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The Do's and Don'ts of Entertainment Spaces
By
Living Pictures
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The most important thing to remember about entertainment spaces is that people use much more space outdoors. A space that comfortably holds twelve indoors is only sufficient for six outdoors. So make generous allowance for seating space and room to move around.
The floor of your entertainment space can be timber, paving, or compressed cement sheet to name but a few. The final decision depends on the physical characteristics of your site. Have you got room for the structure of a deck? How will you achieve the fall necessary for paving? How will it be drained?
Because people will be moving around it is important to avoid unexpected changes in level. People dont always look where they are putting their feet because they get clues from the surroundings. For examplle the roof of a veranda normally finishes above the edge of the deck or paving. Also, support posts are normally placed at the edges or next to steps. We know these things almost intuitively so we dont need to look down all the time. Changing levels away from these markers requires the placement of some other clue such as planter pots or balustrades.
A change in level can also seriously reduce the useful space so care should be taken to allow for the sensible placement of furniture.
Since most outdoor rooms will include a barbeque or cooker it is worth considering their location at the design stage. Always place them so that the cook will be facing the guests. Never facing a wall. If the cook is facing the guests it is more socially inclusive and comfortable. It also means the barbeque is unlikely to be located under an eave where it can deposit soot and grease.
The roof of your entertainment space is very important. Does it need to keep out the rain? Really? Will you be outside when it's raining? Honestly? O.K. Then. Which material? Steel is relatively cheap. Comes in a nice range of colours. Cools down fast at night and is easy to use. Aluminium does not get as hot as steel. Cools down even faster. Does not rust. But is more expensive. Single skin Polycarbonates let light in and keep UV out. They don't rust and are easy to use but it can get very hot beneath it. Double skin polycarbonates like 'Danpalon' have all the good features of single skin polycarbonates and none of the negatives but are much more expensive.
If you dont know the requirements of the Australian Building Code you will need to do some homework. You also need to clearly understand the requirements of your local planning regulations before you contemplate building either a deck or veranda.
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