Backyards And Gardens.com » Patio Covers

Options For Enclosed Patios

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:09:53 +0000

Enclosed patios are great additions to any home. They are versatile improvements that offer multi-functionality that can be enjoyed all year round. Enclosing a patio provides comfortable shelter from different elements through the year, from the blistering heat of the summer sun to the blistering cold of a winter day. Enclosed patios also help prevent dust and other dirt from settling inside, while at the same time protecting your family from the risks brought by insects and small rodents. Enclosing a patio is also a great way to add more privacy to your home, as well as more usable living space.

An enclosed patio serves many purposes. It can be the venue for gatherings or parties. It is a great place to enjoy a meal al fresco. It is a good place to set up a small play area for young children. You can even set it up as a family recreational area by adding a pool table or other types of games or recreational activities. Or it can simply be a place to relax with a good book or a glass of wine at the end of the day. All in all, enclosed patios are ideal places for any activity, and will allow you to enjoy the outdoors in relative safety and comfort. What you choose to do with the space will be determined by the type of outdoor patio furniture or other accessories you choose to fill the space with.

There are many enclosed patio designs available that you can choose from. They range from sunrooms to screened patios or porches, and even portable enclosed patios. Enclosing a patio can be a permanent structure or a more temporary solution, such as adding a roll up awning overhead.

A sunroom, also called solarium, allows the sunlight into the room while keeping the area enclosed from the outdoor elements. A screened patio is more ideal for preventing unwanted elements like dust or insects from entering your room while allowing the cooling breeze inside and more connection to your backyard and garden area. Portable enclosed patios, on the other hand, are usually made of canvas or vinyl. They are like big open tents that can be easily moved to different locations in your backyard. Despite being portable, you can still opt to have them fixed into place. Temporary patio enclosures, such as overhead awnings or pop up gazebos, with or without sides, are quick and easy solutions to providing shelter while not dealing with a major construction project.

One of the easiest ways to build enclosed patios is by assembling and installing a frame around your existing patio and then adding screens to the sides and a roof overhead. To add more privacy and protection, a more opaque covering can be used along the sides, but this will block air flow.

Another simple enclosed patio design that you can do on your own is to make mosquito netting screens for your patio. They are easy to make and install. Aside from the protection they give, they can also add style to your patio because of the many colors and textures you can choose from. One great advantage of mosquito netting is that it is easy to maintain. You just need to wash them occasionally, which is easy to do since it is not a permanent patio enclosure solution. You can just spread them open when you need to and tie it closed when you don’t. To make a mosquito screen for your enclosed patios, simply follow instructions on how to make regular curtains and replace the fabric with mosquito netting. Then you can hang the mosquito netting screens from existing patio or porch awnings to fully enclose the patio.

If you are looking for additional enclosed patio ideas, there are many more variations to consider. One option is to have an open lattice patio cover overhead, which only partially encloses the patio. If you are into gardening in and around your patio, this can help protect plants from direct sunlight. Another option is a patio with a solid lattice cover. This provides more protection from rain or snow, as well as sunlight, but makes it darker on the patio below. A gazebo like structure is also another option for enclosed patios that look good while providing some protection and privacy.

When it comes to the actual building of these various enclosed patio designs, there are numerous materials to choose from, including traditional choices such as wood, metal and aluminum. Newer innovations for patio covers and patio enclosures include alumawood, PVC and vinyl. Some structures will include glass windows while others will have mesh to allow the flow of air through the enclosed patio space.

Alumawood replicates the look of real wood, but with less maintenance required. Its finish is made of silicon polyester that has great durability and its embossed texture offers decorative flair. Vinyl patio covers, on the other hand, are made out of polyvinyl chloride or PVC. They also simulate the look of real wood or metal, but with far less maintenance requirements. They come in pre-cut sizes for easy installation. These options can be more costly relative to the other options, but they will require far less maintenance than material choices like wood.

There are many options to consider if you are interested in building an enclosed patio, ranging from permanent to temporary enclosed patio solutions, so make sure to weigh each option to select which will best meet your needs, as well as your budget.

Patio Cover Types

Guest — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:58:44 +0000

Buying a quality patio cover or patio enclosure can add a touch of style to your home, while making your outdoor space more user- friendly. There are many different types of patio covers that are designed to protect your patio from rain, dust, sun, and bad weather. There are both removable covers and permanent ones. Permanent structures usually include arbors, gazebos, and pergolas. Removable covers include fabric canopies, patio umbrellas, and retractable awnings. Read further to find out more about some of the most popular covered patio options.

A pergola is a patio cover made of wood, which has an open roof structure. Decorative pergolas don’t provide any real protection from the sun, but they can emphasize the beauty of your patio and tie the design elements together. Gazebo and pergola structures are very similar. The only difference is that a gazebo has more of a roof-like element to it.

