Houston Patio Cover Tips

Summer is finally here! Which means one thing, in your happy place, enjoying the long days outdoors on the patio. However, you are missing something…a patio cover!

Adding a patio cover has a lot of advantages. Protecting your patio from harsh U / V light will improve its lifespan, from your BBQ to your patio furniture, as well as protecting everything on it. On those hot days, a cover will give you a cool place to relax and will improve your patio’s look–and add value to your home. Simply put, a patio cover is a good idea at all times.

You may wonder where you’ll get your Houston Patio Cover, but don’t worry, we’ll go over some key details to help you decide which type of cover is best for your family.  

Considerations to Determine the Right Patio Cover Materials

Bugs

They could wreak havoc on your patio cover when bugs come to the party. That’s why it’s critical to choose insect-resistant and rot-resistant patio cover materials. Popular forests such as Redwood and Cedar provide a degree of natural resistance to pests and rot and will last without breaking down for many years. Doug firs is another great option that provides a cheaper, thicker, cover but lacks some of that natural resistance to bugs and other plagues.

Composite and aluminum patio coverings are also great options as they are not part of the diet of insects and will not necessarily decompose. When selecting your product, shielding your patio cover from insects and elements is an important consideration–but not the only one.

Stain vs. Paint 

Take that into account when selecting wood products when you intend to stain or paint your patio cover. Redwood and Cedar are the best bets for staining. Both work well with stains and look fantastic, particularly as the wood’s beauty can be enhanced by stain, and both age well in sunlight in general. Douglas Fir works great for drawing. It is cheaper than Cedar and Redwood, and a paint coat will add durability to the wood.

Solid vs. Open patio cover 

Installing a solid patio cover that protects you from sun and rain can be hard to do correctly. It’s important to make sure you get the right materials–like aluminum and groove wood. Plywood can also do the trick, but this is not a long-lasting solution. If you don’t want to have a completely sealed cover, designing an open frame will provide you with more design and product choices.

While designing a patio cover, our minds usually think first of all about wood and other materials.  For both functional and stylistic purposes, the hardware is a very important consideration for patio covers. You should always use hardware that does not rust for any outdoor construction–such as hot-dipped galvanized steel. Another great option is powder-coated hardware, which can add a unique look and design to your construction.

You may also want to consider whether your hardware is going to be hidden–in which case your hardware style doesn’t really matter, allowing you to go with a cheaper, less stylistically pleasing alternative. You can add a dash of elegance to your patio cover to make your hardware noticeable. There is a wide range of elegant and ornate pieces of hardware that look great and are often more affordable than you might expect.

Consider Maintenance 

Go with aluminum if you want a really low maintenance patio cover. Every few years, wood may need re-staining and re-painting, but aluminum only needs a hose to wash it down. Aluminum is similar but much easier to manage. Not only is aluminum easy to mount, but the maintenance is almost non-existent once it is in.

Get with the latest trend 

Aluminum patio covers are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners because of their cost-effective price, adjustable sizes and easy maintenance. Aluminum has also come a long way. Aluminum today looks much nicer than the old aluminum that you might associate with the 1970s carports. Aluminum passes the most important test if you live in Texas– it doesn’t rust.

If you are going to use wood for your patio cover, talk to your local lumberyard about the specific size of the wood. Too many people guess what they need, and end up with too much, too little, or the wrong sizes. Have a chat on your plans with your lumber yard. You may need custom cuts such as corbels or thicker lattice to cover your patio. It should be your number one priority to make the pieces fit.

Best Houston Patio Cover

If you rather have a reputable professional do the job for you consider Houston Louvered Roof or another trusted company.  They can tailor any covered patio to your specifications and designs. Get a feel of each of these businesses to see which one best fits your needs.