Spring is a great time for enjoying the outdoors, and if your backyard oasis includes a patio, you know the enjoyment of basking in the perfect weather. But what if the weather is not perfect? Rain, wind, cold, and heat can all put a damper on your outdoor plans. A patio cover is a great way to shelter your oasis from harsh weather, but there are many different options to choose from. Here is a closer look at some of the different styles available.
Attached or Freestanding
Depending on the location of your patio, there are two major placement designs when it comes to patio covers. There are patio covers that are attached to your home or those that are stand alone structures. If your patio is located away from your house, you will obviously want to go with a freestanding design. However, if your patio is adjacent to your home, either option may be beneficial.
An attached model allows you to enjoy your patio as a literal extension of your home. However, like other home renovation projects, doing this properly may require the skill of a licensed carpenter. On the other hand, a freestanding design is less invasive or permanently attached to the structure of your home, but the gap between the patio cover and the side of your home may be a bit awkward, especially if it is raining.
Aluminum or Wooden
There are also two major types of materials used in building patio covers. Wooden patio covers were once the standard for permanent protection from the elements. They were durable, long-lasting, and could be stained or painted in a variety of colors. However, many of today's patio cover options are made of aluminum. They will not rust, come in a variety of styles and colors, and some even offer a lifetime warranty.
Stationary or Adjustable
For many years, if you wanted an adjustable option for shading your patio, the only real solution was to get an awning, but that still required an all-or-nothing approach. The awning was either out or it wasn't, with no in-between. However, today's patio covers come in stationary varieties as well as fully adjustable options. With an adjustable patio cover, the louvers are able to be angled, much like the slats on a window blind system, allowing you to let in just the right amount of sunlight or breeze, or completely avoid a summer storm.
The weather can be the best and worst part of outdoor living. Choosing the right patio cover is a great way to provide the protection that your outdoor oasis needs.
Share19 March 2015
Having to place children's furniture in a small bedroom presented a problem for me. With two growing kids, I needed a dresser to accommodate both boys, as well as two beds. With two beds, desk and chair, toy chest and floor lamp, the room seemed overly crowded. My solution came with a highly functional bunk bed. Bunk beds take up minimal space. Better yet, my choice was a bunk that included a storage drawer. This compartment is used for storing the boys' small toys and other necessities. I didn't have to have a separate toy chest, so I reduced clutter which was great! When you have multiple children all in one room, you need all the help you can get!