Nine Decisions Before You Start Building The Deck: Designing an Australian Alfresco That Works

KingCave
2026-04-17T13:43:16+10:00

Nine decisions that define a good Australian alfresco — orientation, shelter, flow, clearances, bar fridge placement, humidity, audio. Sourced from YourHome, Australian architects, Weber, RACV and AS/NZS 5601.
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Nine decisions that define a good Australian alfresco — orientation, shelter, flow, clearances, bar fridge placement, humidity, audio. Sourced from YourHome, Australian architects, Weber, RACV and AS/NZS 5601.

Most backyard alfrescos fail in the brief, not the build. Owners pick the barbecue and the dining suite before resolving the hard architectural questions — orientation, shelter, flow, clearances, services.

Nine decisions follow, drawn from Australia's government passive-design guide, Australian architects, manufacturer installation specs, and the gas-appliance code that quietly governs any covered cooking zone.

1. What actually belongs in an alfresco

Separate the zones before you draw anything — cooking, dining, relaxing, and free-form spaces each want their own footprint. Scale the BBQ to the room — three burners or more for grilling seafood, meat and veg simultaneously — and plan a sizeable outdoor fridge so the indoor one is not overfilled.

Dion Seminara, a Brisbane architect, frames the cooking area as "the heart of summer entertaining." He specifies weather-resistant cabinetry, BBQs close to the main house, and layered lighting for both lunchtime feasts and evening gatherings.

Amelia Lee (Undercover Architect) pushes the lounging brief harder. Build in alternative sitting options: a chair at the table, a built-in bench, a lounge chair, an oversized step, or a deck 400 to 500 mm above the garden so the edge becomes "a comfy height to sit on". The dining zone needs width enough to push chairs back comfortably. Lee's planning move — locate the indoor kitchen near the deck so you are not weaving around furniture with plates — sets the whole scheme.

2. Flow — how the alfresco connects to the indoor kitchen

The strongest alfrescos read as one continuous room with the indoor kitchen. Seminara's move: large bi-fold or sliding doors that blur inside and out, consistent flooring to reinforce the flow, and the kitchen or living area opening directly onto the entertaining zone. Lee's version is functional — put the kitchen near the deck so the dash to the fridge is short and serving is not an obstacle course.

The Bath House project, published in Houses magazine, shows the same move executed in plan. A long sliding window acts as a servery connecting the existing kitchen to the covered deck. A walk-in pantry was added as a "saddlebag" to the south-west side of the house. The extension is ordered to maximise shade and promote cross-ventilation through its own spaces and through the house beyond.

Design for adaptability: operable walls, louvres, or sliding panels that let you close off or open up the space depending on the weather.

3. Orientation — which way your alfresco should face

Your Home, the Australian Government's passive-design guide, is unambiguous: "the ideal orientation for living areas is within 15° west and 20° east of true or solar north". North-facing rooms get sun for the longest period in winter and are easily shaded by eaves in summer. North-facing walls and windows receive more solar radiation in winter than summer because the sun sits lower in the sky.

East and west are where the pain comes from. East- and west-facing walls and windows catch more summer sun in early morning and late afternoon, when the sun is low. RACV's Kieran Davies puts it plainly: sunsets are a beautiful time to be outside, "but the western sun on summer afternoons can be stifling and might make it hard to use your kitchen comfortably". Poor orientation excludes winter sun and causes summer overheating as low-angle east or west sun hits glass.

East–west sites need width enough to accommodate north-facing outdoor space. Overshadowing by neighbours is more likely here — particularly if multilevel housing is permitted.

One exception: warm humid climates — coastal locations above the Tropic of Capricorn — are where "orientation is about access to cooling breezes and shade" rather than sun.

4. Shading that actually works

Shading matters as much as orientation. The headline figure: "direct sun can generate the same heat as a single bar radiator over each square metre of a surface, but effective shading can block up to 90% of this heat".

The rules change by direction. On north elevations, standard eave overhangs admit winter sun and exclude summer sun "with no effort from the occupants and no additional cost". East and west are harder: low-angle morning and afternoon summer sun is difficult to shade, so minimise east- and west-facing glazing or specify adjustable vertical shading — "external blinds are the optimum solution for these elevations".

In hot humid climates, shade walls year round and consider shading the whole roof: "A 'fly roof' can be used to shade the entire building. It protects the core building from radiant heat and allows cooling breezes to flow beneath it". Shade external openings and walls — including south-facing ones — and use covered outdoor living areas like verandas and deep balconies to shade and cool incoming air. Seminara's subtropical palette fits: pergolas, retractable awnings, and carefully placed trees, with stone pavers and certain hardwoods that "stay comfortable underfoot even on hot days".

5. Roof and shelter — pergola, louvre roof, shade sail, solid roof

No single shelter type wins. The honest distinctions:

Pergola. A wide-open structure of columns supporting a roofing grid of beams and rafters — a flat, open grid "perfect for growing vines and climbing plants." The grid can be left open or covered, but "the primary use of a pergola doesn't include sheltering you from the elements".

