While at Wizard Home Improvement we understand that all the DIY TV shows can make building and renovation look so easy in the 15-minute snippet they show. When starting to plan for a new project for your home, it may be tempting to take on a project yourself and save some money in the process. But if you’re thinking about building and extending, an inexperienced person having a go at DIY can take longer, in some cases end up costing more – or worst of all, causing injury. Hiring a professional will get the job done right and done quickly the first time.

The first advantage of hiring a licensed professional

is just that – they are licensed. To become a licensed tradesperson, you need to provide of qualifications and practical experience for a specified period of time. If you have hired somebody who is licensed, you have assurance that they know what they’re doing because they have had to prove it. The license is an assurance of their qualification.

Time is another big difference between DIY and professional.

You are likely to have your project completed faster by a professional for a few reasons. When completing a project yourself, you have to fit it in around the rest of your life. This means you aren’t working on it while at work or looking after family. The work is mostly going to occur on the weekend and, if the project is a big one, it may stretch out for weeks (and you will lose all of your downtime). A professional, however, is working on your project as their full-time job. That means that instead little bits and pieces being done occasionally, it’s all getting done at once until it is done. Instead of weeks or months you are looking at days before you’re done.

The DIY tradesman has a steep learning curve ahead of them.

While it may be easy to imagine something like a new pergola, you may not have had any experience building something like that. It will take time to research and understand how to build something like that, especially with safe structural considerations. This will add time to your project (and maybe some learning through trial and error).

When you hire a licensed professional, they don’t have to learn how to complete the job. It’s their trade and they already have the necessary skills and knowledge required for the build. Even seemingly simple jobs, like installing electric outdoor blinds in Sydney or awning will be done quickly and well by a professional. You’ll be surprised at how good it can look after so short a time.

A licensed professional has the best tools for the job

To go along with the knowledge and experience, a professional has the best tools. This shows in the calibre of their work. Often even the most skilled DIY person won’t get quality results if they are using cheap tools. For a single job you won’t want to be forking out for trade standard tools.

The right professional will manage the project for you too.

Depending on what you require it can start with plans and design. From there most tradespeople will know any council regulations and can often advise or help with the application process. You won’t have to source materials, as that will all be part of the job. Hire a professional tradesperson and instead of battling the crowds on the weekend trying to find the one person serving to every hundred customers, go through the plans and specify the material, and it will all be sorted out by them.

Materials are a costly part of any project.

While your local hardware warehouse claims the lowest prices, and may seem cheap and easy, often a licensed tradesperson will have access to even better pricing through trade discount. When supplying a professional with materials, the seller will take into account the potential ongoing business and price as an incentive to secure this business. This usually means that material prices will be lower than retail, offsetting the cost of hiring a pro.

You may not have a choice in some cases and will have to hire a professional. If lighting and electrical are a part of your new build, DIY is not an option. In Australia, 240V electricity is used and it can be deadly. By law you are required to have any electrical work completed by a licensed electrical contractor. If you do it yourself, you leave yourself open to hefty fines, likely voiding your insurance and, most importantly, risking serious injury to somebody or yourself.

While you may fancy yourself a bit of a DIY talent, hiring a licensed professional will have the job completed quickly and properly. You won’t be robbed of your free time and you’ll have the job skillfully completed.

Looking for a licensed professional to help you with your next project? Get in touch with us at Wizard Home Improvements.

Related tag: Cost Of Pergola Sydney

The post The Cost of Granny Flats, Pergolas, & Other Home Improvements appeared first on Wizard Home Improvements.

Remember that time you visited a friends house that didn’t look like much from the street, but on the inside was an absolute dream? This happens all too often in Australia, particularly in suburbs with not so attractive mid-century brick and mortar homes scattered around the suburbs. Often as Australians, we will renovate our homes, transforming the interior into a dream home, fixated on which way the light will fall in the new living room, what the furniture will look like, how comfortable it will feel. It’s easy to get lost in this vision when you’re in the midst of building, but don’t get too carried away, because there is more to think about than the inside!

