Cover Up: How to maximise your outdoor space in Auckland

BBQ evenings with friends, pool parties with the neighbours, outdoor pizza making competitions… it seems like most of the fun is found outside! And, with Auckland’s relatively friendly alfresco dining weather, it’s no surprise that so many Auckland Central homeowners want to maximise their outdoor space.

From patio covers to louvred pergolas, shade sails and canopies, to awnings and umbrellas, our team of Auckland landscaping specialists can provide you with advice, expertise, quotes, and inspiration to help you cover your outdoor space for maximum enjoyment.

Effective ways to cover your outdoor space in Auckland weather

Auckland’s relatively balmy climate means outdoor space is often used for much of the year. But for homeowners who really want to maximise their backyard, having a covered deck can ensure whatever the season, there’s always outdoor cover available.

Here are some of the different types of outdoor cover solutions available. To choose the right solution for you, consider the style of your home, the amount of cover you want (for example are you just wanting a partially covered deck or a few shade options for your patio), your budget, and the bigger look and feel of your backyard.

Pergola: These come in all shapes and sizes but are commonly built as a simple structure that allows for plants to grow over, creating an archway in your garden.

Awning: More commonly found over the street front of shops to provide shelter for customers, awnings are made from strong canvas-like material and come in a range of colours. 

Shade Sail: Seen at children’s playgrounds and over pools, shade sails are exactly that - a sail designed to provide shade. These can come in a range of different shapes to add style to your outdoor deck area. 

Louvre roof: Retractable louvre roofs are very popular among Auckland Central homeowners because of their versatility. Providing both shade from the sun and shelter from the rain, louvre roofs can be a great addition to your outdoor covered area.

Attached vs. free-standing outdoor coverage

When it comes to patio cover ideas, a key consideration is whether you want your outdoor cover solution to be attached to your home or free-standing. This may depend on the style or even the age of your home, or the area that you want outdoor coverage.

These homeowners in Greenhithe, Auckland opted for a louvre roof attached to their home to provide a stunning outdoor living area. 

While this retractable Oztech roof helped to create a stunning outdoor entertainment area with plenty of cover for these homeowners in Tauranga. 

What does it cost to install a patio cover?

The cost of your outdoor cover solution will depend on what you’ve chosen. Material wise have you opted for wood, fibreglass, aluminium, or perspex? Size wise have you gone for a full deck cover or a partial cover and is it attached to the house or a free standing structure?

When it comes to quoting cover solutions for your outdoor area, there are things to take into account that will contribute to the cost of your project:

• Building codes - will you need council consent to erect your outdoor cover solution?
• Grading and drainage base prep - what’s the foundation below that’s supporting your outdoor cover?
• Old patio removal - have you got existing material onsite that will need to be removed?
• Freestanding vs. attached - how much building and construction is required?
• Open vs. enclosed - do you want curtains as part of your outdoor space?

Outdoor cover inspiration

If you’re trying to decide what type of outdoor cover solution is best for your Auckland Central home, get inspiration from other homes around the city who have worked with our Zones Landscaping team on a solution.

This complete landscape renovation in Stonefields included a louvre roof to create a private backyard sanctuary. Meanwhile, this stylish and sophisticated outdoor living area in Remuera needed customised flashing to accommodate some tricky angles when fitting their louvre roof to the shape of the house. That was no problem for our team though!

Modernising this cosy courtyard in Herne Bay included the installation of a modern louvre roof, while the homeowners of this stunning designer backyard in St Heliers created a statement patio area around their pool to really make a splash!

Ready to discuss your outdoor coverage options with a specialist?

With plenty of things to consider about your outdoor cover solution, it’s a good idea to talk your ideas over with a landscaping specialist. Get in touch with the Auckland Central Zones Landscaping team and get expert advice during a free initial consultation.