Hal Major © 2009
BobVilaContractors.com
Patio covers provide you with more living space while providing protection from Mother Nature. Today�s covers are attractive, versatile and affordable. Patios covers are available in four basic materials: Aluminum, Wood, Vinyl and the latest, Solar panels.
Aluminum Patio Covers
Aluminum patio covers have been around since the 1950s and are still going strong today. Of course, the range of styles and colors is substantially bigger than 60 years ago.
Aluminum patio covers provide year around protection from sun, rain and snow. They can reduce the temperature on your patio up to 200 F as well as help keep the inside of the house cooler.
Aluminum covers are available in colors to match or complement your house. They cover weight load ratings for different parts of the country. You want a cover with a heavier rating if you live in the northern part of the country to hold up to the heavy snows. Lighter ratings are usually acceptable for the southern states where snow is absent or rare.
Wood Patio Covers
If you are a fan of all things natural then a wood patio cover might be your first choice. Nothing compares to the beauty and elegance of natural wood. A wood patio cover seamlessly blends the outdoors to indoors making your patio appear to be additional living space.
If a little maintenance and upkeep don�t bother you then a wood patio cover is an ideal choice. You�ll need to use insect and weather resistant lumber. An annual cleaning and re-treating of the preservative every three to five years will keep your wood patio cover looking new for many years.
Vinyl Patio Covers
Vinyl patio covers are manufactured to resemble their wood counterparts. The main difference is maintenance and appearance.
The vinyl covers looked like painted wood. If you like the warm tones and patinas of natural wood, vinyl is not going to do it for you. On the other hand, if you like the grain pattern of wood but want a painted-look, a vinyl patio cover is the answer. The maintenance for the vinyl covers is substantially less than that of the wood variety.
Solar Patio Covers
The latest edition to the patio cover is the solar panel. Solar panels are placed on the top of a sturdy aluminum patio cover. This is a great place to install the panels because they barely noticeable from the ground. They are less susceptible to wind damage and provide a constant source of power for your home. The typical installation is for 250-450 sq ft area. You�ll typically generate between 200 to 300 kwh of electricity that you can either use yourself or in some areas sell it back to the utility company.
Solar paneled patio covers are eco-friendly and the U.S. government will pay up to $20,000. in
rebates and tax credits for installing a solar panel patio cover. This is a job best left to professional installers and doesn�t fit the DIY category.
