How To Get The Ideal Outdoor Reno

With the weather warming up and summer fast approaching, now is the time to get your outdoor space ready. Whether it’s a minor touch-up or a complete renovation, creating a beautiful and practical outdoor area can liven up your meals, give you a comfortable place to relax and make entertaining extra-special.

From a brand-new deck to a family-friendly pool and more, there are so many different options to consider. What will complete your outdoor renovation? Here’s what to consider.

A WELL-PLANNED DECK

Turning your traditional patio or verandah into an exciting entertainment space is the perfect way to extend your indoor living space into the outdoors. You’ll want to ensure any materials you use are hard-wearing to stand up against repeated use and the elements (from heavy rain to harsh sunshine), and the renovation itself shouldn’t break the bank.

Choosing a product like Hardie™ Deck means you get all the elegance of a sleek and sturdy deck without the drawbacks of traditional timber. Made from James Hardie’s premium fibre cement, the HardieDeck is a stylish addition to any outdoor space. It works just as well for your exterior dining area as it does around the edges of your pool.

OUTDOOR KITCHEN FOR ENTERTAINING

There’s nothing quite like firing up the barbie and inviting friends and family over for a meal out in the sunshine. A kitchen outside is a great way to use your outdoor space, but you need to ensure the materials around it will be able to withstand the hot summer days and rainy weather, and won’t get stained from spills and dropped food.

Linea Weatherboard is the ideal choice for an outdoor kitchen – not only is it modern, durable and easy to install, but it’s resistant to shrinking, swelling and cracking.

One last thing to remember for any outdoor kitchen renovations: if you plan to install a barbecue on your deck, make sure the flooring is heat resistant and strong enough to support the extra weight of large appliances.

PICTURE-PERFECT POOL

Imagine the quintessential Aussie summer and what do you see? No doubt there’s a refreshing pool involved. It’s the ultimate in indulgence and is the perfect outdoor addition for relaxing afternoons and weekend barbecues.

You’ll want to complement a pool with waterproof and sturdy material. HardieDeck is suitable for decking around the pool because it’s durable, weather-proof and won’t warp like timber from repeated splashing. Linea™ Weatherboard can also be used as screens for privacy around your outdoor area.

REPLACE WINDOWS WITH A SLIDING DOOR

Another way to generate a better indoor-outdoor flow to your home is by replacing those old windows with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. They will instantly create a sense of space and light, while increasing the amount of glass will give you a more expansive view of your backyard or outdoor area.

Once the doors are in place, ensure they are durable by using a product like Axent™ Trim around their edges.

INDOOR-OUTDOOR FLOW

How can you seamlessly blend your indoor space to the outside? With the right cladding solution. While Linea™ Weatherboard delivers that old-world, Hamptons charm, Stria™ Cladding is strikingly versatile, allowing you to play around with styles and aesthetic.

Also, don’t forget about the importance of lighting and privacy in your outdoor entertainment space. While you want to make the most of the great outdoors, you also want to be able to relax in peace.

3 MOST IMPORTANT STEPS FOR YOUR OUTDOOR RENO

Whatever you decide to renovate, always abide by these three key steps:

• Check with your local council about any relevant rules and regulations – also, find out whether you need approval before starting work.
• Create a meticulous design plan for the outdoor area. Just like your DIY projects – measure twice, cut once!
• Finally, lock in the right builder for the project and choose the James Hardie materials to take your outdoor renovation to the next level.

Explore our Design Ideas blog as well as our Inspiration Gallery for fun ideas about on how to create your dream outdoor space. And when you’re ready to get started, use our renovation guide to make sure everything goes to plan!