Choosing the right tiles for your outdoor space is not always easy. There are so many different sizes, thicknesses, colours and materials on the market that it can be tricky to know where to start! The thickness of your outdoor tiles is very important. Too thin, and they may not be sturdy enough to handle the pressure of an outdoor environment, too thick and you'll have a hard time working with them (and probably spend more too). So how thick should outdoor tiles be?

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Bonfire night for kids can be a truly memorable time of year. The combination of thunderous sounds and spectacular sights is a veritable all-you-can-eat buffet for the senses, providing treasured childhood memories that can last a lifetime.

However, you don’t have to go to your local firework display to enjoy bonfire night in style. In fact, bonfire night at home can be just as memorable for the whole family and we’ve got plenty of bonfire night ideas to make that happen.

Bonfire Night Activities for Kids

You don’t have to create your own fireworks display in your back garden to enjoy bonfire night at home. Here are a few easy ways to bring the fun and excitement of Guy Fawkes night to your home this November.

Sparklers

When it comes to getting your kids involved in the firework festivities, few domestic activities provide the interactive awesomeness of the tried and tested sparkler.

Sparklers put the fiery fun firmly in the hands of your children, providing unforgettable childhood experiences that will last long into adulthood. However, be sure to take the appropriate precautions (more on that later).

A true staple of bonfire night, sparklers can be purchased from most corner shops, supermarkets and local garages in the run-up to November 5^th, so be sure to keep an eye out and stock up.

S’mores

While somewhat of an American delicacy, s’mores have made their way across the Atlantic in recent years, provided the UK with an autumnal helping of sugary awesomeness that cannot be denied.

Essentially, s’mores are a campfire treat that sees melted marshmallow and chocolate sandwiched between two biscuits. With bonfire night being the prime setting for controlled open flames, it’s the perfect occasion to introduce your youngster to the humble s’more.

In the US, Graham Crackers are the typical biscuit of choice; however, they are notoriously hard to find on UK shores. While you may get lucky in the “world food” aisle at your local supermarket, digestive biscuits make for a fine British substitute.

It’s worth noting that, while it can be all too easy to overindulge in this sweet treat, s’mores can also be incredibly sickly, so try to limit the binging if your kids find themselves going back for seconds or thirds.

Glow Bubbles

If you have kids that are under five-years-old, sparklers are likely to be off the menu due to the dangers involved. However, that’s not to say your younger children have to miss out on the fun.

A unique alternative to sparklers, glow bubbles can help fill the void and keep your younger family members from feeling left out. Best of all, they’re extremely easy to make!

All you need to do is get a standard bottle of blowing bubble mix that you can find in any supermarket or card shop and add the contents of a glow stick. It’s that simple!

Providing the awesome aesthetic of a glow in the dark visual with the interactive unpredictability of bubble making, glow bubbles make for the perfect safe substitute for sparklers.

Kids love bubbles; kids also love things that glow in the dark. Blending the two is a guaranteed hit!

Bonfire Cupcakes

Another great way to get the kids involved in the bonfire night festivities is to make bonfire cupcakes. Most children love to bake and putting the bonfire slant on the baking task is a great way to incorporate it into your November 5^th plans.

For this, nothing too outlandish is needed. The premise is simply to create a cupcake that’s decorated to resemble a burning bonfire.

To create the flaming wood effect, all you need to do is top your cupcakes with orange frosting and add Matchmakers sticks or a Cadbury’s Flake to resemble the burning wood.

Bonfire Night Safety Tips

Needless to say, while bonfire night can be a whole heap of fun, it can also present a variety of dangers and hazards along the way.

Sparklers in particular can be extremely dangerous if they aren’t handled with care. In fact, three sparklers lit together can burn at the same heat as a blowtorch… so, needless to say, sparklers use needs to supervised attentively.

If your children are going to be handling sparklers, always ensure they do so at arms’ length and while wearing gloves. Only light one sparkler at a time and place the used stick in a bucket of water once it has been extinguished.

Finally, don’t forget to wrap up warm this bonfire night. Remember, the November weather can be bitterly cold in the evening and standing around in the dark for prolonged periods of time can be particularly chilly, especially for kids.