First impressions matter

Strangely, we often leave the facade untouched, or give it a half-hearted makeover when renovating our homes. This could be a big mistake. First impressions are super important, especially if you’re thinking of selling or leasing your home. If a passer by sees a For Sale or For Rent board outside your home, but the paintwork is cracked, the garden overgrown, and the driveway uncared for, they might walk on by without a second glance. Improving the street frontage of your home could also increase the value. As humans, perception has a huge influence on our opinions, so if a home seems well kept, and modern from the front, that could hold sway for how potential buyers see the inside, and ultimately how much money they might be willing to spend on it.

Here are five tips for updating your front facade, that will quickly make an impact on how your home looks from the street.

1. Fix the facade

It’s amazing what a lick of paint can do. If your home is weatherboard, keep the paintwork maintained, and your home will always look immaculate. Most good quality outdoor paints last up to 10 years, so it’s not a huge job to take on too regularly. If your home is brick, think about rendering the front facade, which gives it a smooth, modern look, and can instantly lift the home’s features, such as the windows, eaves and garden. Rendering also allows you to paint it a different colour, meaning you’re no longer stuck with those hideous mission brown or burnt red bricks you were never really a fan of!

2. Give the garden a makeover

“But I don’t have a green thumb!” We can hear you screaming. That’s fine, a beautiful garden doesn’t have to be hard work. There are plenty of plants that require little to no maintenance at all, and keep your garden looking fresh and cared for. The most resilient, and least demanding plants are usually succulents and some natives. If you do have a green thumb, however, why not double up your front garden as a kitchen garden, planting edible flowers, vegetables and herbs? For more garden inspiration and ideas, click here.

3. Dress the windows

If you’ve recently renovated your home, or are in the process, and thinking of keeping the old window dressings, listen up. If you’re trying to lease out a property that has heavy, messy curtains in the street-facing windows, you need to listen up too. Window dressings have a huge impact on the facade of a house, often either making or breaking it. Blinds that are falling down hint at an uncared for student house, and force a potential tenant to question what else might not be 100% inside. When a home is simple, and otherwise not much to look at, plantation shutters or clean outdoor blinds provide an instant lift to the facade of the home, offering a glimpse of modern glamour inside. For a home that’s renovated on the inside, window dressings tie that into the outside.

4. Add a patio

As Australian homes are shrinking in size, many don’t have the huge backyards they once did. This might mean that your front garden is your only outdoor area, and one you want to use for entertaining. Adding a patio not only extends your living areas outside, but also adds to the facade creating a welcoming path between the street and your home.

5. Fence it in

Whatever you do, don’t get to the end of your reno and realise you’ve run out of money to put in a new fence, only to be left with the half-falling down one that was there originally. A clean, tidy fence, not only serves to keep your pets from running onto the street, it frames the home.
It’s not just about aesthetics either, where a picket fence provides the perfect border to your garden and house, a taller fence can provide much needed privacy for an outdoor entertaining area, extending your home outdoors.

Whatever you choose to do with your home during a renovation, it’s important, to plan for the front facade and garden too. Whether you choose to extend your living spaces outside with an entertaining deck and enclosed courtyard, or frame the home with a cottage garden and picket fence, making over the front facade of your home can improve your living space, increase the value of your home, and if nothing else, is a way to show of a glimpse of your home inside.

The post Renovating? Don’t forget the facade! appeared first on Wizard Home Improvements.

Whether it’s a cool, tree-lined patio in central Queensland that acts as a walkway to the pool; a modern, raised deck on the coast to capture the ocean vista, or a bright and warm Snowy Mountains sunroom to absorb the sun’s rays on a cold winter’s day, Aussies have an affinity with the outdoors and want to bring it inside as much as possible. This can be a bit of a problem, though, with rising housing costs and high competition forcing people to buy older homes that are smaller than they desire.

The solution, of course, is an extension and this sounds easy enough – particularly if you’re not limited by space restrictions – but there are certainly a few aspects that need to be considered before you just knock down a wall and slap a new alfresco space onto the back, side or front of your older-style home.

Careful research and planning is the key, preferably with the consultation of a trained home additions professional. Consulting with a professional can help you understand what restrictions you’ll have in regards to development laws.

Usage

One of the first things you’ll need to consider is what your addition will be used for. Will it be a dining area shaded by a patio? Would you prefer a deck with a fence for the kids to run around on? Perhaps you’d prefer the views, but not the wind, rain and noise, so a sunroom might be the go – whatever you choose, you need to ensure the space you end up with is perfectly suited to your needs.

