DECKS

Walkways

Steel frame deck option for fire zones

RECYCLED TIMBER PRODUCTS

Needed a woodworking bench in my garage that would fit and was sick and tired of sending old seasoned timbers to the tip. I decided to recycle these old mixed hardwood, Oregon, and cedar timbers from Pergolas and decks that we dismantled and this was the outcome. Best thing, I only spent $90 for the vice and $30 for the Danish oil finish. Many hours of satisfying fine woodworking to come.

STRIP BUILT BOARDS

Stand up paddle board on its way.  Boomer Kerr has worked a miracle in that tiny workshop of his in Perth. Its a good size for amateur riders like him. Using Paulownia timber, (halfway between Balsa and Cedar in weight) and cedar feature strips its shaping up to be an awesome board.

Grandfather inspecting the build quality

The paddle with a 6 degree kick



The non ratchet pull straps work a treat onholding down
the strips for glueing

The tricky rails.  Good to see bit more cedar used here.

CHOPPING BOARDS

Chopping boards out of timber gluts used for packing. Using coconut oil as a sealer... meant to be as good as mineral oil. Researched mineral oil as the preferred choice, but found out it has a slight laxative effect.  

COMPOST BIN

I Can't get enough compost. This compost bin I made up out of an old 44 gallon plastic drum.  Used castor wheels on the side and attached using bolts. Cut a lid in it, used a piano hinge and put on a handle and now i have shit literally tumbling out of my hands.... (usually it comes from my mouth).... Cost =  only for the hinge, clips and castor wheels = $30 

Remember if you're going to do one, make sure to put holes in the side preferably up high so all those juices don't flow out.  Made that mistake, so now I'm putting trays underneath to collect this plant Grange Hermitage.

BBQ AREAS

I love BBQ areas... Building this was more fun than a bloke can handle.  All aluminium frame construction ensures there is no movement, rotting or warping of materials.  This will still be standing in 50 years time.  The timber is purely for aesthetics.  The bench top is the stainless steel top off the Dishwasher and the rest of the wrap around Bench (out of view), is made from large second hand paver's that were taken off the Olympic site in Homebush. The Nights helmet thing is a rotisserie made from a old heater.  Works wonders.

PERGOLAS

AK Outdoor living have had over 15 years experience combined in the construction of outdoor entertaining areas. Its in this strong background that we are able to design and construct Pergolas that not only provide shelter but compliment the house and surrounding landscapes.

Things to consider:

1. Aspect - Don't block or let in too much light depending on position
2. Materials - Think materials that are consistent with the main residence
3. Durability - Construction and component techniques are adequate

OPTIONS

• Timber
• Metal - Steel
• Aluminium
• Combination

TIMBER

Flat pergola with Danpalon sheeting

STEEL

Commercial job - School in Allambie 

Polycarb Outback flat Pergola

Flat/Gable Windsor

Gable Stratco Carport

Multispan gable

Dutch Gable carport

ALUMINIUM



Before

After

VEGETABLE GARDENS

Custom Raised Vegetable Garden 

This garden was an experiment, in that i wasn't quite sure whether it was going to work.  All aluminium box section construction from offcuts from my work allowed me to construct a frame in which a layer of fly mesh material was placed. Gaps between the box section provided adequate drainage and the fly mesh prevented the soil mix from falling through. 

I used a Vegetable garden mix for the free draining soil medium, and added a variety of manures and later on home made compost to boost the properties.  The quite sandy base soil meant that watering needed to be quite frequent. This was combated by mixing in some Bentonite (clay) with a slow release fertiliser. Combined with an adequate layer of Sugar Cane Mulch, watering could be limited to once every two days.

This Garden has been so productive, and has out-performed all expectations: Have a look at the Crops of tomatoes Etc:

The best thing about this system as opposed to a traditional raised bed is that a two tier planting arrangement can occur. Lower areas on the south facing side can hold shade loving ornamental's, while stainless steel cable at the front and top sections allow for the plants that require support like beans, tomatoes, eggplant.  One of the other bonuses is that you do not require such a deep profile of soil with this system. Most vegetables and plants in general have all the high nutrient up take roots in the upper soil layer just beneath the surface.  No need for deep profiles.