You’ve noticed the days are getting a little cooler.  Night time darkness comes a little earlier.  You’ve dug out your sweaters from storage and moved your shorts to the back of the closet.  Winter’s on its way.

Although people mostly think of enjoying an outdoor deck during the hot and sunny summer months, there are plenty of ways to make use of your sundeck during the winter, too.  Just because the bikinis have been stored away until spring, your deck can still serve as the centre for catching up with friends, chatting with family and finding some much needed time to yourself.

Here are a few ideas on how to maximise your deck in winter.

April is a great month to be South African.

With four shortened work weeks in a row, it’s the perfect time of year to stretch out and enjoy the last remains of summer.  However in the midst of long weekends and party plans, it’s easy to forget why exactly we have all these public holidays.  You suddenly start to confuse National Braai Day (aka Heritage Day) with Women’s Day and Youth Day.

It’s time to deck the halls – or deck the deck – for the holiday that’s right around the corner.  No, it’s not Christmas, but Easter is a great time to get the family or neighbourhood together.  And even if you’re not celebrating Easter, four days off from work is the perfect excuse for anyone to celebrate.  With the super long weekend just days away it’s time to celebrate in style right on your very own outdoor deck.

Here’s how.

Summer is in full swing.   Your days are filled with sun, living up the outdoors, and wearing bikinis.  If you’re feeling like you could look a bit better in your swimming costume, now’s the time to take charge of your body and get in shape on  your outdoor deck!

How tough is Eva-tech composite decking?  Tougher than this.

You love the spa.  Yes you do.  Stop shaking your head and pretending you're above all that pampering nonsense.  Whether you're a regular for the mud baths or just like to guilt your girlfriend/ boyfriend into giving you a back massage, you are a creature of luxury.  But why waste the whole day indoors at a sterile spa centre when you could be at home, enjoying the summer weather and spending a lot less money by creating a personal spa on your sundeck? 

Summer 2012 is the perfect time to transform your Eva-tech deck into a sanctuary of facials, seaweed wraps and buffed nails.  Spread out some towels on your outdoor deck.  Toss around a few comfy pillows.  Throw in some chilled cucumber water.   Turn on relaxing music.  And now you have your own outdoor spa!

Invite the girls over for a social spa day, make it a couple’s retreat with some champagne and candles, or enjoy a bit of alone time as you rejuvenate your mind and body.

Here are a few easy spa tips for a relaxing (and affordable) day out in the sun on your low maintenance deck:

December is just around the corner and, with it, the official start of Deck Season.  Maybe you found yourself indoors a bit too often over the winter (although we’ve got some great ideas on how to maximise your Eva-tech outdoor deck in all seasons).  But by now you’ve put away your sweaters, stocked up on sunscreen and are ready to spend glorious summer day after glorious summer day outdoors on your own, private deck.  Let the good times begin!

Knowing that you will want to make the most of the warm weather, we’ve put together a list of tips for whiling away the hours in your own outdoor sundeck.

Read a Good Book

Not a ‘book person’?   That just means you haven’t found the right book, yet.  Once you’ve got a good one, a book will keep you enthralled for hours.  And there’s no better place to lay out a towel and flip pages than on your outdoor deck.  Here are a few suggestions:

• · Jock of the Bushveld (Sir James Percy Fitzpatrick) - Have you hugged your dog today?

• · Heart of Redness (Zakes Mda) – Tradition clashes with modern development in more than just Isidingo

• · City of Thieves (David Benioff) – Eggs, Humour and the Siege of Leningrad

• · Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (Louise Rennison) – You don’t have to be 14 to laugh at tales of snogging lessons and wild cats

• · Cry, the Beloved Country (Alan Paton) – Reading it for pleasure is much better than when you had to read it in school

• · Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (David Sedaris) – Spend as much time laughing out loud as wondering why there’s  a naked Barbie doll on the cover

• · Oh the Places You’ll Go! (Dr. Seuss) – Inspire yourself or pass it along to the little ones in your life

Write a Good Book

Don’t like the book suggestions?  Write one yourself!  Spend lazy summer days putting your most imaginative stories to paper.  You may be just one book away from a Pulitzer!  Or start a journal to record personal thoughts.  Helps clear your head and gives you one more reason to relax on your deck.

Back to Basics Board Games

You know you’ve got them stored away somewhere.  Now it’s time to pull out your old checkers board and Monopoly game and put them to work.  Invite over friends to play some Pictionary or encourage family time with a game of Uno.  Your Eva-tech deck is the perfect place to play.

Drink Up

Keep hydrated when you’re out on your sundeck.  Drink a little extra water to let you enjoy a classic summer cocktail or two as the sun sets.  And don’t forget the lemonade!  Nothing says summer like sipping freshly squeezed juice outside on your deck.

Act Shady

A sundeck is great for getting that tan you’ve been dreaming of all year.  But give yourself some shade to retreat to during hot afternoons.  Consider adding a tree to make your deck unique, or pop up a sun umbrella to avoid sunburn.  Add a bit of drama and shade by including an Eva-tech pergola in your deck design.