Yard work isn’t typically the most enjoyable chore, especially in the months where the weather is less than ideal. In this day and age, busy schedules can keep you from maintaining your backyard the way you’d like to; reducing the need for backyard maintenance can be as easy as making upgrades to your backyard’s components.
Alternatives to Wood
Wood decking can be tedious to care for. Wood decking needs to be sealed and resealed to maintain the integrity of the wood, as well as is prone to damage and can even provide a habitat for wood-boring insects like termites. Reduce your deck’s maintenance time by considering wooden deck alternatives like composite decking.
Composite decking has a plethora of advantages over wood decking
- Durability – Composite decking is fade and scratch-resistant, as well as won’t rot, or crack. Wooden decking is prone to damage and splintering, especially posing a hazard to families with kids and pets.
- Customizable aesthetic – composite decking offers homeowners the opportunity to customize the look of their deck. Composite decking is available in a variety of colors and designs, whereas wood decking is limited in this area.
- Cost-effectiveness – although composite decking may be a larger initial investment than wood decking, composite decking is far more durable. The money spent on repairing damaged wood decking adds up over time, becoming more expensive to maintain than composite decking.
- Low-maintenance – composite decking is lower maintenance than wood decking. No need for sanding and staining your composite decking – mild soap and a spray down with a garden hose is typically enough to clean your composite deck.
Installing a deck is not a task to take lightly. Preparing for your deck involves exact measurements to ensure the safety of your family and visitors. Consult a decking calculator to ensure that your measurements are correct.
Permeable Paving Installation
Conventional patios and driveways made of concrete allow water to pool instead of absorbing into the ground. Pooling water can create a welcoming environment for pests like mosquitos as well as cause long term damage to your home by affecting your foundation. Installing permeable paving allows for water to soak into the ground rather than collect on your surfaces.
Turf Lawns
If you live in a climate that is devoid of rain, or if your grass has suffered disease, you may be spending immeasurable time and money trying to restore your lawn. A turf lawn is less maintenance than natural grass. Turfgrass takes no watering, is not susceptible to diseases, and is easy to care for.
Trench Drain Installation
Trench drains are a landscape drainage option that allows for adequate drainage from your lawn or your patio. Prevent water buildup in your yard by installing sleek, cost-effective, and discreet trench drains. Grate drains can pose a hazard to children, pets, or ADA individuals while trench drains can lay almost flush with the ground, reducing the chances for injury.
Storage Sheds
No matter how sturdy, modern, or beautiful your porch ceiling, keeping your lawnmower, leaf blower, and garden tools on your porch to protect them from the elements is not ideal. Your porch should be a relaxing place for you to enjoy the outdoors – declutter your patio or deck and invest in a spacious and sturdy garden shed.
The Importance of a Quality Garden Hose
Garden hoses have a variety of uses. From watering your garden to spraying leaves off of your siding, investing in a quality garden hose with a sprayer will reduce the amount of time you spend maintaining your yard. A simple spray down with a garden hose can be used on many of your backyard’s components – from decking to your walkway; a high-powered hose can often quickly remove dirt and debris that you would otherwise spend hours cleaning by hand.
Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Construction and Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.