Tag: Deck

Patios and Pergolas – what’s the difference?

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Patios and Pergolas – what’s the difference?

When it comes to designing your outside space there are so many choices. For example, do you choose a patio or a pergola. And what is the difference between the two?

Below we’ve outlined the differences between these two garden features. And, we talk about how each one can really bring out the best in your outdoor area.

Patios

A patio is traditionally designed to expand the usable space of your home, turning your outside space or verandah into an outdoor room, so to speak.

Modern patio designs can create a perfect outdoor space for family gatherings, parties or even just for relaxing with a good book.

A basic patio is usually directly adjoining the outside wall of your home and has an area of flat, paved ground. A roof provides shelter and creates that outdoor room feeling.

Patios great for:

  • Adding value to your home
  • Giving a more spacious feel by creating an extra outdoor room
  • Shield you from the elements; rain, hail or shine

So, how are pergolas different from patios?

Pergolas

The primary difference between a pergola and a patio is in its purpose.

A patio is usually useable all year round

A pergola is designed to be an enhancing feature of your garden. Making it more versatile.

Traditionally pergolas are ornamental and designed to enhance the appeal of your garden.

A big difference with pergolas is that they are also usually free-standing. In saying this, they can be attached to the wall of your home too.

Similar to patios, pergolas can be made as open or as enclosed as you want them to be. If you seek some extra privacy you can add climbing or trailing plants to create a natural partition.

A pergola is a great way to extend your living space and to get more out of your garden or outdoor area.

Pergolas are great for:

  • Adding a touch of individual style to your garden
  • Making your outdoor space more visually appealing
  • Adding privacy to gardens that are overlooked by other homes

If you need help deciding whether patio or a pergola would suit your home, feel free to contact our alfresco specialist, Letitia

Design Inspiration February 2019

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Design Inspiration February 2019

Patios and Pergolas

The Ultimate Alfresco Design Inspiration February 2019 includes a selection of patios and pergolas to inspire you. 

We hope these designs inspire you to create your own outdoor space. 

Do you need help designing your patio or pergola?  

If you live in the Albury Wodonga region and would like to discuss how to design and create a beautiful patio or pergola for your home, contact Letitia today. 

Project of the Month February 2019

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Project of the Month February 2019

Before

Our client had an amazing view of Lake Mulwala but was very exposed to the weather and elements.

They needed to create an alfresco area that maximised their views while allowing plenty of natural light into the house throughout Winter. 

  

After

We combined louvres and insulated panel to create a seamless alfresco that maximises there view. At the same time, this allows plenty of natural light into the house throughout Winter.

We also created a wall to house the outdoor kitchen and give privacy from the neighbours. The new and old structures were integrated with the use of colour, texture and also materials.

 

Our client cannot wait to spend many Summer’s with their family outdoors enjoying their new space.

To discuss your patio, pergola or outdoor living area design options, contact Ultimate Alfresco today.

Best patio plants

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Best patio plants

If you’re looking to add that extra impact to your alfresco area, then patio plants are the ideal go to.

Patio plants can add a whole other dimension to your outdoor space. They can be layered using various heights to fill space or draw your eye to a particular area in your patio. Or, they can create an oasis for you to sit and relax in. And, they can also create a frame to feature a certain area of your alfresco. There are many options to using your patio plants to create impact. 

So, what are the best patio plants to use?

Here are four patio plants that we have seen used really effectively.

Ficus

Ficus are one of the best patio plants out there. They are really well suited to life under a patio or an outdoor room. Ficus are available in a variety of names and are quite hardy. And, they are green all year round and have some stunning leaf colouring.

Patio Ficus

Ferns

Ferns are another great patio plant and they come in a huge range of varieties. You can mix and match them to create an area of textural impact. Or choose all the same variety and create a beautiful plump green space full of foliage that has a real wow factor. They are also evergreen, so you have colour all year round.

