| Creating an outdoor patio is one of the best | | | | specialist before you do any damage to your |
| investments you can make in your family's | | | | home's exterior. |
| lifestyle. | | | | 5. Research, research, research. Visit your local |
| Building a patio is a job you can make as simple | | | | library for as many DIY building manuals as you |
| or as complex as you like, depending on what | | | | can lay your hands on, or look for magazines that |
| type of materials you use and how ornate you | | | | specialize in outdoor patios and pergolas. The |
| want it to be. | | | | more you know, the easier your job will be. |
| So let's assume you know how to hold a hammer | | | | 6. Consider carefully what furniture you intend to |
| and what a nail looks like and go from there. Here | | | | use and measure the dimensions, and then add |
| are 10 of the top time and labour saving tips you | | | | least one metre to allow enough space to move |
| can use to build a patio you'll be proud to show | | | | around. For example, a sofa that measures |
| off. | | | | 250cm x 120cm needs at least another 150cm to |
| 1. Without careful planning, your perfect patio | | | | 200cm around it so you can sit in comfort. |
| could turn into a nightmare. | | | | The best idea is to grab a piece of graph paper, |
| Consider exactly where the patio is going to be | | | | outline the intended dimensions in pencil, and then |
| located and the dimensions, and then measure it | | | | draw to scale the pieces of furniture you want to |
| out using builder's chalk or a small stake and tape | | | | include. |
| at each of the boundaries. Add an extra metre to | | | | 7. Decide if your outdoor patio room is going to |
| allow for roof overhang. | | | | include electrical equipment. If you intend adding a |
| Is the ground level? And what lies beneath? | | | | TV or stereo unit, plan where these items will be |
| Remember that you may have to dig down at | | | | placed and have a qualified electrician install the |
| least a metre (3 foot) to secure the corner posts. | | | | wiring. |
| Make sure there are no obstructions that can't | | | | 8. Lighting is another major consideration if you |
| easily be dealt with. | | | | want a covered pergola. How much lighting does |
| 2. Decide on the type of materials you plan to | | | | the area need and what type of lighting is |
| use and then go out and price them. You may | | | | appropriate? Once again, you will need to call on |
| find that the relatively inexpensive holiday or | | | | the services of an electrician to install the wiring. |
| weekend project you had planned is going to go | | | | 9. To allow for adequate drainage, most builders |
| way over budget. | | | | suggest a site slope of 0.5cm per 30cm away |
| Think outside the square. If you've got your mind | | | | from the house. You also need to consider |
| set on granite pavers that you believe will offset | | | | guttering if the roof is flat so that water drains |
| the colours you've used indoors, then opt for | | | | away from the patio. |
| recycled wood from old constructions as support | | | | 10. When all else fails, call in a contractor. Sure, we |
| beams. | | | | all start with the best of intentions, but |
| If you intend enclosing your outdoor patio, | | | | sometimes the best laid plans come unstuck for |
| concrete masonry blocks are a relatively | | | | reasons beyond our control. |
| inexpensive option - particularly if you use a | | | | Don't persist when you know you're in trouble -- |
| masonry chisel to split each block in half. A | | | | although a qualified builder is going to cost you |
| cheerful coat of paint or render can make all the | | | | more than you may have originally budgeted for, |
| difference. | | | | trying to overcome an issue that is beyond your |
| 3. Design and plan your outdoor patio with low | | | | capabilities and knowledge can cost you a heck of |
| maintenance in mind. This is an area for relaxation, | | | | a lot more. |
| so you don't need to spend every weekend | | | | And when your carefully considered and brilliantly |
| battling to keep it clean. | | | | executed outdoor pergola is built, take the time |
| 4. If your outdoor pergola is going to be attached | | | | to congratulate yourself on a job well done and |
| to the house, work out how you are going to do | | | | toast your success with a well-earned beer! |
| that. You may need to consult a builder or patio | | | | |