What You Might Want To Know About Patio Covers

By John Godspeed Smith

It is a great to have a patio where you can enjoy the summers. A patio allows you to enjoy the outdoors right at your door step. However, the sun sometimes creates a problem. It is then that the need of a patio cover is felt. Besides shielding you from sun, rain and UV rays, patio covers also enhance the value of your property. A good patio cover can change the look of your house.

The most popular cover is the simple concrete roof, which can be easily constructed in a short time and can be surprisingly cheap. Construction of such a cover involves all the necessary support structures like beams, posters and rafters. The cover can be free standing or attached to the house.

To avoid hassles you can also go in for a lightweight cover that can be easily installed. Such covers are made from plastic that allows diffused sunlight into the patio. Such translucent plastic shade covers can be very useful in colder climes where you don't want to totally block out the sun. Plastic shades or covers are useful in patios that grow plants.

Canvas covers can be the right choice for removable covers. Canvas covers are cheap and come in many eye-catching colors and designs. But durability of canvas is rather poor. Canvas, however, can be easily replaced or removed for temporary storage.

Other cover materials include fiber glass and plastic panels. They come cheap but cannot be easily stored during off seasons. One disadvantage with fiberglass and plastic panels is that they allow light and heat and thus create a greenhouse effect. These materials are therefore not suitable for hot climes.

Wood of various kinds is widely used to construct patio covers. Wood covers come in various price points. The cheapest wood cover can be made from lath, lattice or grape stakes. The more expensive varieties of wood are used to construct the more expensive patio covers. Wooden covers are more comfortable since they allow air circulation.

You can also have wooden covers where less wood is used. Instead of wood, vines are used for partial or total cover. But such a wood should be strong enough to bear the weight of wet vines during winter.

The selection of the cover material would be largely determined by the architectural style of your house. The building styles of the patio cover and the house should complement each other. There are several websites and home improvement stores where you can get useful tips on the subject. - 31813

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