Prepare your patio for Winter

Autumn is here and with it comes cooler weather, hopefully some rain, and the changing of colour in our trees.

It’s also a great time to prepare your patio for Winter.

Here are three tips to help make the most of your patio this Winter.

1. Create a source of warmth

The promise of sitting around a fire pit toasting marshmallows is a surefire way to lure your friends and family into your outdoor area.

Fire pits are not only a great source of warmth over the Winter months they can be a beautiful addition to your patio.

There are a couple of things to consider:

• The surface on which it will sit. Fire pits need to be located on a heat-proof area. Which means they can’t be placed directly on grass or wooden decking.
• There may be some restrictions on the installation and use of fire pits. So, it’s always a good idea to contact your local council first for more information.

2. Clean your gutters

And with the changing colour in our trees comes the mass the falling of leaves – often into roof and patio gutters.

With more families making the most of outdoor living, with BBQ’s, outdoor kitchens, bars, TV’s and the like there is a lot we would like protected from the weather.

Autumn is, therefore, the time to prepare for the Winter months ahead. And, this means cleaning your patios and patio gutters as well as the checking the rest of your guttering at home.

The gutters on your home and your patio become a collection point for all types of debris. It takes very little to block up a gutter and they can quickly become congested, which can result in overflow spilling into your patio area.

While the sun is still out and the days beginning to cool down it’s the perfect time to get a look at your patio gutters and your home. We recommend using a local handyman, or gardener/cleaner to clean your gutters for you.

Winter is not too far away and along with it hopefully some much needed rain, but before it arrives and the gutters get wet and muddy now is the time to prepare your patio for Winter and get your gutters cleaned.

3. Embrace lighting

A well-lit patio is an inviting space in any month, but even more so in the Winter months when it is darker. Having a well-lit area with warm lighting effects will encourage you and your family to head outside and enjoy your patio and outdoor area.

If you have a beautiful garden you could also highlight some of your garden features. For example, highlight established trees or sculptures with uplights or add solar garden lights to darker corners of your backyard.

Rope or solar lighting is also an effective way of accentuating paths and garden edges. And you have the added bonus of increasing safety by lighting these areas to prevent tripping or falling in the dark.

Fairy lights draped through your trees, or around your patio are another way to increase the visual aspect of your patio and create an atmosphere of warmth.

With some preparation, your outdoor area can be a warm and welcoming space even in the depths of Winter.

If you want to add a patio to your home this Winter, feel free to contact our Alfresco Specialist, Letitia Awdjew.