Louvre roof. A flexible system of horizontal slats that open in unison and adjust to any angle, letting sun through or closing against rain. Slats rotate a full 180 degrees — open for sun, rotate to suit the light, close against rain.

Pros: durable, add value, excellent flexible weather protection, remote-control operation, lower summer air conditioning bills.

Cons: often out of reach for smaller budgets, the ultra-modern look does not suit every home, slats only open or close (not retract), the hard surface can reflect noise — particularly heavy rain — and customisation is limited.

Vergola's version uses double-skinned aerofoil louvres with remote or smartphone control. The company claims the double-skinned build offers superior insulation and significant noise reduction versus single-layer aluminium or glass roofs, and sensors close the louvres "at the first drop of rain".

Retractable / fabric options. Specify to the climate.

Solid insulated roof. Full weather protection. Once built, the shelter is fixed.

The enclosure trap. Every shelter decision carries a hidden regulatory cost. To count as an outdoor kitchen for gas-appliance purposes, "there must be appropriate airflow" — achieved by no roof, at least two open walls, or at least 25 per cent of the perimeter completely open with significant openings on the remaining walls. An area is also considered enclosed if fitted with plastic blinds or moveable walls. Past 50 per cent enclosed, Energy Safe Victoria considers it 'indoors' and Standard AS/NZS 5601 kicks in.

Weber's installation spec is more specific. Within a partial enclosure with overhead cover and no more than two walls, at least 50 per cent of total wall area must be permanently open and unrestricted. With more than two walls, at least 25 per cent must be completely and permanently open, plus at least 30 per cent of the remaining wall area open and unrestricted. Crucially, "the use of windows, café blinds or louvres are not considered to be a permanent opening (they are considered a restriction)".

6. Bench height, footprint and circulation

If one number matters, it is 900 mm. Corey Cameron (Craftbuilt Kitchens): "the standard kitchen bench height in Australia is 900mm, although heights can range from 850mm to 1000mm".

For an outdoor kitchen, plan to three heights:

Working benchtops: 900 to 920 mm

Table-height benchtops: about 750 mm

Bar-style benchtops: 1,100 mm

Minimum outdoor kitchen length is "1.8 metres, which gives room for a barbecue and to have a bench area on both sides," with a 600 mm basic benchtop width — more if you plan to eat at it. Around the BBQ, "most designers and professionals recommend at least 600 millimetres of landing space on one side" if the barbecue is not centred.

Amelia Lee's numbers frame the whole alfresco. Minimum width: 3.5 m — enough for a dining table, chairs either side, and room to push chairs back and walk around the table. Length: size the table, then add "at least 1m circulation space to either end." 3.5 × 5 m is "a nicely sized space for a family to use and entertain on".

Circulation at the table:

Around the dining table: "a total of at least 1,300 millimetres" to let diners push chairs back

Per bar seat: at least 600 mm

Behind bar stools: at least 600 mm; 900 mm if the space is a walkway; 1,100 mm ideal

7. BBQ, sink and bar fridge placement

Three rules keep the space liveable on day 5,000: clearance, smoke path, and fridge ventilation.

BBQ clearances. Weber's installation spec is unambiguous: "Weber outdoor kitchens must be installed at least 60 cm clear from any combustible materials (including windows), unless a compliant non-combustible barrier is used". Any outdoor kitchen — balcony, verandah, patio, partially enclosed or completely open — must comply with the Australian and New Zealand Standard for outdoor gas appliances. The partial-enclosure airflow rules (50 per cent open for two-wall, 25 per cent plus 30 per cent for three-wall) apply directly. Café blinds and louvres do not count as permanent openings.

Smoke path and wind. Davies advises factoring in bedrooms and overhead balconies: "you don't want them inundated with smoke or smells every time you crank up the outdoor BBQ". Past 50 per cent enclosed, the space is 'indoors' and AS/NZS 5601 kicks in. A common extraction solution is "a roof mounted fan … You would then run ducting (typically semi rigid or fire rated ducting) to an intake vent over your BBQ area".

Bar fridge. The Schmick tropical glass-door bar fridge is "Tropical 38°C rated" — triple glazed, specified to chill to 2 °C in ambient temperatures from 10 °C to 38 °C — but its stated location is "Indoor Or Outdoor Enclosed Under Cover". Direct sun and rain are still out. Build-in minimums:

Cavity: 470mm wide × 600mm deep × 720mm high

Top clearance: 20 mm

Side clearance: 20 mm each

Rear clearance: 100 mm

Sink. Leave bench space either side for splash and prep; plumbing runs matter more than a precise landing dimension.

8. Humidity on the east coast

Humidity changes the brief. In warm-humid climates the orientation rule flips from sun-seeking to breeze-seeking.

