Creating a pergola Brisbane will envy involves some forward planning. Where will it go? What will it be built of? How big shall I make it? With these questions answered, you’ll have a pergola Brisbane-style; that is, a pergola that will best suit Queensland’s unique climate.

Designing A Pergola To Suit The Brisbane Weather – And You

It’s not just aesthetic design that will help you create the perfect pergola. While looking great is important, the right location is also significant. You want to place your pergola where you can enjoy a cooling breeze on a hot day. Putting your pergola in a sheltered spot where there is no breeze defeats the purpose of investing in an open structure.

Building Materials For Pergolas

The materials you choose for your pergola should blend in with the look of your home and surroundings. Timber will be the ideal material if you have an older timber home with lots of trees around the property while the clean lines of a metal pergola might be a better choice for a modern home and setting. But don’t forget Brisbane’s unforgiving climate! Will metal look as good after years in a bayside environment? Will timber stand up to battering after battering if you live in a storm-prone area? Will you need blinds if your pergola sits in full sun? Or screens if you live near Brisbane or Redland’s famous bayside mozzie habitats? The materials and coatings you use for your pergola should look good but they should also be chosen with your particular setting in mind.
Pergola roofing material can be clear plastic, single skin metal roofing or insulated metal roofing and each makes a huge difference to how you enjoy your outdoor living area. (Learn more about pergola roofing)

Building a Pergola in Brisbane? Need Help In Creating The Perfect Pergola?

With so many things to think about, it’s smart to chat with pergola or deck builders, Brisbane-based and knowledgeable about the local climate. They’ll tell you what materials are best for you and whether or not the plans you have in mind really are right for your home and location.

Additions Building are specialists at building pergolas and will advise you on the designs and materials that best suit your property and location. Their list of services can be found in our Brisbane Decks and Pergolas gallery section. Get in touch now for a 100% obligation free quote on your Gold Coast, Redlands or Brisbane pergola from a trusted local deck builder in Brisbane.

– Gordon

What You Need to Know Before You Enclose a Verandah

Need more space? Simple – enclose the verandah! It’s the Queenslander owner’s way to create that toy room, study or sunroom and it’s very hip right now. Enclosing a Queenslander verandah is a great way to create a sunroom in these grand homes but it may not be as simple as you think. So, what is involved to enclose a verandah on your Queenslander?

Enclose verandah – not as simple as it sounds

When you enclose verandah, you open a can of worms if you haven’t done your research. For example, enclosing a verandah on a heritage listed building (like many of the grand old ladies of Wynnum, Manly, Shorncliffe, Sandgate and other Brisbane bayside suburbs) can have all sorts of consequences. Getting permission to make changes to heritage listed homes can be a nightmare and often isn’t possible, so be sure to check it out before making plans to enclose your Queenslander’s verandah.
Download the Queensland Government Heritage Renovations information pack

Brisbane sunrooms – what to consider

When you enclose your verandah, will it block light and breeze to your home? Will it ruin lovely views? Sometimes the disadvantages will outweigh the benefits. Remember also that a sunroom is all about sun and Brisbane’s famous hot summers may not be something you want to celebrate!
While enclosing a Queenslander verandah will give you all of the benefits of a light and warm sunroom, the effect it might have on your home’s street appeal could be detrimental. Try and get as clear a picture as you can of how your home will look after you’ve given that ‘enclose verandah’ instruction.

Sunrooms and Structural Work

Enclosing a verandah may involve more structural and trade-qualified work than you might imagine, leading to a more time-consuming and more expensive job. Bringing power or water out to your sunroom may be expensive and must be done by a qualified electrician and plumber. To keep costs down, try enclosing an area where there is existing doorway and power supply.

Enclosing a verandah for profit

A professional builder can create a light, airy, beautiful room for your home by enclosing part of your verandah. This is a big lifestyle plus in our sunny Southeast Queensland environment but it’s also a massive plus when it comes to reselling your home. An additional bedroom, ensuite bathroom, study, toy room or just a plain old sunroom for lazing about and reading books, all add up to big gains on resale. To learn more about increasing your property values, visit our Renovation Brisbane section.

You can create something fabulous. Just speak to a professional builder, your insurance company and be sure you’re aware of all issues connected to enclosing the verandah on your Queenslander.

