Having an outdoor AC unit frees up space within the home but it can create an ugly eyesore outside. If your AC unit is currently sitting on top of a concrete slab, exposed to the world, there are ways to make it look better. All it takes is a little magic to distract the eye and the help of a pro. Follow these tips to learn how to disguise your outdoor AC unit.
Distract with Plants
Your backyard may already be full of beautiful plants, or it may be bare. Either way, you can use plants to help distract attention away from your unattractive AC unit. There’s no shortage of beautiful foliage that can grow in Canada, some year-round. It’s all about having a vision and focusing on the beauty of the greenery to distract from your beastly unit.
When shopping for plants, look for ones that do not have invasive roots. Plants with invasive roots can actually damage the air conditioner foundation and its parts. You also want to look out for plants that are tall but not too tall. Ideally, keep them trimmed to be just above the height of the unit. This way the unit will still be easy to access for maintenance calls. Tall shrubs are another option that can be used if you want a more uniform and structured look.
A landscaping pro can help you pick and plant the right greenery around your unit. They will be able to add the plants without harming the air conditioner and its connecting parts. They will also be able to give you design suggestions to ensure the focus is on your plants and not what they’re covering.
Disguise with Fencing
Another option is to disguise your outdoor AC unit with fencing. This option is a great choice because you can really customize your design to fit your side or backyard. You can use the same material as your current fence to help it blend in even more. This is a great solution if you’re also planning on installing a fence this year. Simply ask your fencing pro if they can add this project to their list of tasks for your home. If you don’t want to use fencing material, you can also use wood pallets or trellis.
No matter which material you choose, one thing to keep in mind is that your design must allow for ventilation. Speak to your pro about designing something that still allows air to flow through the slats of wood. Failing to do this can cause your unit to overheat and malfunction. You don’t want to break your AC unit in an attempt to disguise it.
Now that you have two options to help distract or disguise your AC unit, the only thing left to do is get started. You can get the help of a landscaper, fence specialist or even a handyman to help you with this project. When you’re ready to do something about that eyesore, get quotes from pros in your area on HomeStars.