Flooring

Your next decision will be to determine what your outdoor area’s flooring will be constructed from. You can choose from a number of options, from traditional –and still very popular – timber decking (pine or Merbau, for instance), concrete flooring (polished, patterned or plain), indoor or outdoor tiles, or carpet for enclosed spaces. Your flooring can be determined based on your preference, but you will also need to consider other factors, such as where your extension will be located, whether it’s raised or not, what protection it will have from the elements, whether there are any environmental factors to consider, as well as a number of other aspects.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll also need to consider how it will blend in – or complement – your existing home. This is particularly true if you already have some type of existing ground covering.

Making the right connections

Next, you’ll need to envision how you’d like your outdoor space or extension to attach to your existing home. Would you like the area to act as a separate room, with an existing door opening between the sections, or do you want to extend an entire room out, knocking out the separating wall? Do you want your new space to be open to the outside, maybe using bi-fold or sliding doors to achieve this effect?

You’ll also need to consider the material used to construct any extending walls, as well as the wall your extension will connect to (if any). If your existing home is timber for instance, perhaps you’d like your extension to blend in seamlessly by building it out of similar looking timber. Alternatively, you might want to attach brick to timber or similar, in order to attain a desirable contrast between two complementing surfaces.

Top it all off

Similar to the above point, you’ll need to decide on roof materials and designs, if you’re going to attach a roof or awning. Would you like tile, Colorbond steel or aluminium? How about fabric awning options – and if so, would a sheer material serve your purposes better than an opaque one? Should you stick to the safe option of using the same colours as your original roof, or do you want to be bold and use your awning as a design feature with contrasting colours and materials?

Functional considerations

The above steps can become confusing, but to help narrow down your options, you can determine what materials you’d like to use based upon the reasons for building your extension. If you want optimum weatherproofing, you might opt for the enclosed room with an insulated roof. If you want something that’s light and breezy, opt for the fabric awnings in a light colour or sheer fabric opacity. Your roof shape options will also be narrowed down by the shape of your existing roof and the materials you’d like to use. Writing down a list that compares your needs, wants and requirements is always a good idea.

Fuse the old with the new

Finally, whether you conform to your existing exterior or add something that complements it by the clever use of contrasting materials and colours, it’s always a good idea to integrate your interior décor with your exterior space. Stick to similar colour themes and similarly grouped materials (indoor tiles with similar outdoor tiles or natural wood with rugged brick, for example). That way, you’re going to make the new space feel like an extension of your old space, rather than a separate area. Again, it’s definitely a great idea to consult with a professional.

The post HOW TO MIX THE OLD WITH THE NEW WHEN EXTENDING OUTDOORS appeared first on Wizard Home Improvements.

If you’re reading this, it’s likely because you have decided you would like to commit to an addition or alteration to the outside area of your home. Whether you’d like to add an entire room, a patio, a deck or just a cubby house for the kids, there are certain steps you need to take to ensure you’re complying with all relevant local and state building regulations.

To somebody who has never dealt with all the bureaucracy of planning and development before, it can seem like an extremely daunting process; however, it’s actually less trouble than you probably think. This is especially true if you build with a reputed company – like Wizard Home Improvements – who will take you step-by-step through the process and handle all of your council approvals for you.

Where To Begin?

Most people would assume that the first step in planning an addition or renovation is to go outside, choose a site to build on and dream up what you want. Well, you certainly can do that, but your dreams may dissolve into nothing if you then go to apply for approval and discover you’re not allowed to even build in the area you planned to build in! That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a look at what and where you’re allowed to build BEFORE you start dreaming up designs.

Depending on what you want, you may not even need approval to build. Minor projects and constructions that don’t infringe on specific land requirements and standards are called ‘exempt development’. These can be either residential, commercial and industrial developments that are very low impact items, such as painting a building, erecting a fence, adding a carport or even building a deck, in some cases. You can determine whether you’ll need approval for a project by visiting the very handy Electronic Housing Code System tool, or the Interactive Building tool.

It should be noted too that – regardless of the exemption status – different rules apply in some cases. Where a home or property is situated in a conservation area, a fire or flood-prone area, where a road widening is planned, near contaminated land or listed as a Heritage building or on the State Heritage Register, you will need to consult with your local council to determine your ability to construct or alter your property. You can check which planning controls apply to your property online, by visiting the NSW Government’s Planning Portal.