Breeze over sun. The subtropical playbook: "Brisbane's breezes are your strongest ally in keeping your home cool without relying on air conditioning." The moves: cross-ventilation with windows opposite each other, louvres for precise airflow control, breezeways and voids to pull cool air through, and stack ventilation where warm air escapes through upper-level openings.

Helen Norrie, writing in Houses magazine on the Bath House, points back at the Queenslander precedent: verandahs on any or all of the four sides "providing additional living spaces that are out of the sun but in the breeze," and raising the building on timber stumps to promote ventilation.

Ceiling fans — match the IP rating to the exposure:

IP44 (splash-resistant): covered outdoor areas

IP54/IP55 (dust-protected, splash-resistant): partial exposure

IP65+ (water-jet resistant): fully exposed patios, rain, coastal winds

With a solid roof, IP44 is usually sufficient; for fully open patios exposed to rain or coastal winds, specify higher. Coastal sites demand more: corrosion-resistant finishes (marine-grade, powder coat), stainless steel hardware, moisture-sealed motors, and rust-proof blade materials such as ABS or treated timber. Install the fan "far enough from the edges of your outdoor area or that the sides are enclosed enough to guarantee protection from the wind".

Materials. The humid-climate palette:

Timber for warmth and airflow

Light-coloured exteriors to reflect heat

Stone and concrete for thermal mass in cooler areas

Weather-resistant cladding

Breathable fabrics for window treatments

9. Outdoor speakers — if you want music out there

The evidence is thinner here. Specialist audio retailers agree on the shape of the answer, but there is no architectural standard for alfresco audio. Treat this as installer consensus, not a design rule.

Len Wallis Audio (Michael Maldonado) frames a permanent install around weatherproof external speakers driven by a streaming amplifier. Specific recommendation: Sonance passive outdoor speakers paired with a WiiM Amp-Pro or Bluesound Powernode, with marine-grade Sonance near the ocean. The weather reality is explicit: Australian equipment should withstand humidity, salt spray, UV and rain, and "not all weatherproof speakers are created equal". If you already own gear, reuse it. An AVR's Zone 2 output extends your indoor system outdoors; a stereo amp's A+B outputs play the same music inside and out simultaneously.

Sonos rates its Outdoor Speakers IP66 (highly weather-resistant) and its Move 2 portable IP56, "rugged enough to stand up to prolonged use in backyards, parks, campsites, or wherever you may take it". Surface-mount outdoor speakers are passive and need an amplifier for power — "most people prefer their surface-mount outdoor speakers to be professionally installed".

Honest caveat: for many households, a portable Bluetooth speaker is enough. Only commit to a permanent install if you use the alfresco often enough to justify it.

The brief, on a single page

Orient the living zone to solar north, within 15° west and 20° east, except in warm-humid climates where breeze access trumps sun. Plan a footprint of at least 3.5 × 5 m for a family. Work to a 900 mm bench, a minimum 1.8 m outdoor kitchen length, and at least 600 mm landing space on one side of an off-centre BBQ.

Choose shelter honestly — a pergola for charm, a louvre roof for weather flexibility, or a solid roof for full protection — and keep the space under 50 per cent enclosed or accept AS/NZS 5601 requirements. Maintain 60 cm clearance from combustibles for the BBQ. Specify a tropical-rated bar fridge kept under cover, with 20 mm top, 20 mm side and 100 mm rear ventilation clearance. Match ceiling-fan IP rating to exposure — IP44 covered, IP65+ fully exposed. If you want audio, use passive surface-mount speakers rated IP66 and drive them from an amplifier or AVR Zone 2.

Pick the furniture last.

Sources

Orientation | YourHome

Shading | YourHome

How to Design a Deck, Alfresco or Outdoor Space | Undercover Architect

From Poolside to Alfresco: Architect Tips for Outdoor Living

Living alfresco: Bath House

Before you get started – installation and ventilation requirements | Weber BBQ

How to design the ultimate outdoor kitchen and BBQ area | RACV

How to Get Your Kitchen Bench Height Right

How to Choose the Right Size and Layout for Your Outdoor Kitchen | Houzz AU

Are Louvre Roof Systems Worth It?

Differences Between a Louvre Roof and a Pergola

Alfresco Ceiling Fans – 5 Important Things to Look for Before you Buy

Outdoor & Coastal Ceiling Fan Guide | JD Lighting

Designing for Brisbane's Subtropical Climate: Light, Airflow, and Shade

The ULTIMATE Guide to Outdoor Audio in Australia

The Beginner's Guide to Outdoor Speakers — Sonos

Schmick Tropical Triple Glazed Outdoor Glass Bar Fridge 70 Litre (HUS-SC70-SS)

Louvre Patio Roof Systems | Patio Cover - Vergola NSW

Outdoor BBQ Ventilation | Pure Ventilation

The ultimate alfresco: Outdoor entertaining | The Rural Building Company

How to Create the Perfect Alfresco Space | Louvre House