Patio Covers

Design ideas for any project can be the most important step in your building or renovation project. Actually, they are critical in determining your overall satisfaction with the end result. So, you are wise to look at patio covers designs before you start buying wood, kits or any other material. Patio covers can be quite simple in design to very elaborate. Both designs have their place in the right overall patio plans and use needs.

For example, you might have plans or know how to build a pergola. This could be considered a simple patio cover. This is true and also the simplicity can translate into having a very elegant end result. You will be provided shade and can have greenery, vines and flowers that grow up the posts and over the top. The simplicity of this type of covered patio is what yields its elegance and character. This is just one example.

Another option is to go with a more elaborate patio covered option. In this scenario, you may be looking at design ideas for a Mediterranean look and feel. This would involve the use of stone, most likely, and also some type of roof. In most cases, a villa or cabana style patio cover will have stone and mortar posts with a terra cotta tile style roof. Then, there may be fabric drapes or other type of retractable awnings. These will provide the shade and can be retracted for any desired sun during the day or out of the way entertaining by night. Both simple and elaborate types of covers have their fans. I enjoy both styles and think that your overall home design and decor will go more towards defining the most appropriate patio cover designs.

You may have a variety of reasons for the things you enjoy about your home. Of these things, some may be about the interior of your home, home decor, etc. Others because of the outside appearance, landscape, pool, garden, etc. But one thing is for sure, people who have patios and use them all agree that they are one of the best features about their home.

So, given this, why not have a patio cover? The idea is simple really. You have your patio built - maybe it is a poured concrete slab, tiled, brick paver, or other surface. This is where you can unwind from the events of the day at work or even from the hussle bussle of life at home. It's like a little retreat out there. You can get out there and lounge on your patio furniture with those cushy new patio cushions you bought and enjoy your quiet time or have fun hearing the kids run around wildly. The point is this: patios are meant for relaxing and entertaining.

If you ever plan on sitting on your outdoor patio during the day, then you realize that if it isn't covered, you will likely only be able to tolerate the intensity of the sun for a brief period. This isn't even taking into account the idea that you shouldn't be sitting in the sun for that long anyway with all we know about sun damage, cancer and all the rest. What do you do then? That's what patio covers are for! Sorry, was I not clear already about that?

Yup, there are so many styles to choose from. You can opt for a variety of patio cover kits or have a custom designed patio cover built just for you. There are pergolas, gazebos, cabanas, and the list goes on. The basic idea is decide on what you would like to enjoy from your patio and then the patio cover will be built to fit those needs. So, there you have it. Just another reason to enjoy your outdoor patio time.

This can be a little bit of a misunderstood topic. In reality, most patio covers will be 'semi-roofed'. That is to say, the most popular type of covered patio is the pergola. This has a more open roof, lattice structure to it. It is not covered with the traditional roofing materials. In this case of the pergola, that is part of its charm and elegance - the simplicity provided by the wood, craftsmanship and the foliage growing up and over it.

Other times, a fully covered patio is what someone has in mind. These types of patios are classic of the 1970s type ranch house, with the roof line extending off the back of the home with posts to support it. There may be a poured concrete slab patio or it may be done in tile or some type of outdoor carpet material. This can be a more protected shaded area for patio furniture and such. Often, people will have ceiling fans and wall lighting under these types of covered patios.

Yet another style is the partially enclosed but covered patio room. This type is maybe more characteristic of a screened porch or patio room with retractable awnings. This style may be covered with joists and roofing shingles yet be screened in to protect from insects. It is still officially outdoors, but protected. Similarly, there can be a porch area with retractable awnings or shades that allow for shade and can also produce a feeling of a 'wall'. These can have motorized awnings that go up and down with a push of a button or switch or can even have light sensors that automatically raise and lower based upon the sun. Manual retractable awnings are also available. There you have it, roof covered patios for the beginner.

At first, this might sound strange to some people. But, since you found this article, you are probably searching for this type of thing. Good, because I'm going to cover a few important points about covering your patio with metal. The point of this article is metal patio covers, not the rest of the structure. Because you still need to have some posts and possibly sides to your structure, I'll breifly cover that topic as well.

Right, first things first. Your covered patio structure will need to be built out of wood, stone/cement or could include metal. Then, the roof can be some type of metal. This often provides a more rustic appeal or country style charm to it - like an aged barn. Your posts and joists can be made of wood - cedar, redwood or douglas fir are the most common types. In fact, most patio covers that have metal roofs are really mostly wood in construction. At times, it is possible to find metal posts, but this is either a highly customized and elaborate job or will take more of the form of a awning with thin metal pipe posts. Probably not what you have in mind. Stone and mortar or cement block and stucco pillars are also common materials to use for the post structures. These are common with cabana style covers patios and are usually covered in tile roofs. They have an old-world villa appearance about them.

So, you've decided to go with a metal roof for a variety of reasons. A good reason to use a metal patio roof is longevity. Most of these metal roofs will be using some style of steel. They will patina to a nice handsome rust color. Far from short lived, these will typically last several decades. Plus, they are more green friendly - more sustainable and even recyclable. Your metal roof might even be recycled former steel from some other time and building. This is part of what gives a metal roof its distinction. There are also other metals available such as aluminum and even copper. A copper metal roof will age to an attractive green color. Aluminum, steel and copper roofed patio covers will all outlast most wooden structures, so they are a wise choice for that unique look you are searching for.

When it comes to enjoying your outdoor patio, there's nothing quite like the shade and ambiance that the right type of patio cover can provide. Whether your home has an existing one or you are planning on having one built (or you are a do it yourselfer), then you should consider a couple of things.

First, when you are designing your ideal type of covering for your patio, do the work it takes to get the right plan down. You don't want to go into this and have to be modifying it all along. Not only will this waste your money, but also the time you could be spending enjoying your covered patio!

Next, make sure that you don't limit yourself simply by what you have seen at your neighbor's house or in a magazine. While these can be great places for inspiration, so can the internet. As you know, because you landed here. They can be built custom to your tastes, specifications and needs quite easily.

If you are planning on building your patio cover yourself, you should consider the most common and elegant pergola type. These can be the simplest in form and also the most handsome in appearance. They often rely on quality craftsmanship over major detail work to provide that elegant look. Since they are made of wood, you can even stain or paint them. As a beautiful finishing touch, vines or other greenery can be grown to cover and shade your patio area.