Over the last few years we’ve had to embrace socialising and dining outside. And what a ride it’s been. Many have found the change tough, with adapting to these new conditions presenting a whole host of new issues…What can I wear that involves 15 layers but still looks good? How do I use my phone with gloves on? Is it possible to drink from a glass when my teeth are chattering?
However, as the Norwegians quite rightly say, ‘’there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.’’ Indeed, the idea of friluftsliv (pronounced “free-loofts-liv”), which roughly translates to ‘open-air-life’, is a commitment to celebrating time outdoors no matter what the weather.
While perhaps this idea pertains more to exploring the great outdoors, we could all learn a thing or two about embracing outdoor living from the Scandinavians, no matter what the temperature. So, it’s to the back garden we’re heading today, tomorrow, and the rest of winter, to make the most of our deck whatever the weather.
WARM IT UP
Come winter, the UK can even experience pretty strong winds. As such, creating a sheltered area with a transparent garden windshield around your decking is a wise move to make it as hospitable a place as possible. In doing so, you’ll protect you and yours from blustery winds, turning an otherwise unusable space into a cosy one. Plus, you’ll prevent those winds from knocking over your wine glasses or sending your napkins flying.
Of course, you’ll want to keep things warm within the decking space, too, and this isn’t only about keeping the wind at bay. Keep blankets and hot water bottles handy to ensure comfort even if it’s chilly, with heated seating covers another good option.
Another great way to fight off the cold is to add a chiminea or an outdoor heater to your decking area. Patio deck heaters come in different types of shapes and sizes; some, you can mount on the wall, others, you simply place on your outdoor table. If you’re placing a heater directly on your deck, you’ll want to make sure you’ve first properly prepped the surface – via deck sanding, sealing and staining – to ensure that it isn’t susceptible to heat damage and discolouration from ash.
Whatever you do, avoid gas heaters – they are extremely wasteful in terms of both heat generated, the energy consumed, and the excessive CO2 emissions they produce. In short, if you make it warm, keep it green.
An outdoor fire pit is one of the best sources of heat available. What’s more, the flames are pretty mesmerising and are ideal for toasting marshmallows, too! The guys at cladcodecking.co.uk tell us that it’s possible to build a fire pit on your decking, but check with the guidelines set by your decking manufacturer; you wouldn’t want to scorch the surface of your decking or, worse, cause a fire.
Another way to warm your deck is to add an insulated roof above the deck or a reflective deck wall around it to trap in the heat. Options, options…
CONSIDER AN AWNING
A common misconception is that awnings are only suitable for the summer months, to keep you shaded from the sun. However, come winter, awning can enhance your enjoyment of your patio or deck come winter no end. Most awnings are designed to withstand precipitation and even light snowfall, making them the perfect provider of shelter. What’s more, you can even buy specific awning heaters to make your patio area extra cosy and warm.
BUILD A BBQ
Did you know that in Siberia, barbecue season never, ever stops, even in freezing temperatures? Yep, barbeques aren’t just for summer and whilst this isn’t Siberia, it can get pretty cold out there! A winter barbecue can be a wonderful thing, with nourishing, smoky dinners just perfect for this time of year.
So, what should you be cooking on your winter BBQ? Timoshkina, the author of Salt & Time told the Guardian that “Anything spicy offsets cold, and gives you that fire inside”, which is a pretty good foundation for your outdoor winter cooking.
Winter’s seasonal ingredients present great options for grilling, too, and sees some superb stuff at its prime. Jerusalem artichoke, venison, Brussel sprouts, turbot, guinea fowl, wild duck, leeks, celeriac…it’s like a rolls-royce-roll-call of the best ingredients around, all at their peak right now and all perfect for the grill.
A DECK HOT TUB
When the weather is cold, there’s something deeply therapeutic about slipping into a hot tub, steam rising and bubbling water enveloping. Moreover, it provides real tangible benefits come winter. With cold weather comes all sorts of aches and pains, and time spent in a hot tub can ease the inflammation of the season and help soothe any stiffness.
A hard shell version is, generally speaking, more appropriate for cold weather. These often come with stylish wooden panels and are generally more durable and better insulated than their inflatable contemporaries, and are therefore better suited to British winters.
Read: Hot tubs at home: Your FAQS answered
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LIGHTING
Come winter, the sun sets early which means your outdoor decking is going to need lots of adequate lighting if you’re to enjoy it to its full potential. There are, of course, lots of different lighting options to choose from, but it’s wise to prioritise waterproof wireless uplighters. These are great for winter and don’t need any messy power cables, making them extremely versatile.
To create the right atmosphere, buy some extra outdoor Christmas lights and string up them around the patio; nothing beats that twinkle, right? Otherwise, you’re just kinda huddled round, drinking in the gloom and shivering…and where’s the fun in that?
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you don’t have a deck patio but are looking to improve the sociability of your garden, then you should consider introducing one to your home. Adding decking can bring an uptick of around £4,227 to the value of your property and will make your home the place to be, to boot!
Composite decking is a good choice when it comes to choosing the material for your decked patio since a composite deck tends to last much longer than standard wood decking and, therefore, doesn’t cause the same strain on the environment. Let’s do this!