What’s Next?

After you’ve determined whether or not you need planning approval, the next step is to actually obtain approval where needed. As previously mentioned, a professional like Wizard Home Improvements can organise this for you, or you can visit your local council to speak to a representative. Alternatively, you can Lodge a Development Application online at the Planning Portal.

You then need to inform your neighbours of your plans. This is legally required and needs to be done at least seven days prior to beginning work on your construction. You can find templates to notify them in writing at the bottom of this link.

Finally, you’ll then have the chance to select and draw up your plans with a professional builder or architect and have your building contracts written up, which will outline the work to be undertaken and the costs involved. Also ensure you find out if your home insurance will cover the renovation work and obtain extra insurance if they do not. The last step is to build your construction or renovation, which can be done very quickly if you’re working with Wizard. Then you can sit back and enjoy your beautiful new addition or renovation!

For more information on council restrictions please see our Free Build Guide.

The post Council restrictions for outdoor living appeared first on Wizard Home Improvements.

1. Go for gold

Gold pots, lights, cushions and furniture, you name it. Adding a splash of glitzy gold adds an element of glamour while brightening up the space. Turning your space a warmer hue with golden lights will make you feel like it’s golden hour on a tropical island every night of the week.

Image via Some Rolling Stone.

2. Edible gardens

As our lives become increasingly urban, sustainability and returning to simple processes like cultivating one’s garden and cooking are growing in popularity. Even just adding a row of herbs will help you to add flavour to your home cooked meals. If space permits you can branch out into a variety of fruit and veg from tomatoes and chilli’s through to avocados and mangoes. Delicious.

Image via Star Apple Edible + Fine Gardening.

3. Succulents

Succulents are on trend right now; and for good reason too. They are durable, drought tolerant and come in a huge variety of colours and shapes. You can find micro-sized versions and if planted in a big enough space, they can grow into large vines and bushes.

Image via Apartment Therapy.

4. Look to the desert for inspiration

This summer it’s all about that late afternoon hour, but in the desert. Think pale pinks, greys, reds and faint pastels. Combine these with your gold and your outdoor area will be totally transformed.

Image via Atelophilia.

5. Permeable paving

Permeable paving is popular for both its sustainable features and natural aesthetic. Built over a bed of aggregates rather than a cement slab, permeable paving is designed to drain water instead of holding on to it. This means you won’t have to deal with puddles after rain, and the water is cleaned of pollutants as it passes through.

Image via The Huffington Post.

6. Vertical Gardens

Stuck with a small space? No stress, just go vertical. Vertical gardens can be grown with a variety of plants from florals, to evergreens and herbs. Think about whether you want colours, a shade canopy, or deciduous plants that will lose leaves in the fall, opening up the space to more sunlight.

Image via Revistaad.

7. Outdoor living and dining

In summer we all want to live outside right? Well make your outdoor space inviting enough that you actually do. Think about what you need most, and what furniture would suit your lifestyle best. Do you entertain frequently? Perhaps an alfresco dining area would work best, with an outdoor kitchen or BBQ area. Will your family be playing outside all summer long? Maybe think about creating a comfortable, shaded outdoor lounge area.

Image via Bloglovin.

8. Mix bold colours

Bright and bold colours are in this year. Think of the blue ocean in santorini mixed with deep purple, lime green or peach. This works both as a block colour or in a pattern with sour green and white to offset the bold blue. Go for coastal and country colour palettes for a real summer holiday vibe.

Image via Architectural Digest.

The post Summer Outdoor Design Trends 2015 appeared first on Wizard Home Improvements.

Sydney Home Improvement: Remodel the Kitchen

It’s just as the saying goes – the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, therefore home improvements in the kitchen are the most likely to pay off when it matters. That said; don’t go overboard when it comes to renovating your kitchen. This is a room that should look like a place for people to come together and eat, but it shouldn’t make the rest of the house look grey in comparison. While great huge stainless steel fittings and appliances look great, remember that the home is most likely going to cater for a small family and not a small army, so the kitchen should be fitted out to suit.

Sydney Home Improvement: Put a Bathroom On It

If your home currently only has one bedroom, ask yourself ‘why?’ and then maybe consider adding a second one. You can recoup a substantial amount of your investment by adding a second bathroom – around 80-130%, actually!

