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[~f you and your Ifamily are lookâ€" ing for ways to spend more quality time outdoors this summer, you may want to consider installing a deck or patio. Not only will this give you a chance to take more advantage of all the best the season has to offer, but it will expand your living space considerably. You‘ll also find that the addition of a Extend your summer living space deck or‘ patio enhances your home a great deal, making it more attractive and inviting. A deck or patio may also be appealing if someâ€" one in your family suffers from grass allergies, because both help to miniâ€" mize direct contact with the lawn. When planning your deck or patio, consider what priâ€" mary uses it will serve. For instance, RF//MK(JMM/@@ * $175,900. Priced to sell! _ * $319,000. Elegant 4 BR backsplit * Central air, 3 BR, 2 baths. * Full ensuite off master BR * Super family neighbourhood! * Beautiful ga -qudens total nvaw' Call MONIKA BLEWETT 842â€"7000. Call MON BI.EWE‘I'P’ Monika Blewett do you want it mostâ€" ly for entertaining? Do you want to use it as a play area for your children? Or do you simply want a place to relax and unwind in peace and privacy? Remember to factor in you famâ€" ily‘s daily activities and preferences. Keep in mind that decks and patios can also be designed to incorpoâ€" rate your landscapâ€" ing. If you have large trees, for example, consider building around them instead of avoiding them altoâ€" gether â€" or worse yet â€" removing them. It‘B a good idea to try and blend with your environâ€" ment wherever posâ€" sible. Also remember that with a deck, you‘re not limited to one level. You can incorporate varying heights and levels to This article is provided by local Realtors and the Ontario Real Estate A s s o c ia t io n (OREA) for the benefit of conâ€" sumers in the real estate market. You can also have different levels of a patio, if you have varying levels of land â€" or you can create different levels of land by making alterations to your landscaping. It‘s a good idea to consult a profesâ€" sional first, if you decide to go this route. When planning your deck or patio, don‘t forget to think about aspects of your home or yard that you want to accentuate â€" like the French doors opening up from the family room â€" or camouflage â€" like the _ neighbor‘s unsightly storage shed. You can be very creative with privacy fencing. If you‘re hanâ€" dling the job yourâ€" self, remember to check and see if any building permits are obtained. With a litâ€" tle careful planning, you and your family will be able to spend more time in the great outdoors. accommodate difâ€" ferent uses. For example, you could have a main deck area for entertaining and relaxing, anothâ€" er, adjoining level for the kids to play on, and another for a hot tub.