Patio Cover Choices
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A patio cover can turn your simple patio into an attractive, comfortable outdoor living space. A patio cover can thwart the hot rays of the sun, leaving you with a cool, shady place to relax outdoors. It will also provide protection for you patio furniture – ultraviolet light can be brutal to wood and fabrics, so by preventing UV light from reaching the items on your patio, you can greatly extend the life of your patio furniture and keep it from fading.
What’s a patio cover?
A patio cover is a roof, top, or awning for your outdoor patio. It might be permanent or retractable. A patio cover can be made or wood, vinyl, or a weather-resistant fabric. Most patio covers are attached to the roof line of your house and extend out over your patio area.
Types of patio covers available
Patio covers are limited only by your imagination. For example, you might not want to block out all the sun, in which case you might prefer a pergola-type patio cover. With thi8s type of patio cover, open beams are built over your patio. Many homeowners with a pergola-type patio cover train flowering vines or ivy to grow along the beams, eventually creating a beautiful and natural “roof” for their patios.
Another type of patio cover is a glass enclosure that turns your patio area into a year-round sun room. Since the area can be heated and cooled effectively, it can be used in any type of weather and is a great way to experience outdoor views while remaining technically indoors.
Similar to the glass patio cover is the screen patio cover. With this type of patio cover, a wooden frame makes up the roof and walls, and metal screening is attached. Sunlight and breezes can still enter the patio, but bugs, leaves, and pine needles can’t. Also, some screening provides SPF protection from UV rays.
If you prefer something simpler in the way of a patio cover, you might like an awning. These are usually made of special materials that have been treated to make them waterproof and resistant to mold and mildew. Retractable awnings are a great option because you can either choose to block the sun on hot days, or retract the canopy on cool days to invite the warming rays of the sun in. Fabrics are available in several colors, including solids and stripes. For convenience, you can purchase a motorized retractable awning or patio cover that can be extended or retracted with just the push of a button.
If you want your patio cover to be permanent and sturdier than a fabric awning, consider a metal patio cover. This is a roof that’s built over your patio with metal roof panels. The sides of your patio are still left open, allowing refreshing breezes in.
Where to shop for a patio cover
You might find a few patio covers in large home improvement centers or in pool and patio stores. To see everything that’s available in the way of a patio cover, however, you’ll need to do some online shopping.
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