Ideas for Your Winter Patio

Whenever you think of your patio, you probably think of it only in the spring and summer months when the weather is warm, and the snow is nearly gone. Have you ever considered preparing your patio for the winter, and that doesn’t mean you’ll have to purchase everything again. By the time winter is in full swing, everyone in your family will be wishing to get outside and nothing will suit that purpose better than a winter patio.

So what would you need in advance so your patio will work in all seasons instead of one or two? To cut down on wind chill, plan to purchase floor to ceiling shades or blinds. Ones that roll up and down would be sufficient and when not in use can roll up and out of the way. They should attach to the ceiling and floor of your patio to remain in place when in use.

Next, you’ll want some way to heat the area. There are many types of outdoor electric heaters that work well in your winter patio. Outdoor wood burning fireplaces will bring the heat to the area inside the blinds. Just be cautious anytime you have a heat source that they aren’t crowded or touching anything that could cause a fire.

Lighting will be important, and you’ll want more light than the back porch single bulb light. Invest in smaller fixtures where you can aim the light to the right area. Lights on tracks could serve this purpose well.

Harsh metal or plastic patio furniture would be rather uncomfortable in the cold. Cushioned seats with waterproof covers would be preferred and used all year long. Anything that absorbs moisture should be stored away.

Outdoor kitchens work well in the winter especially if they are under a sturdy patio cover. A grill with counter space for preparing food would be sufficient. Many prefer to add other appliances like a small refrigerator, a gas burner, and storage areas.

Whatever you do, you don’t have to do it all at once. You could buy little by little while keeping the entire plan either in your head or drawn out. Buy the grill, then save for the table and chairs, but try to have them all in place before winter arrives.

Check online to find professionals who can help you design your own winter patio. But now you will call it the patio and omit the winter part because you’ll use it all year long.

Millennium Construction specializes in Orange County landscape design, Orange County landscaping and Orange County ca landscaper.

Dress Up Your Pool

When the deck around your pool looks like the sidewalk, it doesn’t need to stay that way. There are ways to dress up the entire area, and when money is the object, you can find ways to make it more attractive.

You can install interlocking tiles on top of the cement, but many are also laid on pea gravel or even on hard-packed surface. Before you install the tile on bare earth make sure the ground is level without bumps or holes. Then place a weed-controlled mat under the tile. There are many colors of tile you could use to match your home decor, or contrast it with a polymer base wood tile. For tile around the pool, use a jigsaw to cut the square tiles to conform.

Tile is not the cheapest, and another quicker way would be to use pool deck paint that’s manufactured especially for pool decks. Most pool deck paint is acrylic and cleans up with water. The paint protects your deck from the sun and other harsh temperatures.

The paints come in a variety of colors, and they normally come with non-slip or skid properties as well. If the manufacturer doesn’t supply it, you can also add sand or pumice to the paint before you apply it.

Whichever types of upgrades you use to dress up your pool deck, the ones listed are easy to achieve for most DIY’ers. Not only do they dress up your back yard, but they help to keep your yard looking good for years to come.

Another thing you could do would be to invest in pots or leave an area where you could add plants.
You’ve already spent a lot on the pool itself, so now finish the job so your yard will be complete. There are many professionals out there that can get the job done in a lot less time than you can. They may be able to give you more advice how you can make the area more usable and attractive and still be within your budget.

Go online and search for a local professional. Find one who will come to your home and give you a free estimate. They know the ins and outs of landscaping. They can tell you what works best in your area, and what won’t work. For instance you don’t want plants planted in dirt close to the pool area. They will also tell you the plants indigenous to your area. You can always use either or all of the ideas listed above, and you alone can needs to decide.

Millennium Construction specializes in Orange County swimming pools, Orange County pools and Orange County ca landscaper.