The saying tells us to never judge a book by its cover. When it comes to houses, many are impressed the moment they see the outside. Despite not as often viewed as the front porch, a beautiful backyard can still give a good impression on people. Regardless, having a yard you're proud of is something of an achievement.
There are many ways to create a beautiful backyard. The easiest way is to get a contractor or a landscape artist to design it for you. But if you want to save money, you can build your very own backyard. It can be an enjoyable DIY project for you and your family. The good thing is that there are many materials you can use in building the perfect backyard. Here are some of them.
Wood
Wood is the most commonly used material for backyard building. Wood has a variety of use when it comes to decorating and constructing your lawn. For the most part, people use wood to create wooden decks. There are also so many projects you can use to build using wood. By using wood, you can achieve a more rustic and natural aesthetic. You can make chairs, tables, treehouses, and benches.
There are many types of lumbers used in construction. Among the common types of woods that people use are oaks, mahogany, cherry, and maple. Wood as a building material is relatively cheaper than metal or plastic.
Unfortunately, there are also a few drawbacks to using wood. They are susceptible to pests and rooting. It can also cause splinters and accidental slips. In the long run, maintaining wooden structures can be as expensive as using other building materials.
Composite Decking
Most people prefer to use wood as the material for backyard building. However, as previously mentioned, there are certain disadvantages. Fortunately, there is an alternative that people can choose. Instead of pure lumber, you can use composite materials for decking purposes. What are composite decking materials?
Composite decking is a material made from wood and synthetic plastics. The appearance and feel of composite decking are very similar to authentic lumber. With plastic in the mix, rotting, staining, and splintering will be a less problem than 100% wood. Depending on the make, some composite decking may still have a few of those issues but to a very lesser extent.
Composite decking is slightly more expensive than wooden decking. In the long run, however, you can save more money from using it. Composite decking needs very little maintenance and can last up to decades.
Concrete, Stone, and Bricks
Concrete is another classic choice when it comes to backyard building. It is also one of the most versatile building materials. Concrete is standard when constructing patios and yards. It provides sturdy and smooth surfaces. They are also cheaper than most options.
Concrete is also very flexible as a building material. It comes in different colours and shades. Usually, you can make different shaped-stone bricks.
Unfortunately, working with stone is not something everyone can do. For beginners, it can be a challenge to work with. Working with stone is also hard when done alone. However, there are many guides and DIY projects that you can try. If you think it's too difficult, you can hire a private contractor or a good worker to do it for you.
Plastic and Other Composite Materials
Plastic and other composite materials are also alternatives for backyard building. Out of all the mentioned building material, however, it is the least used. There are many advantages of using plastic as a construction material. It is lightweight and flexible, can be bent and formed into different shapes and objects. It is also immune to rotting.
There are also advantages to using plastic. Using plastic is possible when doing small projects. However, it is not suited to bigger constructions as it is not as strong as the other materials.
Alternatively, there are ways you can recycle plastic for designing your backyard. You can use old plastic bottles as plant pots. There are many DIY projects involving the use of plastic.
Metal
Metal is also common building material. For bigger projects and backyards, steel, iron, and other metallic materials are necessary. They form posts, roofs, and railings for your backyard. The advantage of metals is their durability. Metal is also versatile and flexible. Treated metal can last years when maintained properly.
There are a variety of ways you can use metal. You can use metal to build sheds. You can also use metal to build roofs for your pergola. It is also the common material for gates and fences. Some people also metal for their porches. Working with metal is not easy. If you want to use metal for your backyard, you might need the help of a professional welder. Metal is also slightly more expensive than most materials.