The landscaping of your second home is not to be taken lightly! This is the opportunity to make your wildest dreams come true and to personalize your environment to your lifestyle. The possibilities are endless… and it’s easy to get lost! To guide you in your landscaping choices for your second home, here is a guide to the three most important things to keep in mind.

Consider Visiting Times

Depending on the season(s) during which you visit your second home, the layout of your yard must adapt to your needs. Let’s take a look at the different options available to you.

Summer Getaways

If you enjoy your second home mainly in summer, the watchword will be cool! Shaded areas will be very important for optimal comfort. Think of greenery or even a garden shed! The swimming pool is also a must. Add some life to your decor with flowers or even a water garden. Without forgetting to integrate the pretty outdoor kitchen, which will make a beautiful sunny day a guaranteed success!

Winter Cabin

For winter sports enthusiasts who visit their second home during snowy stays, we will be looking for something cozy. What could be better than a good spa for a successful après-ski? Also go there with vegetation that will withstand the harsh Quebec winters, such as conifers for example. The day will end wonderfully in front of a good fire, surrounded by natural stones and tall fir trees!

4 Season Oasis

Those lucky enough to benefit from an all-weather retreat will be spoiled for choice when it comes to landscaping! The campfire and the swimming pool will be a real must here. And why not add a sumptuous terrace? A perfect mix of perennials, annuals, hardwoods, and conifers will make your yard charming in summer, as in winter!

Adapt The Landscaping To The Use Of His Secondary Prestige Home 

How do you use your second home? If you like to take refuge there alone, be sure to include everything you need to relax. Whether it’s the swimming pool, the deck chair, or the shed for your sports equipment, the configuration adapts to your desires. If you are rather among the hosts at majestic receptions, you will have to add everything necessary to receive family and friends well. Choose a large table with several chairs for all the guests, an outdoor bar, or even a large swimming pool. The parking spaces are also not to be forgotten.

Do you have young children or grandchildren? You will want to consider them in your decision-making. A play area or a designated area for sports activities will be greatly appreciated! For safety, add barriers to block access to water points.

Water sports enthusiasts will also need to develop the shoreline to make it suitable for receiving boats. Depending on your lifestyle, a pool house could be interesting with a kitchen, laundry room, and integrated shower to avoid dirtying your vacation home! In short, do not be afraid of grand ideas, everything is possible!

Take Advantage Of The Location Of Your Second Home 

The landscaping of your prestigious home, whether it is your principal residence or not, should harmonize with the nature that surrounds it. Surround yourself with experts to take advantage of each natural element around your second home.

Retreat by the water? Add a dock and a relaxation area close to the shore. It will be your favorite place to read a good book or have a coffee. Cabin in the mountains? Plan a marvelous view of the relief. Luxury camp in the forest? Keep the mature trees that will make your land a real enchanted haven. There is always a solution to maximize the surrounding assets, just ask yourself what will make you happiest!…

In terms of weather, without a doubt, Quebec is full of surprises. Through these freezing winters and the hottest summers, we always feel several thaws. These temperature variations cause a freezing and thawing phenomenon which can be brutal on outdoor installations. The bad weather that periodically hits the territory does nothing to help the sustainability of the developments. Indeed, when creating patios and terraces, it is necessary to think carefully about the resilience of the materials chosen. Are you having trouble finding your way around? Avoid unpleasant surprises and consult our guide to choosing the patio materials adapted to the Quebec climate!

Before The Works

Before even starting the work, several factors must be considered to complete your project. It is essential to define your expectations. First, you have to decide if the patio or the terrace is preferable in your layout. Next, you will need to look into the various weather factors and municipal rules in your area. Indeed, some municipalities have very specific construction regulations. To avoid unpleasant surprises, please refer to your municipality’s building code. To do this, it is important to ask yourself the following questions:

• How much money am I willing to invest in this project?
• What style do I want to give to the project?
• Do I have the time and inclination to take care of the interview?
• What activities will I do in this space?

Once these questions have been resolved, it will be much easier for you to make an informed decision and establish an effective plan with your landscaper. Continue reading to learn more about the different species of trees and stones available on the market, their main advantages as well as some of the disadvantages they may pose.

Treated Wood Patio

The treated wood patio is possibly one of the most popular options. Many people use it to create their patio since this material is both economical and versatile. This wood can be stained in many tones or even painted. It will still be necessary to opt for coatings resistant to UV rays and water. Keep in mind that the structure will probably need to be brushed after a few years depending on its exposure to the elements and the quality of the products used. On horizontal surfaces, this could be every year if you want a more consistent finish.

Cedar Patio

Cedar is a material with an excellent reputation for outdoor projects. Indeed, it is known to be very resistant to mold and has a lifespan of about twenty years. However, this is quite an expensive option. In addition, this wood requires excellent annual maintenance. You also have to be realistic about how it looks. Even with a protectant or stain, cedar tends to turn gray in the sun. When making this choice for an outdoor structure, one should be aware of these factors.

Ipe Patio

Ipe, an exotic wood from South America, has become an increasingly popular product over the years in Quebec. It has several advantages similar to treated wood in addition to offering better resistance. In general, ipe has a lifespan of about forty years when well maintained. This is quite an interesting feature. In addition, it is easy to maintain.

It is recommended to clean the wood and apply a UV protectant annually to prevent discoloration. The negative point, it is an expensive material. You must therefore be ready to invest to obtain an ipe terrace.

Natural Stone Patio

Stone is a very resistant option that has proven itself in Quebec weather conditions. This type of layout is also magnificent when the installation has been well executed. Natural stone paving not only creates a natural and clean look, but its durability is excellent. Properly cared for, natural stone will last a lifetime. However, it is necessary to choose the type of stone affixed carefully since, subject to the cold, some can cause problems. For example, when the surface of the slate is frozen, it becomes slippery and its edges sharp. Your landscaper can guide you through the planning. Note that, despite some beliefs, it is also possible to have smooth finishes in natural stone.

Precast Concrete Paver

Concrete paving is a very versatile option. There is a wide choice of ranges available, which makes the price very variable from one layout to another. Concrete slabs are generally resistant to freezing and thawing. The maintenance of pavement is usually done annually. It is necessary to clean with water and touch up with polymeric sand where there are imperfections in the joints. The use of polymeric sand can be very advantageous since it prevents grass from growing in the joints. Given the wide variety of pavers available, the durability of this one will depend on its quality. Thinner pieces will often be weaker. It will therefore be necessary to choose material according to the anticipated use of the covered spaces.

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