If you’re still keen on giving that ‘enclose verandah’ instruction, the next step is to talk with specialists in the field, like deck builders, Brisbane-based. It’s important to deal with locals when because they know Queenslanders and the impact a new enclosure can have on the bones of these character homes. They also know what permits you’ll need and what rules apply to heritage listed homes.

Additions Building specialise in enclosing verandahs and will advise you on the design, structural work and paperwork surrounding an enclosure. Their list of services can be found in the decks Brisbane section.
Get in touch now for a 100% obligation-free quote on your verandah enclosure from a trusted local deck builder in Brisbane.

– Gordon

So, thinking of building a patio? Here’s what you need to know about patio builders in Brisbane. Brisbane is unique, it’s growing fast, property values are skyrocketing, government stimulus and the influx of southerners means that the building industry is booming! So, what does that mean for you? Unfortunately, it can mean long waiting times on projects and can also mean that there are cowboys out there after some stimulus money! It’s not always easy to find a reputable builder but when you do, hold onto them! Once you’ve found patio builders Brisbane can trust, you’ll add value and good looks to your home, while dodging some common scams.

Dedicated patio builders – the key to getting your Brisbane patio on time

Easy, choose dedicated patio and deck builders in Brisbane. It’s vital to understand the building industry in Brisbane…from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane, to Ipswich and the Gold Coast, vacant land is filling fast. With the whole Southeast Queensland region rushing to build expensive new housing estates, Brisbane builders are prioritising big homebuilding jobs over your little patio! That’s why, to get your job done fast, you should choose dedicated patio builders in Brisbane. This will mean your job is their top priority, not their “get to it when we have time” job.

Builders guarantee – how to get your patio on budget

The too-good-to-be-true builder, ready to start now, miles cheaper than everyone else, seems like a good bloke…nice car for a discount patio builder…

Some builders might give you a very low quote, and at face value this might be very attractive. But you need to look beyond the price and check you’re not being hustled. While some builders do run into genuine problems on the build, other “create” problems such as:

 

• The builder might say that the original materials they quoted were unavailable so they had to use more expensive ones.
• Or, they’ll deliberately go slow and charge you for the extra time, citing your job as being ‘far more difficult’ than first thought.
• Another reason some builders will give you such a low quote is because they use inferior – read cheap and nasty – building materials that will last about as long as it takes them to do a runner. Always ask them to provide particulars about the materials they’ll be using and check the quality for yourself without taking their word for it.
• Never fall for the ‘all cash up-front’ routine. Many people have paid up front, only for their builder to not turn up when work is due to begin. A great way to get the builder there on time and to ensure the quality of the job is to agree to progress payments. Agree dollar amounts and an approximate delivery schedule in advance.
• Always look for a builder who is fully registered and with qualifications, credentials and testimonials that can be easily checked.
• Ask for a HIA or Master Builders contract. These are the industry standard, legally binding and it will keep your legal fees down.
• The wonderful World Wide Web is a great tool for checking out your builder. Google them and look for negative comments, look at the Google Places reviews, become a detective and protect your investment.
• Always get a price guarantee that is legally binding. And if they ask for extra cash to cover ‘insurances, taxes and permits’ make sure those “insurances, taxes and permits’ actually exist.

 

Patio builders Brisbane – there are good ones out there

Don’t think that every builder is out there to rip you off. It only takes a little research to find reputable patio, pergola or deck builders in Brisbane and well known in the area for doing a good, honest job.

Don’t deal with builders who sell their services door to door, or who give you quotes that are too good, and low, to be true. Because, at the end of the day, you get what you pay for.

Additions have a superb reputation for building patios, pergolas and decks and promise a fair deal at all times, check out our glowing builder reviews! Our list of services and our latest projects can be found in our Brisbane Decks section. If you’re really on a tight budget you can get DIY Patio Kits for delivery to most of Australia.

Get in touch now for a 100% obligation-free quote on your patio, pergola or deck from a trusted local deck builder in Brisbane.

– Gordon

Note that before building any outdoor structure, you must visit your local council website for regulations and permits information, and before digging call the digging hotline for advice.

