Whether in or outside our home, we want them to be comfortable and aesthetically pleasing in our eyes. I don’t know about you, but for me, life is lived outside more than in. The world around us is where the experience is, especially at home.
We do not want to spend hours improving and maintaining our landscaping, deck, patio, barbeque, and outdoor furniture to not enjoy it. The balance for me leans hard on the enjoyment scale. Pack everything in the shed, spark the fire, grab a coldie, and let’s have some fun outside.
When designing your landscaping keep it simple, placing shade to benefit your utility bill and buffer against winter winds. I never liked fencing and think thorny bushes are a natural permitter barrier. Pick the right spot in your yard for your wildflower garden of coneflowers, aster, poppy and yarrow.
Our homes should have Amazing Exteriors that are durable, easy to maintain, and eco-friendly. How we clad our homes has changed with some new materials. Various composite materials are extruded into siding with internal air spaces for additional thermal value. The colors and textures are as diverse as you could dream of.
Fibre cement siding is another recent popular choice. It is easy to maintain, eco-friendly, and durably with life projections over 40 years. Fiber cement is resistant to insects, termites, moisture, mold, and heat. If improperly installed or placed under structural load they may crack, so hire professionals.
Beautiful and natural, highly durable, and comfortable to be around hardwoods are a great siding and decking option. Hardwoods require more maintenance but the fell is worth it. What makes maintenance harder is waiting too long to do it. Caulk up the seams and fill and cracks. Then reseal it for the season. For your deck use water-based deck oil from Intergrain, or Thompsons. They get consistently good reviews from users.
I mentioned a shed earlier. We cleared out our spare room and split it into a craft room and office because we built a shed. My only shed regret is not getting a bigger one for seasonal toys, camping, and sports gear. It helps to clean up the gardening tools as well.
Every time we are in nature we receive more than we give. Nature is our home. It is where the stars and trees meet. It is where good friends and good times meet.
