5 Inspiring Backyard Renovations To Do Before Winter
After getting hit with their first snowstorm with summer still in season, Colorado residents know how fickle the weather can be at high altitude. As such, with winter capable of arriving unexpectedly at any moment, now is the right time to get to work on those backyard renovation projects before it is too late.
1. ADD A ROOF OR LOUVER TO YOUR PERGOLA
In areas such as Colorado and northern Arizona that are capable of receiving consistent, heavy snowfall, it is important to keep your backyard accessible even when the ground is covered with snow.
If the pergola used to house your deck or outdoor kitchen is more decorative than functional and porous enough to allow snow to sink through, consider adding a roof to catch the snowfall or a louvered cover that allows openings of various sizes as the weather changes.
If your backyard areas are currently uncovered and you want to offer them some protection from the winter elements, there are a multitude of innovative pergola design ideas that can help serve your needs, providing unique, customized options that can be used for specific, winter-time purposes.
2. XERISCAPE THE LAWN
With drought conditions, fire bans, and water restrictions pervading throughout the summer, it is likely that you have already looked into landscaping ideas that will limit the amount of water that your backyard requires, making xeriscaping options, such as natural stone and pea gravel, increasingly popular among Colorado residents.
With the bipolar weather, in which six inches of snow on Tuesday will be followed by 75° temperatures on Wednesday, set to make your backyard a quagmire of melting snow this winter, the timing has never been better to finally get rid of the grass.
If going grass-less is your choice, remember that your backyard must be gently sloped away from your home to prevent runoff from flowing back toward your house and undermining the foundation.
3. BUILD A COVERED DECK
There is nothing quite as refreshing as living in the mountains and enjoying the clean, sparkling snow on a cloudless winter morning over a steaming cup of coffee.
As it is unlikely that you will want to put on your snow boots and trudge around every morning to make this happen, having a beautiful covered deck is the best way to step outside and enjoy the white winter.
While building a deck enhances the way in which you experience the mountain seasons, it can also increase the resale value of your home. By choosing quality materials and matching it with your home’s siding, whether it be whiteboard and batten or rustic barn wood, you can ensure that your deck serves the dual purpose of adding both entertainment and financial value to your property.
4. REPLACE THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY
A clean concrete driveway looks nice in the summer but as a choice to thrive in wintery conditions, it leaves a lot to be desired. From icy patches to unsightly cracks formed from freezing snowmelt, concrete driveways can become a real headache during the winter.
A better alternative (and one that will be harmonious with your xeriscaped lawn), would be a permeable gravel driveway. By using interlocking grids to hold the gravel in place, the traditional concerns associated with gravel driveways, such as clumping and rutting, are avoided while allowing for the smooth, even dissipation of melting snow.
5. INSTALL A FIRE PIT
Speaking of cozy mountain mornings, nothing can make those sub-freezing temperatures feel like a cool summer day quite like the flickering flame.
A cobblestone path leading to a stone fire pit can give a very rustic, European feel to your backyard.
CONCLUSION
With summer gone and winter capable of being here at any moment, now is a great time to beat the storms and get to work on some backyard renovations. Adding a roof to your pergola, xeriscaping your lawn, building a covered deck, replacing the concrete driveway, and installing a fire pit are great ideas to not only make your backyard more enjoyable this winter, but possibly increase your home’s value, as well.
Skylar Ross is a contributor to the Innovative Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Skylar is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.