It’s the perfect time to be thinking about patio covers because it’s getting cooler and extending the use of your patio, deck, porch or garden area into fall and winter may require some added protection, perhaps a screen room, a sunroom or some kind of patio enclosure that allows the sunshine to still enter while keeping the wind and rain or snow out. There are some options for patio covers that may simply provide shade like the lattice patio covers and others that will offer more enclosed protection.
Here are the main kinds of coverings you can choose from:

Open Lattice Patio Cover

If you live in a region where it’s sunny all year you may simply need an open lattice patio cover to give a little shade, perhaps with a vine or some foliage growing through the lattice work. This open lattice patio cover design will give shade without cutting out too much light and they can be built from aluminum that looks like wood and is resistant to the elements and also maintenance free.

Solid Lattice Patio Cover

If you live in a cooler climate but one that does not get frequent snowfall or regular harsh inclement weather, then a solid lattice patio cover may give enough protection from rain and wind without totally enclosing the area. These solid patio cover designs may be ordered in cedar embossed aluminum that give a wood-like appearance but won’t require painting and will never chip or peel like wood that is painted.

Screen Rooms

In regions where there is sun and many months of warmth, screen rooms may the perfect choice because they offer protection from insects, provide shade, and give a general shelter from the elements, however the area remains open to the natural breeze and sunlight that will come in through the screened area.

Patio Enclosures

Total patio enclosures, perhaps using the newest aluminum patio covers may be the best solution to extending the use of your patio well into winter months in colder climates that receive snowfall. These solid enclosures can also be made from enamel finished frames and imitation wood that is actually aluminum and requires no maintenance. These types of patio enclosures offer 3″ insulated walls, horizontal sliding windows (and a good brand to keep in mind is Millennium Windows) and perhaps you may wish to add some French doors. Additionally you may have added protection with thermally broken extrusions and all the materials can be made from wind and rain resident materials that are aluminum. You can add a full gutter system with downspouts and even have a fully insulated roof. The windows could be screened so that they can be left open to offer air on warm days and be like a screen room, yet able to close and be sealed on cold winter days. Adding a screen room or complete enclosure to a deck can not only add value to your home but allow to have extra livable space, and perhaps even be an area for a bright home office or a place for plants and an indoor garden.

Aluminum Patio Covers

Aluminum patio covers have come a long way from the days when they looked like cold industrial metal framework additions to residential homes. They are now elegant and can match wood or other materials from which your home may have been constructed. Since it is important that any kind of aluminum patio cover not look like an afterthought, you may want to consult a contractor regarding how to build a patio cover from the newest alumawood patio covers that are on the market today. However, there are some good patio cover kits that are sold through home improvement centers that allow you to build a patio cover on your own if you are a handy type person.

Here are same popular styles and prices for a variety of patio cover options:

• Classic 12 Ft. x 14 Ft. Attached Aluminum Open Lattice Patio Cover that is maintenance free for about $1,600 from The Home Depot
• Arrow Buildings 10 x 20 ft. attached vinyl patio cover for about $1,600 from Sears (vinyl-coated and galvanized steel parts)
• Classic 10 Ft. x 20 Ft. Attached Aluminum Solid Patio Cover for about $1,500 from The Home Depot
• Classic 10 Ft. x 18 Ft. Attached Aluminum Solid Patio Cover for about $1,400 from The Home Depot
• Classic 10 Ft. x 20 Ft. Attached Aluminum Open Lattice Patio Cover for about $2,200 from The Home Depot

Vinyl Patio Covers

Vinyl Pergola and vinyl patio covers are not what you might imagine. These lovely lattice patio covers look like metal or wood or can be pure white or painted or treated to have a variety of finishes. They are easy to install and usually come in vinyl patio kit packages that include galvanized steel inserts for beams and post bases, materials pre-cut lengths and all the instructions needed to erect in just a few days. These patio covers can be added to a deck or patio or can be made as freestanding pergolas near your house or even in a garden.

