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

This article isn’t intended to be a German lesson, but some of the very best and most unusual and delightful garden sheds, small houses, pavilions and gazebos are in fact the German gartenhaus holz and gartenhaus selber bauen and the beautiful karibu gartenhaus and spa-like weka gartenhaus that offer carports, saunas, pools and small yard houses made of wood.

If you live in Europe and want a very beautiful addition to your garden, yard, deck or outdoor space, try some rustic or finely finished German engineered pavilions and gazebos alternatives and enjoy the outdoors more fully.

Let’s take a look at what the options are from a few different companies.

The Weka Gartenhaus line has everything from small houses to open gazebos, perfect for summertime barbeques and outdoor dinner parties with friends. They cost about 2,000 euros for the complete kits. You will have to arrange installation on your own or hire a contractor.

There are also more affordable little houses like the Gartenhaus Modell Alster which costs just under 700 euros and would make a lovely addition to a garden or patio or even a beach house or small art or writing studio. The possibilities are endless, since these small houses could be guest rooms or pool houses or change rooms, or even little places to escape and read or relax on a warm summer day. These models are designed for adults, but they could also be marvelous children’s playrooms.

The actual smaller versions designed for children are called gartenhaus kinder and are much more affordable at around $40 euros. They are available through several German dealers who sell online like Gartenhaus Shop and Gartenhaus Holtz.

The karibu gartenhaus is also a lovely option which is versatile for garden implements or for a private space, and they are very affordable at about 332 euros each.

The kits are sold all inclusive and as you can see in the images they even include wood floors.

There are larger gartenhause designs that are in fact small houses like cabins for little escapes on your own property or at a lake or wherever you can have one installed for weekend relaxation. The full houses with windows and doors are called the Bear County Gartenhaus Classic and can cost up to 3,000 euros each. However, when you consider they are a complete little house in the country, that’s actually fairy reasonable.

You can choose a wide variety of floorplans, some even have porches and verandas and some have more than one room.

The prices for many designs are around 1000 to 2000 euros, so you can save a lot by selecting different designs.

There are also designs that are open and others that are closed off. If you want to see a variety of designs you will have to go to gartenhaus de and it helps if you read German, but if not the dimensions and prices are all quite clear and most of the sites have telephone numbers where you can place an order in English.

So if you’re looking for something different, crafted from wood and in designs that have been engineered by experts who know about building garden houses, then give the German gartenhaouse for adults and gartenhaus kinder for children a try.

If you think that patio seat cushions must be crunchy and uncomfortable then you haven’t seen the latest Sunbrella cushions that are elegant and comfy and also durable.

What’s the secret behind durable Sunbrella patio chair cushions?

You may not want to leave the cushions sitting in a rain storm or snowstorm, but then you don’t even leave your wood or metal furniture outside uncovered during a storm, so the secret to the fabric cushions is not that they repel snow or water but are resistant to the things that really destroy outdoor patio furniture cushions and that is mildew, sun everyday wear and cleaners. Having a special stain resistant finish and being engineered to withstand the elements and use that is specific to outdoor furniture, the Sunbrella designs are not just durable but easy to care for and clean with a wipe or a brush. For years of vibrant colors and soft cushy cushions, choose the padding that will let you really relax in comfort without the worry of high maintenance.

On top of the quality, the fabric options are almost unlimited. How does fabric selection work? Well, you can do most of the work online. They have a massive catalogue of what they call their fabric showroom.

There you will view swatches of the patterns and designs with a description of each. You will choose if the cushions are for indoors, outdoors or even sailboats and yachts.

You can do a search of the dozens and dozens of styles by pattern or color or style and get right to what you need fast and efficiently. Then you can preview your selection on a piece of furniture and even see how a matching umbrella would look. With the exact fabric number and product code you can then do a quick search for a dealer or retailer near you and place your order. It’s all customizable and really user friendly.

When you have your seat cushion or bench cushions delivered and set up on your deck or around your pool you can keep the fabrics like new without deep cleaning or intensive work. The recommended care is so simple it sounds almost silly to have to say it. Just brush off the dirt and wipe off spills. If a nasty spill were to occur, and you fear it might stain, then you can wash with warm water and let it air-dry. The cushions are specifically designed to dry quickly without any need to use heat or special techniques.

