Deck Plans And Approvals

Deck Plans Council Regulations

"Do I need a council permit" is a question we are asked for every deck project
Most Australian homes have an outdoor area where to sit and relax and a well built and thoughtfully planned out deck, brings so many benefits to a home. It is an outdoor feature that adds a  monetary value to the property and a lifestyle value for the residents.

Generally speaking, approvals or planning considerations need to be done for all building projects including decks

Permits are called Approvals and they fall into two categories - Planning and Building and your council looks after both of them

Planning Approvals are the legal process to getting Permission to make changes to your land or property
It relates to what your local council allows to happen with in its borders and EVERY council in Australia has different legislation as to what it allows. For most properties in the Brisbane City council - A deck will not require Planning Approval from the council
Be aware that there are different zoning and regulation guidelines all dependent upon your property's land size and where your property is situated. Homes in a Character Residential zone may need to get Planning Approval for a deck.
Please see here for the Brisbane City Council's information page
For the Redlands City Council area there are less Planning considerations to be taken on board and you can see the information here

Building Approvals -  Involves the actual plan or design of the deck and a description of materials used.
These are then submitted to either a local certifier or to the local council
See The Brisbane Council Page here for more info

When building a deck - Some will need a Building approval
It will come down to the size of the deck and the height they are off the ground
To avoid needing a building approval from the council - PLEASE NOTE that the rules can change at anytime and we can help you step through this process.
The general guidelines are:
The deck is to be smaller than 10 square meters
The height of the deck must be 1 metre or under off the ground
The deck should not have a side longer than 5 metres
The deck follows the safety guidelines mentioned in the Queensland Development Code

We are always on hand to give our customers the correct and current  information as to what is required in their local council area for all permits and approvals and to ensure the work carried out is always up to the current standards and passes all legislation.
We are licensed Brisbane deck builders so you can be assured you will have a quality deck built for you.
Call us today on (07)30640661

We Can Help With Decking Designs, Approvals And Timber Choices

source https://www.pergolasbrisbane.com.au/blog/deck-plans-and-approvals

Best Climbing Plants For a Pergola

Create A Beautiful Flowering Feature

Climbing Plants That Flower For A Pergola

A pergola covered with a flowering climber or vine can add shade to your home and add a gorgeous floral display and some climbers are also perfumed.
In Brisbane a cottage style garden is not always practical as many of the plants do not work in the warmer weather - but a flowering vine can instantly add a cottage feel to your garden when they are cascading over a pergola or arbour.
If you stick to the whites, lilacs  and pastel pinks you can create that lovely cottage garden feel
For a more striking or tropical feel - use the vibrant red, pinks and oranges and these plants will be eye catching and create an instant lush coolness to your outdoor areas
Brisbane weather is perfect for the following 6 flowering creepers and these can be found at our local Nursery in Capalabla

Types Of Climbers

Climbers fall into 4 categories of how they "climb"
And the following 6 flowering vines are perfect for a sturdy pergola and the right vine can minimise the need to add a roof to your pergola or allow an area of your pergola to be roof free

Some climbing plants can grow too heavy for a regular pergola - eg a wisteria or a kiwi fruit vine and other plants just aren't suitable for a pergola such as ivy or a creeping fig

Twiners: These plants are snake like as their new growth is super flexible and will wrap around anything that can support them.
Wisterias are twiners and as mentioned they can destroy a lightweight pergola or arbour

Tendrils: Small side shoots that look like little coils or spings. They are perfect for covering over areas of lattice work or mesh fences and can create a flowering wall with the right supports

Scramblers: Using rear facing thorns or spikes to anchor them selves to a support – Bougainvilleas or a climbing Rose is the most obvious example. You may need to also train or tie the plant into place.  

Sticky feet: or aerial roots - Several climbers can cling to any surface using tiny suction cup-like appendages or dense clusters of aerial roots. An example of this is Ivy and care should be taken with this style of creeper as they can damage the surface that they are growing on.

6 Best Flowering Climbers For Brisbane

Bougainvillea
Native to South America and is a "scrambler"
For incredible flowering and fast growing you can’t go past the Bougainvillea.  
Flowers come in Pink, red, orange and white.
They come in some smaller varieties such as the Bambino range
They do need full sun and well draining soil. They do not like wet feet but will require some watering in the warmer months
You will have to train Bougainvilleas up the areas that you want them to scramble over
They do require pruning to keep them growing to conform to the structure that you want them to cover.

