Maximising Your Patio's Entertainment Capacity

We know that people love to use their patios to entertain guests and friends, but many of their best efforts fall short. Although there's nothing more important than good company, it's hard to get good times rolling without the right party gear. Remember the following tips when getting set up to play host.

Proper Decor Arrangement

It's important to keep things accessible. For instance, you'll need chairs and and tables, but they shouldn't block access from the footpath or make it hard for people who come late to join the fun. Choose your arrangement wisely so that there's plenty of space for people to stretch out and enjoy themselves as well as lots of room for foot traffic. You might have to clean the area around your house, but the effort will be well worth it when you see how everyone's enjoying themselves.

Essential Pieces

Remember that you might need more than one table. True, nobody's going to complain if you're constantly bringing them coldies from inside, but if you have an esky nearby, that might make things much easier for everyone. Extra tables also provide places for people to gather around when things really get going off and a large crowd gathers.

Extra seating is also appreciated. Set out some extra loungers and folding beach chairs to make seating easy for people to modify as needed. If your patio includes a verandah roof with a convenient crossbeam, hanging a swinging couples chair is a great way to provide partygoers with more options.

Don't forget things like barbecues either. This may seem obvious, but people love to eat, especially after they've gotten together for a few pints on the patio. Make sure you can whip some food up in a hurry by keeping the barbie well-fueled and close at hand.

Major Improvements

Of course, the most effective entertainment accessory is one of our gable roofs. It's much easier to entertain everyone successfully when they have the freedom to roam about as they wish but can still enjoy the shade or shelter of a patio when the weather takes a turn. Roof structures also make it easier to enjoy the outdoors after the party is over.

Carports Provide Added Protection

Investing in one of our carports is a wise decision because we understand that living in a country where extreme weather patterns exist entails that it makes sense to protect valuable assets like the family car. The life of your vehicle can be greatly extended when it is protected from the elements as the unrelenting sun can wreak havoc on the car's bodywork and excessive weathering can fade the trims and guards and can even cause rust. The sunlight beating down through the windows damages the interior upholstery.

Additionally, storms can be merciless, and your vehicles can receive some expensive damage when left exposed. Hail stones can cause devastating dents. Falling limbs and debris blown about in storms can even destroy a vehicle. Cars that are parked in garages or under structures like the ones we offer are substantially less likely to be affected by such events.

A carport is also a much less expensive choice than a garage. It requires very little room, so can easily be added to the driveway, yard or to the side of any existing shed. These structures can be simple, low-cost affairs or consist of a more elaborate design. Depending on the amount of room available on the site, the addition can be joined to the house or garage, or simply erected to stand alone. Our carport designs come in a variety of styles and sizes and can be customised to suit your needs. Regardless of the presentation of the finished project, the decision to invest in one of our carports will provide much protection as well as a cool shaded area.

Additionally, you could be rewarded by your insurance company for using a carport to protect your vehicles. Shaded structures are always welcomed and can lend themselves to other functions such as extending garages, patios and verandahs. In fact, our carports can help protect many of your valued items and may even increase the value of your home.

Party Year Round under the Patio

We are proud of the fact that our patios are a significant part of the great Australian outdoor lifestyle, and we enjoy helping our customers discover a whole new way to utilise their outdoor areas. Constructed of hardwearing, durable steel and available in a variety of colours and styles, our quality shade awnings can transform your home. The addition of a patio will give you a renewed appreciation for your bricks and mortar by transforming your house in a simple, tasteful way that accentuates your individual style and flair.

Patios primarily offer shade, and protecting your home from the harsh summer heat can actually result in reduced electricity bills. In today's economic climate, who wouldn't appreciate a way to reduce the cost of living? Having a shaded space during a long summer's day offers other wonderful gifts too. Such an area invites the creation of an outdoor dining area where long, languid meals in the cool of the evening can be experienced. When placed close to the barbecue  it warrants the installation of a wet bar for more extravagant outdoor celebrations.

With the addition of blinds, awnings and lights, the area can be a wonderful place to watch a passing lightning and thunder show or even a hail storm. Outdoor heaters and fire pits can create a romantic, cosy environment for intimate entertaining. The structure may even be fitted with an insulated lining, making it even more adaptable to a variety of seasonal conditions. The frames lend themselves to a variety of decorative finishes to help blend with the architectural style of the home. By creating an outdoor entertainment venue that can be used regardless of the weather, it makes sense to invest in some comfortable patio furniture and enjoy the new extension to the home.

The shelter provided by patios can extend the longevity of many valuable assets. For example, outdoor furnishings, along with the associated upholstery and cushions, are protected from the elements. The decking or paved area beneath the roof is also shielded from excessive weathering, which can save thousands of dollars in maintenance and replacement expenses.

The Hidden Benefits of Home Extensions

The aesthetic benefits of a home extension are obvious to anyone who sees the houses that bear them, but our home extensions also include hidden advantages. Here are just a few of the ways our customers tell us extensions make their homes better.

Resale Value Increases

Homes with external shade structures and gable roofs are extremely popular, especially with new buyers. Because our home extensions include options for multiple roof styles they can be constructed to match any home. New buyers appreciate the ability to buy something that has extra features that don't stick out like sore thumbs. Most first-time buyers pay a lot of attention to external appearances.

Extensions aren't the norm, but even in areas where they're more common, the mixing things up increases your home's value to potential buyers. With custom designs like ours, it's much easier to create a home that not only pleases you but attracts future residents through its sheer novelty. Everyone wants a customised dream home, and making your home more unique is a good way to deliver that appeal. This is especially true of homes that are surrounded by similar units in the same neighbourhood or development.

Added Potential for Modification

Another important resale aspect of home extensions is that they give you more décor space to work with. Many people choose to hang plants or latticework for growing plants like ivies. These effects add to the overall appearance of the home in a fashion that encourages people to buy. Shade structures are also appreciated by families looking to move into something a little bit more roomy but not super expensive. The ability to let the kids play outside close by is a selling point in itself. The more your home offers in terms of utility, the more it will appeal to others when you decide to sell.