The coastal city of Geelong, with its stunning vistas, temperate climate, and vibrant lifestyle, is an ideal location for homes. It’s even better for homes – and homeowners – with verandahs.
Verandahs offer not just shelter from the elements but also an opportunity to embrace the coastal atmosphere and create a harmonious connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
If you want to make the most of our unique coastal setting with a new verandah, it’s best to contemplate specific design considerations and materials before you get too far into the process. Here are some tips provided by local experts – Outside Concepts Geelong Branch.
Design Considerations for Geelong Verandahs
- Being a coastal city, Geelong experiences strong winds and occasional storms. Verandahs need to be designed to withstand these forces. Consider adding windbreaks or screens to protect the space from excessive wind and – if you live near the sea – choose durable materials that can withstand the corrosive effects of salt-laden coastal air.
- If you’re lucky enough to have a view, along the coast or the Barwon River for example, you’ll want to maximise it. To achieve this, consider open or semi-open verandah designs that provide shade and shelter while allowing unobstructed views.
- While Geelong enjoys its share of the sun, let’s face it, we also get plenty of rain. To make your verandah suitable for all conditions, make sure it has plenty of roof coverage. You could also consider features such as insulated roofing, louvered or adjustable roofing, and outdoor blinds to help make your verandah more comfortable in all conditions.
- Depending on your location, you might want to consider privacy from neighbouring properties and passers-by. Incorporating screening, outdoor blinds or landscaping can enhance privacy, while preserving any views you enjoy.
- If you are lucky enough to live in Torquay, Queenscliff or anywhere else near the coast, consider choosing colours, materials and furnishings that reflect this coastal style, with a preference for natural, weathered, or white-painted finishes.
- For materials, corrosions-resistant materials like steel are a great choice. These days, you can build your entire verandah from steel. As well as being durable, you’ll also have the advantage of it being low maintenance.
- If you do want to use timber, make sure you choose rot-resistant options or protect it with oil, stain or paint. For example, a timber deck is a great choice in Geelong, but you do need to oil or stain it regularly. It’s an easy job to do, however.
- When choosing fabrics in outdoor furniture, cushions, throws and other items, make sure they’re weatherproof. Your verandah may be covered but on a windy day your items can still get wet.
Get planning with Outside Concepts
Another important consideration if you’re thinking of building a new verandah for your Geelong home is planning permission. This is another area where it pays to use professionals like Jaan McKenzie from Outside Concepts Geelong Branch.
As Jaan says, “Being a local is a great advantage in our field as we get to know the area’s rules and regulations very well. This can help speed up the process of getting planning permission for projects, which can also reduce red tape costs.”
Contact Jaan by submitting a form on his branch page or by phoning Outside Concepts on 1800 601 674.
Looking for a solution to your outdoor lifestyle? Call us now for a free quote on 1800 601 674.
Considering building a new verandah in Geelong. Consider our 8 top tips.