Natural wood patio covers can be an excellent choice if you want to add elegance and natural beauty to a particular area. These patio covers have the ability to blend into their environment. On the other hand, you shouldn’t opt for wood patio coverings if you don’t have enough time and patience to take care of them, as they need to be treated for weather resistance and termite resistance on a regular basis.

Canopies can be used in all patio layouts, as they are available in a variety of styles. They are a great alternative to more permanent structures like metal or wood patio covers. Homeowners have a wide selection of styles, fabrics, and colors to choose from when buying a retractable awning or pop up canopy.

Patio umbrellas are the least expensive solution. They provide limited shade and no protection from bad weather. If you are just looking for something basic to protect the patio furniture, using umbrellas might work. Typically the umbrella is part of a patio table set and is retractable, but they only shield a small space.

In addition to these choices, there are many different covered patio designs available, so finding the option that suits your needs should be an easy task. Regardless of your choice, a patio cover will help you make the most out of the time you spend outdoors.

Building Your Pergola – A Patio Cover Favorite

Guest — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:01:06 +0000

Imagine having the perfect place to leave the worries of your workplace behind, spend time with loved ones or entertain friends. You can have the relaxing place of your dreams just by building a simple patio cover structure. Patio covers include a broad family of outdoor patio structures that give rise to a whole plethora of available options for patio living. In fact, the whole trend with the outdoor living or outdoor room concept is really something that can be traced to the introduction of patio structures like these.

You need not have a completely covered patio to be able to enjoy all that outdoor living has to offer. There are a variety of ways in which you can put a roof over your patio and allow it to serve as either an ‘open air’ style roof or something that is more like a traditional roof. Classically, the pergola has been one of these types of patio structures that is relatively simple to build and provides for the benefits we are speaking about with a more open air design.

In fact, if you are looking for an economical way to cover your patio, you can learn how to build a pergola yourself and can save some money in the process, while still creating a comfortable and attractive covered patio space. If you don’t think you are quite up for that task, you can also benefit from one of the many pergola kits that are available, making it easier to build the patio structure yourself without having to start from scratch. These patio cover kits are an easier way to assemble your structure and can still save you money over hiring a professional builder.

For the novice builder, or someone who would just rather enjoy their patio instead of having to build it themselves, the professionals are always standing by as well. In fact, for more complicated designs or where you might need permits to build, hiring a professional contractor is really the wisest choice. They can also help you with landscape ideas and advice, if they work with a landscape designer, which can really make the whole area pop and can turn the space into a backyard oasis.

The whole process of building out your dream patio is quite exciting. To know that you will ultimately have a place to kick up your feet and relax in your own backyard kingdom is a wonderful thing.

Amazon offers a variety of pergolas at great prices. You can check them out here.

The Best Portable Outdoor Patio Covers

Guest — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:50:52 +0000

Portable patio covers are similar to portable garages, carports, boat covers, shelters and sheds in that they are somewhat temporary structures. They are mostly used for storage, covering vehicles like cars, trucks and motorcycles, farm or garden equipment, marine equipment and boats, or they are used for temporary garden or patio protection during an event, often replacing a marquis tent for a party or wedding or being used in a similar fashion to a pop up gazebo in a yard or over a deck. They have a basic frame that is then draped with a canopy and they are easy to set up and take down. They can be moved as needed or left fixed for long periods of time.

One option to consider when selecting from among outdoor patio covers that are portable, are styles sold by Shelter Logic, which offer some of the most popular designs of patio covers on the market. They offer a cover that comes in a 12 x 20 x 8′ size and is basically considered round. What the term “round” means in this case is not a circular structure, but a long rectangular framework that has a rounded roof consisting of a 6 rib steel frame that has been protected by what is called a “Rhino Shield process” and which has later been powder coated with a DuPont finish that is rust,chip, peel and weather resistant. The canopy cover that is draped over the sturdy frame is a triple layer, heat bonded, sheet of polyethylene that is very resistant to aging and to fungus and has even been treated so as to not be negatively affected by UV rays. It is stretched perfectly and seamlessly over the frame for a wrinkle-free appearance that is smooth and looks professional while protecting whatever is underneath it.

To ensure that the patio cover will remain secure on the ground even without a cement pad or embedded pillars or posts, each leg has a wide foot and each has a 30 inch anchor that allows for stability. The entire unit can be closed off completely with two double zipped doorways that can be opened or closed as needed. This structure costs about $630 and can be assembled without professionals, just by following the instructions that come with the patio cover kit. These types of portable patio covers can be ordered online, or you can find a Shelter Logic dealer in your area to avoid high transportation or shipping costs.

Buy patio covers and canopies here.

