The theme of our first program for 2003 is outdoor living – extending the indoor living areas out into the garden. Many Australian houses have poor access to the backyard, with one door and perhaps a few small windows, so the occupants feel closed in and trapped in their own homes! Tracey Azzopardi’s house was a typical example.
The Burke’s Backyard team demolished the back of Tracey’s house. Bifold doors were installed so that the indoor areas flow seamlessly to the outside. Scott Cam built a deck and pergola to extend the living space and create a stylish entertaining area. Tara Dennis made a breakfast bar with a curved end, which leads the eye from the inside to the outside. Rita Hill took photos of the garden and displayed them in a frame made from a recycled window. Finishing touches to the deck area included floor cushions, filmy curtains and potted plants.
Don presented Tracey with a brand new barbecue from Burke’s Backyard. After all the hard work was done, everyone sat back and enjoyed the new entertaining area while dining alfresco on a seafood barbecue prepared by Geoff Jansz.
Getting started
We checked the location of services (water pipes, sewerage, power, phone, etc) so they would not be damaged during the makeover.
We needed council approval for this job. Council approvals fall into three categories – exempt, complying and non-complying. The job fell into the complying category, meaning that approval would be given providing it complied with certain regulations. (Tip: these regulations vary from council to council, so always consult your local council before starting work.)
Concrete outside the back door was removed using an electric jackhammer (around $70 per day to hire), and the grass was scraped away. This gave a 300mm clearance to fit bearer, joist and decking timbers. The rubbish was removed with a Kanga mini loader (about $229 per day to hire).
A light switch was disconnected and relocated, and an air-conditioner above the windows was relocated.
The external cladding, windows and internal cladding was removed. The header beam that runs above the doors was replaced.
Bifold doors
One of the key features of the makeover was the installation of bifold doors, which enabled the inside of the house to flow outside into the garden. Bifold doors can be used to open up an entire area when the weather is fine, or can be used as a standard sized door in cooler weather. Scott strongly recommended that installation of bifold doors is a job for professionals.
Deck and pergola
Scott built a low-level entertaining deck and pergola to bring the outside in! 70mm wide decking boards were selected to match the width of the internal floor boards and were also laid in the same direction to give the appearance of one large flowing room.
Preservative treated pine was used for all structural components as the timber is in contact with the ground and exposed to the elements. Posts (H4, 90x90mm) were installed vertically in quick setting concrete. Bearers (H3, 140x45mm) were attached to the posts with galvanised cup head bolts (10x150mm), and washers and nuts support joists (90x45mm) skew nailed above. Decking boards were connected with 65mm spiral shanked stainless steel nails fired from Scott’s nail gun. Decking boards attached horizontally to the face of the posts disguise the underside of the deck and prevent animals from hiding under the house.
Long corner and centre posts (H4,90x90mm) extend through the decking and up to roof height to accommodate a beam (190x45mm), which is bolted in place with galvanised cup head bolts. Rafters (190x45mm) attached to a wall plate (190x45mm) with joist hangers run perpendicular from the back wall of the house to the front beam. Scott positioned the front beam lower than the wall plate to create slope to ensure water runs into the new gutter. Exterior grade ply (12mm, 2400×1200) laid over the rafters provides a framework to support battens, insulation, and a new corrugated roof. Pink primed fascia (230x25mm) hides the ends of rafters and provides a face to connect the new guttering against. A new downpipe connected to a post and tapped into the existing stormwater system completes the project and helps keep the new deck dry.
Scott built a low-level entertaining deck and pergola to bring the outside in! 70mm wide decking boards were selected to match the width of the internal floor boards and were also laid in the same direction to give the appearance of one large flowing room.
Preservative treated pine was used for all structural components as the timber is in contact with the ground and exposed to the elements. Posts (H4, 90x90mm) were installed vertically in quick setting concrete. Bearers (H3, 140x45mm) were attached to the posts with galvanised cup head bolts (10x150mm), and washers and nuts support joists (90x45mm) skew nailed above. Decking boards were connected with 65mm spiral shanked stainless steel nails fired from Scott’s nail gun. Decking boards attached horizontally to the face of the posts disguise the underside of the deck and prevent animals from hiding under the house.
Long corner and centre posts (H4,90x90mm) extend through the decking and up to roof height to accommodate a beam (190x45mm), which is bolted in place with galvanised cup head bolts. Rafters (190x45mm) attached to a wall plate (190x45mm) with joist hangers run perpendicular from the back wall of the house to the front beam. Scott positioned the front beam lower than the wall plate to create slope to ensure water runs into the new gutter. Exterior grade ply (12mm, 2400×1200) laid over the rafters provides a framework to support battens, insulation, and a new corrugated roof. Pink primed fascia (230x25mm) hides the ends of rafters and provides a face to connect the new guttering against. A new downpipe connected to a post and tapped into the existing stormwater system completes the project and helps keep the new deck dry.
Tara’s bench
Tara built a coffee bench for Tracey from two sheets of medium density fibreboard (MDF). Using a jigsaw, Tara tapered the two sheets to create a curved shape, which leads the eye from the inside out into the garden. The sharp edges of the top sheet were smoothed with a router (about $30 per day to hire), then the two MDF sheets were glued (with PVA glue) and screwed together. The bench was held in position using a stud at the back and brackets made from the MDF offcuts.
(Tip: it is important to wear a face mask when cutting MDF because very fine particles are released.) Finally the bench was painted with Cabots Crystal Clear Gloss ($30.75 for 1 litre). The coffee bench was completed with the addition of 2 Stanza bar stools (from Freedom stores).