The removable cushion covers can also be tossed into a washing machine and cleaned with cold water and left to air-dry naturally. And if you’re wondering how to remove mildew stains, you can relax, because the Sunbrella products are designed in such a way as to not promote the growth of mildew. Naturally if left really soiled and wet day after day even the best of the best will develop mould, but in the case of Sunbrella, the mildew or fungus will only develop if the cushions have a foreign substance that has penetrated them, they themselves will not retain or grow mildew.

When you buy the chaise lounge cushions or garden cushions from this company, they will arrive already treated with a special finish that aids them being water repellant and stain resistant. It is unnecessary, under normal conditions, for these cushions to need any kind of deep cleaning for several years, only if you have already washed them in order to remove some accidental spill, then they will need to retreated with what is called the 303 High Tech Fabric Guard™. None of the fabrics require dry-cleaning, just washing and using the fabric guard, and let the cushions get as much fresh air as possible, which also will apply to the cushion owners!

You might say that the secret of having wonderful outdoor furniture that is comfy and durable is all about the cushions and the fabric you choose to cover them with.

For more information on patio furniture covers to protect during rain or winter months, or for ideas on how to design fun and practical patio covers to shelter your outdoor space year-round, please continue browsing related topics.

One of the most popular companies that offers very high-end elegant teak furniture is Kingsley Bate. They have both modern and classic designs to accent patios, decks and pool areas.

From lounged to benches to complete sets with tables and chairs, the Kingsley Bate teak furniture company has options you will love.

For example they have a very modern design called the Evanston table and chair set that is fabulous for a patio or even a small restaurant or café. This set of beautiful teak garden furniture comes complete with an umbrella hole that fits a Kingsley Bates umbrella.

Kingsley Bate uses Javanese teak harvested from controlled plantations in Indonesia and some Burmese teak as well.

Teak deck furniture like the Essex Rectangular Extension Table is one of those fabulous pieces that can accommodate friends and family at outdoor gatherings in a functional style that is elegant without being uncomfortable or pretentious. The table is designed to have seating for 6 people when it is closed, but when expanded can seat can seat up to 12. It folds out in a unique butterfly design so that all you have to do is pull the end rails and then rotate the extra leaves until they fit snug and are extended fully.

This piece is so well designed that the umbrella hole will accommodate any of the commercial umbrellas or the Kingsley Bates designs, and even in the fully extended position the umbrella will not be moved from it’s central position.

Poolside or garden lounging takes on a whole new meaning with the contemporary teak furniture by Andrew Gower and his Ibiza collection for Kingsley Bates. The uniqueness of this set is due to the blend of stainless steel and premium teak with a soft comfy sling that comes in three colors: black, bronze and cream. The state-of-the-art dining chair is shipped knocked down with easy assembly. There is also an Ibiza ottoman that matches the chairs for extra comfort while relaxing. The steel is easy to care of as is the teak accenting.

Indonesian Teak Furniture

If you prefer something more authentically Indonesian in a rustic antique design, then you can try places that are smaller like Tradur, where there are just a few very exclusive and unique rustic designs to choose from.

Teak Furniture Manufacturers

If you’re looking for teak furniture manufacturers, then you should go direct to the source at TFM to buy high quality wholesale teak outdoor furniture like lounge chairs for around $64 and other simple chairs in unfinished teak for just about $25 and up.

Remember that teak patio furniture requires oiling to remain like new, but otherwise it is the most durable and hardy wood for outdoor furniture you will find. Caring for and cleaning teak furniture is very simple and the wood is not prone to cracking or rotting like other woods. The only thing that happens to teak is that becomes worn and rounded and more comfy over time, and often will slightly change color to a deeper greenish brown.

Since teak furniture is often plain with basic wood slats for seats, it is recommended to pad them with cushions. For more information on outdoor furniture cushions please browse our related topic.

Two of the best garden sheds for sale are the Lifetime brand storage units and the Rubbermaid sheds. Both provide large storage options that are maintenance free. We first take a look at the Lifetime shed options and later will compare with Rubbermaid products.

Lifetime Sheds For Practical Garden and Tool Storage

A Lifetime outdoor storage shed allows you to organize and lock up your tools and equipment in a space that’s dry and safe yet with easy access for when you need to get in. Your shed should help you maintain your home and garden while not adding to your workload by being one more structure to care for, paint and repair.

