Planning an Outdoor Space: Choosing Material

When planning an outdoor space, choose a material that is beautiful and long-lasting. There are many materials to choose from, and your decision should be based on climate, costs, the purpose for your outdoor space, and required maintenance. Outdoor material should be consistent with the style of your home. Outdoor materials will add shape, color, and texture to your area for a stunning look.

Wood

Wood provides a warm organic look to your outdoor space. It can be used for decks and flooring, overhead structures, railing, fences, stairs, and more. High humidity climates will have to watch for mold and mildew damage. Insects, such as termites can also be a problem. Maintenance requires staining and resealing every two to three years.

The most popular choice is PT or pressure-treated. Pressure-treated wood is the most economical wood material. Usually, pine is chemically treated to resist termites and mold. While durable, it can warp and splinter making it important to weatherproof every two years.

Cedar and Redwood are more expensive, but highly resistant to decay and insects. They are softs woods and can be easily damaged by foot traffic. Both give a distinct hue as they age.

Tropical hardwoods such as Brazilian are increasingly popular and offer a unique look. They come in a variety of colors and are naturally resistant to decay and insects. However, the drawback of tropical wood varieties is that they are expensive and can be difficult to work with.

Concrete

Concrete is economical and durable requiring little maintenance. Homeowners should avoid building a concrete patio over electrical or sewer lines in the yard, in case they need to be dug up in the future.

Poured concrete can be easily manipulated into shapes and is a great choice for a curved patio. If you are looking for a departure from a dull, gray finish, stained concrete provides flair with a wide selection of colors. Stamped concrete mimics the look of brick or natural stone to provide texture to the surface.

Concrete pavers come in various sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns. Pavers are more affordable than natural stone. They are installed in pieces and shift under heavy weight or extreme weather, rather than crack like concrete. One can be replaced at a time if damaged rather than the entire area.

Grass

For those who prefer the splendor of grass, there are several options. If you are looking for immediate gratification, sod or synthetic grass might be a good choice. Synthetic grass has come a long way thanks to technology. It now has a more natural softer look and is recommended for those with pets. Sod has come down in price over the years and can be installed anytime. You can be the envy of the neighborhood with a lush, green yard year-round.

Planting grass is the way to go for those with a green thumb and interested in savings. Preparation is the key to a beautiful lawn. Your local climate will determine if you should plant cool or warm season grasses. If you are not sure, check with a local nursery.

Determining the best materials for your outdoor space will be contingent upon function, affordability, maintenance, budget, and style. There is no shortage of selections when it comes to planning your ideal outdoor escape.