 

• Brisbane City Council
• Redlands City Council
• 1100 -Dial Before You dig

 

Verandahs – higher budget, specialist verandah builders

If you’re living in one of those famous Wynnum Queenslanders, enjoying those famous Brisbane bayside breezes, you know how simply divine a roomy verandah can be. Extending your home’s living space with a verandah adds spectacular resale value (the option to enclose a verandah to create a sunroom is also very value-adding) but of all the extensions, it’s probably the most expensive, the most difficult and also the most heavily regulated by Council. Do your research first!

As a verandah may impact on your home’s structural integrity, it’s not a job to be taken on by a DIY-er, in fact, attempting a DIY job could land you in hot water with the local council.

What to do before building a verandah in Brisbane or Redlands

 

• Visit Brisbane City Council or Redlands City Council (see above) to learn about the permits and regulations you’ll need if you live in Brisbane
  • Consider getting a professional, independent valuation done on your home and ask if a verandah will increase its value by more than its cost
  • Speak to reputable deck and verandah builders about the viability of a verandah on your site (contact Additions Building for an obligation-free assessment and quote)

 

Pergolas – affordable option, professional builder, kit or DIY options

Pergolas (also known as arbors) can be anything from a small archway over a path in your garden, to a large undercover patio area. Pergolas are generally designed so that climbing plants can be trained to cover them, creating a colourful, fragrant feature in your garden. For this reason, they’re popular in older style, classic homes and as a feature for plain homes such as 80s brick design. You can purchase pre-made building plans and pergola kits if you plan to DIY your pergola but for larger or complex pergolas, it’s best to call in professional builders.

What to do before building a pergola in Brisbane or Redlands

 

• Visit the Brisbane City Council or Redlands City Council websites (see above) for regulations and permits.
• If you’re building your pergola with plans to grow a particular vine, check that the structure you choose will support it. Bougainvillea for example is surprisingly tough and can do real damage to a poorly built pergola.
• Consider pergola roofing options. If you’re building your pergola as part of a new patio or deck, consider the pros and cons of roofing with clear plastic, single or double skin insulated metal.
• Light, air and space. If you’re planning to grow vines on your pergola close to your home, remember that they’ll block light and breezes. Vines can also take up a little headroom so consider this when choosing the height of your pergola. If you choose a clear plastic roof for your pergola, leaf litter and other debris will need to be cleared away regularly to maintain light and clarity.
• Gribblies! If you’re growing vines over your pergola and choose not to have a roof, remember that vines provide a perfect space for creepies, crawlies and leaf litter. Be prepared to either embrace the ecosystem or spend some time on maintenance.

 

Patios – affordable option, professional builder, kit or DIY options

A patio differs from a deck in that it’s not always attached to the house and is usually at ground level. Rotundas, gazebos, pavilions and courtyards could all be considered types of patios. A patio can be as simple as laying a few pavers or putting down some timber flooring or as complex as a covered outdoor kitchen area with full water and power access.
Patios add value particularly to small homes as they add an outdoor dining or recreation area while usually costing less than a deck or verandah. Patios can be fully roofed, roofed by a pergola, include a canvas style roof (with café blinds, currently extremely hip and cool) or be open air, depending on your needs and budget.

What to do before building a patio in Brisbane or Redlands

 

• Visit Brisbane City Council or Redlands City Council (see above) to learn about the permits and regulations you’ll need if you live in Brisbane or Redlands.
• Consider getting a professional, independent valuation done on your home to determine which kind of patio will give you the best return on your investment.
• Consider good neighbourly space and privacy.
• Consider how and when you’ll use the patio most (e.g. if you plan to eat dinner on your patio in summer, you may need to consider mosquito screens, in winter you may need to allow space for an outdoor heater).
• If you’re really on a tight budget you can get DIY Patio Kits for delivery to most of Australia.

 

Decks – higher budget, professional builder

As a deck would usually attach to the structure of your home, so it is best to hire a professional deck builder for your project. Decks are generally (but not always) raised and are built from sturdy F14 hardwood. They’re usually attached to the top story of a high set home and are ideal if you’re lucky enough to have some of those famous Moreton Bay views! A well-built deck will give you more space and a quality recreation area, and increase the value of your home substantially. Timber decks require a little love and care (see our section on Deck Maintenance) but really enhance our Aussie lifestyle.

