Products and materials

Quality outdoor spaces start with the right materials

A great outdoor area isn't just about how it looks when it's finished. The materials you choose affect how it performs, how much maintenance it needs and how you'll feel about it years from now.

Riverina Outdoor Living works with quality roofing, decking, screening and outdoor living products from established manufacturers including Lysaght, Versiclad, Eclipse and Ekodeck.

But we don't believe in choosing a product simply because of the name on the brochure.

We'll help you compare the options and choose materials that make sense for your home, your budget and the way you plan to use your outdoor space.

Choosing the right materials for your project

There are plenty of decisions involved in planning an outdoor area.

  • Should you spend more on insulated roofing?

  • Is composite decking worth it, or would you prefer natural timber?

  • Would a fixed patio give you everything you need, or would you benefit from an opening louvre roof?

  • Which colours will work with the existing house?

There's rarely one product that's best for everyone.

We consider the location of your project, exposure to the weather, appearance, maintenance requirements, how often you'll use the space and where your budget is best spent.

Our job is to explain the differences so you can make an informed decision.

Outdoor patio area with dining table, lounge chairs, pool, and landscaped yard

Lysaght steel roofing

Practical, proven roofing for patios and carports

Steel roofing is a practical option when your main priorities are shade and protection from the weather.

Riverina Outdoor Living uses Lysaght roofing products across a range of patio, pergola and carport projects.

Available in a range of profiles and COLORBOND® steel colours, steel roofing can be selected to complement the existing home while providing a durable, straightforward roofing solution.

Steel roofing may be right for you if:

  • you want practical shade and weather protection

  • keeping the project cost down is important

  • you don't require an insulated ceiling

  • you're building a patio, pergola or carport

  • you want colours that can work with your existing home

Versiclad Backyard pool patio with a covered patio featuring a black sectional sofa, a small coffee table with greenery, lounge chairs, and a glass fence surrounding a children's slide, under a clear blue sky with trees in the background.

Versiclad insulated roofing

More comfort and a finished ceiling in one system

For outdoor areas that will be used regularly, insulated roofing can be worth the additional investment.

Versiclad insulated roof panels combine the external roof, insulation and finished underside within one panel.

The insulation helps reduce radiant heat beneath the patio, which can make a noticeable difference during hot Riverina weather.

The underside also creates a clean, finished ceiling rather than leaving the roof structure exposed.

Insulated panels can also help reduce condensation forming and dripping beneath the roof during cooler conditions.

Insulated roofing may be right for you if:

  • you're creating a main outdoor entertaining area

  • thermal comfort is a priority

  • you want a clean, finished ceiling

  • the patio will be used regularly throughout the year

  • you're looking for a more premium outdoor living finish

Eclipse opening louvre roofs

Take control of sun, shade and airflow

A fixed patio roof provides permanent cover.

An opening louvre roof gives you another option.

Eclipse louvre roof systems use adjustable blades that can be repositioned depending on the conditions.

Open the blades when you'd like more sunlight and ventilation, angle them to create shade or close them when you want greater protection from the weather.

They're particularly worth considering where maintaining natural light is important or where you want more control over your outdoor environment throughout the seasons.

A louvre roof may be right for you if:

  • you want adjustable sun and shade

  • maintaining natural light is important

  • you'd like to let winter sunshine into the space

  • airflow and ventilation are priorities

  • you're creating a premium outdoor entertaining area

Louvre roofs are a higher-investment option than conventional fixed roofing, so we'll help you determine whether the additional flexibility makes sense for your space.

A small outdoor patio with a raised wooden ecodeck, black fence, potted tree, garden plants, a bench with white cushions and yellow checkered pillow, and a green side table with a watering can and cup.

Ekodeck composite decking

Low-maintenance outdoor living

Composite decking is a popular alternative for homeowners who want to spend less time maintaining their deck.

Riverina Outdoor Living uses Ekodeck composite decking across suitable outdoor projects.

Composite boards don't require the regular oiling or staining associated with natural timber and are available in a range of colours and finishes.

The upfront material cost can be higher than some timber options, but reduced ongoing maintenance can make composite an appealing long-term choice.

Composite decking may be right for you if:

  • low maintenance is a priority

  • you don't want to regularly oil or stain the deck

  • you prefer a more consistent appearance

  • you're comfortable investing more upfront for reduced upkeep

Choosing colours and finishes

The outdoor area might be new, but it shouldn't necessarily look disconnected from the rest of your home.

Roofing, posts, decking, screens and other finishes can be selected to work with existing elements such as:

  • roof and gutter colours

  • brickwork or cladding

  • window frames

  • fascia

  • existing paving

  • landscaping

  • fencing

  • the architectural style of the home

Sometimes matching existing colours creates the best result.

In other projects, introducing a complementary contrast can help the new outdoor area feel intentional rather than simply added on.

We'll help you consider the complete palette rather than choosing every material in isolation.

Where should you spend your budget?

Not every upgrade is worthwhile for every project.

If you're working within a budget, we'll help you prioritise the elements that will make the biggest difference to how you use the space.

For one homeowner, that might mean spending more on insulated roofing but choosing a simpler floor finish.

For someone else, low-maintenance composite decking may be more important than upgrading the roof.

And if your main goal is simply to protect the car from the weather, you probably don't need premium outdoor-living specifications at all.

Good design isn't about putting the most expensive product everywhere.

It's about spending money where it adds value for you.

Products are only part of the solution

Even the best building product won't fix a poorly considered design.

The orientation of your outdoor area, roof height, structure, drainage, airflow, natural light and connection with the existing home all matter.

That's why we start with the property and what you're trying to achieve, then select the products.

Not the other way around.

Products and materials FAQs

  • Depending on the project, we work with established outdoor building products and systems from manufacturers including Lysaght, Versiclad, Eclipse and Ekodeck, along with other materials suited to the individual project.

  • It can be if the patio will function as a main outdoor living area.

    Insulated panels can reduce radiant heat beneath the roof and provide a finished ceiling. For a straightforward area where your main priority is basic shade and weather protection, conventional steel roofing may be enough.

  • It depends on what you value.

    Composite is attractive for its low maintenance, while natural timber offers genuine variation, warmth and the ability to refresh the finish over time.

    We'll help you compare the practical differences rather than telling you one material is always better.

  • Material and colour both need to be considered for areas exposed to significant direct sunlight. All outdoor surfaces can heat up in strong Riverina summer sun, particularly darker finishes.

    We'll take the deck's orientation and exposure into account when discussing options.

  • The available colours depend on the roofing, decking, screening or other product selected.

    We'll show you the relevant options during the design process and help you consider how they work with the existing home.

  • Product warranties vary between manufacturers, product ranges and applications. We'll provide the relevant warranty information for the products specified for your project.

  • Absolutely. If you've already researched a product you like, let us know.

    We'll discuss whether it's appropriate for your project and, where relevant, compare it with the other available options.

  • No.

    The first step is understanding the project itself. We'll help you narrow down the appropriate products and finishes as the design develops.