Winter in South East Queensland …. okay we may not get as cold as the southern states, but it can still be a tad chilly for outdoor entertaining.

Have you given any thought to preparing your patio for the upcoming cooler weather?

Preparing a Patio Area for Winter

Here are some easy steps to transform your patio area into a comfortable sanctuary during the cooler winter months and prepare you for winter.

1. Heat Source

If you intend to utilise your outdoor patio area during the cooler months then you will need to look at heating options for the area. Insulated roof panels will help keep the cold out and the warmth enclosed under the patio roof. Adding roller blinds can also make a huge difference to keeping cold winds out of the area. You could also look at the addition of a heat source such as a heater, fireplace, or firepit. A heat source will create a cosy ambiance on the patio. Adding some blankets or throws to outdoor couches and chairs will allow people to enjoy the outside area for longer periods without having to suffer from the colder temperatures.

2. Outdoor lighting

As the seasons change we also experience shorter days and longer nights. The natural light in the afternoon and evening will not be there as long as it is during summer. Adding outdoor lighting to your patio area allows you to utilise the space for longer periods than you would be able to without any lighting. Soft lighting can also make the patio look more inviting by creating a cosy ambience. You can use feature lighting to highlight certain elements in the area from gardens, water features, statues, and seating areas.

Patio lighting can also add to the safety of your home. When lounging on the patio in the evening you can keep an eye to open doors. Certain lights could be installed as sensor lights to come on with movement (near entry points or stairs). Consider using different varieties of lighting for the areas on the patio – solar lights, string lights, and lamps create a nice ambience where you may want nice bright downlights over barbecue and dining areas.

3. Outdoor furniture

Don’t let the cooler winter weather ruin the outdoor furniture on your patio. When purchasing items for the patio check to see if they are weather and water resistant. If furniture won’t cope well with the cooler season then store those items away until Spring. Maintain your weather-resistant furniture so that it will have durability all year round. Use protective sealants on timber furniture. Protect wicker furniture with clear varnish. Fabric furniture can be protected with Scotchgard to help repel water and stains. Use rust-resistant primer and enamel paint on cast iron furniture.

4. Prepare the garden

Some plants and flowers do not grow well throughout the cooler months. Plan ahead and replace the fragile ones with hardier winter plants that thrive in the cooler months. Coming into winter is also a good time to prune, remove dead leaves and weed the gardens. It’s also a great time to fertilise and get some mulch on the ground to protect your plants before the weather turns cold.

5. Clean the BBQ and accessories

The barbecue will probably be used less during the cooler months so it is a good idea to give it a good scrub down, get rid of the grease build-up, and clean and line the grease trays below. Give all the outdoor furniture a good wipe-over and disinfect to help stop mould growth over the cooler months.

Just because the temperature drops doesn’t mean you have to pack up and move inside and hibernate for winter. Patios are a wonderful entertainment hub of the home. Follow the tips above to enjoy your patio all year round, rather than just during the summer months.

Diamond Patios are here to help

The Diamond Patios team can help design your patio and bring that dream to life.

At Diamond Patios we only use quality products and offer expert advice, this gives you complete peace of mind.

Get an obligation-free quote using our patio roof calculator for an estimate, or Get in touch with the team at Diamond Patios to talk about your carport plans.