Vancouver winters are often cold, wet, and gloomy, and the outdoor living area, the patio, is often left abandoned. Instead of forgetting about the beautiful space you have in your home, you can turn your patio into a winter wonderland for your family and you to enjoy this season.
Depending on how you’d like to utilize your patio, there are many ways in which you can prepare the area for the Vancouver winters.
For instance, with a little bit of heat and a detachable roof, you can host family get-togethers and have your friends over for dinners as well. Make use of your space this holiday season, or spend some time enjoying nature during your morning cup of coffee.
Below, we’ve put together 5 expert tips for making your patio winter-ready.
Selecting Patio Furniture
Selecting patio furniture can be a challenging task when you’re not sure what type of furniture to choose. Make sure the size of the furniture matches the size and shape of the patio. Consider adding stainless steel or teak wood furniture to your patio. Choose waterproof options, and make sure they’re durable. If you want to decorate the seating area with pillows, cushions, and blankets, make sure you have a roof covering the couches so that the rain doesn’t ruin your decorations.
Consider adding an easy-to-install gazebo or detachable roof to your patio area. This will not only protect your furniture and decorations from the rain, but it’ll make the space easily useable even during the steady Vancouver downpours.
Pressure Washing your Patio
An unwashed patio will cause mold and debris to grow, which can lead to early rotting. Make it a point to pressure wash your patio to remove all the grime, and get it ready for use this winter.
Pressure washing is a detailed task, and requires you to wear safety goggles and have the right equipment to get the job done in a safe manner. You also need the right amount of water pressure to reach all cracks and crevices of the patio, and get the entire space cleaned properly.
Since pressure washing is highly technical, it’s recommended that you leave it up to professionals like us to provide you with pressure washing services. If you’re unsure of how to go about it or need some direction, we’re here for you. Our house exterior cleaning services can help you with a variety of your home maintenance needs.
Winterizing your Garden
If you love having a garden in the summer months, or don’t want your green thumb to sit idle for the next few months, now is your time to create a winter garden for yourself. Select plants for your patio that are easy to care for, require very little maintenance, and are full of greenery. Not only will this add some colour to your outdoor space, but it will also make the patio warm and welcoming in the winter months.
For a small patio, you can plant violets or pansies, which can withstand the cold better than other flowers. You can also grow vegetables like ornamental cabbages during this time. If you have more space in your patio area, you can plant pine or spruce trees. These needled-leaf plants can retain more moisture than common leaves during the colder months of the year.
Decorating your Patio
The patio area should be inviting during the colder winter months. It should make you want to go out and enjoy some time there. Having a fire feature can be a great reason to go out. Whether you’re looking at adding a fire pit, a fire table, or heaters, the warmth will do the trick. Who doesn’t like roasting marshmallows, or snuggling up with blankets near a toasty fireplace/heater? Instead of polluting the air or having a safety hazard, consider swapping out a real fireplace with wood smoke for a gas-powered smoke-free design option.
Since our Vancouver winters are a darker time of the year, consider adding lots of lights to make your patio look like a beautifully lit winter wonderland. Add soft string lights, and wrap the light bulbs with watertight seals to protect them from the Vancouver rains. You can give your patio a classy look by installing curtains from the roof with tie-backs. This will give a sense of privacy and coziness to the patio.
Maintaining your Patio
Once your patio is pressure washed, it’s important for you to continue to maintain the area over the next few months. Scrub, brush, and rinse off litter, leaves, and other dirt that may fall or accumulate on your patio flooring over time. Additionally, if the patio or porch is damaged at construction joints, then repair it with plaster or poly sand.
Make sure your gutters are cleaned as well. The last thing you want is for a clogged gutter to start shedding leaves and other debris onto your patio, or cause damage to your home. If you think your gutters might be clogged, contact us and we’d be happy to provide you with our exceptional gutter cleaning services to make sure your gutters are functioning properly.
Our experienced technicians at Umbrella Property Services are skilled to take good care of your patio and give them the cleaning they need to open it up for the winter months. Contact us now for a free quote. Your homes matter to us.
