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Verandahs & Decks Home Entertainment Garden

Design advice for a u-shaped house with a courtyard in the middle

last year

We're about to embark on a reno of our courtyard. The house is designed around the courtyard (in a u-shape) with an outlook to a bushland nature path. Three sliding doors also open out to the courtyard.

In terms of outdoor cover, we were thinking something like a louvre roof to offer better ventilation and more sunlight into the rest of the house (the current patio cover makes the house quite dark).

Keen to hear suggestions on what would make this area more useable and enjoyable.

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Comments (6)

Kate
last year
Skylights and fan could help. As you are enclosed on 3 sides I think you will need mechanical ventilation- fan
dreamer
last year
What direction does the area face, south etc.? I would not do a flat roof patio system. I would install a gable roof patio system with an open gable end. Install composite timber decking over the pavers. Add lots of greenery with pots and plants. Couple of ceiling fans. But, if the area is facing west, I would still do a gable but close the end of gable, and install drop down shade cloth breathable blinds for sun protection.
therese4000 thanked dreamer
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Thanks for the replies! My wife suggested we talk to a local real estate agent, so i think that is a good idea... just that Im not sure how helpful they are likely to be if we arent selling yet :) As for saving for our dream house, I dont disagree, however if doing this up nicely over the next ~5 years or so while we live here nets us some extra in the eventual sale, then that of course will help us as well. Interesting thing happened today actually. I got a knock on the door and one of the older neighbours asked if he could take some lemons from the tree. I of course said yes. Anyway he was telling me he had lived in the street for 40 years. I asked him if the house had always looked like this, and he said no that ~30 years ago the old old owner did a massive renovation and pulled off the timber and put up the bricks and gutted the inside of the house. Interesting stuff!
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dreamer
last year
Also remove the dated flyscreen grill sliding door. Install updated mesh screen.
therese4000
Original Author
last year
It’s east facing. Timber decking is an idea we’ve discussed too - thanks for your suggestions
Julie Herbert
last year
An opening louvre roof would be fantastic , useable in all weathers, adding a timber deck as suggested would really define the space, an outdoor kitchen makes for great outdoor living, and updating your security door to a crimsafe would also make a beautiful difference.
therese4000
Original Author
last year
Agree with all, thanks for your suggestions!

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