Design Tips

Slate is a metamorphic rock - fine grained and usually bluish-gray in color - that easily splits into thin, smooth tablets. This type of rock retains a natural appearance and a smooth and flat configuration, even when broken into layers. These characteristics make slate a popular roofing and flooring material. Just like with other stone flooring materials, using slate for your patio has some factors you should take into account. First, you would have to consider the Design of your patio. Just bear in mind that patio Designs are influenced by one of two things: what purposes your slate patio Design will serve and how you want your patio to complement your property. Deliberating on these two important points can help you make a good decision on the details of your slate patio Design such as its size and location.

The location of the slate patio is an important Design consideration. The purpose of the patio is one of the factors you will consider when deciding when to locate your slate patio. Usually, a patio is found attached at the back or on the side of a house for practical purposes. If you want a patio that will serve as an extension of your dining area, placing it just beside the kitchen or dining room makes practical sense. Another factor you should consider is the climate. Choose a location that will provide you with just adequate sunlight during winter but also reduce your exposure to direct sunlight during the hot summer months. Using other shrubs, trees and other landscaping features such as trellises, walls and fences will expand your choices when it comes to picking a good location for a patio with the climate in mind.

The patio size is also an important consideration when it comes to Designing a slate patio. This element will be determined by three important factors: the size of your property, your budget and the local zoning laws in your area. Pick a patio Design that is proportionate to the size of your house. When budget is limited, a good tip is to build the patio in phases instead of constructing it in one go. Make sure you check the local zoning laws that will dictate the required size of your patio and its distance away from your neighbor's property.

Since a patio is generally used for recreation and the occasional entertainment needs, it is better to have attractive and interesting features in your patio to make it pleasant and inviting. Choosing slate as the primary material in your patio will definitely make your new patio look fabulous. But you should also complement this excellent flooring material with an equally excellent Design for best results. With the tips mentioned above, we hope you can create a slate patio Design that will best suit your needs and preferences.

For Designs101.com/">patio Design ideas, visit Designs101.com/">http://www.patioDesigns101.com

// posted by gng @ 5:58 PM 0 comments