Vinyl patio covers are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that outlasts their wood patio cover counterparts because vinyl lasts a lifetime. Pergolas and vinyl patio covers are maintenance free and are only a little more expensive than wood, yet will never need to be replaced. Just to give you an idea of price, and 8X10 cover will cost about $2,000, an 20X14 will cost about $4,500. These are patio covers that are attached to the house. For ones that are freestanding pergolas, they will cost about $2600 for an 8X10 and almost $5,000 for a large 20X14. These patio cover kits include everything needed to finish your project.

Metal Patio Covers

Metal patio covers are not just for a patio or deck or porch but may also be useful as carport covers that double as a garage to provide shelter for cars and vehicles from rain, hail, snow and heat, or deck covers for country homes or even boat covers. Carport kits and patio cover kits (including the boat cover models) are usually prefabricated from aluminum or steel and come in single wide and double wide aluminum options. However, for deck covers you will probably need custom sizes to fit with your home, apartment or condominium.

There are two basic kinds of prefabricated models, the free standing carports and the attached models. You can hire a contractor to install these covers or if you are looking to do it yourself, there are metal carport kits and metal patio cover kits for handy do it yourself homeowners.

Alumawood shade structures come in two styles:

• Laguna lattice patio cover
• Newport solid roof patio cover

For paint, it is recommended to use the brand called Aluma-Shield which is considered the most durable paint of aluminum patio covers because it’s made with a Teflon protector and is made exclusively for Alumawood structures.

Equinox Louvered Roof is a very unique style of cover because it is in essence a lattice structure that allows you to open and close the lattices to have more of less lattice opening or select an angle for shade protection or totally close off the lattice to have a solid cover. It is all controlled by a button and so is very easy to use. These modern coverings can be had in almost any finish you desire like aluminum, steel, wood, stucco, or painted looks.

Maxx Panel Insulated Roof is a high-density thermal foam that gives covers insulation and strength and integrates a tongue-and-groove connection system with an internal gutter system and a thermal break protection with a cedar embossed durable coating on aluminim that comes in many colors. All this is designed for extreme climates, either very hot or for heavy snow areas. This patio roof cover system can be used for alumawood shade structures, sunrooms, patio enclosures and screen rooms. You can find these wonderful patio cover products from an Amerimax dealer in your region.

DIY Patio Covers

Building a patio cover on your own may require you to take some time to consider these problems: how and where to insulate, where are the gaps and crevices that may cause leakage, where to best place the gutters and eves troughs, where does the sun and best lighting will come, where does the wind hit the house and when there are rainstorms or snowstorms which sides are the hardest hit. These things you will probably know if you have been living in your home for a while. Try to cover the areas or sides that get the most direct wind and rain and snow and leave windows and doors to the sides that receive the most sunlight.

There are DIY Patio Cover kits that start from as little as $6.50 per square foot. Naturally there are many that are more expensive.

Patio Cover Plans

Patio cover plans are not universal, the one that may be right in a tropical setting will not work well in a cold northern one. So when selecting from patio cover designs, be they online or in magazines, be sure to focus on ones that are specifically designed for your climate and region. Also, consider the style of the home and decide if aluminum patio covers will look out of place, say for example your home is made of brick or have siding or is totally wood or has a stone finish. And weigh the pros and cons of wood patio covers carefully because some styles may require expensive yearly maintenance whereas some aluminium patio covers are totally maintenance free. Many contractors and engineers have written books about patio cover design and offer them for sale online. Some are very unique patented cover designs, while others are basic. Here are a few places to get such plans:

