Tag: Louvretec

Aluminium vs Steel – What to choose when building your alfresco

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Aluminium vs Steel

At Ultimate Alfresco, creating your dream space is our priority. And there’s a lot that goes into creating an outdoor area for you to live in and love. That’s why attention to detail is so vital.

Detail like understanding the differences when choosing the perfect material to build your patio or pergola with, so you end up with your perfect outdoor space.

For example, the difference between steel and aluminium.

If having your alfresco area look and feel well made and part of your home (rather than being tacked on), then choosing the right material to build with is important.

Here are three reasons we think choosing aluminium can be a better option than steel.

1. Minimal maintenance

Aluminium can be powder coated, where steel frames welded on site cannot. Welded steel frames can only be painted, which requires ongoing maintenance. Paint does not stand up to weather as well as powder coating, so can more easily start to peel or break down. That is visually unappealing, as well as meaning you have to get the paint brushes out or the painters in.

Aluminium frames mean you don’t have to worry about rust causing damage to your patio or pergola frame either. Why? because steel rusts and aluminium doesn’t.

2. No bumpy bits

Steel frames have welded joints, which can be quite unsightly. Building with an aluminium frame means you can use engineered concealed bracketry – creating flush seamless joints. And that is much more visually appealing.

Also, steel beams tend to have visible seams, which can be amplified when painted.

3. Better engineering

Aluminium frames are much lighter than steel frames. This means they can span exceptional distances and are substantially smaller than a steel beam spanning the same distance. Being lighter doesn’t mean aluminium is weaker. Our Louvretec range of opening roofs is made to withstand winds of over 160km/hour.

So, if you’re looking at adding an alfresco area to your home, talk to us about your options. We will work with you to create the alfresco of your dreams.

To discuss your alfresco options, contact us today.

 

Design Inspiration April 2019

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Design Inspiration April 2019

Another Sneak Peek

The Ultimate Alfresco Design Inspiration April 2019 is another sneak peek from another photo shoot we recently did with one of our clients. 

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

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 us today. 

Prepare your patio for Winter

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

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

toasting marshmallows by the firepit

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

clean patio 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

winter patio 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.

 

Eight Easy Steps to your Ultimate Alfresco – Step 2

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Eight Easy Steps to your Ultimate Alfresco – Step 2

After going through Step 1, your initial consultation and property visit, the next step is to build an estimate of your financial investment for your new addition to your home.

While some people love surprises, unexpected costs are not usually the type of surprises enjoyed. And we don’t want you to have any unpleasant surprises as part of building your alfresco.

What does this mean?

It means that you have transparency of what your alfresco investment will be. And that means that any costs anticipated to create your dream entertainment space will be made clear to you… before we start building. So, you get an estimate of your investment before the design is finalised.

This estimate includes all the elements involved in creating your dream alfresco area:

  • your building crew
  • all materials
  • council and other fees
  • and any other elements that are required.

That way you have an idea of what lies ahead and can revisit your design elements if necessary.

Understanding an estimation of your investment helps us make sure you end up with your alfresco vision within your alfresco budget.

 

If you are looking for a team to help you create your dream alfresco area, contact us. We’re here to help you make your outdoor dining and entertainment dream a reality. 

Design Inspiration March 2019

Posted on by Andrea Grimmond

Design Inspiration March 2019

Sneak Peek

The Ultimate Alfresco Design Inspiration March 2019 is a sneak peek from a photo shoot we recently did with one of our clients. 

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

 

Do you need help designing your alfresco?  

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 us today.