Rita’s pictures
Rita used a digital camera to take pictures of plants in the garden, including Tracey’s favourite roses. She then took the memory stick to a photo shop and asked for 6″ x 8″ images to be printed in black and white (about $7 per print). Rita salvaged the old windows Scott removed from the rear of the house and used them to create decorative picture frames for the prints.
If you have a computer you can print the images at home (just buy some photographic paper from an office supply store). However, depending on the capabilities of your printer, you might be better off going to a photo lab for a more professional finish. If you don’t have a digital camera use a regular camera and film. When you drop the film off for processing ask for the prints to be enlarged to the size you require.
Rita’s framing tips:
1. Measure the glass and cut 6 pieces of cardboard and 6 pieces of foamcore (corrugated backing board) to size. (Tip: use cardboard boxes if you don’t want to buy foamcore.)
2. Have a look at your prints and decide on the placement within the window.
3. Measure the prints, making sure you take the measurement a couple of millimetres inside the edges. This will ensure your mount will cover the print without any white edges showing.
4. Take these figures and halve them. Use this half figure to create a rectangle or a square (depending on your picture) in the centre of the card. Cut the rectangle out to create a window for the print. Centre the cardboard frame over the print and turn it over carefully.
5. Stick the top edge of the print onto the cardboard with sticky tape (only stick the top edge, otherwise your print may buckle).
6. Put your print and foamcore together, put it into the window and stick it down with masking tape.
Plants for decks
Don made over some of Tracey’s old concrete tubs with a coat of blue-grey paint (Dulux Santorini). Using a masonry drill bit, he carefully drilled some extra holes in the base of the pots to improve the drainage, then covered the holes with flywire mesh to prevent potting mix from falling out onto the deck. He filled the tubs and some smaller pots with a selection of plants that are ideal for outdoor decks, including patio roses ($17 for 140mm or 6″ pots), Stephanotis floribunda ($80 for 360mm or 14″ pots), Gardenia ‘Grandiflora Star’ ($20 for 200mm or 8″ pots) and Dietes bicolor ($20 for 200mm or 8″ pots).
Paint and soft furnishings
The interior walls were painted cream (Pascal Pale Cream) and the ceiling gloss white (Wattyl Solagard). The exterior trims and outdoor furniture were painted the same blue colour as the tubs (Dulux Santorini). Finishing touches included white tab-top sheer curtains (from Domayne), floor cushions (from Freedom) and white Morrocan lanterns (from Grace Bros/Myer stores).
Seafood Barbecue
Geoff christened Tracey’s new barbecue by preparing dinner for the makeover crew (see below for recipe). Before starting to cook, Geoff gave these tips on seasoning a new barbecue:
1. Wash cast iron surfaces with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly.
2. Spray all cast iron surfaces with canola oil.
3. Turn burners to ‘High’. When the cast iron begins to smoke, reduce heat to ‘Low’.
4. Scrub the cast iron with water and a barbecue brush.
5. Oil the grills and the plates with canola oil.
6. Preheat barbecue before using.
Ingredients
swordfish, marlin, tuna or salmon steaks
Marinades
Asian marinade
2 stalks coriander, chopped
juice of 2 limes
1/2 medium-hot chilli, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
8 leaves Vietnamese mint, chopped
1 large stalk lemongrass, chopped
1/2 red onion, finely diced
1/2 clove garlic, mashed
50ml sunflower oil
1 tablespoon sugar
300ml water
Italian marinade
1/2 red onion, finely diced
1/2 medium-hot chilli, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon capers
2 tablespoon Italian parsley, chopped
2 tablespoon dry Greek oregano
juice of 1 lemon
75ml olive oil
1 tablespoon Pepper
100ml red wine vinegar
1/2 clove garlic
Method
1. To make the marinades simply mix the ingredients together in shallow dishes. When mixed, cover the dishes with plastic film and store in the refrigerator. (Tip: the marinades can be prepared up to an hour before the barbecue.)
2. Cook the fish on the barbecue.
3. Place the fish in the marinade.
4. Serve with a fresh, crunchy salad (no dressing required).
Product details
Western Red Cedar bifold doors are available Australia wide. Ours were manufactured by Roseville Joinery (02) 9519 8667 and cost approx. $5,500.
The bifold doors were installed by Dickson Constructions (0418 620 221) for approx. $3,500.
The Stramit slate grey corrugated roofing, guttering, downpipe and brackets cost around $400 (available at hardware stores Australia-wide).
Anticon Light Duty insulation costs around $140 per roll.
Nepean River gravel costs around $58 per tonne.
MDF 2.4m x 1.2m x 18mm sheets cost $52.85 each.
A good quality digital camera will cost from $300.
Most other materials used in the makeover are available from large hardware stores or building and landscape suppliers.
Most tools used are commonly available for hire, including the electric jackhammer,
mini loader, router and nail gun. The Hercules electric wheelbarrow used on this job cost $9000, phone 1800 649 603.
They will soon be available from equipment hire companies.
Plants used in our makeover are readily available at nurseries and garden centres.
The BBQ was a ‘Cordon Bleu’ four burner on a Jarrah trolley, with hood. It cost $699 from Barbeques Galore. The gas bottle with gauge cost $69.90.
Cost
The total cost of the makeover was around $20,000 (including $9,000 for supply and installation of the bifold doors). This was money very well spent when you consider how much more livable space was created and how much the lifestyle of the home owner was enhanced.