• Black & Decker Complete Guide to Patios: Plan, Build and Maintain by Phil Schmidt
• Ortho’s Patio Plans (Ortho’s All About Home Improvement) by Ortho Books
• Patio Roofs & Gazebos: A Complete Guide to Planning, Design, and Construction by Editors of Sunset Books
• The Black & Decker Complete Outdoor Builder: From Arbors to Walkways: 150 DIY Projects (Black & Decker Complete Guide) by Editors of creative Publishing
• Walks, Walls & Patios: Plan, Design & Build by Editors of Creative Homeowner and Glee Barre
• Complete Patio Book: The Latest Looks in Pavings, Great Outdoor Room Amenities…by Editors of Sunset Books
• Design Ideas for Decks & Patios by Heidi King
• Decks: Plan, Design, Build (Ultimate Guide) by Steve Cory and Glee Barre
• Decks & Patios for Dummies by Robert Beckstrom & National Gardening Assoc.

• Ideas For Great Patios & Decks by Editors of Sunset Books
• Black & Decker Complete Guide to Porches & Patio Rooms: Sunrooms, Patio Enclosures, Breezeways & Screened Porches by Phil Schmidt
• Building Screened Rooms: Creating Backyard Retreats, Screening in Existing Structures, A Complete How-to Guide by Editors of Sunset Books
• Porches & Sunrooms: Your Guide to Planning and Remodeling (Better Homes and Gardens(R)) by Better Homes and Gardens and John Riha
• How to Build Patio Roofs, a Sunset Book by Sunset Books Dream
• Porches and Sunrooms: Designing the Perfect Retreat by Michael Snow
• The Black & Decker Complete Outdoor Builder: From Arbors to Walkways: 150 DIY Projects (Black & Decker Complete Guide) by Editors of creative Publishing
• Porches & Other Outdoor Spaces: A Design Guide for Living Outdoors by James Grayson Trulove and Connie Sprague

Glass Atrium Sunroom

Alternatively you can choose to make a total glass atrium style sunroom with panels of glass or clear plexi extending onto the roof. The key to these sunrooms is sealing the joints so there is so leakage. Also you must take into account that in regions with heavy snowfall, these types of glass or plexi roofs must be slanted so the snow can slide off easily and not accumulate and become heavy.

A patio cover roof must be designed keeping the local weather in mind for it to be a servable and practical home addition.

A solarium or sunroom is a large undertaking that will require a professional, and it will be expensive. They can be straight glass or curved glass styles, or even a cathedral roof which is pointed or conservatories Sunroom design that is round or octagonal in shape. All of them will be custom built to suite the space available. These may be aluminum sunrooms and patio rooms that are white, sandstone or bronze with glass or they may be aluminum exterior frames in white or bronze with wood interiors and glass roofs.

Remember that a sunroom can have a glass roof or a solid one, can have total glass windows or just screens, can be framed in wood, metal or aluminum and can be a small addition over a porch r a complete front or side or all around home addition or even a separate building in a garden or near a pool. Unlike a simple carport or lattice patio cover, this kind of sunroom patio involves major construction. Because of this, it is impossible to quote approximate prices because there are far too many variables involved. You will nee to get a personalized quote from a sunroom expert in your area.

Here are some more books regarding sunrooms you may find useful:

• Porches and Sunrooms: Planning and Remodeling Ideas by Roger German
• Porches & Sunrooms: Your Guide to Planning and Remodeling (Better Homes and Gardens) by Better Homes and Gardens and John Riha
• Complete Patio & Deck Book: Creative Ideas & Fabulous Fix Ups (Lowe’s Home Improvement) by Sunset Books

Awnings Canopies And Shade – Retractable Patio Awnings Without Support Posts

What Do You Want?

• Want instant shade over your patio, deck or garden without investing in a complete roofing system or an expensive patio enclosure?
• Want pushbutton ease for opening and closing the canopy cover?
• Want a patio cover that has no visible braces or ugly poles or supports to block your view or obstruct ease of movement on a deck?
• Want the best aircraft grade aluminum frames that are none-corrosive, and a canopy that won’t fade in the sun, is waterproof and mildew-free?