Hardenbergia - the most common form is the ‘Happy Wanderer"
This is an Australian native and it as "twiner"
It is an evergreen plant with dark green leaves and they flower with a mass explosion of blooms in winter to spring
Typically it is a purple flower but newer species have been cultivated to include a white variety and apink variety
They are members of the pea family and are sometimes called False Sarsaparilla, or Purple Coral Pea.
They grow in a sunny position and can handle some shade
They do not tolerate frost very well at all.

Mandevillas - sometimes called Dipladenia
Native to Central and South America and is a "Tendrils"
Is a lush, tropical climber that produces flowers year round if the plant is in the right spot and in good health.
It is a hardy and versatile climber and comes in a huge array of colours in shades of deep burgundy, scarlet, through all shades of pink and white.
These climbers do well in large pots and you can place these in paved areas to create an instant lush tropical feel to your outdoor area provide a trellis at the base of these vines so you can train it up onto your pergola and as the plant matures it will create a beautiful lush flowering carpet of flowers

Pandoreas or Wonga Wonga vine
This is an Australian native and it is a "twiner"
It has evergreen dark glossy leaves and it is fast growing
It requires at least 6 hours of sun a day and needs to be watering the drier months
They colours range from pure white, to soft pastel pinks and through to darker pinks.
Some of the colours will produce a delicate fragrance.
The flowers are trumpet shaped and will  flower from Spring To Autumn and with profuse flowering
It is an eye catching floral display due to the size of the flowers and the way that they form in beautiful clusters.

Orange Trumpet Creeper or Venusta vine (Pyrostegia venusta)
South American Native and is a "Tendrils"
In mid to late winter this stunning vine produces masses of bright orange flowers.
It is a hardy evergreen vine and with dense foliage and it is quick growing.
It needs well draining soil and watering in the drier months.
It needs a warm and sunny position and will cover or hide lattice and mesh fences.
To show off the stunning trumpet shaped blooms allow it to cascade off the roof part of a pergola or a carport  and you will have a mass of flaming orange blooms..
It will give your garden a tropical feel with the orange blooms and dark green foliage

Star Jasmine
Native to South East Asia and is a "twiner"
An evergreen climber with pretty green foliage but the Star of this climber is the heady perfume that these small star shaped flowers emit.
They perform well in partial shade to full sun and will look brilliant in all planting situations. It also works incredibly well as ground cover and many local councils use this plant for medium strip planting
With little care and light pruning - You will have a spectacular display of delicate white flowers and and a glorious perfume
It also grows well on light frames like arbours

We would love to create the perfect pergola to suit your home and garden style.
A pergola is a versatile outdoor structure that can create shade and protection and well as join different garden zones together with a well thought out structure connecting the areas and even creating walkways
Pergolas are often used to create a roof for your deck and they can be a pergola patio style of structure with being partially roofed
Call Pergolas Brisbane on 07 3064 0661

source https://www.pergolasbrisbane.com.au/blog/best-climbing-plants-for-a-pergola

Time To Do A New Patio Design?

Brisbane Patio Options

In Brisbane, patios are a much needed outdoor space for all the family to enjoy.
The summer holidays are over and kids are back at school and you are back at work.
Did you get a chance to use your patio over summer?
Was there enough shade?
Was it a pleasant area to sit out and relax in?
Was it really hot and stuffy and being inside was a cooler option?
Or maybe - your current patio or pergola is just down right ugly and dated!
The question we are asking.... Does your patio need makeover
The next question - Do you want a better patio area for the next round of warm weather?
If you do...Then now is the time to start the patio design so that you can have the ideal outdoor area to use.

Patio Roofing Options

The things to consider are the style of patio roofing.
What height did you want it, what materials to use and are you going to insulate your patio roof?
Patio roof designs can be done to suit your home and your lifestyle.
No longer are patios tacked onto the side of the home with a low roof that creates a dark and dingy area in winter and a hot and stuffy area in summer
Lets raise the roof height so you can get that all important airflow and this is something we love to help or clients choose the patio roof style.
A flyover roof can look really impressive or if you want to create a high vaulted ceiling, then the classic pitched roof is still a popular option.
Don't forget - you can also combine patio roofing styles so you may have a pitched area and a flat roof area.
Then you can look at different roofing materials and finishes  - so not only does your patio add value to your home- but is also becomes that favorite area to hang out
The roof can also be insulated so it keeps the heat out and also has a really finished look. The insulation creates a ceiling effect  and this is when a patio can become like an out door room and even look like an extension.
Insulated roofs are great to add lighting features and even add some ceiling fans so you keep the air moving and still enjoy being outside even on the hottest of days.

