Quite a few homeowners are hoping to start home improvement projects in the coming months. More than 60 percent are planning to remodel. While some intend to add new rooms to their homes and breathe new life into their interior spaces, many are focusing on exterior elements. Creating an outdoor living space or expanding the one you already have can be a wise investment. If this type of patio design project is properly carried out, it can ramp up your property value while also giving you more ways to enjoy your home.
At this point, a variety of materials is available for landscape and hardscape designs, including bricks, composite lumber, aluminum, and steel. Each one can bring its own level of beauty and functionality to a space as well as many other benefits. Natural materials like stone and wood are gaining popularity. Wood, in particular, offers a long list of advantages as long as you choose high-quality options from a company like Hughes Lumber. Consider some of the main benefits of using lumber in your landscape and patio designs.
Longevity
In the past, many homeowners have shied away from wood for their hardscapes and other outdoor installations. Cheap lumber is known to swell, warp, and crack when it’s exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. It’s also susceptible to pests. Constantly being exposed to the sun’s UV rays can cause it to become rough and discolored as well. Though maintenance can help keep those issues at bay, it can’t altogether prevent them.
High-quality lumber isn’t as vulnerable to the elements. Heat, chemical, and pressure treatments give it more strength and structural integrity. They can make lumber less likely to soak in moisture and make it more resistant to pests and the effects of ultraviolet radiation. As such, it lasts longer and maintains its beauty. Quality treated wood can last for decades, and it’s perfect for decks, patios, pergolas, walkways, retaining walls, fences, and many other structures.
Aesthetic Appeal
Another benefit of wood as part of your patio design is its aesthetic appeal. It’s a beautiful, natural material. You can use several types of wood in your landscaping and hardscapes, and each one has its own unique characteristics. Furthermore, you can paint or stain it to match your home and other structures on your property.
Wood can blend in well with other features on your property as well. Materials like brick, concrete, and tiles create a harsh contrast between hardscapes and natural features like plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Wood blurs the lines a bit. It can dovetail with its surroundings to an extent while still standing out for all the right reasons.
Less Maintenance
Additionally, high-quality lumber requires less maintenance than its cheaper counterparts. Due to the previously mentioned treatment methods, it’s not as susceptible to decay, warping, fading, and other issues. It stays strong and looks beautiful for years to come, giving you endless enjoyment. Though quality lumber costs more upfront, it can save you money over the long term.
Ramping Up Your Outdoor Space With High-Quality Lumber
Wood is a wonderful choice for landscaping and hardscapes. It’s an extremely versatile material that can give you endless possibilities from decks and patios to gazebos and privacy fences. High-quality lumber lasts a long time and retains its beauty. Using it in your patio design can truly add value to your property from a financial perspective as well as an emotional one.
