Wood is a popular material for many construction projects in Canberra because it is plentiful, durable, and can easily be cut based on the project's requirements. Timber also has several benefits like thermal elasticity, resistance to electrical charges, sound isolation, and it's easy to repair and maintain.

However, wood has several structural disadvantages, which can affect any type of construction. In fact, it's known to shrink, swell and deteriorate when exposed to various kinds of conditions like extreme temperatures. Wood is also known to produce biological diseases and fungi if they are not properly treated.

Not to mention that termites, insects, and moisture can also damage it. Fortunately, there are other alternatives in the market that you can use to mitigate these disadvantages.
 
Here are some of our alternative recommendations:
 

• Bamboo

 
Bamboo is considered a natural raw material, and it's more elastic than wood and it can significantly absorb energy, which means it's ideal for seismic-resistant construction for areas with frequent seismic activity. It's light and can easily be cut despite its strength.

• Wood composites

This construction material is manufactured using wood and plastic and is much stronger than conventional wood. It's also much cheaper, and with various designs available on the market, it doesn't need any finish. Wood composites are also immune to fire, heat, and stain, giving you another layer of protection for your home.

• Stone

Another popular and old building material is stone, which has been used to construct houses and castles during the Medieval Era. Stone is still used today because of its insulation properties and outstanding during the hot weather season. It's also durable and heavy and known to withstand any type of biological elements like fungi and mould.

• Concrete

When it comes to modern construction projects, we highly recommend concrete because it's ideal for concretes slabs, footings, and driveways. Concrete is also malleable, which means you can easily mould it to any shape. Most importantly, it can mimic timber but is more durable and comfortable to maintain.

So, if you are planning to upgrade or construct a new driveway or patio at your Canberra property, we recommend that you use concrete instead of wood. You will also need a reliable contractor who can help with your project. Our Concreting Services in Canberra can help you with any of your concrete needs. 

Adding outdoor living spaces can add zest and will expand the usable square footage of your property. It’s also an ideal way to enjoy your outdoor areas, which is beneficial for Canberra homeowners because it will make outdoor living possible throughout the year. Once you have your new patio surface installed by professional concreters in Canberra, you can decide on accessories ideal for your needs and desires.

One good example is adding an outdoor kitchen and dining areas to your patio so it can be used as a venue for morning coffee and other outdoor activities like family barbecues. You can go much farther by creating ingenious living space that will transform your patio into something that will amaze your guests.

The benefits of outdoor kitchens
It is now possible to create outdoor kitchens and built-in grills, a growing trend in 2021. For a unique feel, you can even add features to your outdoor kitchen like outdoor rugs, flat screen televisions, cocktail tables, and outdoor chairs.

There are many benefits of outdoor kitchens but the most significant one is that it adds ambiance and style to your aging patio. There are a wide range of simple features you can add to your patio and outdoor kitchen that would impress a full-time chef. Constructing these new elements in your backyard will surely add value to your property.

Cooking outdoors is fun
The easiest and most ideal way of keeping your house tidy is to go out in your backyard and cook in your outdoor kitchen. You can even install a built-in grill in your patio and customised it to complement all your cooking needs. You can add drawers, burners, and other essential accessories to make your cooking more convenient.

If you are someone who loves pizza then you can install and add an outdoor pizza oven, which could have ceramic or flat brick surface. These ovens are operated by burning wood and the heat generated cooks the pizza. Outdoor ovens can also bake tender pizzas with bubbly crusts that are perfectly crisp.

Another excellent idea is to install a modular outdoor kitchen in your patio, which is created solely by concrete to make it more cost-effective and maintenance-free.

Finishing touches
To make your out space even more beautiful, you can introduce some finishing touches like installing cylinders that can hold your plants, painting splashes of vibrant colours, elegant curvy urns that can add an inviting ambiance that your guests will surely love. You can even plant ornamental grass that will wave in the breeze – giving your outdoor area a more relaxing and comfortable feel.

Lastly, you can put outdoor rugs on your patio and some furniture to add some living room feels even while in your outdoor area.

Overall, it is possible to make your outdoor area into a functional and more enjoyable space, and you don’t need to break your bank to achieve it.

If you are a homeowner in Canberra and are planning to increase the value of your property, we suggest that you upgrade your outdoor space. This might include making your garden more attractive, as it can add as much as 10 percent to the value of your home.

Here are some cost-effective tips to spruce up your garden:

Creating a grand entrance to your home
Potential buyers or guests want to see something extraordinary when they go to your property. For this purpose, you should create a grand entrance to your home. Slow-growing alpine plants and conifers will do the trick. In fact, these plants will often grow about 7 to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide, and they often give a welcoming ambiance that your guests will surely love.

Removing those overgrown shrubs and trees
Overgrown shrubs are not pleasant to the eyes, so you should not overlook your pruning chores because this will make your garden look neglected and dirty. Therefore, it’s a must to maintain your garden, and it’s also a great way to spend your lazy weekend with your buddies or family.

Adding outdoor container plants and mulch
Large tropical plants can add allure and contrast to your doorways and patios. Adding these container plants will surely wow your potential buyers when they enter and exit your home. In fact, these plants can make your home more inviting to your guests.

We also suggest that you add different types of mulch in your surrounding areas because it enhances the contrast in your home, especially if they are combined with various breeds of container plants. Not to mention that mulch is cheap and easy to apply.

The magic of decorative pots
If the plants in your garden don’t look as good as they should, then it’s time to replace them with decorative pots. Although you don’t need to remove these plants, you just need to relocate them to another area. The best thing about decorative pots is that they add variety and ambiance to your garden.

Vertical planting
Vertical plants grow upright, giving them the capability to sprawl out in your garden nets, trellises, and fences. Examples of these crops will include cucumbers, spaghetti squash, peas, and pole beans. Vertical planting is a great way of saving lots of space and makes weeding a lot easier.

Leave a sweet spot in your garden
Gardens are magical places where you can enjoy nature right in your own backyard. Therefore, you need to beautify it by adding cheap decorative chairs and tables where your guests can sit and smell the flower or just enjoy their time when they visit your home.

Resurfacing and repairing your pathways, driveways and other outdoor areas
Another important thing to do to increase the value of your property is to repair, resurface, or place your damaged and old-looking outdoor areas and driveways. You can have an elegant and great looking driveway or patio through concrete resurfacing, or replacement with new decorative concrete.

There are several options to choose from when you repair, replace or resurface your outdoor areas. You can either choose exposed, stencilled, stamped, stained, or stencilled concrete with colour added. Although before you start this project, you need to seek the help of a professional and experienced contractor since they can determine if your surface or landscape is a good candidate, while also suggesting which materials are best for your property.

Overall, maintaining and improving your garden or any outdoor area is likely to increase the value of your property. Canberra Concreting can help you create and maintain your pathways, patios and driveways.