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.

Lighting Options For Your Veranda

Lighting is an important feature that people overlook when designing and decorating their veranda. Because you will need a light source when sitting on the veranda at night, why not find creative options to enhance the beauty and function of this open space?

TYPES OF LIGHTING

There are various types of outdoor lighting for you to choose from that are easy to setup. Electrical wires can be run from the inside of your home to the veranda so you can use the space during the day and at nighttime. Types of lighting available include:

• Patio lights
• Table lamps
• String lights
• Ceiling fan lights
• Candles

You can use different types of lighting when hosting a party or when relaxing during the evening.

PATIO LIGHTS

You may already have patio lights on the outside of your home that can be used after your veranda has been built. While you may need to include other lighting, patio lights can provide enough light for you and your guests find their way back inside.

TABLE LAMPS

Table lamps can be used as a way to create an intimate atmosphere when hosting a party or when relaxing with a good book. You can have electrical outlets installed on the outside of your home or you can buy extension cords and other devices that can be hidden by plants, furniture, and other items. Battery powered table lamps are another option.

Table lamps are available in many different styles, so you should not have difficulty finding ones to match furniture and other items.

STRING LIGHTS

You may be able to string lights around your veranda in order to create more light during the evening. These lights are decorative, use a small amount of electricity, and are a unique way to provide light.

CEILING FAN LIGHTS

If you are planning on installing fans to keep your veranda cool during warmer months, buy those that include lighting. You will be able to feel cool and provide light to guests when hosting summer parties.

CANDLES

If you don’t want to run electrical wires, install fans, or hang string lights, you can always rely on candles. Even though candles create a smaller amount of light, they are perfect for intimate evenings, small parties, or when watching the sun set.

Choosing The Right Size Veranda

Your new veranda should be a welcoming place that can be used to host outdoor parties, intimate gatherings, and as a place to enjoy the lovely views from your backyard. Many people decide to add a veranda to enhance the beauty of their homes and to create additional living space for entertaining and relaxing.

If you have considered adding a veranda to your home, you should consider the following:

• Types of verandas
• Space available
• Primary use of the space
• Types of furniture

Because space may be limited, it is important to consider your options and choose a veranda that is the perfect size for your home and backyard.

TYPES OF VERANDAS

There are various types of verandas to choose from including:

• Curved
• Flat
• Sunroof
• Pergola
• Heritage
• Hip end
• Gable
• Gazebo

These designs are available for purchase by themselves or you can combine designs to come up with a unique design that fits your home. Each allows light to shine through while protecting you from the rain and other weather elements.

SPACE AVAILABLE

The amount of space available in your yard will play a large part in determining which veranda design to choose. When you are ready to purchase a veranda, you will receive a free consultation to help you choose your design. You should be prepared with a site plan or drawing of your property with square footage and indicate where your home is situated so your new veranda can be built to fit within these dimensions.

PRIMARY USE OF SPACE

How do you plan on using your new veranda? Smaller verandas are mostly for small parties or for family use, while larger verandas are used to store barbeque equipment, or to host larger parties.

If you want a cozy space to enjoy the outdoors, but not to cook under, then a smaller veranda may be your best option. Keep in mind that the square footage of your home and yard will play a part in your final decision.

TYPES OF FURNITURE

The types of furniture you want to use may also play a role in veranda size. If you want to create several seating areas, cooking area, and storage area, then you may need to invest in a larger space.

Visiting outdoor furniture stores before making a decision will give you a better idea of the amount of space that will be needed. Take measurements of furniture styles to get a better idea of what you want to include.

In the end, the size veranda you choose should be able to accommodate your lifestyle. Remember, you can always add another piece to create a larger space if there is room in your yard.

Maintaining Your Veranda

Maintaining your veranda so you can use it throughout the year for entertaining, or sitting by yourself with a good book, is very easy when you follow basic cleaning steps. Your veranda is an outdoor structure, so it is susceptible to dust, debris, and water spots mostly from rain and wind. You will need a broom, a few clean cloths, sponges, and a soap and water depending on the types of dirt you need to remove.

Because verandas are sound structures built onto your home, they remain sturdy for many years, even during heavy storms and other weather events. If there is a problem with the structure, you should contact the builder with your concerns.

CLEANING YOUR VERANDA

Because most veranda are made from colourbond steel, you should not have to perform much maintenance beyond cleaning out the gutters and sweeping away dust that can collect on the inside.

Most verandas are coated with oil based paint, which helps protect the steel from corrosion. This type of paint is also very easy to clean. You can easily wipe away any spots, stains, or debris using a clean cloth or sponge.

Every few months, you should check the gutters for any trapped debris. Remove the debris by flushing it away using water or removing it by hand. This will ensure that rainwater can be safely removed from the rooftop.

Sweep the inside part of the roof with a broom to wipe away any dust or debris that has collected over time.

COSMETIC MAINTENANCE

Wiping down tables, chairs, cushions, and other pieces of furniture is important especially if you keep these pieces outdoors for most of the year. If you decide to store them in the wintertime, you should wash each piece before placing them on the veranda to remove dust, cobwebs, and other items. Replace or repair cushions that are torn before use.

Always make sure plants you display on the veranda receive enough light and water. Plants that look unhealthy take away from the natural beauty of the veranda. Trim the leaves when possible and take plants indoors when the weather turns cold.

If you have small decorative items, you may want to remove these also when the weather turns so that they are not damaged or lost during windy months.

Common Veranda Designs

Over the years, verandas have taken on various shapes and sizes. From curved dome shaped structures to rectangular versions, a veranda can add value and dimension to your home. But choosing the right shape depends on many factors including:

• Size of your home
• How large you want the space to be
• How you plan on using the space

Once you decide on these details, you can choose the space the best suits your needs. All verandas are constructed of colorbond steel, which means the structure is durable and can be custom painted to match your home or painted in a color that contrasts your house color to add even more visual interest.

CURVED DESIGN

A curved design can give your home elegance and create an entertaining place to have dinner parties with friends and family. These verandas can be attached to your home or are available as free standing structures.

With the curved veranda style, you can add a flat roof to the structure to make it larger and add even more dimension. You can also add a curved piece to your existing veranda for added elegance.

FLAT DESIGN

For a more traditional look with clean, polished lines, a flat roofed veranda will add beauty to your home all year long. You can choose from four different styles that allow you to change the direction of the roof sheets for added dimension, or you can choose an extended version that gives you added space.

If you have a smaller home, a flat design can make your home appear larger. A flat design is also perfect for square or rectangular shaped homes.

SUNROOF DESIGN

If you want to allow more sunlight into your outdoor space, a sunroof design with adjustable roof is the perfect choice. Allow light breezes and cool night air into the space as well. Electronic louvres are controlled by a remote so you can easily open and close them whenever you want.

OTHER DESIGNS

In addition to the designs mentioned above, you can also choose from the gazebo style, pergola style, or hip end style to match your home.