Enjoy Your Veranda All Year Long With These 3 Tips

by Marianna E Perez 10/10/2021


Photo by Ben Mack from Pexels

Homeowners invest in outdoor seating areas with an understanding these spaces improve their quality of life and provide a substantial return on investment. The combination of home improvement and financial gain entices working families to build outdoor living spaces and verandas rank among the gold standard. The one drawback patios, pergolas, and verandas have in common is that homeowners must retreat indoors to prepare full-course meals and when the weather turns cold. By implementing the following home improvement strategies, verandas can be transformed into all-season living spaces.

1: Install All-Season Heating System

Because verandas typically have open-air sides, they tend to provide only a limited outdoor experience. The same design element that allows homeowners to breathe in the fresh air and relax restricts space usage.

One of the trending solutions for a cold outdoor space involves installing infrared box heaters. This technology remains well-suited for residential outdoor spaces. Infrared box heaters can be secured to a veranda overhang or attached to the walls. There are three key benefits to employing this next-generation technology. First, they deploy radiant heat that warms objects and people rather than the air. When a cool breeze flows through the veranda, occupants remain comfortable. Second, infrared heaters do not use an open flame, making the system safe for semi-enclosed spaces. Third, many infrared products conveniently run on natural gas or electricity.

2: Install an Outdoor Kitchen

It's not uncommon for homeowners to think about outdoor living spaces as places to get away from hectic life. Comfortable seating and a pleasant view make this an area to be mindfully present with yourself. While that certainly adds quality of life benefits, installing a full kitchen means homeowners can stay in that relaxed state indefinitely. Outdoor grills can be a viable option under the weather protection of a veranda. To utilize these traditional outdoor cooking units, homeowners will need to select a place in the veranda that can accommodate an overhead exhaust fan and venting system. This resolves the problem of having to position outdoor grills away from the secure space. Add a complete countertop, drawers, sinks, a refrigerator and the veranda offers the peaceful enjoyment of your property all day.

3: Add Privacy and Windbreak

Part of the daytime experience of enjoying a veranda involves taking in the picturesque views. However, nighttime areas with lots of lighting reduce privacy. Passersby and neighbors notice the light in the darkness and what you're doing. That's why installing rolling privacy shading such as long lengths of matchstick bamboo makes sense. Many of these easy-to-install products run upwards of 96 inches, making them ideal for open-air verandas. Along with providing visual privacy, they can also curb winds that would otherwise disrupt your sustained relaxation.

Property owners invest in outdoor living spaces to improve their quality of life and property values. Upgrades such as outdoor kitchens, infrared heating and privacy elements allow homeowners to maximize the benefits of verandas all year long.

About the Author
Author

Marianna E Perez

Marianna E. Perez is a Real Estate professional with over 20 years of experience. A lifelong resident of South Florida, she keeps her finger on the pulse of the latest trends and movements in the real estate market. She offers clients top-notch guidance from start to finish, ensuring the entire process is seamless, efficient and rewarding. Prior to entering real estate, Marianna was Senior Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Banking at City National Bank of Florida. She provided strategic leadership facilitating profitable and efficient origination of real estate loans. Marianna was a trusted advisor to clients and to the bank growing a real estate portfolio to over $300 million. She is firmly committed to the philosophy “not quantity, but quality,” which she practices in both her personal and professional life. Marianna is a graduate of FIU where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management. She is a member of the Miami Association of Realtors, a lifetime board member of the BASF (Builders Association of South Florida), a member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), and ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers). She is also involved with the Women’s Leadership Council (United Way TNC). In addition, Marianna has received these special industry accolades: Housing Hall of Fame inductee 2017 Builders Association of South Florida, Associate of the Year 2017 Builders Association of South Florida, Florida’s Best Awards Chair 2016 and 2004 Builders Association of South Florida, Vice President 2008 Builders Association of South Florida, President’s Award 2008 and 2003