Patios Belong To New And Old Homes

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31764, 22 August 1968, Page 10

Patios Belong To New And Old Homes

Although gardeners tend to look on August as the first month of spring, there has not been much yet to suggest that balmy days are just round the corner.

But, despite the weather, it is now time for local home-owners to prepare for lovely evenings on the terrace. For in recent years outdoor living has become most Donular in New Zealand.

Patios, sun decks, terraces, outdoor rooms—call them what you like—seem to be an inevitable part of any new house and are being added to many older homes as well. Typically, the patio consist* of a level area, paved overall, and protected from the wind (and neighbours) by a fence or screen. It is usually open to the sky,

although it is sometimes covered in whole or in part by a roof. Ideally it should open off the living room, thereby extending the living area beyond the walls of the house, and have a northerly aspect so that it will get the sun throughout the day. The great advantage of a patio is that it is cheaper than adding a new room and is not beyond the do-it-your-self abilities of the home handyman. But before you start your patio there are some things you ought to know and some decisions you have to make. Extra Room If your patio is to be treated as part of the house, as an extra room, then it must be designed as such. It must be in proportion neither over-dominant nor a mere strip of paving. Most people do not make their patios big enough. They tend to think of space in the same terms as for an Indoor room, but actually these terms are seldom relevant In a room, size is governed by the walls, the floor area, the windows and the ceiling. In a patio these points of reference do not exist or at the most exist only in a modified form. Where the sky is the only ceiling, the floor area must be larger than that of a normal room or the patio will appear cramped. More Space Also, outdoor furniture takes up more space. Wooden patio chairs, tables and lounges are bulkier than their indoor counterparts. Remember that a patio is frequently required to do the work of three indoor rooms—kitchen, living room and dining room, with each room’s furniture and trappings. It may be, of course, that your space is limited. If this is so care should be taken not to overcrowd the area available.

Use moderately sized furniture and resist the temptation to have too many large plants. A portable barbecue will take less space than a built-in one. Floor Pattern Small-scale repetitive patterns on the floor will seem to widen the area, as will a solid surface such as concrete. Tiles or flagstones should be avoided where the pattern is large. A curved or slanting outer boundary fence also gives the impression of greater size. The most important aspect of the patio (and the biggest job for the home handyman) is, of course, the floor. Attention to detail when laying it and choice of the right materials will pay dividends in case of future maintenance. There are three types of material which can be used for the floor: solid, such as poured concrete, asphalt or a wooden deck; modular, such as bricks, tiles, flagstones or concrete blocks; and granular, such as gravel, marble chips or crushed stone. Swift Drainage All have their advantages, and your choice will depend on conditions and personal preference. However, some guides as to choice can be given. Whatever material you choose, it should have a pleasing surface texture, soft rather than bard and slick, be capable of drying quickly and present a nonslip surface to the feet in all weathers. It should be easy to take care of and should not require frequent overhauling. In bad weather it should not buckle, sag, crack or melt—nor be too hot to walk on in bare feet It should have swift drainage and should harmonise with the house and the garden. Find out whether or not you can lay it yourself and what the cost is.

Of the more common materials, brick has a pleasing, non-glare appearance, is non-skid and easy to lay. It blends well with most other materials and the cost is not crippling. The main disadvantages are that bricks are hard to clean and rough and irregular underfoot Concrete can be poured in squares by the handyman and is not too expensive if owner-handled. There are several finishes and textures. The disadvantages are that it can be rather cold and impersonal and cracks easily if not properly laid. Durable Base Asphalt is inexpensive and does well on a durable base. It can be laid in small amounts by the amateur, but a professional is needed for smooth, level surfaces. Flagstones are probably the most expensive form of paving but give unmatched permanence if properly laid. To some people, however, they appear hard and quarry-like, and the colours and patterns are often bard to work into, a subdued result Fence Style Tiles give a smooth dressy look and are particularly suitable if the same floor runs indoors. They are, however, expensive and hard to lay. Granular materials, such as gravels and crushed brick, are best used to supplement paved surfaces. For privacy and protection from the wind a fence around your patio may well be a necessity. You can build either a solid fence—of boards, plywood sheets or plastic panels—or a partly open fence of alternating boards, woven strips, slats or pickets. Roof Forms Whether or not your patio needs a roof is a matter of personal preference. Usually it involves a compromise between keeping out the rain and letting in the sun. offers slight shade and some The “egg-crate” grid roof offers slight shade and some protection from the weather, but the general effect is probably more psychologi-

cal than protective. It can be used to smooth over the usually sharp break between indoor and outdoor living.

Much the same as the grid-type roof is the lattice or lath structure common to many patios. Koofs of this design look particularly attractive if vines are trained to grow over them.

Glass and plastic roofs can completely shield the patio from rain while allowing solar light and beat to enter unimpeded. Both glass and plastic come in an assortment of colours, but plastic is easier to install.

Canvas is probably the most versatile of all forms of roofing, and canvas awnings can be designed to slide back and forth as required.