Our recent sunny skies have definitely got us dreaming of warm spring days and summer nights outside. An inviting outdoor space right outside our back door? Even better!
The cornerstone for many of those spaces is a patio or deck B次元官网网址� the foundation around which you can fully develop your outdoor room. It must be functional, but also attractive, and ideally become an extension of your home that youB次元官网网址檒l enjoy for years to come!
B次元官网网址淭his time of year, people are definitely starting to venture more outdoors and looking at their deck or patio to see what improvements they could do to create their own B次元官网网址楶uerto BackyardaB次元官网网址� getaway,B次元官网网址� Srdjo Djurkovic, project leader for , says with a laugh.
While wood has been the go-to selection here in Greater Victoria for many years, homeowners today have a variety of options to choose from, Djurkovic notes, sharing the pros and cons of some of the most popular options:
Wood
If you love the look and feel of wood, here on the West Coast, that typically means cedar or a pressure treated product. What you choose will be governed largely by factors such as appearance, longevity, maintenance and price. Once you start looking at a clear-grade cedar, for example, the cost will be comparable to a composite, but youB次元官网网址檒l still need to address regular maintenance requirements B次元官网网址� wood decks typically require cleaning, sanding and staining every few years.
Pressure-treated options have come a long way in the last few years, both in the range of colours and in environmentally friendlier options, Djurkovic says, pointing to products like MicroPro Sienna, whose environmental footprint is less than half that of traditional treated wood, and is supposed to last up to 30 years. ItB次元官网网址檚 also one of the least expensive choices.
ItB次元官网网址檚 also important to note that todayB次元官网网址檚 building strategies, such as wrapping joists where they connect to the house, also add to wood productsB次元官网网址� strength and longevity.
Composite
While a little more expensive than many wood materials, properly installed quality composite products will provide more years of enjoyment with considerably less maintenance than their natural counterparts B次元官网网址� typically just periodic cleaning.
B次元官网网址淭he product just keeps getting better, and you have so many options,B次元官网网址� Djurkovic notes.
While some earlier composite products were limited in colour and board width, for example, today you can choose from a variety of appearance profiles. Trex is one of the oldest products, resilient to foot traffic and pets, and has the added benefit of an easy-install system. For a south-facing area, consider a lighter shade that wonB次元官网网址檛 get excessively hot in the sun, Djurkovic suggests.
Stamped concrete
For those with a ground-level patio area, stamped concrete is opening up a world of options beyond paving stones or decking. B次元官网网址淲e recently did two projects where we removed a low, wooden deck and replaced it with stamped concrete,B次元官网网址� Djurkovic says. In addition to being low-maintenance, concrete can be created in a variety of different colours, textures and patterns to complement the yard and home. While the material price is higher, the installation process is typically less.
Ready to discover the possibilities for your home or patio? Contact the team today at or call
