Historically speaking, the outdoor portion of a home has always been considered secondary to the interior. The outdoor area consisted of little more than a small area of grass and some cheap plastic furniture. However, that has now completely changed! Many Australians are taking outdoor living much more seriously today by utilising decks, alfresco areas, and gardens as true extensions of their homes, not just places to put their barbecues during the warmer months.
One of the main challenges with outdoor living spaces is that Mother Nature does not play fair. The bitterly hot summer sun, the torrential rains after the sun goes down, and the coolness of winter can make it extremely difficult to use your outdoor living space for many months out of the year. This is where smart design and flexible infrastructure come into play.
Why Flexibility Is the Goal
An outdoor space is most effective when it is adaptable. Outdoor spaces need to be set up for different weather types, seasons and various uses – such as a dinner party, a relaxed Sunday afternoon or a children’s birthday party; without having to change the entire set up for each use.
These adaptations require investment in infrastructure for shade, shelter, lighting and heat, which form the four basic building elements of effective outdoor spaces. When you have these elements covered, you have improved opportunities for using outdoor spaces longer and in more ways.
The Case for Retractable Roof Systems in Melbourne
Melbourne frequently exhibits unpredictable weather during all seasons making it understandably well-known for its reputation of having four seasons experienced in the same day. Solid patio covers and fixed pergolas are an excellent option for providing shade; however, both options suffer from blocking sun glare when you need it the most, producing dark and tunnel-like environments on gloomy days, and not providing any form of air circulation during humid evenings.
The emergence of retractable roof systems has proven successful in providing homeowners a solution for resolving at least some of these issues due to retractable roofs allowing owners complete control regarding how much shading/covering they choose while enjoying their outdoor patio. Thus, you can open up your patio at sunrise, retract the roof before rainstorms develop in the pm, or adjust the position of the roof if you want filtered dappled sunlight coming through onto the patio area during warm fall afternoons.
Retractable roof systems in Melbourne come with high-quality engineering that provides materials having UV (ultraviolet radiation) resistant quality fabrics, a wind rating sufficient to allow for normal windy conditions represented in an average suburban residential setting, and have a motorised method of opening and closing the roof covers eliminating the need to struggle opening and closing the roof using a manual mechanism when rain begins falling.
Layering the Space with Other Flexible Elements
Although the addition of a retractable roof to the space is a good start, using multiple layers will greatly enhance the area. Side blinds or screens will help control wind and provide privacy while still leaving the area open to the outdoor elements. Use of thermostat controlled heaters for outdoor space will extend the use of the outdoor space into the winter months.
The type of furniture used should be carefully selected as well. Modular seating systems that have the capability of being reconfigured, tables that can be stored as side tables, weather-resistant materials that do not require covering or uncovering each time the weather changes will all help to reduce friction, thus increasing the likelihood that the area will actually be utilised.
Think Long-Term Value
Having a functional outdoor space year-round makes a significant impact on both the market value of your property and the way you live day to day. It provides additional family living space and gives your guests more room to come and visit you. Investing in quality infrastructure pays off every day in terms of how much better your life will be!