When looking for room in your home that could be better used as an extra bathroom, consider ‘extra’ rooms or underutilised spaces. If you’re tight on space, a toilet and sink may prove sufficient – slightly larger spaces could benefit from having the works done: a full bathtub and sink.

Sydney Home Improvement: All Hands On Deck!

Sydney’s real estate agents are constantly saying that people selling their homes should add a timber deck in order to increase the value of their property, and they’re right – reports have said that these sturdy outdoor entertainment areas essentially increase the value of your property dollar-for-dollar. Why is this? With staycations becoming more commonplace in Sydney, backyards around town are now being renovated to create outdoor living and entertainment areas – an extension of the inside, if you will. The costs of adding an outdoor deck to your home will vary depending on how complex you want the structure to be. As with the kitchen, you want the area to stand out, but not so much so that the rest of the house loses value. Wizard Home Improvements are the experts when it comes to outdoor entertainment areas and can lay down a deck to suit any backyard and any budget – call us today to see how we can help with increasing the resale value of your property.

Sydney Home Improvement: Repurpose a room

Space in Sydney doesn’t come cheap, so why waste what little square meterage you have by leaving it unused? If you’ve got a dust-collecting area, come in with a lick of paint and you can convert it into another bedroom or even as a second living room – those slanted roofs are perfect for projecting movies on to!  Before you get too excited knocking down walls and installing new light fixtures, think long and hard about the ways that you (or potential buyers) would use the space. Versatile rooms have greater appeal to potential buyers.

Sydney Home Improvement: Be Green, See Green – Make Your Windows Energy-Efficient

Most people in Sydney have cottoned on to the fact that climate change is a real thing and, in order to reduce their carbon footprint, are purchasing with energy efficiency in mind. Investing in windows with a WERS (Window Energy Rating Scheme) label on them  – the Cooling Star shows how well they stop the heat from entering the house, and the Heating star shows how well they keep the heat in. The maximum rating is 5 stars, which is a sign of the best possible performance. You can expect to recoup 60-90% of your costs when you invest in energy-efficient windows.

Sydney Home Improvement: Stay Warm When It’s Cold, Cool When It’s Hot

Sydney prides itself on its old terraces and workers cottages, but if yours is lacking basic insulation and has old doors that let in plenty of hot and cold air, home inspectors working with potential buyers will note this. Homes that are not modified with energy efficiency in mind cost more to live in and maintain. Updating your home to save energy is not as expensive as you’d think, and it pays off in the long run. Our suggestion for energy-efficient windows is a good start, but you could also add insulation into your roof, seal cracks around the house, etc. If you need to replace your hot water heater, it pays in dividends to purchase a high-efficiency water heater – this cuts energy bills down by using more economical methods of heating water.

Sydney Home Improvement: Make A Lasting First Impression – Curb Appeal

Just like in life, first impressions matter when it comes to prospective buyers and your home. When prospective buyers are pulling up to the property, it’s likely that they’ll make their mind up whether or not they’ll consider putting in an offer within the first 30 seconds. Even if you think that you’ve done a good job of maintaining it over the years, it doesn’t hurt to do a quick bit of spit and polishing before the first inspection – gurney down the driveway, trim the trees, you get the idea. Anything to make it look as new as the day you bought it.

Sydney Home Improvement: Bits and Pieces

The most basic, banal-seeming updates and chores will actually be the most influential on the overall value of your home. Freshen up paint jobs and make sure to cover up any minor holes or dings that have settled in over the course of your stay. Replace rotting wood, get rid of any mould that you find, do the upkeep that generally gets overlooked but is important to the integrity of your property’s structure. General maintenance is inexpensive and a well-maintained house will be of greater value than a similar house that has forgone regular maintenance activities.

After living in a home that you’ve been in for a while, it can be hard to let go – especially once it’s clean and freshly renovated! However, once the offers start rolling in you’ll realise that the time and money spent on your project was all worth it. Just by putting in a little bit of consideration for design and a little bit of elbow grease, you can watch your home transform in front of your very eyes and increase its overall value.  All of the renovations we’ve listed are relatively (some with a bit of additional help) and offer large returns on investment.

If you’re seeking help with home improvements before selling a property, contact the team at Wizard Home Improvements today. We have more than 20 years experience in design and construction work and are specialists in improving the look and value of your home.