If you’ve answered YES to the above questions you’re looking for the Sunsetter Motorized retractable patio awning designs that offer everything you want and need for ideal sun protection and ease of use. Built with durability in mind, the newest retractable awnings are not just easy to use but great to install without massive remodeling of your outdoor space. Why? Because the home awnings that are lightweight aluminum with canopies that extend as much 10 feet out from the house, are attached under your home’s eaves and/or directly onto your existing structure. The real benefit of this kind of patio cover is that it can be installed very low or high as needed. For example it can be placed at 7 feet 6 inches in height or higher as needed. This allows flexibility in terms of not obstructing upper level windows and also allows the awnings to extend out from existing patio doors. Naturally the larger versions that are 15 feet long by 10 feet wide will be best over decks and garden areas, however there are also smaller designs that can create shade over windows and doors, and these canopies are extremely affordable, most under $200.

Why Choose Motorized Canvas Awnings Instead of Patio Roofs?

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of choosing a canvas awning is to have a covering that is quick to put up and take down, versatile in summer and easy to roll away in winter. In summer it opens and offers shade instantly, but in winter the retractable mechanism allows you to close it completely so that it doesn’t take up any physical space. During summer months, it’s also a benefit to be able to choose how far to extend the canopy so as to get partial shade and partial sun. Also, since the fabric (of which the awning is made) is totally waterproof, it can act as protection during light to moderate rainfall, which means a gloomy day with scattered showers needn’t interrupt a barbeque or family gathering. What’s the canopy made from? From acrylic Dacron, but has 5 layers so that it withstands not only moisture and humidity but intense UV rays without fading the color (which by the way can be white or beige or blue or burgundy or other shades, even stripes to match your décor). What’s more, the structure itself, which extends over your deck or patio, and has extensions which are called “arms”, are crafted from aluminum that’s finished with a high grade baked-on enamel.

What About Motor Noise When Changing The Porch Awnings Settings?

Motorized awnings, crafted by Sunsetter, and Sunsational window canopies, which have automatic systems for opening and closing the canvas coverings, are remarkably quiet. The motor itself is called a SOMFY and is secreted within the roller portion of the awning. It makes a slight, soft purring sound that is unobtrusive. But what happens if there’s a loss of power? Then you’ll have to use the manual crank. A full patio awning takes about a minute to open or close.

What Do You Need To Install Retractable and Motorized Automatic Awnings?

Nothing special is required because the awning can be attached to a wall that is covered in any kind of aluminum or vinyl siding or even brick, masonry and wood. About the only thing that will be required so that the motorized mechanism will function, is that you’ll need access to an electric outlet. The manufacturer recommends that you use what is called a ground fault interrupter if possible. That said, and although it’s not a complicated installation procedure that requires a contractor, builder or construction expert, it is recommended that at least two strong individuals do the installation.

Can a Canvas Awning Be Used As A Carport?

Due to the fact that it’s canvas, and not a freestanding structure with posts and poles built into a cement pad where a vehicle will be parked, and because it will likely not be a good idea to have it open during heavy winds, snowstorms or an intense rainy season, the canvas retractable awnings are not recommended as carports. They are specifically designed as patio, deck or porch awnings over an area that is used for summer relaxation, for protection from sun and light rain and not as a protective roof for an automobile that needs coverage year-round.

How To Order Retractable Patio Awnings

You will need to decide where you wish the motor to be installed, be it on the right hand side of the roll or on the left. You will also need to consider where the brackets will be best situated on the wall where the awning will be mounted, or if you prefer what is called soffit brackets instead. It will also make a difference what hardware is sent with your order depending on what surface will be used – for example concrete or brick or wood. Since these things are custom made when you order, as well as the length and width and the fabric color, you will likely need to count 2 to 3 weeks for delivery of your order.

Can these custom awning orders be done online?

