Adding a patio to your home can cost you a significant amount of time, money and property space to accomplish. With that in mind, it’s understandable if you want everything in your patio building project to go as smoothly as possible. In fact, if your project turns out well, and your patio is well-made, it would not only extend your living space, but increase your home’s curb appeal and overall value.
However, for your patio construction project to go well and allow you to reap the benefits of a well-made patio, you first need to properly plan out your project. But how exactly can any homeowner accomplish this?
1. Decide on a Location
As with almost every home improvement project, a patio construction requires you to remember the old mantra “location, location, location”. This is because believe it or not, while most patios are often built adjacent to the house, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your patio has to be the same. In fact, you’re actually more than free to build your patio away from your home if you want something that’s far more secluded. Alternatively, if you intend to use the patio for dining, then keep it as close to your kitchen as possible. If you’re having a hard time deciding where on your property you should place your patio, you can always turn to an expert contractor for their help and advice.
2. Size It
Right A common mistake that homeowners often make when they’re doing a patio installation project is underestimating how big the patio should be. This is because they usually size their patio so it can be small and intimate. However, if you intend to use it for large gatherings in the future, you’ll want a patio that can handle a large crowd. Unfortunately, there’s no specific rule of thumb that you can follow when it comes to sizing, meaning that you’ll have to rely on the expertise of contractors to decide on what size your patio should be. However, if the site allows it, consider designing your patio to be proportionate to your home when it comes to width so it can be used for large gatherings in the long run.
3. Pick the Right Materials
In terms of materials, on the other hand, homeowners have a wide range of options to consider, such as brick, concrete, slate, wood or flagstone. Of these materials, concrete is said to be one of the most popular for its affordability, durability and low-maintenance features. But, when you’re picking a material for your patio project, keep in mind that cost isn’t the only factor you need to look at: you’ll also need to see if it matches the overall style of your home. Apart from that, if you intend to dine on your deck, pick a surface that is smooth enough to prevent tables and chairs from wobbling.
4. Decide on the Details
Your patio can be made of a simple slab of concrete or slate. However, if you want to make the most out of it, you need to add other details aside from the basic tables and chairs as well. With that in mind, you’ll want to consider adding amenities on your patio, such as low-voltage lights, planters, fountains or fireplaces. Whatever you want to add, it’s up to you, but the general rule of thumb is that you should let your lifestyle and needs dictate the details that you add to your new patio.
5. Choose Your Contractor
Constructing a patio on your home is a home improvement project that no homeowner should ever attempt to DIY, especially if you’re a novice in the home improvement field. As such, it’s always in your best interest to ask around your neighborhood or search the internet to find a trustworthy and reliable contractor who can build a quality deck for you.
6. Plan Your Greenery
While planning the greenery of your patio may sound unnecessary, experts recommend that you avoid leaving it as an afterthought because it needs to blend in with the rest of your garden. By doing so, you can easily improve your home’s overall appeal through the landscaping. Apart from that, adding the right amount of patio plantings can also enhance your enjoyment of the new addition to your home.
Additional Tips to Keep in Mind
Apart from the aforementioned methods, there are other ways you can plan the perfect patio for your home. For instance, you can consider creating separate seating areas on your patio to make it as versatile as possible. To do this, you can add Adirondack chairs on one side for casual gatherings and traditional lawn furniture and benches in another part of the patio if you have a more formal get-together in mind.
On the other hand, if you live in an area that sees a lot of sun on a daily basis, you may find it hard to enjoy the patio due to the heat. Therefore, don’t hesitate to consider adding a shield to your patio, such as a pergola, trellis or shade trees, to create some form of covering from the sun. By doing so, you’ll be able to enjoy your patio as much as you possibly can.
Looking for someone who can help you build a patio in your home? Simply turn to The Deck Store. We have plenty of experience when it comes to deck and patio construction, and we have skilled installers who are dedicated to providing homeowners with nothing but the best service possible. As such, we are the leading professionals to approach when it comes to patio building and composite decking. Give us a call at (701) 223-1008, or fill out our contact form to get a FREE estimate today! We look forward to working with you.