Patio Awnings add Usability to Your Outdoor Space

As soon as it warms up, most people start thinking about how to use their outdoor space. While not everyone has a lot of money to spend on their yard, there are a couple of things that a person or family can invest in that will make their space more usable and improve its value. Patio awnings can provide shade and make an area comfortable for everything from picnics to an outdoor spa.

Of course, few people think about patio awnings when they are thinking about how to improve their yard. While a lot of people consider setting up a pool or a grill, no one ever seems to think about where their family will sit or play. Yet, the top reasons that people give for not going outside more often is that it's too hot and the sun's too bright. A patio awning provides a large, shady area, effectively lowering the temperature of an area by ten degrees or more.

Furthermore, patio awnings are a great investment. Rather than using a temporary structure, such as a tarp, to provide shade when you want it or investing thousands of dollars in the more expensive variety of permanent roof, a patio awning is an affordable, yet reliable, way to improve your home. Awnings can last for years and hold up under high winds, heavy rains, and even snow, and best of all, they are extremely easy to install!

Adding an awning to a home can turn outdoor space into a shaded or protected recreation area. The spot covered by one of these awnings is often viewed as usable part of the home, increasing its value and the quality of life and enjoyment of the people inhabiting it. Why wait?

The Best Outdoor Home Improvements from SOL

Summer is a great time for home improvements, especially for those who want to add a patio, carport, verandah or some other comfortable outdoor space. Not only will guests love relaxing outside, but these kinds of additions to a home can increase its value and make it more attractive overall.

There are several kinds of home improvements that can make a property more enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing, and these additions can be made from a variety of materials. For example, take the verandahs and carports available from SOL Home Improvements. Each of SOL's structures is made from Colorbond steel and can be customised to fit any home. They can even be expanded over remote intermediate posts and bracings to give any home a more streamlined design.

Each carport, verandah and patio is fully engineered and built with quality components that are guaranteed to last for years. SOL also allows customers to choose the profile, colours, span lengths and other aspects of any outdoor space. For those would like to know how a new home improvement will look before making a purchase, SOL's sophisticated ImproveIT software will provide a high-quality 3D image on your computer at the push of a button.

SOL employs the best home improvement experts to design their verandahs, carports and patios, so that homeowners can rest assured that their new structure is stable and designed to suit their home and needs.

A brand new patio or verandah could be exactly what the average residence needs this summer. These excellent home improvements will provide the ideal outdoor space to relax and entertain guests, and they can add a beautiful new appearance to any property. For more information, contact SOL for a quote today!

Your Garage Just Isn't Cutting It

Many people are protective of their cars, as they should be.  After your home, your car is the next biggest physical item you invest in that you use nearly every day.  Since you invest so much money in your car – insurance, repairs, maintenance, etc. – it only makes sense to protect it in any way you can.

Sources of protection come in many different forms, the most popular being the garage.  But sometimes, the garage just isn't enough.  Either it's not practical or it doesn't offer enough space.  Luckily for you, there's another form of protection that's aesthetically sound ...

A carport.

In its most basic form, a carport is an outdoor ceiling held up by four support beams or pillars.  Its goal is to protect your car from the hot Australian sun and other damaging elements that dull paint color.

Even if you already have a garage, there are carport designs that match your needs.  And, if you don't have a garage, there's a handful of designs to match your needs and complement your home's exterior.  Below are three of those design options.

Carport Design #1: Detached Carport

The detached carport is a great option if you don't want your carport attached to your home.  It's also a great option if you own two or more vehicles or have frequent visitors come to your house.  Since one or more of your cars are already taking up space in the garage, it's important to have another source of protection for your other cars or visitors'.

A detached carport might benefit you if you have ...

• a house without a garage 
• a house that's not connected to a main road (see picture)
• more cars than can fit in your existing garage
• extra space on one side of your house

In addition to acting as a space for car protection, a detached carport can also serve as a space for storage.  For instance, if you live in a rural area, you can store animal feed, tools, tractors and other items under your carport.