Yes! Once you know the exact size, and have ascertained what your specific hardware needs will be, and know where the motor will be best, then you can go to online shops like Stacks and Stacks and place your order very easily. Many of these items can be shipped within the US free of charge, but check if this is the case for your region by entering your Zip code just to be sure. Also check for Canadian and international shipping because some products can be shipped abroad and some are exclusively sent to domestic destinations.

For more information on Awnings, Canopies and Patio Shades as well as some unique ideas for Gazebos and Carports, please browse related topics. We offer advice and recommendations on the latest garden Sheds, unusual German made Gartenhaus garden houses, and where to buy high quality yet affordable Teak Furniture and Wicker Furniture. We also know where to get outdoor Patio Cushions that can withstand sun and moisture and how to protect your outdoor areas and gazebos with curtains, mosquito netting and complete patio enclosures. We help you enjoy your gardens, patios and decks for longer periods of time throughout the year by showing you how to cover them, furnish them and even protect them so they are more functional for your needs.

House Awnings

If you’re searching for house awnings but finding that most of the patio covers are for motor homes or annexes for tents, like the caravan porch awning designs that are popular in the UK, take heart. Not all retractable awnings are intended for mobile use or for those who want to have added space while camping. The porch canopy designs you’re looking for are available online and some of the best are made by a company that has 30 years experience, namely SunSetter, who specialize in residential retractable motorized and manual covers that are ideal for adding shade to your residential outdoor areas.

The versatility of their products is such that you can choose a design that attaches to your home or a freestanding model that can be placed in a garden or even beside a pool. The freestanding garden awnings made by SunSetter are called Oasis and can be set up even on a lawn to create a gazebo like area where a sun shade would not normally be possible. It offers shade or sun – fast! How fast can you make the switch?

The manufacturer states that their freestanding units can be opened and closed in about 30 seconds, which is almost as fast as you can put a patio umbrella up or down. The great thing is that the unit can be left outdoors all year round so it doesn’t have to be setup each spring. All that’s required is a quick retraction of the awning and voila! It’s packed away for the winter season.

Basic Facts about the Oasis Freestanding Retractable Awnings

Although the models that are designed for porches and deck areas can be custom sized, the Oasis is a prefabricated unit that’s a standard 10 feet by 16 feet design. The frame is aluminum, the best aircraft grade, with an additional finish in bronze using the baked-on enamel finishing technology. The arms that extend and create the roof are crafted from stainless steel and have a dual cable mechanism for easy manual opening and closing, via a crank system. The awning itself is acrylic which blocks UV rays and comes in an assortment of sixteen colors. It’s easy to install and comes with a 5 year warranty. If need be, there are additional accessories available to compliment the area. For example, you can select patio lights and floor mats, and also protect the awning fabric with a special cover. There’s also specific cleaning products which are sold in kits. SunSetter also grants a trial period of 90 days for you to see how you like their products, and if the one you’ve chosen isn’t for you, it can be returned. There’s also a flexible payment plan you can take advantage of, as well as many discount coupons, which are available when ordering online.

Motorized Awnings For Home Porches and Decks

Since the freestanding designs are manual, you may be seeking the motorized porch awning styles that operate at the push of a button for more or less shade or complete retraction. What’s good about these styles is that there are no supports apart from the arms that extend laterally, therefore you have total access to the entire deck or porch – no poles, no posts, no supports to interfere with however you use your shaded area. It operates using a cable system and a motor that’s not even visible, but hidden within the roller part of the awning.

Are these units able to be controlled remotely? Yes! Imagine that you can alter your level of shade or sun even from the house. The remote control comes with the unit, so it’s not an added expense to have this feature.

What sizes are available? You choose what you need, measuring by feet. You can have a patio cover that’s 10 feet in length or 11 feet or 12 feet…all the way up to 20 feet. And the extension of the coverage can be as wide as just over 10 feet.

How much space do you need to calculate from the ground to an eves or window overhang? You need about 7 feet of height, a little less with some models, but the exact figure for the larger awnings is seven feet and six inches just to be safe.

