Chantel & Wyatt of House 2 needed a stunning entertaining area, and the Stratco Outback® Sunroof delivered it. With a 5 x 4 metre footprint, their patio holds an outdoor kitchen, a pizza oven and generous outdoor table and seating space under one adjustable louvre roof.
Backyard Week challenges every team on The Block to make the outdoor area feel like another room of the house. In House 2, that room is built for cooking and dining, and it opens to the sky or closes against the weather at the touch of a button.
Designed for Entertaining
At 5.0 x 4.0 metres, House 2's patio is sized to bring cooking, dining and relaxing together in one zone. The outdoor kitchen and pizza oven sit within easy reach of the table, so the cook stays part of the conversation while guests enjoy the space.
It shows how an Outback® Sunroof can transform a backyard from a patch of lawn into a functional entertaining area that feels like a true extension of the home.
Full Control of Light and Airflow From One Remote
The heart of the design is the motorised louvre roof. The louvre blades adjust at the touch of a button, giving you full control over light and airflow. Close them for shelter, angle them for filtered shade, or open them right up to let in sunlight and fresh air. Everything is managed by a single remote.
Outback® Sunroof louvres are made from powder coated aluminium with a foam core, and they interlock when closed for weather protection. With electronic control, you can also add a rain sensor that closes the louvres automatically when it starts to rain
Lighting That Extends the Evening
Chantel & Wyatt's patio has six low voltage plug and play downlights. They are easy to install and adjust using the same remote control that operates the louvre system, so one device handles shade, airflow and ambience. It means the outdoor kitchen and dining area stay comfortable and usable well after sunset. Explore more louvre lighting options from Stratco.
A Frame and Colour Scheme That Blends With the Home
House 2's Sunroof frame uses a 150 beam and 100 x 100 SHS columns in a dark Deep Space or Ebony finish. The dark frame blends perfectly with the window and door frames of the adjacent house, so the patio looks like part of the original architecture.
The louvres and gutter are a contrasting colour. Alpine® was chosen to maximise light reflection, and it creates a white ceiling with clear, clean lines when the louvres are closed.
Louvre Roof or Fixed Patio Roof?
A fixed roof gives you the same level of cover all year. A louvre roof lets you change it to suit the day.
|
|
Outback® Sunroof louvre roof |
Fixed patio roof |
|---|---|---|
|
Winter sun |
Open the louvres to let sunlight in |
Blocks the sun all year |
|
Summer shade |
Angle the blades for filtered shade |
Full shade only |
|
Airflow |
Open blades let heat and cooking smoke escape |
Heat can build up underneath |
|
Rain |
Louvres close, automatically with a rain sensor |
Always covered |
For an outdoor kitchen like House 2's, that airflow matters. Opening the louvres while you cook lets heat and smoke escape, then you can close them again when it is time to eat.
Planning an Outdoor Kitchen Under Your Patio
Thinking of creating something similar at home? Keep these points in mind:
- Size the patio around how you will use it. Allow space for the kitchen, the table and room to move between them. House 2's 5.0 x 4.0 metre design fits all three.
- Plan power early. Motorised louvres, lighting and appliances all need power, so map it out before construction starts.
- Think about ventilation. Adjustable louvres give you control over airflow when the BBQ or pizza oven is running.
- Follow appliance guidelines. Check the manufacturer's clearance requirements for BBQs and pizza ovens.
- Choose colours that match your home. Pick a frame colour that echoes your window and door frames, as House 2 did
Options to Make the Outback® Sunroof Your Own
Every Outback® Sunroof is custom designed, so you can tailor it to your home and the way you live:
- Flat or gable designs: flat designs offer louvre spans up to 3.9m, and gable designs span up to 7.2m (maximum spans vary with wind rating and attachment)
- Attached or freestanding: connect it to your home or build it as a standalone outdoor room
- Remote or manual control: choose a hand held remote with a motorised actuator, or a manual crank
- Rain sensor: available with electronic control to close the louvres automatically
- Louvre direction: louvres can be set to face any of four directions at installation
- Colours: seven high gloss framework colours, a range of cladding colours and over 20 gutter colours, shown in the Outback® Colour Chart
- Professional installation: a one year installation warranty applies when installed by an Authorised Outback Dealer
For more detail, download the Outback® Brochure.
Key Features of House 2's Patio
- Stratco Outback® Sunroof with motorised louvres controlled by a single remote
- 5.0 x 4.0 metre footprint covering an outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, table and seating
- Six low voltage plug and play downlights adjustable from the same remote
- 150 beam and 100 x 100 SHS columns in a dark Deep Space or Ebony finish
- Alpine® louvres and gutter for maximum light reflection and a clean white ceiling when closed
- Frame colour matched to the adjacent house window and door frames
- 25 year warranty for peace of mind through every season
Frequently Asked Questions
A louvre patio has a roof made of blades that rotate to open or close. The Stratco Outback® Sunroof lets you choose between full shelter, filtered shade or open sky, so you can adjust the space to the weather.
Yes. In House 2, a single remote controls the motorised louvre blades and adjusts the six downlights.
Yes. When you choose electronic control, you can add a rain sensor that closes the louvres automatically when rain is detected.
Flat designs offer louvre spans up to 3.9m, and gable designs span up to 7.2m. Maximum spans depend on your wind rating and whether the patio is attached or freestanding, so our team will confirm the right design for your site.
Yes. The Outback® Sunroof is available with a manual crank as well as a motorised remote control option.
The Outback® Sunroof is backed by a 25 year warranty, plus a one year installation warranty when installed by an Authorised Outback Dealer. Conditions apply.