability. Obviously the rug must be able to withstand the tougher conditions it will come into contact with regularly as it lays on your veranda. When you consider that it is bound to get dirtier because it is outside, it’s clear that it’s worth spending a little more to get a good quality outdoor rug or carpeting that will last a lot longer.

It doesn’t mean that your heavy duty rug won’t be attractive however – far from it. There is a wide range of designs available to use outdoors, so you are sure to find something that will complement your existing furniture.

Patterned rugs are often a better bet than plain designs, because any stains or dust will be less noticeable. Even though these rugs are made to shrug off and resist the tough conditions they are often subjected to, it’s a fact that plain colours will show up any wear and tear far sooner than patterned ones will.

You also need to make sure that any exterior floor coverings you are interested in buying can be washed very easily. Quite often this type of rug is designed to be hosed down and hung up to dry very quickly – perfect for using outside and very easy to wash on a regular basis to keep it looking as good as the day you bought it.

For a rug of this quality you should expect to pay a reasonable amount, but you will be rewarded with something that will last for a long time. Don’t be tempted to buy too cheaply as standard rugs and carpets are not designed to be used outdoors.

However much you spend, be sure to bring your rugs indoors when the colder weather arrives, as they will last longer if you do so. Hang them up if possible to allow the air to get to them. Rolling them up could result in a musty damp smell getting into them.

Creating Shade On A Patio

There’s nothing quite like reclining in a lounger and enjoying your patio when the weather allows it. But sometimes even the most sun loving among us need to catch some shade when it gets too hot to bear, so this needs to be kept in mind when you are designing, creating and enjoying your patio.

So it’s essential then to make sure your patio area has some shade that you can retreat to when the sun really breaks through. If you are in the process of designing your patio area it’s worthwhile seeing if you can extend it to go under the cover of a tree if you have one nearby. View your garden from all angles during a sunny day to see where the sun gets to, and where the natural shade from your house falls as the sun moves round.

Of course, patio furniture will generally come with the option of a matching umbrella that can be used to provide shade when you are sitting at your patio table, and it can be moved and tilted to protect you as much as possible. This is an instant and affordable option for all patios.

A more permanent solution would be to install an awning or canopy which would be attached directly to your house. The more advanced options are retractable, offering you the most versatility without being an eyesore when not in use. You will also have a choice of natural shades and colors that can be chosen to fit in with the color of your garden furniture, for example.

Another possibility is to use a combination of hanging baskets to form a wall display that also provides some shade once the flowers are in full bloom. This won’t provide as much shade as the other suggestions above, but it can help to improve the usability of certain areas as the sun moves round.

Another less well known way of creating a shady patio is by purchasing a sunshade sail. This is basically a big piece of material (usually triangular or rectangular) that is attached to whatever points you wish by cord and O-rings. This can be one or two points on your house, a tree branch, a fence, or whatever you wish. In this sense they are more versatile than an awning, as they can be used on a patio area in the middle of a garden, so long as you have places to string them up from.

However much you like to soak up the sun, it’s important that you don’t overdo it, and by using a combination of the methods above, you will always have a shady area to retreat to.