Patio ferns

The humble pineapple

A pineapple is a great plant for your patio as they will grow just about anywhere. They are ridiculously easy to grow and don’t take much care. They have a long thin leaf and will grow in very shallow pots because the pineapple itself grows above the plant. When they start to fruit the flower is spectacular. And you get to see the fruit take shape right before your eyes.

However, pineapples only fruit once in their lifetime before they begin to die.  The good news is that they do the produce baby plants from the crown. These baby plants can issue their own fruit.

Patio pineapple

Bromeliad

Bromeliads are a beautifully exotic looking plant, with a gorgeous flower. As a patio plant, bromeliads have a visually stunning impact.  They are relatively easy to look after. Like the pineapple, if you harvest the ‘pups’ (small growths produced by the original plant) and place them in pots you don’t have to worry about purchasing new plants when your original Bromeliads start to die off.

Patio Bromeliad

More information about why adding plants to your alfresco is beneficial is shared in Four tips to freshen up your alfresco.

If you need help creating your dream alfresco, feel free to contact our Alfresco Specialist, Letitia Awdjew.

Four ways to help you keep cool

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Four ways to help you keep cool

Summer is well and truly here with some hot, hot, hot days ahead. So, here are four ways to help you and your family keep cool.

1. Portable shade

It might be a bit late in the season to install a louvre roof to control your shade for this summer however there are temporary options available.

There are a great range of canopy umbrellas out there these days. You can choose round ones, square ones, cantilevered umbrellas and traditional outdoor umbrellas.

They are a great option for summer if you have shade challenges or need to extend your alfresco area temporarily. To create an extended shady area, place your umbrellas side by side, with the
edges overlapping each other.

Potted plants can also create shade. You will need quite tall plants, which means you might need help moving them around to make sure the shade falls where you need it. However the
additional benefit is that plants can make your alfresco feel cooler and more tropical.

2. Fan options

Ceiling fans are a great way to generate a breeze and help bring down the temperature. However, if you don’t already have them installed in your alfresco area, there are alternatives. Traditional pedestal fans create flexibility as you can position them to create breeze where required, or have them set on rotate to cover a wider area.

Also popular are portable misting fans. Not only do they cool they also remove dust and pollen from the air and are a deterrent to flies and other insects.

3. Keeping your best friend cool

If you are feeling the heat, then you can bet your furry friends are too. Ideally, on hot days it’s better to bring your pets indoors (especially if you have air conditioning), however, this is not
always possible.

The RSPCA provide some great tips on helping to keep your pets cool in summer, including:

  • Making sure there is plenty of shade available
  • Providing plenty of fresh, cool water in large water containers
  • Walking your pet in the coolness of the early morning or evening
  • If your pet seems to be in discomfort, try wetting its feet and misting water onto its face

You can check out all the RSPCA tips here. 

4. Refreshing drinks

A cool drink is a great way to bring down your body temperature and combat the heat of the day.

Here are some cool tips to help you cool down your drinks.

  • Put little pieces of fruit in your ice tray with your water, to create a little extra something when adding ice to your water. Citrus works particularly well and is quite refreshing.
  • You can do the same with fresh herbs from your garden – mint works especially well.
  • Keep a jug of water in the fridge so you have cold water immediately available (although training family members to keep it refilled, might be a challenge!). Similar to above, adding slices of lemon, or lime, gives it an extra refreshing taste.
  • Freeze individual grapes and pop one or two into your glass of white wine or champagne. That way, your wine doesn’t get watered down like it would if you popped an ice cube in
    it.
  • If you prefer red wine, pop your bottle into the fridge for about 20 minutes before opening it. Red wine is meant to be enjoyed at room temperature, however in summer room temperature is too hot. Twenty minutes in the fridge should bring it to the right temperature to enjoy.
  • Put juice into your ice trays and freeze. This gives you options of flavouring your different drinks when adding ice cubes.

These four tips are great temporary measures to cool down outside. If you want to turn your alfresco area into a more climate controlled outdoor room, contact our alfresco specialist, Letitia.