The Citizen, 2013-10-24, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013.
Outdoor renovations
can be perfect for fall
Do your homework before building the perfect deck
Building or rebuilding a deck or
shed can be a daunting task at the
outlook but, with the right
equipment, the right information and
by following the rules, it can be a
great way to freshen up your home
and enjoy the outdoors.
From storage sheds to workshops,
accessory buildings can be a great
way to keep things organized, dry
and out of the house, however there
is a lot more involved than just
putting down some concrete or
treated lumber and starting the
building process.
The first step with any project is to
find out if you need a building
permit and if you need to seek
outside design assistance from an
engineer.
With every municipality comes a
unique set of rules and ignorance is
no excuse.
GETTING STARTED
Before starting construction on a
dream deck or shed and find that it’s
a bit too big, or requires more
planning than originally thought, achief building official has a vastarray of tools to make sure you get
the job right before proceeding
including, but not limited to,
suggestions, stop work orders and
demolition orders.
In Huron East, for example, a
shed or deck or any construction
over 108 square feet, even if it is
replacing an existing structure,
requires a building permit.
Paul Josling, the chief building
official for Huron East, explained
the rules are there for safety’s sake.
“The way I look at it, when you’re
building a deck or a shed, it has to be
safe,” he said. “Even if it’s going to
be in the same footprint as before, it
has to be safe. You have to have a
building permit so we can know it’s
safe.”
North Huron, however, has a 100
square foot rule, allowing decks or
sheds up to 100 square feet, or, in
most cases, 10 feet by 10 feet, before
a building permit is required.
Morris-Turnberry, according to
Chief Building Official Steve
Fortier, said they also have a 108
square foot maximum for jobs
without a building permit with the
exception of decks attached to a
house.“If a deck is less than two feetfrom the ground and not attached to
the building [and 108-square feet or
less], it’s fine, it doesn’t need a
building permit,” Fortier said.
He explained the reason for that is
the Ontario Building Code requires
anything higher than two feet from
the grade or floor to the top surface
of the deck to have a railing which
he prefers to inspect.
Fortier also said that a building
permit can be received for any size
building and he appreciates people
getting them even if they don’t need
to. It provides an opportunity for
him to know what’s going on and
make any suggestions he can on the
design plans.
Josling stated the building permits,
and accompanying inspections are
key because, especially when people
are building their own decks,
mistakes can be made that could
have disastrous consequences.
With sheds, he said there aren’t a
lot of common mistakes, decks are
another issue and the biggest
concern he has is the spacing on
railing and guards.
“The one big problem that I see
MS –Homeowners are
increasingly extending their living
spaces outside the walls of their
homes. Expansive and intricate
stonework patios and decked-out
outdoor kitchens are the kind of
additions many homeowners dream
of.
Those with unlimited budgets can
enjoy just about any look they
desire, but many homeowners may
not have the money to go all the way
with their outdoor living spaces. But
that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to
create budget-friendly spaces that
are functional, fun and eye-
catching.
Decks and patios are popular
gathering spots outside a home and
homeowners have numerous
inexpensive options at their disposal
when choosing patio materials. And
those who can do their own labour
when installing a patio can save a
substantial amount of money.
Instead of higher-priced composite
or resin decks, homeowners can go
with standard wood, which will need
to be stained periodically. Scaling
back the size of the deck means less
materials to buy and less labour
involved.
The cost of patio blocks depends
on the material and style. Poured
concrete patios will cost less than
placed blocks or stones because
concrete is less labour-intensive. For
those who desire the look of patio
blocks without the cost, stamped
concrete can mimic the look for
less.
Homeowners may not need to
replace patio furniture, even if chairs
and tables have seen better days. A
can of spray paint can cover up any
rusted areas or spots where paint has
peeled off due to exposure to the
elements. Updating cushions and
purchasing a co-
ordinating umbrella can revitalize
the patio’s entire look. Also, very
often stores run sales to clear out
merchandise for new displays.
Defining edges of planting
borders and refreshing the landscape
may be all that is needed to improve
the yard. This is easily achieved with
inexpensive mulch and some vinyl
edging. While cleaning up the yard,
use a pressure washer to clean stains
off of siding and patios and create a
like-new appearance.
End-of-season sales can also be
the ideal opportunity to purchase
big-ticket items like a pool, a hot tub
or an outdoor fireplace or fire pit.
Shoppers can learn when stores
discount their merchandise to make
room for new inventory and then use
these sales as opportunities to save.
Sometimes saving means
repurposing antiques or items found
at garage sales.
Thanks to the internet or local
classified ads, people can easily
advertise items they no longer need
or desire. A person can search for
backyard items they need at a deep
discount if they are fine with
previously-used materials. From
patio furniture to masonry blocks to
above-ground pools, patient
homeowners can find just about any
item they may need to upgrade their
backyards.
Though not all homeowners can
afford to create the backyard of their
dreams, with a little ingenuity and
some hard work, homeowners can
still create an outdoor oasis.
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Continuing to serve you1968 2013
71 ALBERT STREET, CLINTON 519-482-9505
FINE FURNITURE &
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Open Mon. to Fri. 9:00 am - 5:30 pm,
Saturdays closing at 4:00 pm
Come and visit our Showroom
for the Best in Quality!
A place of peace and party
Whether you’re looking for the perfect party space or a quiet spot to enjoy a coffee and a good
book on a brisk morning, building or repairing your own deck can add value and space to your
home. (MS photo)
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Continued on page 15