Can the retractable awning be mounted into stucco or a brick or cement wall? Yes. It can also be attached to a home that is finished with siding.

What about power for the electric awnings? You will need to accommodate a grounded power supply within twelve feet of the unit. This may be the only feature that requires a professional to install if you don’t have an outlet near enough.

What accessories can be added? There are panels that can be added to act as weather breakers and also a wind sensor can be added so it automatically retracts when there are strong gusts. The sensors are wireless.

For more information on how to protect your deck or porch using wood or aluminum patio covers, or how to decide if you should choose an awning, a patio cover in aluminum or vinyl, or a patio shade in some other custom design, please browse our related topics. We also feature a segment that pertains to Caravan Awning selections for mobile homes, campers and tents as well as some suggestions on how to create practical Carports.

If you need advice on what Patio Furniture to choose, we have lots of great ideas from Teak Furniture to Wicker and even suggestions for how to care for them and how to cover them to prolong their life. If you need Sheds, Gazebos or other styles of Gartenhaus, please refer to our articles on these topics where we recommend what’s available and where to shop online for everything you need to make your outdoor space more uniquely your own.

Patio Cover Design

Decide what the patio will be used for once it’s covered. This will determine what materials will be best.

Will your patio be used for barbeques and large gatherings for family or friends or will it be just a cozy space for you and your partner to drink coffee in the morning and catch some sun in the afternoon? Is your patio to be a children’s play area?

Will your deck need to be enclosed to keep insects out? Will you use it also during the cooler winter months? Is it enough to have some shade and light rain protection for your patio or do you need something that will withstand frequent rain, hail, snowstorms or strong gusts of wind?

Wood Patio Covers

There is no question that wood is the best to look at, especially if you have a wood house or a deck with wood flooring. If it is to be a patio enclosure and your house is already a classic wood design, you will want to carry that theme through to your patio, especially if it is to be part of the house entryway, front or back.

Some of the worst patio covers are those that stick out, as if the owner had an afterthought and added a deck and later a cover. Even if that’s how it occurred, it’s best to make the cover blend with the house style as if it had been part of the architect’s plan right from the beginning.

Patio cover designs are no less important than the house plans, in fact more so, because often the patio is the first part of the house that’s visible from the road or street, the first area of your house that welcomes people and the space where you spend a vast amount of your time when at home on weekends and holidays.

Your patio or enclosure should not look like a chaotic afterthought.

So you decide to have a carpenter make wood patio covers. Will it be closed or a lattice frame? Are you sure you will get the best treated wood that’s possible so your cover lasts? Are you prepared to do some maintenance every year or two? Is your region prone to termites? If so, how are your patio beams being treated? What about weather resistance?

Patio Covers from Aluminum/Acrylic Wood

If you are not a handy person or do not have the desire to pay for upkeep on a wood patio cover, you need to consider aluminum or imitation wood. There are several synthetic wood options that have the appearance of wood while being wholly manmade form acrylic or aluminum. The prices start at $1,500 for small patio cover kits and go up, up, up to thousands for custom built patio designs.

Aluminum or the new alumawood patio covers are especially great but really expensive. In some cases you can’t tell the aluminum beams are not wood, and the strength of these patios covers is incredible, able to withstand 110 mph winds, but you pay for that, naturally.

When the patio heaters are not in use, it’s also a good idea to protect them with a patio heater cover even if the patio or deck is sheltered with an awning. Patio heater covers will protect the delicate elements of the heaters so they last longer.

Deck and Patio Coverings for Safety

Although you may have to cover you patio furniture no matter what style of patio or garden or deck or outdoor sitting space you have, one way to enjoy these outdoor spaces a lot more is by having aluminum patio covers installed as extensions of the roof. An aluminum patio cover or the many varieties of metal patio covers, or “alumawood” patio covers will give a durable protection not only to the wood deck or flooring of your patio, but prolong the life of your furniture and make your patio or deck or outdoor space much more inviting giving shade for the summer, protection from wind and rain and snow in the winter.

