Guide to Outdoor Living Products

New Zealanders love their outdoor living. There is a plethora of outdoor products on the market to choose from depending on your requirements, renovations or new plans. From enclosing a balcony or verandah to designing a new dedicated outdoor living space, here are tips on products that make the difference to your comfort and aesthetics outdoors.

Firstly, it is important to visualize how you would like to use the area. With good design and products it can become one of the most popular “rooms” of the home for relaxing, entertaining, cooking and dining, or simply a quiet, beautiful space to read a book.

Taming the elements is the number one consideration for comfort. Adjustable shade is preferable so that you can make the most of the sunlight in the winter or cool down in the shade in summer. Breeze is the next concern, and again the ability to control your environment to either cut a cool wind or invite a cooling breeze is paramount. Aesthetically, the outdoor space must perform beautifully as a stand-alone space complementing nearby structures or blending with the lines and architectural design of a home if it is an extension of indoor/outdoor living.

Look for a heavy grade aluminum structure and louvres (preferably European raw materials) with marine grade stainless steel (SS 316) fittings and fixtures.

Louvre Roofs

For those wanting rain protection as well as sun control, a louvre roof is the ultimate product. Graeme Rose, managing director of Window Treatments NZ Ltd advises that customers should first look for robustness. “Louvre roofs are substantial structures and consumers should check on wind and snow loading properties, materials used for structure and fixings including even small components such as bolts. “A heavy grade aluminum structure and louvres (preferably European raw materials) with marine grade stainless steel (SS 316) fittings and fixtures should be used for New Zealand conditions, especially near coastal areas,” he advises.

“Size matters,” he says. “Window Treatments’ Louvre Roofs are custom made and can project up to 7m without a middle post and cover a width of 4.1m. They can also be joined together if larger coverage is required.”

He adds that reputable companies will have DWG and/or PDF drawings available for designers, architects and specifiers.

Awnings are ideal for those who require an unencumbered area below and full retractability.

Awnings – Palladio Folding Arm

People who prefer a shade structure that leaves space unencumbered below and can be retracted completely should explore awnings. “Folding Arm Awnings are self-supported – no posts are required to support the front bar when extended.”

Rose explains that because awnings are not designed for rain or high winds, they should be fitted with sensors so that they retract in inclement weather. “Awnings can be operated manually by crank handle or be motorised. Palladio Awnings can be custom made up to 7m in width and project 3-6m. Diffused, fitted LED lighting strips are optional but do add ambiance and fun with all colours, colour temperatures and brightness controlled by remote.”

Create interior comfort from the outside with an Italia Box Awning.

A Terrazza Awning can be installed in a pergola or above or below glass in a conservatory area.

Awnings – Italia Box radial arm awning

These are a traditional drop-down awning typically used to provide sun protection over windows and smaller areas. They are attached directly to the building and provide interior shade.

Awnings – Terrazza

This awning is usually motorised and installed onto an existing pergola structure or conservatory roof as the side rails require support. Rose advises that this style of awning can be installed above or below a glass ceiling or pergola for sun control. “It should be retracted when raining if exterior fitted.”

Control the breeze with a Securo Exterior Blind

Enclose a balcony – here shown with a louvre roof and Securo outdoor blinds in Techno X fabric.

Outdoor Blinds – Securos

Controlling the breeze is essential for your outdoor area. Once again there are many options on the market so make sure you are selecting blinds that can withstand the wind. Rose recommends a wind loading of up to 60km/h and fitting wind sensors if motorised so they retract when wind conditions are excessive.

“Considering the structure the blinds will be attached to is essential. Select a reputable company that will check the strength of the balcony/verandah/pergola beam or louvre roof the blinds are being attached to.”

He recommends selecting outdoor blinds that are fitted into side rails with a spline to prevent them blowing out. They can be custom made up to 10m wide with up to a 3m drop and retract neatly into a suitable sized cassette box for a sleek finish.

“Outdoor blinds can be operated manually by crank handle or for ultimate convenience - motorised.”

Caption: A Securo side roll blind operates just like a sliding door for ease of access. Here it is shown in Phiferglass insect screen fabric.

Outdoor Blinds – Securo side roll

These blinds can be drawn to the left or right much like a sliding door. They retract into a neat vertical cassette box at the opening end. They are custom made in Phiferglass insect screen fabric.

Outdoor Blind Fabrics

Rose says clear PVC sheeting is popular for a clear view but does require maintenance. “PVC can deteriorate quite quickly if it is not maintained. It should be washed down and polished with Vuplex (or similar) around every 6 weeks to prevent scratching and clouding.

“Reputable companies do pre-shrink PVC but there is still the possibility of it becoming saggy or misshapen, cracked or split if it is left out in extreme weather conditions such as heat and cold.”

“I recommend outdoor blinds in a 100% polyester screen texture such as Techno X. It is smart, taut, stable, won’t crack or shrink, requires little maintenance and is still see through, albeit a little like looking through sunglasses.”

Outdoor screen blinds are available in a variety of colours.

Cafe Blinds are a versatile solution for sun and breeze control. Robust and made without side rails it anchors in place with carabiners. Here it is shown with a strong bottom rail.

Outdoor Blinds – Café blinds

For those wanting a more versatile, robust, and yet budget-conscious solution to exterior blinds a Café Blind is a good option. “It does not have side rails therefore the fabric is not fastened with splines on side rails. However, it can be anchored in place with carabiners and is very strong. Café Blinds can be made with or without a bottom rail and be operated manually by crank handle or motorised.”

Installation

Outdoor products that will perform in NZ conditions, have good longevity and remain looking smart require skillful manufacture and installation.

Rose recommends a business which can provide a service from manufacture to installation which will accommodate a cost-effective option. “Look for robust product and skillful installation. A company that provides DWG and PDF drawings, where necessary, including approved foundation features detailed for architects and builders, and at least 3-year warranties.”