For additional bonfire night safety tips, check out bonfire-night-safety.co.uk for a comprehensive list of precautionary tips. Meanwhile, for anything else related to outdoor living products, contact AlfrescoPlus by clicking the button below.

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Sunrooms are becoming an increasingly popular addition to houses across the UK, gracing gardens nationwide as the perfect addition to detached and semi-detached homes.

However, if you are the proud owner of a bungalow, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the outdoor fun. A sunroom can be just as effective on a bungalow plot as it is with a detached or a semi.

In fact, with bungalows typically housing less interior space than a two-storey property, adding an extra room can make a big difference, making a bungalow sunroom an even more valuable addition.

Benefits of Sunrooms for Bungalows

As we touched upon in the intro, one of the main drawbacks of a bungalow property is their limiting living restrictions. Naturally removing a floor is going to effectively cut your living space in half.

A huge advantage of adding a sunroom to your property is that it effectively adds an extra room on to your house. In the case of a bungalow, this can make a notable difference and really contribute to a more enjoyable home-life.

The additional space can be utilised for a variety of purposes you may have otherwise not been able to house, be it an office, play room or home gym.

What’s more, the addition of a sunroom can also add financial value to a property, often providing added value that exceeds the initial expense.

In the case of a bungalow – particularly smaller-scale builds – a sunroom could account for a significant portion of a property, providing a notable expansion of available living space.

Good to Know

If you’re considering adding a sunroom to your bungalow, there are a few handy facts that are good to know before you jump in to your property-expanding project.

Permission to Land

As a general rule of thumb, adding a sunroom to your property doesn’t require any planning permission, provided it isn’t built on a border. As a result, the addition of a sunroom effectively allows you to really make the most of your land by expanding your indoor living area.

DIY-able

If you’re working to a budget and are either an experienced tradesman or confident DIY aficionado, you may consider taking on the task yourself. Our range of sunrooms are designed with a streamlined, modular design for easy installation, allowing you to step up to the plate if you wish to take on the challenge.

Cash-Conserving

Sunrooms can be considerably less expensive than traditional conservatories. If you’re looking to expand your space while conserving your cash, a sunroom is the perfect solution. Better still, sunrooms are better equipped for year-round use, while conservatories are typically more seasonal.

If you’re thinking of adding a sunroom to your bungalow, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or get in touch online using the link below.

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Visit our sister site www.sunspaces.co.uk to browse our full range of sunrooms!

When it comes to breathing a new lease of life into your property, renovating your garden is a great way to do so in spades.

Back garden renovation, in particular, can really transform a property and, more specifically, your enjoyment of it, providing endless hours of outdoor relaxation and open-air fun.

However, with limitless potential for renovation ideas, settling on a way to do so can be a headache in itself.

Luckily, this blog is here to help get you on track to the garden of your dreams.

Garden Renovation Checklist

Like any big job, garden renovation isn’t something you can jump into without any forethought or planning. If you want it done right, you’re going to have to be organised.

Follow these steps to ensure your back garden renovation goes smoothly:

Draft a Design

Your first port of call should always be to draft up a rough design of how you want your garden to look. Just like any building project, flying by the seat of your pants without a definitive direction is a sure-fire recipe for disaster.

Even if your design skills leave a lot to be desired, a rough sketch of what you want where can really help you to visualise the finished product and go a long way in helping you achieve the end result.

Go Pro or DIY?

Once you’ve got an idea of how you want your garden to look and which creative direction you want to go, you should now have a good idea of what needs to be done in order to achieve your desired result.

From here, you should also have a general indication of what you are capable of achieving yourself and what you will need professional help with. The extent of outside influence can often depend on budget but it’s important not to overstep your boundaries.

While it is usually cheaper and more cost-effective to go the DIY route, a botched job done poorly can result in a sub-par finish and lead to further costs down the line. If you don’t think you’re capable of achieving the desired result on a specific task, don’t be afraid to call in an expert.