The post Sydney Real Estate: How can home improvements increase the resale value of your property? appeared first on Wizard Home Improvements.

How to Clean your Deck: Sustainable Deck-Cleaning Solutions for Sydney’s Decks

At first glance a deck may come across as a fairly basic structure, but your outdoor entertainment areas require regular maintenance in order for them to last the test of time. After months of weather damage, impact from foot traffic, unsightly grease stains from the barbecue and general wear and tear from daily use, your deck may not be looking as perfect as the day it was built.

Renewing and rejuvenating your deck regularly is the best way to keep it looking nicer for longer (make sure you check out our post on staining your deck). Being environmentally conscious while doing so is not only good for your garden, your conscience and the environment overall, but – if you choose to make your own cleaner – easy on the wallet, too. If you end up choosing to buy an eco-friendly cleaner, ensure that you avoid chlorine bleach, instead opting for a biodegradable wood cleaner that won’t contaminate the groundwater or harm vegetation when it’s rinsed off the deck.

However, making your own deck cleaner with vinegar or apple cider vinegar as a base will see your deck spring back into life, while also removing resistant rust stains, keeping pests at bay and making the soil acidic for your plants – azaleas in particular thrive off the vinegar runoff.

For a basic job, simply pour or spray the deck with vinegar and let it sit, uninterrupted, for an hour or so, then rinse. If the deck is not looking like new, repeat the process. You can also use a scrub brush to fight off any stubborn looking moss or mildew.

If you find that you may require something stronger, adding ammonia and baking soda will make a stronger solution that is still harmless to the environment – however, you should always be very careful when handling ammonia, as it is corrosive to the skin.

Do you have your own environmentally-friendly way of cleaning timber decking? Let us know in the comments section below! 

Need more advice about your outdoor deck or entertainment areas? We might just have what you’re searching for! Our handy deck checklist will start you off in the right direction. Want to speak to a real person about building a deck? Head to our contact page. 

The post How to clean your deck, the eco-friendly way appeared first on Wizard Home Improvements.

Bring outdoor areas to life…

Summer is well and truly over in Sydney – the temperature has dropped and as a result, it’s much harder to get out of the bed in the morning. However, on days when you’re in no rush to go anywhere, it’s quite pleasant to sit on your outdoor deck with a cuppa and enjoy the lush surrounds of your backyard.

However, we get that not everyone is at the “lush surrounds” stage of backyard development, and are probably, at present, more used to staring down a less-than-inspiring patchy lawn. If you’re looking for a backyard update, here are a few plants we’ve enjoyed seeing around Sydney lately. They’re all subtropical varieties, they’ll be fine in most weather conditions, they’re easy to grow and easy to maintain.

Winter Blues? Learn how to cold-proof your deck here!

Pentas lanceolata: Commonly known as the Egyptian Starcluster, pentas tend to be drought-hardy, but don’t live for much longer than 3-4 years. Regular beheadings will keep the plant compact and flowering on a regular basis.

Davidsonia pruriens: You may be able to tell from looking at it for a bit that the Davidson’s Plum is not a New South Wales native – in fact, it hails from our neighbours up north in Queensland but enjoys inner Sydney life as much as northern rainforrests. The leafy tree does not fruit or flower as much as other plants, but it’s worth noting that the “plums” are certainly edible.

Breynia disticha: Otherwise known as confetti bush, this tricolourious leafy plant will add flair to otherwise dull outdoor living situations. As it’s originally from the Pacific Islands, it tends ot enjoy a more humid climate but is still hardy enough to last through even the coldest Sydney morning.

Iresine herbstii: this bloodleaf plant, almost glowing a fuchsia-tinged red, is a surefire standout in any garden. It’s incredibly easy to grow from cuttings, with roots propagating from just a glass of water.

Alcantarea species: Alcantarea are a modest-looking species, but give them a few years to grow big and strong and they’ll steal the show. However, once it flowers, bear in mind that the end is near. The plant will die, but it will leave many alcantarea babies in its wake. More to love, right?

What winter plants do you love? Make sure you write your recommendations in the comments below.

Need a bit more outdoor area inspiration? Try this: 5 Home and Garden Blogs You Can’t Live Without

blogorama.com

Related Tag: Best Outdoor Blinds Sydney

The post Top 5 Winter Plants to Grow in Sydney appeared first on Wizard Home Improvements.