Or maybe you don't want a permanent roof over your outdoor area.
Maybe a pergola option is better suited to you as it gives some protection from the weather or maybe the new style roofing louvers or retractable awnings are more what you need?
These are a perfect option for a smaller yard that you do not want a patio area to take over all the available space

We Are Deck Builders Too!

After you have planned out the roof - the next question is what are you going to do for the flooring?
At Pergolas Brisbane, we are your professional Brisbane deck builders too.
We can fix up an existing deck ( if it is in still safe condition) or we can install a new deck and transform the entire area.
Decks work really well when connecting outdoor areas to the home or connecting areas in the yard such as a patio area to the pool area.
Decks also add great vale to a home and they are easy to maintain if you keep them clean - Read here for our Deck maintenance tips

At Pergolas Brisbane - we have been building outdoor areas for over 25 years and we are well versed in helping you to create the perfect patio or pergola that is best suited for your needs and what is going to work with your property.
We specialise in outdoor patio building, with other services that include patio coverings, room enclosures, carports and roofing.
Contact us today to book in your free quote and see how we can transform your unused patio area into the outdoor living area you have dreamed about!

source https://www.pergolasbrisbane.com.au/blog/time-to-do-a-new-patio-design

Carports Brisbane

In Brisbane, patio's go hand in hand with our love of spending time outdoors. Whether or not it's eating a meal, stress-free by the pool or taking part in with our kids

A well designed patio will enable more time outdoors whereas avoiding the heat and burning from the midday sun plus  staying undercover and guarded when a sudden summer time storm rolls in

A patio provides you the pliability to have the liberty to enjoy the open air but additionally have the needed cover and safety when needed. The modern day patio can include completely different design parts for it to be completely suited to your wants and your yard

Three design options that Brisbane patio owners are having enjoyable selecting are:

Insulated Roofing
Patios can simply have added totally different insulated panels. You may create a ceiling in your outdoor area. Have an outdoor space that blends in from your house to the out of doors area.The panels come in different finishes and actually do assist to keep the heat out.
They appear nice and of course adding lighting or a ceiling fan will end of the ultimate look and performance
The panels are weather tight and are nearly upkeep free.

Privacy screens
Now you may create a space that not only appears superb but may offer privacy out of your neighbours or provides an extra layer of safety from the elements

A properly designed screen might be placed to give you some privacy or you can use a display screen or two, to disguise areas in your yard that you don't want to see - reminiscent of pool pumps, rubbish bins or air con items

We can build screens out of wood or aluminium that may completely match or improve your new patio

Flooring
Gone are the days of only having ugly concrete pavers as the one out of doors flooring options
Please be aware -You have to to seek recommendation as to what flooring choices might or will not be suitable to your yard and space.
However listed below are some nice options that you would be able to research

Concrete - And no it doesn't have to be an ugly concrete slab. You will get nice looking concrete choices like polished concrete which appears to be like architectural or industrial.

Pavers - No longer limited to just some colors - You will get beautiful looking pavers in all stone and concrete options. They can be uniformly shaped or be a pure stone paver which will likely be variegated in shapes and sizes and can change into a flagstone feature.

Tiles - If in case you have tiles in the main room leading outside, you could possibly proceed them into the patio area. Just ensure you get the correct kind of tile for an out of doors area.

Wood - We love an excellent deck and we love building them too!! And as of late you'll be able to have different decking materials including composite decking Patio Brisbane which though resemble wood, they're a mixture of wooden and plastic. They are more sturdy than wooden decking and still look great.

Fake turf- No we aren't bonkers.Imagine you probably have a smaller area and you want to create a lush area that is suitable for the children and pets with no arduous surfaces. Faux turf can mix proper in with current lawn and with the shade kind the patio you do not have to worry about it browning off. Or it's possible you'll determine to faux turf your total yard in addition to below the patio and create a lush oasis.

Rubber - Do you know that you could get rubber tiles? They are excellent for out of doors areas without the laborious affect of a ceramic or concrete tile. You will not slip on them and they do not break or crack like a ceramic tile or paver. In case you have youngsters or older adults the place tripping may trigger an harm - A rubber tile often is the excellent solution and they also look pretty stylish

With some thought going into the design elements of a brand new patio or pergola, you'll be able to create a sensible and gorgeous outside area the place you possibly can eat, drink, and play with your family, pets and pals all yr round.

Name Brisbane Pergolas on 07 3064 0661 to book in a free quote today.