A covered patio or deck will also be less slippery to walk on, and this may be especially important if the deck or porch or patio is an extension of the front or back entrance to the house, or if there are children or seniors who may easily slip and fall.

Wood Patio Covers and Kits

Wood patio covers are can be an extension of the wood your house may be made of, so your patio cover will be a fluid extension and not stand out as if it was an afterthought. There are patio cover designs in wood that can be bought as patio cover kits and will include instructions on how to build a patio cover on your own. Patio cover kits and patio cover plans can also be used even if you plan on hiring a carpenter to do the work.

The “build a patio” packages are often less expensive and include all the hardware and wood so you will know in advance exactly how much it will cost you. To build a patio you will need some building expertise even if you buy a kit, however you can save some money and still have something left over to buy patio sets and patio covers.

There are many kits sold online that come with help lines and lots of support. Also there are packages available through your local building companies or home renovation and decorating centers. If possible try to find sales on these packages in the late fall or after the spring and summer yard and garden frenzy is over.

You can always store the materials and build in the summer, or simply do something odd, build your summer patio cover in the autumn and use it all through the winter but heating it a little with a few patio heaters or heat lamps. Who says barbeques must be only for summer?

In the spring, as we saunter through home improvement centers, garden centers or outdoor furniture retailers, and we see all the choices, we begin to think about buying a furniture cover or an outdoor patio cover because they’re in front of us. But that’s just a little too late.

By the time spring and summer come, our poor patio furniture has already taken a beating all fall and winter, and without covers or without a patio awning or other protection overhead, we already have a mess to clean up, a deck to renovate, or at least sand and polish, and a lot of chairs and a table to scrub or repair or toss in the garbage. It also means that we probably haven’t enjoyed more than half the year of using our deck or patio, and it means we never thought about buying a patio heater or an aluminum patio cover or about an enclosure so we could have barbeques and outdoor fun all year.

Maximize Patio Potential

Patio cover designs today are not just for summer heat or for protection against the sun, knowing how to build a patio and using the right materials and patio cover plans should allow for warmth and protection during the months when we most need a little fresh air and a break from being indoors – autumn and winter and even early spring.

With a little planning, a few outdoor patio furniture covers, a heat lamp, a retractable patio awning or an enclosure around your patio roof, you can maximize your deck or patio potential. The secret is to plan around what your needs are, what the weather is like in your region and what will be the best materials for quality construction of an outdoor space that is covered.

Patio Furniture Protection

You also need to know how to protect the furniture you already have so it lasts as long as possible. Waterproof patio furniture covers will help prevent corrosion or rust on your metal or wrought iron patio tables and chairs.

Even soft coverings that are not vinyl will protect outdoor furniture from dust, dirt, bird droppings and that fine layer of residue from pollen or mold, and also from the effects of the sun.

Just because your furniture doesn’t get wet or rained upon or snowed on doesn’t mean it can go without a cover.

Easy On, Easy Off Patio Covers

You need to find a patio furniture cover set that will be easy to put on and take off, something with an elastic and draw-cord around the bottom otherwise the covers may go unused.

Try to stay away from the patio covers that have lots of ties to do up and un-do, or the ones with rope that you have to thread through grommet holes. The simplest, lightest, most hassle free patio furniture covers are best.

Buy the ones you will actually USE all year.

Patio Chair Cushion Storage

Cushion storage bags to protect even the most expensive patio chairs are a good solution all year round. The bag can be left on the deck or patio to be able to easily slip the cushions into every day in summer.

For winter storage, pack the clean, dry cushions in the bag and store indoors. There are some rather stylish covers in khaki polyester or in vinyl that are hunter green in color. These elegant patio furniture covers are all water-resistance and yet allow your cushions and furniture some airflow.

If you select a cushion storage bag make sure these also have mesh vents for air flow to minimize mold and mildew should they be stored for long periods of time.