That is why the Lifetime sheds are ideal since they are built from dense polyethylene with steel reinforcements, stain free floors, and a no paint and rust free exterior that also has UV protection and resists fading and cracking even in the sun or harsh weather. If you like the look of the sheds when you buy them, then you can be sure they will stay looking like that for a very long time.

The inner space can be organized with long practical storage shelves, space-saving corner shelves, peg boards for tools, and even specially designed tool corals and unique accessories strips.

The sheds, which are vertical units with doors and roofs, not just storage boxes, come in 7 foot sizes and 2 by 8 foot sizes that are somewhat flat and may even be placed next to a wall. The larger freestanding units are up to 8 feet by 12 feet sheds, some even with skylights and windows and lots of extras.

The Lifetime shed can be extended, if you start with a small unit, it can grow with your needs. Extensions start at about $269. The sheds themselves that come with everything in neat kits are reasonably priced and start at under $690 for the 8’X2.5’ model and go up to about $1,500 for the largest designs.

These large garden sheds area great alternative to metal sheds that rust and the wooden garden sheds that require painting or varnishing on a yearly basis. Why should your outdoor storage cause you headaches and more work when you can have a full freestanding unit that requires no paint or upkeep from year to year to stay in great condition. They are also spacious and well-organized with a complete shelving system that many utility sheds just don’t have.

Affordable storage shed kits that offer the option to be custom sheds by adding panels, windows, skylights and extensions is a handyman’s dream. Start small and grow as your needs expand and keep organized. Whether you need a space for a few shelves to store garden supplies and a few tools, or a complete shed for a lawnmower and tools and supplies, you’ll find there is an affordable option for your needs with a Lifetime storage system.

Rubbermaid Shed Solutions From Home Depot

If you need large outdoor garden sheds and storage units for equipment, even large lawnmowers and other machinery, then the modular plastic shed styles that offer up to 467 cubic feet of space may be well suited to your needs.

The series called the Big Max™ and the Big Max jr. have double-walled construction made from all-weather resin to ensure you will never have rot or rust or maintenance problems. The units are modular prefabricated kits that are easy to assemble and offer interior storage solutions like shelving and pegboards for tools and garden supplies.

Rubbermaid also creates more affordable storage sheds that can be placed on a deck as either vertical or horizontal units. These are more like large boxes instead of freestanding buildings where you can walk in and organize your items. Plastic sheds in all styles are an option for backyard storage that eliminates the need for painting and maintaining that wood and metal structures require. If you do not have space in a yard or garden, you may consider using the smaller Rubbermaid vertical storage shed models that can even be placed inside a basement or along a porch wall or just outside on a deck or open area.

The Rubbermaid vertical storage shed designs are not crafted with windows and do not look like a shed in the classic sense, rather they are enclosed units with doors that organize tools and supplies in much the same way as a large cabinet might. The difference is that they may be placed outdoors and will still be weather resistant and keep everything secure and dry even in inclement conditions of cold winters and hot summers.

The other alternative is a horizontal shed. These are practical and cheap garden sheds that can be placed near your work area, on a deck, inside a porch, in a basement or wherever you can find space. They offer a means to keep organized and also a way to keep insecticides, fertilizers or harmful substances away from the reach of children.

Wooden Garden Sheds

If you have your heart set on a wooden garden shed that’s made of cedar, please remember that these units will not be more affordable than the plastic or resin versions, in fact they are often more expensive. A simple cedar structure costs about $800 even when purchased from a prefabricated cedar sheds kit dealer, and you may require a contractor or carpenter to have it built or put tether. They also will not last as long, will require painting or varnishing and protecting usually once a year and may be susceptible to rot, mildew, moisture and termites. However, they are aesthetically appealing for rustic homes, garden areas and may even double as small studios.

If you think you may be able to save some money by choosing a pine shed over a cedar one, you will find the prices, even for small structures, are usually over $1,000. Also, another thing to consider is that even the prefabricated wooden sheds are often constructed without flooring, therefore you may need to have a cement pad poured, or a wooden structure built, or leave the ground bare which is not very practical. Wood and timber sheds are seldom an economic choice rather an aesthetic one.

