Home Improvement Blog

Archive for the ‘Exterior’ Category

Patio, can be interpreted as a park located in the middle or in the house. The word itself comes from the Spanish, which means the backyard or garden. While in Australia and in India, said the patio is defined by any kind of outside balcony or porch. In Spain, patio mostly located in the inner courtyard or pavement area that lies between the house buildings and garden. Patio can also be a space outside the house (outdoor space).

Characteristic of the patio is dominated by pavement materials such as cement, natural stone, brick, coral, and others. Thus, the patio is usually interpreted as a dry garden that serves as a space filler in the house and can provide aesthetic value, so the house does not impress monotonous.

In terms of treatment, relatively dry garden is easy and simple. It can also be used as a rain water catchment area by using materials such as pumice stone, coral, sand, and so on. Selection of plants must also be easy in terms of care and maintenance, so as not to bother. The selected plants should not need watering on a regular basis, the need for continuous sunlight, moisture that fits, and others. For example, plants that generally grow in dry areas and less rain, such as shrubs, small-leaved trees, various types of cactus, palm, aloe vera, which is suitable planted inside or outside.

Patio generally serves as a gathering place or relax that relate directly to the building of homes, and usually use the pavement (paving). In conclusion, patio identical to the area of pavement made ​​of concrete, cement, brick, natural stone, and other paving materials.

In terms of design, patio usually follow the style of the house. For example, for a minimalist house, the patio could be placed at various places in the house, for example, beside the house, front porch, next to the dining room or family room, rear garden, even a semi-open bathroom with a transparent roof or without roof. In addition to fiber glass roof, we can also use glass to cover the top, with the aim that the sunlight can still enter and illuminate the plant. Read the rest of this entry »

In a building, the roof is a major protector of the hot sun, wind and rain exposure. However, it is often needed extra protection in the form of additional roof so that sunlight and splashing through the rain water does not enter into the room through a crack in the door and windows. In addition, sunlight and rain that blew constantly, will affect the condition of a building, especially the ‘face’. The longer, the appearance of the house will be damaged, paint color will fade, and the walls are peeling. To fix this, you can use an additional protector such as concrete canopy.

Concrete canopy is a small roof above the opening (door or window), which uses the main material of concrete. Easy to set up and colors that can be likened to the color of its walls or other elements of the facade of the house, became the hallmarks of a concrete canopy. Than if using a fabric canopy, Polycarbonate or wood, which limited in color choice. Not only as protectors, concrete canopy also can affect the look of the house, so the facade of the house would be more “alive”. So for those of you who want to change the facade of the house, without a total remodeling, one that can be done is to change the model or form of the canopy.

Position
Place the concrete canopy over the patio, opening windows, vents, or doors. Canopy located above the main entrance or terrace, serves to reinforce the area of the house. Design canopy over the entrance, usually shaped bay exit the building to make it look eye catching.

Canopy above the window or on top of the vent, serves as an adjunct of the roof, especially for buildings with the main roof is quite high, such as in multistory buildings. Canopy above the window function to prevent splashing rain water as well as to filter the incoming sunlight directly into the room. The design on the canopy above the window can be shaped in the form of continuous facade along the eaves, or can be local according to the size of the window. If you want more varied, the opening of window can also be framed entirely like a box canopy, so that the protective effect may be maximal. Read the rest of this entry »

An outdoor kitchen is a beautiful feature in your home, especially if you want to enjoy a barbecue in the backyard with family members and friends. This is really the best way to entertain your friends because the outdoor of your home is an open space where families and friends can have fun during a weekend break or gather together in a barbecue party. With an outdoor kitchen, you do not have to think about setting your home just because things are all available outside of your home.

Many people want to have an outdoor kitchen for additional benefits and advantages. For one, it allows you to enjoy the view outside. This can be a good idea especially if you want to relax but do not want to leave home. Outdoor kitchen also provides a larger space. For those who have a kitchen outside, you do not have to worry about entertaining your friends because they certainly can move freely outside the home. This is also the perfect place to hang out and enjoy your time with family members, especially during summer when it’s scorching warm in the house.

If you plan to have an outdoor kitchen, what are the factors you should consider? What kitchen equipment that you should have? Here are some tips that will help you:

1. The first thing you should think about is space. It is important to evaluate the area as this will impact on the design and style of kitchen, adjust the size of your equipment and outdoor furniture with common design and style of the outdoor kitchen.
2. Let’s plan about kitchen equipment you need to get? Barbeque grill is an absolute must have for many people, however, some people also need outdoor refrigerator and cooking stoves. This is why you should consider the type of food preparation that you would normally do.
3. You also may need to consider what infrastructure you want to add on outside your kitchen. There are individuals who want to install the shade  in the outdoor kitchen to enjoy the outdoors better. You can even take advantage of the shades of your garden plants that block the direct sunlight.
4. You are also advised to check the electrical lines. Most of the outdoor kitchen appliances and other devices will require electrical plugs so make sure that you have been looking into this already. You may also need to understand that the permit may be required before you proceed with this special outdoor kitchen project, so make sure that you speak to local building agency first.