What to do before building a deck in Brisbane or Redlands

 

• Visit Brisbane City Council or Redlands City Council (see above) to learn about the permits and regulations you’ll need if you live in Brisbane or Redlands
• Consider the space you’ll need and how to best utilize the space below the deck (an outdoor laundry and storage area or covered children’s play space can mean getting double the benefit from your new deck)
• Consider getting a professional, independent valuation done on your home to determine how to get the best return on your investment
• Again, be sure to consider your neighbors when planning where to place your deck.
• Assess the position of your house on your land and its elevation. A smaller space with better views may offer better resale value than a large deck that renders parts of the back yard unusable.
• Consider when and why you’ll mostly be using your new deck, and plan you design around it (will it require mosquito screening, extra childproofing, non-slip floor finishing etc)

 

As professional outdoor living space builders, we can answer all your deck, patio, pergola, sunroom and verandah questions. Simply get in touch with Additions Building for a chat and a free quote.

– Gordon

Which service do you need?

Decks Brisbane
Patios and Pergolas Brisbane
Carports Brisbane
Sunrooms Brisbane
Wheelchair Ramps Brisbane

An addition to your home such as a patio or deck makes a fantastic entertaining area and also extends your living space. A well-designed deck or patio doesn’t just enhance the aesthetics of your property but also adds value and makes a great selling point. With this in mind, perhaps you’re wondering whether to choose a patio or a deck?

Ultimately your decision depends on your location, your lifestyle needs, and your personal tastes. There are, however, some pros and cons to each which may help with your decision. So, let’s take a closer look.

Patio Pros

• Patios are easy to maintain provided you’ve chosen good quality paving/tiles
• Paving looks good with a broad selection of housing styles
• There’s a great choice of shapes, colours, and textures
• Long lasting provided you have good quality paving

Patio Cons

• Concrete impacts the environment resulting in high levels of CO²
• Patios require more intensive construction beneath them, especially in an area where there is a lot of ground movement

Deck Pros

• The material looks completely natural
• Quicker to construct, especially when raised above the ground

Deck Cons

• Can become slippery in wet weather
• Requires regular oiling to keep its colour
• May not last as long particularly if untreated softwood is used

MAIN POINTS TO CONSIDER

While the list of pros and cons is helpful there are other factors to take into account, such as:

Style of Property

Let’s start off with the style of your property. If it’s traditional with an abundance of decorative features and verandas then a timber deck is likely to look out of place and is unlikely to suit its style.

If, on the other hand, your house has timber cladding and/or a modern design, then decking will look great with it.

Essentially it’s a good idea to consider your style of house while taking into account the pointers in the list above.

Personal taste

Perhaps you have the type of property which would suit a deck or a patio. This being the case, then it’s more about your personal tastes. Are you drawn more to timber than concrete? If this still doesn’t help you to make up your mind, then the next thing to take into account is your garden.

Style of Garden

Do you tend to choose clean, simple lines or are you more interested in textures and interesting details? If it’s the latter, then paving is a better choice for you since it’s easier to create texture and interesting patterns with paving than it is with timber.

If you prefer clean and minimalist then timber is a better choice for you. While we can create a minimal style using just one type of paving, because the individual slabs are shorter than the boards used for your deck, paving will still look less ‘streamlined’ than decking.

Have both

If you just can’t make up your mind then why not have both? Combining paving and decking in modern properties look great and the contrast is very effective.

Cleaning Paved/Tiled Areas

You’ll soon be enjoying your new patio or deck, which brings us on to maintenance and cleaning. While a deck simply needs brushing and regular oiling to keep it looking pristine a paved or tiled patio requires a different type of maintenance. While brushing should be sufficient most of the time, depending on its location your patio may require a deeper clean from time to time. Doing this yourself can be hard work and time consuming which is why we’re happy to recommend another local Brisbane business who can do it for you.

South Queensland Restorations provide a wide range of services including tile cleaning in Brisbane.

They can also remove grime and other contaminations which often gets between the tile joints using their high-pressure washing service. With a team that’s fully trained, licensed, and insured, they’re efficient, reliable, and an all round great bunch of guys!

If you’re looking for an experienced builder to create your dream patio or deck, then look no further. Call Additions today on (07) 3396 3884 and let’s discuss your ideas.