If you are looking to expand your living space and move outdoors. A patio is a good way to extend your living area and increase the value of your home. The resale value of a house complete with patio and landscaping will be higher than a house without one. A patio ranked in the top ten features that prospective home buyers want and within the top fifteen that a buyer would pay a premium for when looking for a home.
A patio can be something simply constructed with patio slabs or something much more elaborate with a poured concrete foundation. Keep in mind, the design of your patio and the construction material used will reflect the added value to your home.
There are many options to choose from to design the perfect patio space that will fit into the current landscape of your property and reflect your family’s lifestyle, and activities. However, a poorly planned patio design and location can negatively affect your property value so consider these factors:
Patio Design. Your first step is to consider the purpose of your patio. If you enjoy outdoor cooking, a sophisticated cooking area is a must. If entertaining family and friends are on your list, you should take size into consideration to accommodate a large patio table or outdoor furniture. If you consider adding a hot tub at a later date, factor this into your patio equation.
Privacy Considerations. Consider the level of privacy that you need when planning the design and location of your patio. Traditionally, a patio is located off the base of the house’s structure and encompassing a door or in close proximity. This makes sense and will be beneficial if your patio will include an outdoor cooking area for your barbeque. Survey your backyard space and look at it from all angles. Take note of any adjoining properties and the view of your backyard. Ideally, your patio area should provide some degree of privacy to protect you from being under surveillance from your neighbors.
The Weather Factor. Your geographic area and the local climate should be considered in the patio design. If you live in a dry climate with little rain, an uncovered patio will work for you. However, a roof or awning to shelter patio dwellers from the sun and heat is a good idea. If you experience all four seasons, a covered patio will allow you to use it for the maximum time that the changing seasons will allow. An enclosed patio on all four sides and roofs is also a good option to be enjoyed in spring, summer, and fall.
Insect and Animal Intervention. If you live in an area where you experience the mosquito ambush each spring and summer, a screened-in a patio will enable you to stay outdoors during peak feeding hours. Likewise, if your locale is frequented by alligators and other wildlife, a screened-in or enclosed patio will keep wildlife at arm’s length. Most homes in tropical climates like Florida have enclosed mesh patios to protect against insects and visiting wildlife.
In addition to increasing the value to your home, a well-designed patio will provide you with an area to sit back, relax, and enjoy the great outdoors!
[simple-author-box]