Patio Cover Plans and Design Ideas

Guest — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:20:00 +0000

One of the most primal needs we all have is the ability to find a place of respite from the daily demands of life. For some of us, the patio is the perfect place for this. If you are looking to design your new patio, then there are some features that you’ll want to address. The proper patio cover plans will go a long way toward helping you create the most usable space for you and your lifestyle. If you are simply redesigning an older patio area, then you can incorporate some of these ideas as well. So, as we continue with this article, take note of areas that you might be able to apply to renovation and what might be more suitable for a new patio space.

As the trend continues to expand, the use of a patio as an outdoor room is really taking off. There are more and more accessories and patio living ideas than ever. With this movement has come even more design ideas and this has made the patio an ever more friendly place to spend time relaxing with friends and family. If you consider the outdoor as an extension of your inner living areas, then you can understand that there is a roof and a floor, just like indoors. The “floor” can consist of anything from natural stones or bricks to patio slabs or stamped concrete. Depending on the various patio covers from which to choose, your “roof” might consist of wooden beams, living plants or the night sky. There are also awning and canopy materials that can be used. These provide both shade and protection from the elements where an open wood beam roof cannot.

The floor is another matter. This aspect of your patio is something that will experience various sorts of traffic and exposure to the elements. It will need to be able to stand up to almost anything. This is why a poured concrete slab was always the most convenient, quick and cheapest way to go. While it might still be, more and more homeowners are looking for a more aesthetically pleasing floor material. Both patio covers and even a stamped concrete design work for this. Pavers can be made of concrete, so durability is not an issue. They also come in various color and shapes that can be laid to create various designs. Stamped concrete is a great way to add some texture and design to your patio space. What ever style you choose to go with, remember to make those patio cover plans.

For more information regarding your patio space, visit PatioCoversPlace.com

Get more information about patio plans and designs here.

Patio Covers Offer Protection From the Weather

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:30:17 +0000

When it comes to patio covers, some people are a bit confused because there are two different types of products that are referred to with the same name. A patio cover is a covering over a patio space that can be constructed from a variety of different materials, such as aluminum, vinyl, metal or wood, to provide shade and protection from the rain, wind and even snow. It is similar to a porch awning or other type of awning, although most awnings are made from canvas. Patio covers offer homeowners the opportunity to enjoy their patio more often (and possibly even year round) by providing protection from the weather.

What is sometimes confusing is the reference to patio covers for use as a covering for furniture and other objects that can be found outdoors. These covers also offer protection but are a completely different product. Patio furniture covers, patio table covers, patio chair covers, and even patio heater covers are typically vinyl covers made to fit over furniture (or heaters) when not in use in order to protect the furniture and prolong the life of the objects. But these are different than the types of patio covers we are referring to here, although you can find out more about them in the article “Patio Covers for Furniture and Other Objects”.

A patio cover offers protection by covering up all or part of the overhead space above a patio area. This can be accomplished as a fully enclosed or a partially enclosed cover. Patio covers are constructed by setting up support beams or poles on all four sides of the patio (there may need to be additional supports depending on the size of the space) with a covering overhead. The support poles can be anchored directly into patio slabs or other patio coverings, such as pavers, bricks or stone, or they can be anchored on the outside edges of the patio in the adjacent lawn area. The covering can be made from wood, aluminum, metal or vinyl.

Some covered patio designs offer full protection since they completely cover the space, such as is the case with metal patio covers or aluminum patio covers. Attached to the support poles in these designs is a solid section of material that spans the length and width of the patio. Other covers can be more open, such as lattice patio covers, which provide some sunlight and other weather elements to penetrate through to the patio below but still offer limited protection from the sun, as well as providing a more intimate space and an attractive visual element. Wood patio covers or vinyl patio covers are often available as lattice coverings, but can also be full enclosures as well.

There are many different types of patio cover designs available, so choosing the type that is right for your home is simply a matter of personal preference. There are also multiple options to choose from when you decide you want to install a cover. Local companies can professionally install patio covers, so you can check with your local garden center to find a recommended contractor, or find one that also installs carports or sunroom enclosures, since they will typically also construct patio covers. An all around general contractor can also install one with ease.

There are also patio cover kits that are available for homeowners to install on their own. Kits can be ordered online or can be purchased locally in garden centers, home improvement stores or lumber yards. The kits contain everything that is needed to install the cover, along with instructions, and can be completed in a day or weekend by someone with minimal carpentry skills. For the real do-it-yourselfer, you can find patio cover plans online or in books and can then purchase the materials and construct the cover on your own. This, of course, takes more carpentry expertise than using a kit, but can still be tackled over a weekend if you are a decent carpenter.

No matter what style or design you choose, patio covers are an asset to homeowners because they offer protection from the sun and other weather elements. This protection allows homeowners to enjoy their outdoor space more often than they otherwise would. It also protects outdoor belongings, such as patio cushions, outdoor rugs, and even wood furniture from the ravages of the sun, rain and wind. The covers can also be an attractive addition to your lawn and garden decor.

Buy patio covers here.