Outdoor storage – space saving ideas make sense

Weather-proof outdoor storage box, cabinet and bench units are widely used to maximise storage space

Outdoor storage is becoming a viable option in many situations with the development of a wide range of weather-proof boxes, cabinets and benches. Space is often at a premium in today’s homes, and using a corner of the patio or yard allows many items such as sporting equipment, toys and tools to be safely stored without taking up valuable room inside. For larger storage requirements, of course, a garden shed is often the best solution.

There are several manufacturers specializing in good quality products in the outdoor storage field including Keter and Suncast. The most commonly used material for these items is moulded polypropylene resin plastic, which gives a good balance between strength, weathering (including UV resistance) and cost.

Typically these units are regarded as weather-proof rather than water-proof. This means that they are designed to keep the contents dry in outdoor storage situations, whatever the weather, but would of course let water in if they were covered in a flood.

One of the most popular units in the Landera range of outdoor storage units is the Keter COMPACT WITH PEGBOARD. It has a particularly useful internal configuration, with shelving on one side and a tall storage space suitable for brooms and mops on the other.

The unit shown below is the WOODLAND 30 Cabinet – also a very popular unit.

 

1_woodland_open_with_bins

Greenhouse assembly – ease of assembly is important when choosing a product

The SILVER LINE range has the major benefit of being designed for easy greenhouse assembly

When choosing a kit form greenhouse, assembly is one of the most important factors to consider; at least as important as price. Because of the fact that greenhouses are fairly complex structures with a relatively large number of parts, there are two main factors which influence how easy they are to assemble. Firstly, the quality of component design and manufacture, and secondly, the quality of the instructions provided.

The SILVER LINE range from Palram is manufactured with ease of assembly specifically in mind. All parts are cut to size, and special tools supplied to facilitate the construction process. The instructions are completely diagrammatic – all step by step line drawn images, (similar to those from IKEA!), and very simple to follow.

There is also another consideration in the greenhouse assembly process – the unit needs to be securely fastened to the ground to prevent it being moved by the wind. The SILVER LINE units have a galvanised steel channel section at the base, and this can be used as a fastening point. A concrete strip footing or timber sleepers set into the ground provide a suitable base for anchorage for the larger units. Units such as the LEAN TO and the GROW STATION can be fastened to a wall as well as the surface on which they are sitting.

The photo below was one of a series sent to us by a very happy customer in Perth – frame completed and glazed; fitting the door was the next step.

 

.

Canon June2012 092

.

Greenhouse Opportunities for Courtyards and Patios

Greenhouse opportunities for courtyards and patios are becoming more important as the percentage of the population living in urban areas increases world-wide, and the move is to apartments and unit developments where space is at a premium.  This shift has many benefits including low property maintenance, proximity to employment, cultural and recreational activities and low environmental footprint.  However, quite a few people miss the interest and benefits of gardening – just growing some flowers and vegetables can be a great stress-reliever as well as a healthy way to save money!

The good news is that you don’t have to have a 1000 square metre backyard to be involved in gardening – Landera has several greenhouse options specifically designed for small area applications.  These include the SILVER LINE LEAN TO , SILVER LINE GROW STATION , SILVER LINE GROW DECK and SILVER LINE PLANT INN.

Greenhouses are ideal for gardening if you don’t have much room; neat and tidy as well as providing a controlled growing environment and protection from extremes of weather and pests.

The PLANT INN is particularly suitable for small courtyards, and incorporates a storage cabinet for all gardening tools, potting mix, fertilizers etc, making it a fully self-contained gardening unit.  The elevated garden deck offers a comfortable access level – great for those of us who are not as young as we used to be and also ideal for gardeners in wheelchairs.

Hose Holders – a touch of quality and style

Cast aluminium hose holders – robust and rust-free

It is interesting what catches our attention – a very well laid out and maintained garden can be let down by a small detail such as a cheap plastic hose holder. However, the good news is there are quality options available that are stylish, strong and long-lasting.

The Hose Holder range from Landera is selected for style and quality. Visit our hose holder page to view our current range, we have had several styles available in the past but at times our range may vary due to stock availability.

These are sourced from the manufacturer in USA and are made from rust-free recycled aluminium. After casting, each item is hand-finished in an attractive French Bronze patina and individually packed for protection in transit.

Assembly and installation are easy – the units not only add that touch of quality, they will last a life time. And they also solve the problem of having the hose coiled up on the path where you can trip over it in the dark …!.

Hose Holder

Weathervanes – feature accents that add interest to your property

Weathervanes have been in use for centuries

There is no topic more commonly discussed than the weather! From ancient times people have studied changes in climate and tried to forecast what tomorrow’s weather would bring. The weathervane is one of the first instruments devised to study weather patterns – the direction the wind is coming from often determines the day’s temperature, cloud cover and rainfall.

One of the earliest known examples of the use of a weathervane was at the Tower of the Winds in Athens in the 1st century BC. Since then there has been an enormous range of types and designs used throughout the world, often displaying cultural or religious themes as well as performing their primary function. These days they are often used to indicate an area of interest – the HORSE units seem to be very popular in some areas!

The ACCENT range of weathervanes that Landera supplies is manufactured in USA from cast recycled aluminium. Designed with a fully-adjustable roof mount base and finished in black powdercoat, these units are easy to install and will last a lifetime. The range includes the ROOSTER WEATHERVANE, SAILING SHIP WEATHERVANE and the HORSE WEATHERVANE.

 

weathervane