Home owners and renovators alike always seek to maximise their use of space. And in Australia, outdoor spaces with protection from the elements is crucial to enjoy the gorgeous, but sometimes harsh Australian climate. Luckily, there are many practical and beautiful ways you can extend your ability to enjoy the outdoors. Consider adding an awning, pergola or gazebo to you outdoor areas.
Awnings, Arbours, Pergolas, Gazebos & Cabanas
Awnings
A simple awning attached to the house may be all you need to make a space comfortable and shielded from harsh Australian sun and rain. They act as a canopy over doors and windows and sometimes extend out over decks. There is a large range of stationary and retractable awnings to suit all situations.
Arbours
Arbours are decorative, free standing garden structures that can be moved as required. They often serve as an entrance to a garden area. They can be made from wood or metal and the sides often closed with lattice/ trellis for plants to climb.
Pergolas & Gazebos
Pergolas can be attached to the house, between structures, or more often they are separate structures. They are a permanent fixture constructed using posts, beams and rafters. They are used as a garden feature, often over a deck or paved area, that provides a beautiful oasis in which you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. If you want a striking architectural feature to lift the aesthetics of your backyard, you can’t go past a pergola.
Traditionally pergolas had rafters but no roof covering and deciduous vines and climbers were grown over them to provide gorgeous natural shade in summer and allow sunlight in during the colder months. This traditional pergola style is still extremely popular but nowadays, there are many other options. Some people choose to have a permanent roof on their pergola to shield from sun and rain. These permanent roofing structures can be anything from tin to laserlight. Others go for removable shade sails or even retractable roofing options to give them total control over how they use their garden pergola.
Pergolas are generally constructed of timber, aluminium, brick or natural stone.
Gazebos are similar to a Pergola, but are standalone garden features that are octagonal or round, have a dome roof & are particularly decorative. They are smaller and not as sturdy in their construction as a pergola.
Cabanas
Cabanas maintain the beautiful design aspects of the pergola but take the shelter aspect to the next level. If the southerly buster regularly blows through your outdoor area on those summer evenings when you are entertaining, you may want to further protect you outdoor area by adding 1 or 2 walls to a pergola creating a serene cabana space. You get the best of both worlds with a gorgeous outdoor area that is protected from the harsh Australian elements. More often than not, a cabana is poolside in the backyard and is a fabulous protected space to relax beside the pool on those hot summer days.
Whatever you decide, Living Spaces Carpentry can guide you through the process. With so much drafting experience, Jason can assist with the design and provide sketches so you can visualise the outcomes.
You can rest assured that the quality craftsmanship that comes with a Living Spaces Carpentry build will ensure your structure stands the test of time.