32 | APRIL 2020
Outdoor Living
REVITALISING
YOUR
GARDEN
How to make the most of
your outdoor living space
UK homeowners have be-
come increasingly concerned
about the appearance of their
garden — with the garden
products industry expected to be
worth £5 billion. With the warm-
er months approaching, many are
beginning to prepare their gar-
dens for the season ahead. Here,
Nick Cowley, managing director
at exterior cladding and outdoor
living product Endurawood, runs
through the key considerations
when revitalising your outdoor
space.
Renovation over relocation has
become a favoured option for
many UK homeowners in recent
years, with many opting to invest
in their current properties and
improve instead of move.
Property upgrades don’t
always involve the interior of
the home, with research from
Post Office Money revealing that
landscaping a garden could in-
crease the value of a property by
77 per cent. However, while not
all homeowners will update their
garden with the aim to increase
value, upgrading the outdoor
living space can be just as im-
portant as renovating a kitchen
or living room.
Fencing Decking
The perils of winter often mean
that garden owners need to con-
duct a number of maintenance
tasks as the warmer weather
approaches. Typically made from
wooden panels, fences are an
essential feature in gardens for
the security and privacy they
provide. Fences also offer a sense
of detachment as they close the
garden off from neighbours,
creating a private haven for the
homeowner.
However, wooden panels
cannot always withstand harsh
weather conditions. We only have
to reflect on the likes of Storm
Dennis and Storm Ciara that have
wreaked havoc across the UK
and caused significant damage to
properties and gardens. For those
with large or longer gardens,
replacing an entire row of broken
fence panels can be a costly con-
sequence of the UK’s turbulent
climate.
Although spring and summer
do not expect extreme weather,
it’s always better to be prepared.
Alternative materials such as
aluminium, which has a higher
durability compared to wooden
panels, will ensure the fence re-
mains standing all year round. Decking became popular in
the 1990s and is still desired in
gardens now for a number of
reasons, including the fact that
decking requires little upkeep
and does not create mess, unlike
a grass lawn.
Furthermore, with UK gardens
becoming smaller, decking can
create the idea of more space
when the garden size is limited.
This is beneficial for smaller
houses that rely on their garden
for valuable extra space for work
and leisure activities.
While decking is highly desired
in UK gardens, one of the biggest
challenges is its susceptibility to
warping in hot temperatures. This
becomes likely in the summer,
which can cause issues if panels
need to be fixed or replaced.
Plus, a distorted panel could pose
health and safety risks.
Aluminium, on the other hand,
is resistant to warping. This
makes it an ideal material for
decking as it requires minimal
maintenance. Wooden decking of-
ten demands annual maintenance
in order to keep its colour, and
staining the decking is a yearly
task for many garden enthusiasts.
With aluminium decking, home-
Nick Cowley,
Managing Director,
Euramax
owners can benefit from the aes-
thetic of a traditional woodgrain
finish, but without the hassle of
keeping it looking fresh.
Pergolas
The garden isn’t only for
secluded relaxation, and many
homeowners consider the space
as a social hub and venue for
numerous celebrations during the
warmer months. Pergolas are dec-
orative structures made from four
wooden beams, which are com-
monly used for social outdoor
seating and entertainment areas.
A pergola can also be used as a
walkway to enhance the aesthet-
ic of a garden, or as a space of
respite for a family home, away
from the chaos of a children’s
play area.
These structures are also an
easy way to add individuality to a
garden and have the potential to
increase the value of a property
by 20 per cent. Not only ideal for
warmer months, shaded pergolas
can also be used in the colder
months to provide shelter from
weather conditions.
While pergolas are designed to
be sturdy, it’s important that they
are made from a strong material
to avoid collapsing and causing
injury. Endurawood is ideal for
outdoor living products including
pergolas, fencing and decking, as
it is made from strong, light-
weight aluminium. This means it
is tougher than wood and is eas-
ier to install. In addition, Endur-
awood is available in a variety of
natural wood shades, suitable for
a range of garden styles.
With the perfect time for out-
door renovations approaching,
homeowners are beginning to take
the appearance of their garden into
higher consideration. While spring
and summer are likely to see a
spike in interest, it’s important to
plan your garden maintenance
ahead of the warm months.
The addition of fencing, deck-
ing and pergolas has the ability
to enhance the appearance of a
garden, creating space, privacy
and, in some cases, increased
property value. But wood is not
always the most reliable material.
Using wood coated aluminium
means that your garden can be
enjoyed, whatever the weather.
www.euramaxuk.com