Carport Design #2: Patio-Connected Carport

If you have an existing patio, a carport can be attached to it fairly easily.  In addition to offering you space to store your car, a patio-connected carport also gives you the opportunity to expand your patio space. 

For instance, when you have visitors over and need more space outdoors, all you have to do is remove your cars from your carport.  It's like having two patios – one that's always there and another when you need it.

This is a great option for people who don't have a garage and are thinking about building an outdoor patio.  You can kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.  And, even if you already have a patio with a ceiling, many home improvement contractors can match its style with that of your new carport.

Carport Design #3: Garage-Connected Carport

To many, this carport design looks awkward at first.  But after looking at it for a little while, it makes sense.  Plus, it also starts to look good.  If you have a garage, this carport design is the most practical. 

For instance, if you have a two-car garage and 4 cars, a garage-connected carport can protect two of your cars while the other two are in the garage. If you have more than 4 cars, your carport can be extended.

With the garage-connected design, you can also do a number of other things including ...

• wash your car outside while shielding it from the sun
• use your carport as a source of shade while relaxing outside
• protect cars of visitors from sun and weather if you only have two cars
• and much more ...

With these three different designs, there's definitely an option for you.  All you have to do is discover which one works best with your home.  For help, look at pictures of different designs online or contact your local home improvement contractor.

Three 45-Minute "Front Door" Home Improvements to Make Before Selling Your Home

When you think of home improvements, costly repairs and additions come to mind.  However, there are some simple home improvements you can make that will add a degree of sophistication to your home.  These quick and easy improvements can be completed in about 45 minutes and will help you get top dollar for your home.

It's hard to believe that 45 minutes of work adds any value to your home. 

But it can!

It's important to know that the value you're adding with these improvement isn't monetary-based; it's based on appearance.  When someone comes to your home for an open house or appointment, it's all about first impressions.  These three home improvements will help you make the strongest first impression without investing in a major renovation.

Give Your Front Door a Fresh Coat

If the paint on your front door is looking dull, this is incredibly important.  The best thing is, if you're strapped for time, you don't even have to remove the door.  Simply tape off the areas where you don't want paint and get to work.

This is definitely the quickest home improvement you can make that offers the highest payoff.  There nothing more unattractive than a washed-out front door.

Add a Cornerstone Piece

If you have a large square platform in front of your front door, you shouldn't leave it bare.  Having a garden surrounding the front of your home is great, but a cornerstone piece adds an extra note of residential beauty.

Here are cornerstone pieces you can add to the front of your home:

• Bench with or without cushion
• Stone statue
• Stone bird bath

With a cornerstone piece, the front of your home becomes more substantial and attractive.

Replace Your Mailbox

If your mailbox is at the front of your driveway, it's the very first thing people see when visiting your house.  If you currently have a cheap plastic mailbox that came with the house, replace it immediately.

Go to your local home improvement store and invest in something with a little class.  Make sure it matches the style of your home and isn't unnecessarily large.

Something clean and simple is the perfect option.

Steel Patios Provide the Ultimate Outdoor Space

People who love to spend time in the outdoors know how important it is to have a space that provides a place to rest in the shade. Adding a beautiful and relaxing area to the property will add market value to the home. Achieve it easily by installing a steel patio.

Steel structures require little maintenance, allowing owners to spend the time saved in enjoying the comfort of their structure. Offering privacy and protection from the sun or rain, the structures can be freestanding or attached, giving unlimited options for placement. The structures can be customized to fit in with the area. Unlimited styles allow for size and color choices to blend in and enhance the look of the home without worry for years to come.

Protection, privacy and shelter can easily be added to any home with the installation of a steel patio, veranda or carport. Display a unique style and combine a patio with a veranda and enjoy the practicality of your space. Designs can be customized to cover wide spans. The addition will still look graceful and streamlined, yet the structure will remain stable even if the design calls for the removal of intermediate posts. Choose a roof design that best compliments the surrounding property, picking from roof pitch, colors, styles and even post thickness.