Shop Around

Speaking of budget, another important thing to keep in mind when you’re planning your garden renovation is that price can and will vary from one supplier to the next.

This can be particularly notable when it comes to accessories and features like garden furniture, plants and pots. Don’t settle on the first result and take time to shop around.

That being said, shopping around for the best item at the best price can also be quite a juggling act at times, as there’s a fine line between economical and cheap.

If budget is a concern, aim for a middle of the road item for the best of both worlds. The product with the lowest value may have earned that price tag for a reason.

Recycle and Upcycle

One of the best trump cards for keeping within your budget when it comes to garden renovation is to recycle and upcycle old/existing items.

Old indoor furniture with a lick of paint can get a second wind with a renewed sense of purpose outdoors, so think twice before you throw out those tired kitchen chairs.

Similarly, charity shops can be a treasure trove of potential when it comes to upcycling, while even industrial items like breeze blocks and disused timber can make for a surprisingly attractive shabby chic bench.

Deck or Paving

Proper planning and budgeting can give you the chance to visualise the desired look and feel you want for your garden. It can also allow you to consider possibilities that can truly transform your outside space.

If you don’t already have it, an instant way to revamp your outdoor property is to invest in decking or paving. Meanwhile, if you do have a patio or a deck area, trading one for the other can also reinvent your garden instantly.

Zoning is also an increasingly popular design trend, combining lawn, patio and deck areas in one single garden space. Don’t be afraid to play around with concepts during the design stage. After all, it’s your space – let your imagination take you where you want to go.

Space Jam

If you have a modestly sized outdoor area and space is a concern, you don’t have to lose out. In fact, small garden renovation can be just as rewarding and equally as stunning if you know the tricks of the trade.

From building up vertically using shelves and wall decorations to creating the illusion of space using light colours and clever furnishing, there are a whole host of tricks, shortcuts and hacks that can allow you to get the most out of the space you have.

Click HERE to find out more about space-saving tips for a small garden renovation.

For more information on back garden renovation and how to revamp your outdoor space, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or click the button below to get in touch online.

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When it comes to outdoor design, having a small garden can be frustratingly restrictive at times. With a limited amount of room to work with, every inch of floor-space can be vital.

However, just because you may have a modestly-sized outdoor space doesn’t mean you have to lose out on all the greeny garden gratification of a larger garden.

With a bit of creativity, an open mind and a little elbow grease for good measure, you can turn your pint-sized plot into a veritable Tardis of alfresco awesomeness.

Small Garden Ideas

There’s a fine line between busy and messy, and even the addition of a single plant pot can take up a surprising amount of room. As such, every small garden design addition needs to carefully thought out.

To help you make the right choices when it comes to your outdoor space, here are five great garden hacks that never fail to expand your exterior.

Shelf-Respect

Building up is a recurring trend when it comes to making the most of a small garden. Adding shelves to your garden courtyard can be a great way to save space. Providing multiple levels of decorative space at your disposal, shelves make for the perfect place to house potted plants and garden ornaments,

Climbing the Walls

Much like shelving, another great way to incorporate flowers and plant life without monopolising floor space is to utilise the fences and walls around the garden. Incorporating trellis fencing to hang plants from the side and rear walls can create a beautiful space-saving perimeter for a truly stunning visual.

Pane Relief

A fantastic alternative to a bulkier flower bed that will eat up a chunk of floor space, window boxes are a great way to provide colour and vibrancy for your garden using a minimal amount garden real estate.

Don’t Cut Corners

Adding seating to your outside space can and usually will take up a lot of room, particularly if you incorporate a table into the mix as well. Opt for a weatherproof corner sofa to ensure you utilise every inch of space to its fullest potential. Meanwhile, this will also cover the walls giving the illusion of additional space.

Lighten Up

Finally, be sure to incorporate light/bright colours into your small garden design. Whether you opt for creamy-coloured flooring tiles, white-painted fencing or even lightly-coloured garden furniture, a simple bright colour-scheme can have an instant impact on space. 

For additional small garden ideas or more information on how to make the most of your small garden design, why not drop us a line? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or click the button below to get in touch online.

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