Outdoor advice
Straight answers before you build.
Product comparisons, Victorian approval guidance and practical design advice from the team that measures, documents and installs the work.
Most relevant
5 guides
Local approvals
Approvals
Do patios and carports need council approval in Victoria?
A plain-English guide to planning and building approval for patios, verandahs and carports in Victoria, including what affects your application.
Local approvals
Approvals
Does my retaining wall need a permit in Victoria?
When a retaining wall needs a building permit in Victoria, what skipping it can cost, and five questions to ask before you sign a quote in western Victoria.
Design
Design guide
Which patio roof style is best for your western Victoria home?
Compare flat, gable, skillion, curved, insulated and opening-louvre patio roofs by light, heat, drainage, height and budget.
Roofing
Product comparison
Insulated patio roof vs single-skin roofing: what changes?
Compare insulated patio panels with single-skin roofing for summer heat, rain noise, ceiling finish, span, lighting and cost.
Louvres
Buyer guide
Opening louvre roofs: what to know before you buy
Understand how motorised louvre roofs handle sun, ventilation and rain, plus the questions to ask about drainage, controls, cleaning and installation.
Still deciding what belongs over your space?
Tell us how you use the yard and what the site is doing. We'll narrow it down to the options that genuinely fit.