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Decks & Patios

Home improvements increase your home enjoyment, but they also affect your home’s value – adding or upgrading a deck or patio can yield a 50 to 75% return on investment at resale*. These tips will help you plan for your deck and patio improvement needs with a focus on resale value:

Assess – Decide what the main purpose of your deck or patio will be: for entertaining, relaxing, or simply to improve the look and landscape of your yard.  This will help determine the size, layout, and need for things like eating areas and built-in seating.
                                                
Research – Understand whether you require a building permit to meet fire and structural safety standards, even if you’re just upgrading an existing deck or patio.  Contact the zoning department to help locate any underground utilities if you plan on doing any digging.

Materials – Determine the right kind of deck or patio to fit your needs.  Wood is ideal for design flexibility, vinyl is durable and low maintenance, and composites look great and are eco-friendly.  For patios, brick, flags, cobbles, and concrete all offer durable and cost-effective solutions. 

Shape – Create a deck or patio that looks like an extension of your home.  Right angles convey a strong, sturdy look while soft or round angles help create a casual, relaxed atmosphere.  For patios, allocate space in your design for gardens or flowerbeds.

Location – Situate your deck or patio adjacent to an entry door of your home as this will make traffic flow easier when serving a meal or entertaining outdoors.  Decrease the elevation of the deck or patio from the door threshold approximately 10cm to allow for snowfall.

Enclosure – Consider building an enclosure for your deck or patio.  Enclosures made of mesh, glass, or aluminum can help provide shade, protect against insects, and allow you to enjoy your space in the rain and in colder temperatures.

Accessorize – Complement your deck or patio with stylish accessories like wicker chairs, cedar benches, hammocks, wind chimes, and lounge chairs.  Install outdoor electrical outlets so you can enhance the mood with lighting and music, or utilize other electrical devices as desired.

Maintain – Replace rotting boards and rusty nails, and treat wood decks with a water seal each year.  Use a polyurethane compound to minimize the appearance of cracks in your patio and apply a concrete sealant to protect against moisture and UV rays.

A deck or patio is like adding another room to your home.  They’re a great way to expand your living space, get a little closer to nature, and entertain outdoors. Depending on the quality of installation, materials and maintenance, your new deck or patio carries a minimum life expectancy of 15 years.

*Appraisal Institute of Canada

Your home is your haven, and your bedroom is your retreat.  At the end of a busy day, you want to be able to forget about the outside world and focus on getting a good night’s sleep.  Does your bedroom beckon you with a restful and relaxing ambiance?  If not, here are some simple ways to create a bedroom that is comfortable, peaceful, and perfect for catching quality zzz’s. 

Clean your bedroom to help clear your mind.  Tidy away clothes, papers, dishes and anything else that is not conducive to relaxation.  Get into the habit of hanging clothes in the closet or putting them in the laundry basket rather than heaping them on the nearest chair.  Now all you have to do is vacuum, dust or polish, and you’ve made a great start.

2. Decorate for relaxation

Keep the colours in your bedroom neutral using soft, light tones.  If you prefer a little more colour, you can contrast the walls with deeper, dramatic shades in your accessories, such as pillows and throws.  Add some greenery – a healthy plant can act as an air filter and absorb potential toxins from furniture or carpets.

3. Create a breeze

Consider installing a ceiling fan in your bedroom.  Ceiling fans can add an attractive decorative touch while providing a soothing breeze and ventilation.  Ceiling fans are also great for muffling external noises, so you can drift away to sleep uninterrupted.

4. Lose the lights

Exposure to even moderate levels of light at night can throw off the body's internal clock.  Consider room darkening shades or curtains to help keep the light out while you rest.  When adding light is necessary, use soft white lights or candles to help create serenity.

Classical music can set a tranquil mood.  A CD of natural sounds (waves or rain), or even a small water fountain in your room can provide a calming effect and quiet an active mind.  Some people find a white noise machine to be comforting as well.

6. Keep distractions out

Keep the computer, T.V., and PDA out of the bedroom.  Stimulating the mind before trying to get a good night’s sleep is counter-productive.  Electronic devices can be very distracting.  It’s important to make a mental separation between your bedroom and the outside world so you can concentrate on sleeping.

There’s nothing more inviting at the end of a day than falling into a comfortable bed with a good quality mattress, clean sheets and plump pillows.  Cool cotton sheets are lovely to slip into in the summer, while flannel provides winter warmth and jersey knits offer a happy medium, cozy without being too heavy, suitable for the spring and fall.

Now all you have to do is keep the temperature just right. Most people sleep best in a slightly cooler room.  Adjust the windows and/or thermometer to find the optimal temperature for you.  Sleep tight!