Month: July 2023

Garden decking is a great way to add a new area for entertaining or relaxing, define zones within your plot, and tie the garden together. It can work with any style of garden, and it’s easy to create a unique look by mixing and matching the materials.

Decks can be used as a pathway between different parts of the garden, or they can be incorporated into raised vegetable beds and planting areas. Adding a seat or small table will make the seating area more useful, and if you plan to build a deck around a large tree, a trellis can be built against it to provide shade and privacy.

Using decking as an alternative to paving is a great idea if you have lots of sloping ground in your garden. It can be used to create steps up or down to the garden, and it’s also a good option for stepping over a stream, pond, or dip in your garden. If you choose to do this, it’s important to have a safe and secure design in place, such as railings or steps.

Raised decks can be a stylish addition to your home, especially if you paint them in a classic colour like sage green or duck-egg blue. The wood can then blend in with the rest of your garden, creating a seamless effect that feels more part of your property than simply an extension of your garden.

Another big trend for 2022 is the use of tropical hardwoods such as ipe or cumaru. These are a more expensive choice than treated softwoods, but they’re extremely hard-wearing and naturally resistant to issues such as rot and insects. They don’t tend to accept staining very well, though, and so it’s best to opt for a natural finish, as seen in this stunning design.

If you don’t want to install a garden building but would love a spot to relax or entertain, a simple wooden shed can be incorporated into a decking scheme. This is ideal if you have a small or awkwardly shaped garden, as it won’t take up too much space.

Adding a pergola to your deck can give it a country feel, reminiscent of private English gardens. This is a stylish option that can be made even more impressive by planting climbing plants on the frame and lining the structure with wisteria or clematis. Alternatively, you can use vines to create a similar effect on a wall or fence.

A pergola is an overhead structure that provides shade while allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space. It’s also a great way to add beauty and character to an area. There are many ways to achieve pergola shade, from using climbing plants to a retractable canopy. Whatever you choose, it’s important to keep in mind that a pergola is not meant to offer the same kind of coverage as a patio roof or a solid-surface covered deck. Instead, a pergola is designed to be a trellis for vines or other plants, and offers shade from above with a beautiful design. The roof of a pergola is usually made from wood, but can be constructed with other materials as well.

Traditionally, pergolas have been used to train climbing plants such as grapes. They’re often positioned in the garden to provide shade for seating areas and to create a green retreat for homeowners and vintners alike. The trellis can also serve as the framework for a wisteria or even a climbing rose.

The amount of shade you can get from a pergola depends on the placement of its slats or lattice panels. By putting them closer together, you can minimize the amount of sunlight that can filter through. Another popular option is to use foliage as a cover, but this can be expensive and doesn’t always look appealing or provide the right amount of shade for outdoor seating areas.

For more control over how much sunlight or rain can enter your pergola, consider having a louvered roof installed. A louvered roof is similar to the sunroof in your car and can be adjusted throughout the day. It’s a more sophisticated solution than a standard fabric canopy, but it’s one that can really enhance the functionality of your pergola.

If you prefer a more traditional or rustic look, then a wood or reed cover is an excellent choice for your pergola. These covers can be built into the frame of the structure, or they can be hung from slats in the roof. They can also be used as a wall to protect a dining or lounging area from rain and wind.

A more modern pergola shade idea is to install a retractable canopy. These can be easily extended and retracted, giving you the flexibility of shading your backyard at the touch of a button. The type of fabric you select will depend on how much UV protection you need, and there are a variety of color and material options to choose from.

For a more budget-friendly option, you can buy shade cloth that is commonly used in greenhouses. This will do a good job of blocking sun, but it’s not as aesthetically pleasing as a natural or wood cover. In addition, it may not be suitable for wet climates. Ultimately, it’s best to work with a professional who can help you find the perfect solution for your pergola. They will be able to help you determine which material will best fit your lifestyle, weather conditions and aesthetic preferences.

A beautiful deck in your backyard is an oasis that allows you to relax, enjoy the fresh air and get in touch with nature. There are many materials to choose from for your decking and it is important to do some research before making a decision. This article is about millboard decking which has been on the market not for a long time but has quickly become popular due to its amazing qualities.

Millboard is a wood-free alternative that is made from polyurethane. It combines the rigidity and longevity of plastic with the suppleness of rubber and is very durable against damage. It can be used in places where other materials would not be able to survive, like near a swimming pool or in the rain.

The Lastane surface layer of millboard is non-porous so spillages won’t stain and can be easily wiped clean with standard household cleaners. It is also very slip resistant, even when wet, which makes it a great choice for areas where safety is a concern. Millboard decking can be stained or given a weathered look for an authentic wood appearance. It is available in a variety of colors and comes with edging and fascia boards that match, so the visual appearance is consistent throughout the area.

Another advantage of millboard is that it does not attract the natural phenomenon of algae, which causes a green coating on and around wooden surfaces. This can not only diminish their appearance but is a real hazard for people walking on them. In addition, it is safe to walk on when wet and does not produce splinters like natural wood.

The boards are moulded rather than extruded to ensure the fine details of the grain stand out, making them nearly indistinguishable from natural timber. Then they are hand-finished to make the nuances of the colour stand out. In combination with the detailed grain pattern and realistic colours, millboard is virtually indistinguishable from natural timber.

