Almost a quarter of people in the U.S. population made home improvements in 2017 and the remodeling activity is expected to steadily increase through 2021.
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Done well, remodeling can improve the aesthetics and the value of your home. Remodeling is usually an expensive and time-consuming process, therefore, the last thing you need before starting this process is government officials delaying your project for months because of a building permit. Not all home remodeling projects require the approval of the local authorities. Find out how to transform your patio without requiring a time-consuming building permit.
Extending the Patio Using Awnings
Home renovation is both an exciting and potentially stressful period for homeowners. Specific reasons for renovation differ according to individual families but customization is a major motivation for renovation. A study by Houzz found out that over a quarter homeowners renovate to customize the home. Installing awnings is one of the ways you can customize your outdoor spaces without needing to seek authorization from the local government. Awnings achieve the dual purpose of protecting your windows/patio from extreme weather conditions and improving the visual appeal of your home. They can provide a shade for outdoor entertaining on the patio regardless of the weather. Awnings come in a variety of sizes and styles and you need to plan carefully to find something that suits your home. It is important to make sure that the way your install awnings does not deprive you of sunlight during the winter months. The best way to maintain control over your awning is by using a retractable design. Such retractable awnings can be adjusted or removed at will. Some advanced models are motorized and adjusting them is just a switch flick away.
Creating a Shed Using a Pergola
A pergola is another structure that can completely transform your outdoor spaces. You will not usually need a building permit for a pergola unless you make it too big or too tall. A pergola can be used to highlight a walkway, give a shade, or to serve as an outdoor living room for entertaining. There are dozens of shapes and designs you can choose from, although hexagonal, cuboid, and circular pergolas are the most common. In any case, It is important to make sure that the pergola harmonizes with your landscape and architectural design.
Pergolas are build from a variety of materials. Wooden pergolas are cheaper but they are more susceptible to fungi, termites, and moisture damage. Steel and aluminum pergolas usually cost more but they are easier to install and they are usually more durable than wooden pergolas. Some homeowners choose to install a roof over the pergola to protect it from the elements. You can choose from transparent panels or sails for the roof if you need it to allow sunshine through. You can install lighting in the pergola if you intend to use it after sunset.
Demarcating Using a Trellis
Adding a trellis to your patio is an easy way of beautifying your outdoor spaces. A trellis can be used to cover over unsightly parts of your home or demarcating parts of the garden. In addition, the trellis may give your family some privacy from the prying eyes of neighbors. Homeowners can choose from a number of designs and materials for trellises. Wooden trellises cost less but you may need to carry out regular maintenance on the wood every year. Wire trellises on the other hand, require less maintenance, and are favored by people who abhor the chores involved in maintaining the structure. The trellis can support a wide variety of vining plants. Wire trellises can last many years without maintenance. Naturally, the sturdiness of the trellis will be determined by the plants you want it to support. Heavy plants like wisteria will require more study structures compared to lighter plants like morning glory.
Remodeling a home is an art that requires an investment in terms of time and money. The need to get a building permit can increase the costs and the time needed to remodel. But there are things you can do to improve the aesthetics of your outdoor spaces even without a building permit. In most places, you can install awnings, pergolas, and trellises without a permit.