You may also consider a shed that is a gazebo style, and these are often very practical and beautiful solutions since they can be purchased in aluminum kits and are also maintenance free.

For more information on practical aluminum gazebo designs and beautiful outdoor garden gazebos with curtains and netting, please see related topics.

If you’re trying to get information on Doppel carports, which are made in Germany and are some of the best in the world, then you might be getting frustrated if you only speak English. The term “doppel” in German refers to a “double flat” carport that’s usually an open design. Some of the best products come from Gartenhause, makers of patio coverings and well engineered carports, sheds, gazebos and other garden prefabricated storage systems.

The problem is finding information and dealers that have information in your language. However, you can get a lot price information and see the various designs at Gartenhaus Shop online and if you are in Europe you may find it is worth ordering your shed and carport or storage systems from Germany.

For some truly outstanding Doppel carport ideas and ordering kit options you should visit carporte.de, and if you can read German you’ll get a lot of useful information, if not you can contact one of their international offices in Denmark, Ireland, England, Spain, Switzerland or Sweden for service and information in your language and to discuss shipping options to your region.

There are many reasons for choosing a German engineered carport design, since there are options that include wood and metal blends and styles that are not only practical but enhance the look of your home and have a genuine aesthetic appeal that many prefabricated designs lack. Open double carport designs that can be built alongside a building or as an attachment or as freestanding units in open areas may be just some of the solutions you will find that incorporate the use of treated wood, aluminum, steel, and other materials to create solutions that are much more than an aluminum carport to cover your car.

Carolina Carports

If you are not in Europe but in the United States, you may be searching for the famous Carolina Carports, from the manufacturer that has been engineering high tech commercial and residential carport and outdoor storage sheds since 1997.

The majority of the Carolina models are metal carports that are skillfully engineered and are sold by dealers and installed by professionals throughout the US. They have their headquarters in Dobson, NC, but have manufacturing centers in many States such as Texas, Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi and Missouri as well as service companies in most other States.

The carports for sale by Carolina are designed to suite your needs and will be created according to your specifications, however, some of the basic designs are portable carports and permanent steel and metal structures from barns to warehouses to simple domestic car covering that may attach to your home or be freestanding if you have the space.

To calculate how much it will cost you and what designs are available, go to the Carolina Carports Inc website and have some fun inserting all the options and seeing what you can design using their custom tools online. Then, select your state and get in touch with a dealer or contractor who will finalize the transaction in person. Plan your carport garage using the metal carport kits that Carolina offers and have professionals ensure it is exactly as it should be when completed.

Carport Awnings and Carport Canopy Options

There’s a company called Outrigger that creates some of the most versatile and aesthetic carport alternatives using lightweight awnings. These are not just practical for small or unusual shaped spaces but are also decorative and stylish and provide an alternative to heavy metal or steel or even wood structures that may be very difficult or impractical in certain spaces. The concept of the awning carport is to create a covered area that will not be a distraction or create an eyesore that detracts from the home design but rather compliments it. Every carport is a custom creation using the products manufactured by Outrigger.

The beauty of the carport canopy designs by Outrigger is that they are not made in one specific shape or size, but can be crafted to fit any space and can be created in a wide range of colors. For example the carport awning could be a sail style with pole supports at the corners or it may be a framed design, or may also be crafted as a retractable awning that is used seasonally. The battens may be curved or angled or pitched straight or however best suits the area that is to be covered. There are no specific restrictions aside from imagination and the space available.

What are they made from and how long will they last?

Outrigger carport awnings are PVC coated with Teflon and the covers are sewn by professional sail makers using durable Tenara thread. The Outrigger manufacturer states that their products have a life expectancy of up to 18 years.

One of the beautiful things about the Outrigger carport construction is that it’s so delicate and unobtrusive that the designs may be used as carports or patio covers over a deck or porch or entryway or even a seating area in a garden. They are one of the most versatile and affordable options for covering almost any outdoor living space. Consider how practical it may be to have an area of your property that is serviceable enough to cover your cars or act as a marquee style tent for a party or be a lovely family space to have barbeques and luncheons or a play area for the children. The protection from sun and rain is just enough to extend the use of your patio without massive construction or ugly metal structures detracting from your garden or deck or porch.