A steel patio gives the best of all worlds. The additions add value to the home at an affordable price. Low maintenance allows the property owner more time to be able to relax in the comfort of the structure. The beauty of the area is enhanced with the design that highlights the home and property.

Enjoy a Shady Retreat with a New Verandah

During the mild temperature months, many homeowners wonder how they can improve their home's energy efficiency while at the same time enjoying the pleasures of the crisp weather and fresh air. One way to do this is to have a verandah built along the garage or back of the home. By creating this outdoor retreat, a homeowner can take a "staycation" this fall right in their own back yard.

 Energy Efficiency 

 Because a verandah is like an extension to the home, it offers a shady escape without the need to run the air conditioner. The roof of the structure helps to decrease the amount of sunshine that gets into the house, which can boost the home's energy efficiency. As a result, homeowners could see their electricity bills decrease by a significant amount of money.

A Place for Rest and Relaxation

A verandah is the perfect place for rest and relaxation without having to get into the car and drive somewhere. A quiet morning with a cup of coffee or tea and some good reading material is all that a person needs to enjoy a slower pace of life. The new area will be an obvious place for company to congregate as well. Evening cocktails while watching the sunset and striking up a lively conversation will be the highlight of the weekend.

Verandahs have a long history in the architecture of homes around the world. From the hot, arid climes of Australia to the plantations of colonial times in America, homeowners included these spaces as a way to extend their living space without the expense of adding an additional room. This wisdom holds true even today as homeowners seek to improve the aesthetic and monetary value of their homes.

3 Add-Ons that Increase the Value of Your Home

Your home is your most prized asset.

It's where you spend time with your family, where you relax on the weekends, and where you eat, shower and sleep.  It provides all the amenities your family needs to live a productive, happy life.

For these reasons and for another reason we'll get to in a second, it's important to make the most of your home.  With add-on structures that provide entertainment, comfort and aesthetic appeal, your home lives up to its true potential.  It provides everything you need it to provide, plus more.  It's a place to sleep and eat, but also a place to enjoy.

In addition to improving your family's lifestyle with various additions, you also improve the monetary value of your home.  This is important for re-selling and investment purposes.  Much like how investing in a reputable stock or trade improves your personal monetary worth, investing in your home increases its resell value.  Because of your impressive home, your land becomes a highly desirable piece of real estate.

If you're confused where to start adding things, we've listed three of the most popular home add-ons people invest in everyday to increase home enjoyment and worth.

Deck or Patio

A deck is perfect if you have a house that is two stories or greater.  Adding a deck to your second or third floor gives you and your family the opportunity to enjoy the outdoor weather in the comfort of your home.  You're not technically "in" your home, but you get the point.  There are many things that a deck affords including outdoor parties, grilling, sunbathing and sun-drenched reading.

The patio achieves the same purpose of the deck, only it's no supported by beams.  It's makes complete contact with the ground and is good for one-story homes and houses with yard space to spare.  A built-in fire pit and patio roof or awning are accessories that give a patio an additional element of value.

Swimming Pool

Our natural attraction to water makes this add-on the most popular.  There are two types of pools – aboveground and underground – that appeal to families with different yard spaces and budgets.  Aboveground pools tend to be circular in shape and exposed while underground pools take many forms and are concealed.  The former are less expensive than the latter and, although exposed, can be equipped with a pool deck.

When it comes to pools, underground pools add the most value to your home. If you want a pool but can't afford an underground, it's wise to wait until you can.  They are more visually impressive and more valuable.

Gable Roof or Awning

As previously mentioned, these can be added to your patio, but they can also be added to any outdoor space or structure: the outside of your home, guest houses, horse stables and more. Roofs and awnings provide sources of shade from the hot sun and also cover from rainy days.  They allow you to enjoy the grandeur of nature while not being directly under her skies.  If implemented appropriately, these add-ons can contribute a significant source of comfort and value to your home.