An alfresco extension provides homeowners with the ideal transitional space from the outdoors and indoors of a house. An attractive alfresco may also be a year around outdoor living space that also serves as a great entertainment area for family and friends. Compared to a simple patio, which generally is just an extension attached to your home, an alfresco room actually exists under the very same roof structure. This gives you the versatility of placing your alfresco extension where you need it, and not having to worry about damaging the building by having an open fire or electrical problems. You also don’t have to worry about the elements such as rain or extreme temperature since this extension exists almost constantly year-round. The only downside to this extension is if it becomes difficult to install or if it requires too much work, such as with older roofs.
Alfrescos are generally built on top of a metal frame that allows for them to be extended, usually via a stairway, onto the adjacent roofs. This is often done for aesthetic reasons, to extend the available square footage, but many companies also use this method to keep the extension out of the way during construction so they can easily be installed later. Since most alfresco extensions use metal frames, water is a potential issue with the installation of an alfresco extension. This is a common problem when working with metal; however, most companies have methods for dealing with this type of water and even have alternative systems to install under the event that the water becomes too bad.
With the advancements in modern technology, the production process for these types of extensions has improved dramatically. The improvements in processing and design has resulted in the materials used being much more durable than they were in the past, allowing for more ornate and elaborate designs. These ornate designs may include using colored silks rather than the traditional browns and blacks that are typically associated with extensions. It has become easier for alfresco contractors to incorporate decorative touches into their works, even ones as seemingly insignificant as an ornamental water feature, and OSGI and Albresco have recognized this. Using the W7 rating system for identification of water features, the ornate and elaborate nature of these works of art can now be clearly identified.
