Backyard design options

Know how different styles of outside areas are constructed for more effi cient planning and building

By Jodie Thomson

From Handyman

Backyard design terms

ARBOUR is a leafy shelter formed by trees or vines trained on a trellis.

COURTYARD is usually a small backyard space defined by fences or boundary walls.

DECK is built of timber and usually open. Named after the deck of a ship.

GAZEBO is a freestanding garden structure with a roof, open sides and built-in seats.

PATIO is a paved area connected to the house or surrounded by lawn.

PERGOLA is an open-framed structure built over a deck, patio or courtyard.

PORCH is the front entrance area of a home and is usually covered.

VERANDAH is an elevated extension on one or more house sides, built from timber or tiled and usually covered

Decks and verandahs

The most popular choice for outdoor living is the timber deck.

While the word derives from a ship’s deck, the modern definition covers many shapes and sizes, from a slim strip along an upper

storey to a large platform joined to the main indoor living area.

Is it different from a verandah? A verandah is an elevated extension to a home and if made from timber boards it could also be called a deck. But a verandah may be tiled and usually has a fixed roof, while a deck is more often open.

The main appeal of a deck is affordability. Says Andrew Davies, head of the Eden Gardens design team, ‘The bearer-and-joist construction is more cost-effective than any other form of outdoor structure, especially on the graded sites that most homeowners have.’

Even a slightly raised deck is a solution for covering an untidy garden and creating usable space.