Once you’ve created your ideal outdoor space, you want to ensure it stays looking as good as the day you finished installing it. There are a few methods you can employ to ensure you prevent the wear and tear of your outdoor space.
Discover how to protect your outdoor area from the elements, so you can enjoy it for many years to come.
Take care of your timber
Wood is a popular type of material found in backyard designs due to its timeless look. While it is a hardy material, wooden surfaces such as a timber deck or wood furnishings require some maintenance to protect from all the elements.
Oiling and staining are both important methods to take good care of your timber deck. Oiling your deck is designed to ensure longevity, while keeping its natural timber colour, whereas staining your deck will slightly enhance the current colour due to the higher levels of pigment. Both methods will maintain the smooth surface of your timber deck without the worry of splinters, making it a safer area for young children and pets.
Sealing your timber deck once a year will also help to prevent water and moisture soaking through, ensuring it doesn’t lose its shape. This can be caused by constant sun exposure, humidity, rain, and other outdoor elements, so sealing your deck is an important method to protect it.
Keep your furniture looking fresh
The scorching summer sun and heavy winter rain can cause weather damage to outdoor furniture over time – particularly if you don’t have an overhead structure such as a pergola or verandah for added protection. If you have recently decked out your outdoor area with beautiful furniture, there are a few ways to keep the pieces looking fresh for years to come.
Covering your outdoor furniture is a simple and effective way to get the most out of your investment. Covers are also a great solution if you don’t have the room to store your alfresco furniture indoors when wet wintery weather is forecasted. Opt for heavy-duty covers, which offer water-resistance and UV-resistance for maximum protection, preventing rusting and rotting from occurring.
Another way to prolong the lifespan of your furniture is with regular cleaning. Each week, give your furniture a five-minute wash down with your garden hose to avoid any build-up of dirt and grime. For a deeper clean, use cleaning products that are safe for the furniture material. For instance, wood and metal furnishings can be cleaned lightly with water and detergent.
When you’re not using your outdoor space, best practice is to store your smaller accessories like cushions and throw pillows away. If you have enough space, consider purchasing outdoor storage boxes to keep these in top notch condition. Alternatively, keep them indoors or in your garage when they’re not being used to prevent mildew, sun damage and dirt build up.
If you have just moved into your new home and are looking to select outdoor furniture, it’s worthwhile considering weather resistant materials such as wicker, teak, iron, and aluminum.
Pergola protection
Outdoor structures like pergolas are designed to add shade to your outdoor space. They’re great for providing shelter from harsh UV rays, so you can spend more time in your backyard enjoying those blissful summer afternoons with family and friends without the worry of getting sunburnt. Pergolas also provide protection for your outdoor items such as furniture, barbecue, cushions and even your timber deck, ensuring they won’t fade, dry or crack, giving them a much longer life.
Pergolas also protect your outdoor furniture from wintry weather, keeping them safe and dry from rain and hail damage.
There are many different types of pergolas you can choose from to suit your outdoor space, from gable to gazebo. Having a small backyard doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice having shade, as pergolas can be custom designed to suit any backyard situation.
What about style? If you have classic style home, you may opt for a timber pergola to add beauty and warmth. Whereas, if you have a contemporary style home you may opt for a steel pergola to create a perfect bold, minimalist statement.
Enclose your space with outdoor blinds
Another way to safeguard your outdoor space is by installing outdoor blinds. By completely enclosing your space with outdoor blinds, you gain an extra room and protection from the weather – so you can entertain in the warm summer months as well as the wet winter months.
Outdoor blinds are a seamless and sleek way to protect your outdoor items from the weather, helping to extend their lifespan. By simply lowering your blinds when it gets too hot, cold or windy, you are able to continue to entertain or relax in comfort anytime time of the day without having to go inside. They also help to keep dust out and unwanted insects away, ensuring your outdoor space stays cleaner for longer.
Outdoor blinds offer different levels of protection depending on the range you select. The Bella Crystal and Bella Bronze range of external blinds feature marine grade PVC, offering protection from the wind and rain, while still allowing you to enjoy your backyard views.
For protection from harsh UV rays, the Bella Opaque range of blinds is made with a 2×2 weave, so you, your outdoor area and even your outdoor furniture can be completely protected.
Depending on your preference, outdoor blinds can be operated manually or automatically at the touch of a button. They can also be custom designed to suit your home.
If you’re thinking that now is the time to protect your outdoor space from the elements, we can help you with our custom designed range of products. Fill out the free measure and quote form at the top of this article to get started!
Australian Outdoor Living is passionate about helping people love their life outdoors. We offer a range of products, including:
- Outdoor Blinds
- Artificial Grass
- Roller Shutters
- Carports
- Timber Decking
- Pergolas, Verandahs and Patios
- Outdoor Kitchens