For more information on outdoor patio covers and furniture covers that are versatile and practical please continue reading relating topics. We also offer suggestions for gazebos for your garden or deck and offer recommendations on buying gazebo curtains and mosquito netting solutions for open patios. We also offer some advice on where to buy patio enclosures and outdoor sheds. For modern aluminum, metal, wood and some other unique alternatives to outdoor coverings, please feel free to browse our product reviews that deal with items for sale in the UK and Europe as well as many products that are available in the US as well as some items specific to Australia.

We couldn’t pass up telling our readers about a recent discovery that has to do with patio covers and gazebos. It’s a wonderful family run company simply called Mosquito Curtains, but what they offer is anything but simple. No matter what style outdoor setting you have, be it open patios of stone or wood, decks attached to a back or front area, front porches or a lounge areas, pool houses or a hot tub enclosures or garden gazebos, there’s something that will peak your interest at Mosquito Curtains. Why? Because they offer beautiful, stylish yet practical patio and gazebo covers that replace the need for enclosures, gazebo tents, screens and even canopies. How? With special netting that’s created exactly to your needs, knitted, heat cured, dyed to the color you desire, which also acts as barrier against mosquitoes and other insects while not inhibiting the outdoor openness with glass or vinyl.

For freestanding garden gazebos of all varieties, be they wood or steel or aluminum, and even for patio decks and porches, they offer several kinds of netting and mesh curtains. The heavy mosquito netting mesh is very durable and has 230 holes/ sq. inch, which is perfect even if you have to work with areas that have masonry. This is a very strong and heavy duty product that can protect your space without stopping the flow of air or the view.

They also utilize a standard mosquito mesh for their curtains that is less expensive than the heavy duty variety, but still only has 270 holes/ sq. inch.

They have a fun product called No-see-um Mesh, which blocks the teeny little gnats that you can’t even see without inhibiting your visibility. It’s black, but when you look out from inside these screened gazebos or patios, it seems as if there’s nothing there at all. It’s all an optical illusion, but one that has been very well engineered to keep you comfy inside with the little critters where they aught to be, outside and not getting in.

Won’t this type of curtain or screen tear?

No, not without actually cutting it. The product that’s used can’t be ripped, not even from a raw or unfinished edge. It’s also very difficult to snap even when exposed to bricks and thorny plants and animal claws. The bulkier and heavier mesh coverings are best kept smaller, like for 25 feet widths. If you desire a more fluid style curtain, then you can choose the softer No-see-um netting that is also an elegant way to accent open patios and outdoor gazebos.

You can also choose to screen in an area with removable screens that are attached with tracks or Velcro. This allows you to have a livable space that’s protected during summer, but can be removed during winter and left open. By the way, the fabric curtains and screens are all washable.

If you have been considering buying a gazebo replacement top or curtains for wooden gazebos or protection for over your steel gazebo tents, you should seriously consider the mesh netting options offered by Mosquito Curtains.

When people build gazebos, they often forget about the practical side, since they tend to be decorative items for a garden or porch, but cheap gazebos can be made into versatile and useful spaces for dinners and parties and even day to day relaxation if they are adequately protected from too much sun, and from annoying insects.

Think about creating gazebos spa areas that are open to the breeze, but still screened off, or why not enclose your hot tub with some drapes that can be drawn to keep out the evening bugs. Add gazebo lights without worrying about being eaten alive, and create a tent-like feel that isn’t just a bunch of useless decoration but an engineered device to keep out even the tiniest pests.

If you’re still just looking at patio cover options and looking at gazebos plans at your nearest home improvement shops and through online kit dealers, you should first get some ideas on what’s possible without creating a total enclosure that’s very expensive. Save some money and start by deciding if simple screened gazebos or porches might not be better than encapsulated enclosures that use aluminum or vinyl or wood and glass to seal off the outdoors.

Open yourself up to some unusual outdoor living possibilities by using patio, porch, deck or gazebo curtains to create your beautiful, practical space.

Where To Buy Wooden Gazebos

The best places to buy wooden gazebo kits will depend on which country you live in since you should order from manufacturers and distributors in your own region to keep costs down. There are very different designs and huge price variations depending if you are in the US, Canada, Australia or the UK. We offer suggestions for buying options primarily for those in the United States and the UK.

