Thursday November 06 2008

With our growing passion for indoor/outdoor living, the style stakes have been raised when it comes to outdoor surfaces – a patch of lawn with a small paved area just doesn’t cut it. Outdoor spaces have truly become an extension of our living areas, where we relax and entertain. As a result, outdoor flooring surfaces are selected with the same care we take to choose indoor surfaces. There’s a growing array of beautiful materials, many designed to match or complement adjoining indoor spaces. Options include hardwood decking, oversized natural-stone pavers or timber look-alikes, as well as a range of pebbles and gravels to add texture and interest. Read on for all the options and the best surfaces to suit your outdoor space.

DECKED OUT
Whether it’s used for a balcony, verandah or poolside entertaining zone, timber is tops for versatility. It’s also an especially smart choice for steep sites, as an effective way to create usable outdoor areas on different levels.

Softwoods vs hardwoods: Timber decking falls into two main categories, hardwoods and softwoods. As the name suggests, hardwoods have a denser texture than softwoods (such as pine), which need to be treated to resist moisture and insects. Hardwoods are far more durable and will last well, even when left to weather naturally. While softwoods are cheaper, hardwood decks are more popular these days, thanks to their good looks and longevity. Big sellers include Australian varieties such as spotted gum, bluegum and ironbark, and exotic imports from south-east Asia, such as selangan batu (also known as balau).

Extra-wide boards (about 140mm) are very much in fashion, however they can warp out of shape as they age. “Wide boards do look good, but narrower planks are a better choice because they’re less likely to twist,” says Claudia Mitchell, owner/director of Northern Rivers Timber.

Most Australian hardwoods are sourced from plantation forests, but do your homework with imported hardwoods, as they may be cut from old-growth forests. “A few companies – such as Northern Rivers Timber – provide a certificate of the DNA analysis of the timber to show where it’s sourced from, but that’s not very common,” says Mitchell.

Wear and tear: Treated pine decks will last well if left alone, but you can stain or oil them for a different look. Hardwoods vary in their durability, and each variety is given a rating from one to four (one being the most durable). Most have been air-dried, kiln-dried or seasoned, which makes them less likely to be affected by moisture over time. Left au naturel, hardwood decks will weather to a beautiful grey. You can oil or stain them to create a more polished look, but they’ll need regular maintenance to keep the effect. “A deck should be oiled every six months to keep it in top condition,” says Mitchell. “Polyurethane finishes last for a few years, but they can darken the timber.”

PAVE THE WAY
What’s the difference between pavers and tiles? The main difference is that tiles need to be laid on a solid surface – a concrete slab, for instance – while pavers usually can be installed on a softer base, such as gravel, earth or sand.

Pavers are available in a vast array of finishes including natural stone, such as granite, sandstone and limestone, as well as clay or concrete blends.

When it comes to trends, pavers and tiles just keep getting bigger. “Most people are going for bigger tiles, from around 800x800mm up to 1m²,” says Ben Kerr, director of Eco Concepts, which specialises in exterior surfaces.

Oversized pavers and tiles can be combined with other sized products, such as smaller blocks (known as a modular or random set) or a decorative pebble detail, for visual interest.

CLEVER CLAY
Hardworking and practical, clay pavers remain a wise option for your outdoor space, whatever its style. Made from natural clays and fired under extremely high temperatures, clay products are highly durable, so they’re ideal for heavy-traffic areas such as driveways or entry pathways. Clay is UV-resistant, so these pavers will look as-new for many years. A wide variety of colours and looks are available, from traditional brick-style blocks to more contemporary, large-format pavers.

PURE PEBBLES
From glossy river pebbles to the coarse crunch of industrial-looking gravel, loose stones can be a dramatic and cost-effective way to add texture and interest to your outdoor space.

There are many wonderful colours and grades to choose from, but the key to loose-rock flooring is to select the appropriate type of stone for your needs. The large polished river pebbles look glamorous, but aren’t ideal for walking on (especially in heels). If you do choose pebbles for traffic areas, you’ll need to add pavers to create a pathway. “Small stones and gravel are best for walking on and give that lovely crunchy feel,” says David Goninan, of Stoned Decorative Pebble Supplies.

Larger stones make a big impact in smaller spaces, along garden borders or even as decorative filler in garden pots. But they can be expensive. “You can save a lot of money by using predominantly cheaper materials, such as gravel, and restricting the more expensive material – polished stones or whatever – to the top layer,” suggests Goninan. “You really don’t need to use pebbles 100mm deep.”

For borders and pathways, polished black and white river pebbles create a dramatic monochrome effect when used en masse. “We’ve been selling a massive amount of white and polished black stones,” says Goninan.

TIMBER LOOK-ALIKES
If you love the look of timber but not the maintenance, check out some of the timber-look products available. One is Modwood, a composite product made from ground sawdust and recycled milk bottles. Available in a range of natural-looking shades (Grey, Redwood or Tallowwood), it looks just like a treated timber deck and will keep its looks for the long term without painting or staining.

PRACTICAL MATTERS
Take exposure into account when you’re choosing what outdoor surface to put where. A shady, protected area can be damp and prone to mould. In spots like this, look for decking with a ridged finish or pavers with a textured surface to resist slipping. Likewise, in areas exposed to the sun, be aware that timbers will weather more swiftly and that the sun can bleach some paving products over time.