As there is no wood in the board, it does not support termite colonies like timber does, which can cause serious problems to your home. Also, it does not promote the growth of damp or rot that can affect timber, which again is a major problem for homes.

Millboard is easy to install and can be fixed with the manufacturer’s recommended screws, which are coated with a silicone spray before installation. No pre-drilling is required, and the screws are buried beneath the surface so only a small witness mark is left behind.

It can be installed over concrete, paving slabs, timber or steel frames. When installing it over a steel frame, we recommend using the Evolution framing system which is configured for joists at either 12- or 16-inch centers, which are very close to the spacing that the boards need. This allows the panels to be fastened tightly against the joists, providing maximum stability and maintaining the warranty. The frames can be mounted on the steel joists or anchored to the ground with the company’s Plas-Pro recycled-plastic sub-framing material.

A beautiful deck can make the backyard a perfect place to relax, entertain and enjoy the outdoors. However, the area underneath a deck is often left bare and unsightly, which can detract from its overall appeal. Fortunately, skirting can hide this open space while also adding style to the entire structure. Skirting comes in a variety of styles, so homeowners can find a solution that matches their taste and budget.

Many people choose to hire a professional to install their deck’s skirting. This can be an expensive investment, but the result is a finished look that can make the backyard more inviting. For those who wish to save money, the project can be done on a DIY basis by using materials purchased from local home improvement stores.

The most common choice for deck skirting is lattice panels, which are sold at most home improvement stores in panel sizes of 2’ by 8’ or 4’ by 8’. These framed and unframed panels can be cut to match the contour of a deck’s plane, making it easy for the homeowner to achieve the desired appearance. Lattice panels are also available in a variety of colors and designs to suit different tastes. For example, square cell panels may be used to create a more modern look, while diamond cells are preferred for more rustic styles.

Skirting can also help to discourage pests from establishing residence in the cool, covered and shady environment under a deck. Some homeowners add a door to the skirting’s design to provide an inconspicuous storage space for yard tools and other items. In addition, a deck with skirting that includes a latching door can also function as an attractive screened-in porch.

Another benefit of having a deck with a skirt is that it acts as an effective barrier against the dirt and debris that often blows under a deck. This debris can pile up over time, and it can be difficult or impossible to pick up, especially if children or pets have access to the area. Skirting will prevent the accumulating of trash, which will make the surrounding yard look better and can even protect the foundation of the house from damage by insects and animals.

The open underside of a deck is also tempting to kids and pets, who love to crawl around the joists to play in the crevices. This can be a safety hazard, as they can bump their heads on the joists or get caught on nails and screws that may be sticking out of the deck boards. A skirting system will prevent these hazards by making the area under the deck off-limits. Skirting can be made from a variety of materials, including wood. Simple wood planks installed horizontally like shiplap can be an appealing option, and pressure-treated lumber will weather into a warm gray that coordinates with many color schemes. The best option, though, is to use a material that allows ventilation beneath the deck. Without adequate airflow, deck boards can expand and contract unevenly, causing them to rot over time.

In Palm Beach and throughout South Florida, maximizing time outside can require a mixture of sun and shade spaces. A pergola can play a major role in creating that ideal environment for outdoor enjoyment. This is especially true of the newer, corner-design versions of these backyard structures. Typically built from a series of posts and beams that form a roof, these types of backyard pergolas are easy to assemble and make a wonderful place to set up a table and chairs for entertaining, or simply to read and relax.

While most people think of traditional, square or rectangular pergolas when they envision these backyard beauties, there are many other styles and designs to consider, including this unique triangle-shaped option. These triangular pergolas feature three sides instead of four, allowing them to fit in almost any backyard space. They also offer a more interesting visual impact than a standard pergola, as their unique shape is sure to impress guests and neighbors.

For those who want to add a little extra flair to their backyard, this pergola design allows for the addition of billowing curtains, which can be tied back to let in air and sunshine, or left down for a bit of romance and privacy. String lights, wooden patio chairs and potted plants can be used to add even more color and comfort to the area.

Another great way to add visual interest to a pergola is to install a fan design on the roof, which takes advantage of its triangular shape. This can be done by cutting a V-shaped notch in each of the four rafters that make up the roof. The notches can then be fitted with a fan-shaped piece of wood that can be easily locked into place.

Adding latticework panels to the side of a pergola can help to increase the amount of shade that it provides. This can be particularly useful in a sunny backyard, where it is easy to overheat and get dehydrated. This style of pergola also gives homeowners the opportunity to grow climbing flowers and vines up the side of their structure.

As with any backyard structure, it is important to follow local codes when building a pergola. This includes obtaining any necessary permits, as well as consulting with local utility companies to have any underground obstructions marked. Once all of the necessary preparation is complete, it’s time to build! Start by checking the ground to make sure it is level. Then, mark where each of the post bases will be positioned and pre-drill them for lag bolts.

Before you begin to assemble the pergola frame, stain all of the wood pieces. This can be a time-consuming process, but it is much easier than staining the structure once it’s been assembled.

Once the structure is built, plant climbing vines on two of its sides. These will eventually grow to a height that creates a nice shaded area underneath the pergola. For this example, we adapted the corner pergola plans to work with our client’s specific space.