‘Open plan living’ no longer means creating a free-flowing kitchen, dining, and lounge area inside your home. It now also encompasses the space directly outside your house, extending your living area into your garden and vice versa. The most effective way of achieving this indoor, outdoor lifestyle is to construct an area adjacent to your home which allows for direct access to your garden.

However, there are myriad ways to achieve this and therefore several details you should consider before embarking on your garden transformation, as Phil Marris, Managing Director at Ecodek, explains:

“With any garden renovation project, planning is key. There are several factors to take into consideration, from the materials to use and the colour to choose, to its lifetime value and the amount of maintenance required to keep it looking like new. Doing your research at the start will pay dividends in the long run, resulting in a beautiful outdoor area that you can enjoy for many years to come.”

Mastering materials

“Firstly, you need to decide which material to use to create your new outdoor living area. There are a variety of options on the market, from traditional stone and timber decking to Wood Polymer Composite (WPC) decking.

“Stone patios have long been the ‘go-to’ choice for many homeowners, as they offer a wide selection of colours and designs and can last for several years. However, if installed incorrectly stone slabs can move and sink, and weeds can find their way through to the surface. They can also chip and scratch easily, are costly to replace and require regular cleaning. 

“Timber decking is another popular choice. The warmth of wood can look both beautiful and sophisticated. However, as with stone, timber needs regular maintenance to keep it both safe and stylish. It can also rot and splinter over time making it uncomfortable under foot and unsightly.

“You may think we’re slightly biased, but we do believe wood composite decking is the best choice for your new outdoor area. It has all the beauty of real timber but without any of the drawbacks. Requiring only an occasional clean with warm water, composite decking is rot, split and slip resistant. It is also extremely durable and long lasting.”

Colour considerations

“Whichever material you decide to use, your next decision is which colour to choose. This may seem simple, but with such a wide variety of colours available – especially if you have selected wood composite decking – choosing the right one can be a bit overwhelming. Looking to the design and colour of your home can be a good starting point.

“As your new outdoor area adjoins your home, it is a good idea to choose a colour that matches the interior floor, whether this is light or dark grey, black, or light or dark brown. This can help create a sense of space by bringing the outside floor in and vice versa.

“Another idea is to harmonise with your home’s window and door frames, especially if you have bi-fold or patio doors. For example, anthracite grey decking is the perfect match for a house with grey door and window frames, creating a co-ordinated, contemporary feel.”

Managing maintenance

“Regardless of which material you choose, it is important to research the maintenance each requires. For example, wood composite decking requires very little maintenance, meaning relaxation time is exactly that – you can spend more time entertaining and less time laboriously cleaning. It does not need any paints to protect it from the elements, and only requires an occasional sweep to remove debris and wash to keep it looking its best.

“Timber, on the other hand, requires regular treatments to safeguard it from the weather. This can be both costly and time consuming, yet neglecting this maintenance can cause your timber rot, splinter and become extremely slippery in wet weather. This is the same for stone, where regular cleaning is imperative to prevent the creation of mould which can become unsightly. 

“The costs of cleaning solutions and paints will vary depending on manufacturer. However, regardless of this, you should make allowances in your yearly budget – together with the time it takes to maintain both timber and stone – if you want to keep your new outside area looking lovely.”

Supporting sustainability

“We know that sustainability is important to many of you when it comes to choosing products for your gardens – and although timber and stone seem to be the obvious sustainable choices, it is worth considering that these materials are often sourced from overseas. It may surprise you to hear that wood composite decking can be the most environmentally sound option. Not only does it not require any harmful treatments, which can be released into the atmosphere, but boards such as those manufactured by Ecodek here in the UK are made from up to 95% recycled and sustainably sourced materials and can be recycled themselves numerous times.

 “Overall there are many ways to create your ideal indoor, outdoor living lifestyle. However, whichever material, colour, or design you choose, researching and planning your new decked or patioed area will help to ensure your dream becomes a reality and you are left with an outdoor area that is truly built to last.”

For further information about WPC decking and why it may be the right choice for you, visit www.ecodek.co.uk or call 01978 667 840.