Hints & Tips

Thinking of a new outdoor entertainment area?
but your not sure where to start.

This is simple. Don’t try to re-invent the wheel… get your inspiration from the following sites below.
We have even pre-loaded some to get you started.

Use Google Images for Outdoor Entertainment Areas

Visit Houzz for the latest Outdoor Design Ideas

Visit Pinterest for the latest Outdoor Design Trends.

Collect a range of ideas and add them the a file on your computer. As you browse through them, narrow down your ideas leaving your final selection. Print these out and keep them available for our on-site visit. This process will help us greatly during our initial consultation to understand what you are aiming to achieve.

What to look for and aspects to think about for your design?

Starting a design from scratch is often difficult if your not following a few simple steps. With so many products and so many ideas out there you need to consider all the points below to achieve the best outcome;

  • What is the purpose of your project?
  • How many people do you plan to entertain?
  • Does your project include a roof structure?
  • Do you require bench seat, bbq areas, privacy screens or feature wall?
  • What is the style and colours of your existing dwelling?
  • What species and colour tones of timber do you prefer?
  • How little maintenance do you like?
  • Do you want to incorporate lighting or plumbing?
  • What is your time frame for the project?
  • Do you have a preferred budget for the above details to be achieved

Does your outdoor area or deck need approval?

A deck or patio is classed as a Class 10a (non-habitable) structure under the Building Code. The current code states, if your deck or patio design meets one or more of these four requirements you will need to have the plans assessed by a building certifier:

Decks that are more than one metre above the ground

More than 10 square metres in size

More than 2.4 metres high with an average mean height of no more than 2.1 metres

Exceeds 5 metres in length on any side

We can make this process easy by organising this on your behalf using our qualified draftsman and certifiers to complete your plans. After our initial consult we can determine the costs to carry out the planning stage and give you a budget estimate for the building process.

Adding a deck to you property will increase its value, however if it is not constructed legally it can end up costing the home owner more in fines and fees down the track.

Deck coatings made simple

A quality deck coating can make or break a deck in a very short period! Pour quality systems or incorrectly applied coatings can become very un-sightly and even cause damage to your timber deck. So follow our suggestion along with the manufactures guidelines to achieve the best results.

Intergrain

Intergrain UltraDeck is an extremely long lasting, water based oil for decking and exterior timber. UltraDeck contains unique Hydroguard technology to guard timber against Australia’s harsh conditions as well as the abrasive effects of foot traffic. The natural looking finish resists stain absorption and dirt and dust adhesion, helping timber stay clean. The result is timber that stays protected and looking fresh for significantly longer than traditional decking oils.

Being water based, UltraDeck emits significantly less VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) into the atmosphere than traditional oil based timber finishes. This makes UltraDeck safer to use, and much gentler on the environment.

UltraDeck is fast drying, allowing two coats to be applied in one day, and will weather naturally, without risk of flaking, blistering and peeling.

UltraDeck is available in a lightly pigmented natural colour or with mild timber tones to highlight the characteristics of popular timber species. More colour tones can be achieved by tinting UltraDeck at the paint counter.

Note: As a transparent oil, the final appearance of UltraDeck is affected by many factors, including the timber species and unique characteristics of timber within the species. The colour and timber species combination used on this web site, in store on point of sale, and in the Intergrain Timber Finishes Guide should be used as a guide only.

Check the website for more details
www.intergrain.com.au

Flood

It’s a breakthrough in exterior wood care.

It’s Spa-N-Deck, and it’s so advanced, you can apply it right after cleaning – while wood is still wet – so there are no delays to your schedule.

100% Acrylic – That’s Tough.

Looking for strong protection? Spa-N-Deck uses the same acrylics used in the windshields of aircraft. If the airlines trust these acrylics to protect their investment, shouldn’t you?

Spa-N-Deck is guaranteed not to crack, flake or peel even in the toughest climatic conditions for a period of 2 years on horizontal surfaces such as decks and for 4 years on vertical surfaces such as weatherboards and fences.

Check the website for more details
www.floodaustralia.net