In the US, Countryside Gazebos is a fantastic place to purchase some of the most intricate and beautifully designed outdoor gazebo models that are prefabricated and ready to assemble. One of the reasons we recommend their products is that you are not limited to just one or two designs, but have dozens of options and also you may design your own garden, deck or patio gazebo to suite your specific needs. For example you can choose to create a freestanding hexagonal gazebo that fits over a hot tub in a garden or over a deck, or you may want a small patio gazebo that is an extension to a porch and matches the wood or specific design of your house.

Outdoor Gazebo Cost Considerations

Please keep in mind that building a wood gazebo addition is a luxury and is not cheap, even prefabricated kits will cost several thousand dollars.

Naturally you can try to save some money by hiring a builder in your region and creating a simple design of your own, however even the most basic gazebo plans are not so simple because they are usually freestanding buildings that require a platform, a support structure, a solid roof, usually shingled and decorative features like spires and latticework or carved or doweled posts, as well as screens, doors, a variety of window styles and ventilation options.

Even an open style backyard wedding gazebo will cost a couple thousand dollars if it’s made from wood. If you’re on a very limited budget, or need a pergola, marquee tent or a wedding gazebo for one specific occasion, it may be best to rent one for the day instead of building a wooden structure. Another alternative is to but an affordable pop up style folding aluminum gazebo with a fabric roof. We will discuss these options further in this article. For now, we will focus on the designs that are available in solid wood from Countryside Gazebos.

Countryside Gazebos For Sale Online

If you choose to go with one of the prefabricated designs, you will have about a dozen to choose from. The options, aside from size variations, are things like choosing pine with screen openings or selecting a maintenance free vinyl framework. If you think the vinyl option will look cheap and plastic-like, then you haven’t seen the latest designs that are very elegant and can have cedar shakes or shingles or any style roof to give it an even richer look to match your home.

Wood Gazebo Plans & All Inclusive Prefabricated Kits

The basic designs start at over $5,000, but these are solid pine octagon designs that are 12 feet and include everything including the screens, , the cupola roof, cedar shakes, flat baluster railings, the decorative upper trim, and all the posts and braces. You can specify shingle color or type, add a paint or varnish to match your home, select trim and accessories of your choice, choose different window and screen options, or even add a design element of your own. The screen gazebo designs are naturally the best since they will keep the insects out and make the structure much more versatile for small dinner parties or barbeques.

You may also choose 14 feet designs or 12 feet by 18 feet styles that are oval or rectangular in shape. If you prefer a custom sized 10 x 10 gazebo for a small area or adding to a deck, then you can go to the design your own gazebo section and choose a smaller than standard plan. You will be able to view your structure as you design it online by going to the Virtual Designer option. It’s fun to watch your creation being built before your eyes, and alter items to decrees or increase the price as you build to suite your budget. When you’re done, if you like what you see, you can click and order what you’ve created and everything will be sent to you. If you require a builder to put it all together you will need to add about a thousand dollars more to your budget, so if you and a few friends can do it on your own, you can save some money by not hiring a contractor.

One final note about building a freestanding structure or addition. Although it may seem to be a small item you’re adding to a garden, it is in fact considered a building and in most places you will be required to obtain a building permit before starting to put up the structure. Check the building codes and permit requirements in your region beforehand just to avoid trouble. If you want to avoid permits and contractors then perhaps you may want to choose a portable gazebo tent or the many lovely metal and pop up gazebos that are not only much more affordable, but can be put up and taken down seasonally and will require no permits.

Pop up and Metal Gazebo Designs

In the US, there are marquee tents and metal designs that are practical and affordable alternatives. In the UK, there are also a similar item that are usually referred to as pop up gazebo structures or portable gazebo tents. In essence they are similar, however, the UK has more variety in the quick portable and pop up models, and the US has more options when it comes to semi-permanent metal, wrought iron and aluminum gazebo models.

Let’s have a closer look at all the designs and what you can expect to pay and where to shop. In the UK, the most affordable pop up gazebos are available online through Argos. They are very practical and cheap, starting at just under £15. Here’s what you get for that price: A steel frame and a polyester roof that’s 2.4m square. It comes packed flat and can be assembled quite easily by two people. Since it is a lightweight model, the entire unit being just 6.5kg., it is not recommended for use where there will be strong winds or inclement weather. It has no screens, so it is mostly protection from sun or very light rain for a garden party.