Just because Sydney’s heading into its cooler months doesn’t mean you have to deny yourself of your outdoor entertainment area.

Here are a few tips for decorating and looking after your timber deck for winter that we’re looking forward to implementing (and enjoying!) over the next few months.

1. Clean Up: First things first – you’re going to want to get the wood back into tip-top shape before you do anything else – the winter weather can be harsh and you’ll want to protect the timber as best you can before it’s too late. Clear the space – put away furniture, toys and plants. If something is too heavy to remove (such as a barbecue), move it to one corner of the deck. Then you’ll need to wash – while a power wash may seem like the most efficient option, it has the consequence of possibly damaging the wood. Instead, get a deck cleaning solution and clean it manually.
2. Inspect for damage: After cleaning, look at the timber up close – are there any signs of wood damage? Is the stain fading? Is the paint peeling or chipping? If the answer to any of the prior questions is yes, you will need to look at either replacing part of the deck, or repainting/staining while the deck is clean.
3. Finish it off: Once you’ve repainted or stained the deck (or if you’ve assessed that the deck requires neither), you should consider applying a coat of water repellent as the final layer of protection. Repellent will extend the life of your deck over the long run, and if you’re using your deck on a regular basis, this will be an important step to consider.
4. Get an outdoor fireplace: The main reason Sydneysiders don’t like being outside during winter is because, well, it’s very cold. Installing an outdoor fireplace will nip that problem in the bud, all while making the deck that much more aesthetically pleasing for you and your visitors.
5. Winter blooms: A lot of people dislike winter for the lack of blooms available, but if you plant pansies or violas, you’ll have a solid dash of colour all winter long.
6. Light it up: Though many feel they should be reserved for Christmas time, we feel that a string of white LED lights can brighten up any deck or patio and make it more cheery.
7. Trim and tidy: Remove dead annuals from containers or flower beds around the deck. If you have any perennials, take this time to prune them down to their suggested height and clean up the dead leaves around them.
8. Keep it evergreen: For those looking for a little less maintenance in the long run, plant some evergreens – climbers, in particular, are our favourites, especially for smaller spaces. Our favourites are the stephanotis, star jasmine and coral pea.

Related post: Stain and Maintain: How to Keep Your Timber Decking in Great Shape

Related Tag: External Blinds Sydney

The post 8 Ways to Winter Proof Your Timber Deck appeared first on Wizard Home Improvements.

Wanting to zest up your home and garden but don’t know where to begin? Read up on Wizard Home Improvement’s favourite leaders in the field. From gardening in small spaces to modern landscape designing, we’ve got your needs covered.

500m2 in Sydney

This eco-friendly blog follows the adventures of staying green for a family of five living in Ryde, Sydney. According to their “About Us,” they’re all about growing their own food and learning how to live more sustainably. Check out their “Harvest Monday” posts – they’re enough to inspire anyone into making the most out of their green thumbs.

Wizard picks: “Harvest Monday” – 3 February 2014

66 Square Feet

A blog that originated in Brooklyn then moved to Harlem, “66 Square Feet” is all about making the most out of small spaces – we like the sound of that! Sydney’s urban living spaces can often be on the modest side, so it’s interesting to have an international perspective on getting past that and being green, regardless of size restrictions.

Dirt Simple

With backyard landscaping on her mind, Deborah Silver meticulously documents various plants she sees on her landscaping journeys throughout Detroit, Michigan. As it is an American blog, many of the plants featured may not be suitable for Australian climates, but it’s worth looking at purely to strike some inspiration.

Wizard picks:” At A Glance: Leaf Deprived”

Design Hunter

An Australian blog focused on architecture, interior and landscape design, Design Hunter is perfect for those who are preparing to renovate and need some professional (and modern!) inspiration and help.

Wizard picks: “Tin shed architecture in Redfern” and “Design Hunter top picks: amazing pools from around the globe”

The Urban Organic Gardener

Like 66 Square Feet, Urban Organic Gardener is all about making small spaces – such as your balcony, terrace backyard or any small space you can think of – into a green haven that you can harvest and use all year-round!

Wizard picks: “Plants that Grow Well Together (And Plants that Don’t)”

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Related Tag: External Roller Blinds Sydney

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