There are other models for £29, £39 and even u to about £65 that have various different features. Some are metal gazebo structures with canvas or polyester walls and have screens and flaps that can be put up or taken down, and others are gazebo tents more suitable for carnivals or festivals or as street booths. Gazebo awning designs can be placed on a deck or patio and the larger screened gazebos can be placed in a grassy garden or outdoor area and have protection from mosquitoes and a little wind protection should you use it at the seaside. They can be wonderful additions to a day at the sea with the children, serving as a place to change, a lounge area for mum and dad, and a shady place for a beach picnic. For a full day by the seaside or for a weekend party, a £40 portable gazebo may be just the thing.

However, we recommend a slightly more expensive design for the garden or home patio. It’s available at Argos and costs just £69, but it has a touch of elegance and is very versatile with clear screens and zip panels. Here’s everything it includes: It has complete closure with fly screens and four easy access entrance panels that zip and unzip, and two fixed panels. I comes in a lovely blue and creamy colour designed polyester fabric that drapes over a steel frame. It ‘s 4 meters wide and 260cm high, so it has ample space for a table and chairs, or cushions and blankets or whatever you desire to relax on, even a couple lounge chairs. It’s supported by cords and pegs, however it still is not a good source of protection against high winds, so it’s best used on warm sunny summer days. We suggest this item because we feel it is the best value for your money taking into account size, versatility, openness and pleasing esthetic design for casual or semi-formal use.

The larger party gazebos, which are 6m by 3 meters, rectangular in shape, and can be closed or opened and have small windows with screens, are practical also, although somewhat less esthetic, and cost about £99. For a large screened gazebo this is a good price, however, it is not an easy up gazebo by any means. It will take some men a bit of time to get this model up and ready for a function.

Portable Gazebos For Sale In The USA

Some of the best designs and most affordable pop up styles in the US are available at places like ACE Hardware, The Home Depot and Target. Even Amazon has some models that well worth taking at look at. Perhaps one of the best is a design sold through ACE that is just under $80 and is very stylish for garden parties or relaxing without too much sun. It’s called the Astonica, and it’s a 10 x 10 gazebo with a steel powder coated frame and a lovely taupe fabric covering. It’s also one of the few elegant waterproof gazebo designs in that price range, great for protection from surprise showers.

If you can afford to spend just a little more for an elegant wrought iron or metal gazebo, we highly recommend doing so. The difference is massive in terms of esthetic appeal. For about $199 to just over $200 you can have a very stylish wrought iron gazebo from Home Depot that could be used for a wedding or almost any function that’s formal or casual.

The variety of gazebo canopy replacement designs is what will make all the difference. For example, there are canopies that start at just $129 that are really chic and elegant, and complete sets with draped fabric awnings that would make any wedding or outdoor party a delight. Some of the more elaborate styles cost between $190 and almost $400, some include the frame, some are just the drapery or awnings that can be used on any appropriate size steel or aluminum frame. However, even the more expensive designs may be a very practical alternative for a wedding gazebo since they cost almost as much to rent for a day or weekend. The beauty is that they all fold up and can stored for summer use and not just for one event.

The one we feature here in the image costs just $188 from Home Depot and is 10 x 10 gazebo that’s portable and easy to assemble spontaneously. It includes a steel frame, the stakes for inserting into the ground to give it stability and all the cords you need to attach it, as well as all the gorgeous draped netting you see in the picture and the fancy valance and curtains and a storage bag.

If you’re looking for a more permanent fixture that’s not made of wood and is very affordable, you must see the dreamy fantasy designs that Home Hardware has to offer that costs just over $400. This ornate, 10 foot high garden gazebo is octagonal and offers 43 square feet of space. The solid steel structure is rust resistant and powder coated with curved arches and curled decorative floret accents. This French style gazebo masterpiece is an ideal choice for one special occasion or for a permanent garden or deck fixture since it comes with the appropriate brackets to anchor it and make it permanent. If you are searching for gazebo plans and finding that all the wooden ones are thousands of dollars and just not practical for a short summer season or a one day event, then just imagine this delicate metal gazebo in your garden or on your wooden deck, draped with white curtains or adorned with flowers or just left as it is.

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?