Patio Cover Design Ideas and Suggestions
Patios are more comfortable in the summer months if they are furnished with a patio cover. There are many different ways to provide shade for your patio. Here are some ideas on how to build that comfortable shading into your patio while creating something makes your landscape more attractive. You can design a patio cover in many different ways.
You can design a patio in the more familiar designs with vinyl or wood. Vinyl is easy to maintain being free of insect problems and rot and needing no paint. Wood, on the other hand, has a natural beauty that cannot be replicated, but does require care and maintenance. Post and slats are the typical structure but different designs can include ornamental supports like columns and roofing that can be executed with lattice or creative designs.
Variations are limited only by creative imagination. Roofs can be covered with tin, shingles, palm leaves, bamboo, welded metal tubing, shade cloth or any other material that can handle hot sun and occasional winds.
There are other shade covers you can use. You can find retractable patio covers that are made to roll up on the side of the house. You can also drape fabric over interesting supports. And if you are very patient, you can grow a patio cover with trees or strong vines training them to converge into a natural roof by pruning and guiding them with a removable frame.
If your patio cover is not self supporting (as in a retractable awning), a frame will need to be built. Frames can be built in shapes other than the traditional rectangle. Curves can soften the hard edges of your house. Supports can be sculpted, formed of brick, stone or cement, rustic beams or tree limbs, recycled wood or any other strong, stable material. Remember frames and supports must be able to safely withstand all kinds of weather. You can also extend the roof of your shade cover outward or downward with woven shades, hung windows, tapestries and more.
Your patio cover will be defined by the supports and frames as well as the shape of the patio beneath. Consider if your shade cover will be freestanding or attached to the house and sketch out your design before you actually install it. Most important is that your patio cover is built soundly and that the style and materials used will blend with both the house and the style of your garden. The best time to plan your patio cover style is at the start — when you design your backyard patio. That will make it easiest to integrate the patio cover into the overall effect. But if you keep in mind these design ideas and suggestions, you can add your patio cover design at any point — even to a patio that may have been built years ago.
How to get started on patio designs
Designing a patio is a subject that can fill more than one book, but there are some fundamental guidelines that can help you start putting together the right patio for your home. Ask yourself some basic questions to get your patio off to a good start.
Look at the design of your home. You will want your patio to blend in harmoniously with the house itself. If your house had a well-defined theme, plan to echo it in the patio construction. Take a cue for color so it blends with other hardscape (permanent) structures.
Be realistic about your budget. Always factor in a buffer zone. With construction even the best of jobs often cost more and take longer than expected. Leave a little extra to cover surprises. Should you be lucky enough to have extra you can always find good use for it.
Choose materials that will be best for both your climate and the look you want. Stone is one of the most popular materials because there is such a wide range of textures and colors and because it will bear up well in all weather conditions. Wood also offers beauty in color and finish. Wood will need regular attention to keep it in good condition. It can be coated with stains, oils, paints and other surface treatments to create effects and ensure longevity. Vinyl is becoming more and more interesting in style and variety. It is easy care and long-lasting but doesn’t offer the depth and quality of beauty found in natural materials. Cement now offers more possibilities than ever in finishes with embedded materials, acid stains and texturing. Patio floors should be designed for the uses they will need to handle. One example is a patio with a barbecueshould be designed for easy care where spills and spatters will occur.
Think about whether or not you need protection from the elements outdoors. Patio covers can be built of sturdy materials, fabrics or shade coverings like lattice, bamboo or metal grid work. Designing different styles can accent themes.
A patio can be designed to be curvaceous, geometric, simple or complex. It can be budget- conscious or elaborate. Decorations can make even a simple patio into something special with creatively designed furniture, planters, columns, fountains or interesting outdoor fabricsfor curtains, pillows or other decor. If you keep your design within your budget, in harmony with the look of your house and surrounding property and built with materials that will fit well into the care and maintenance of your lifestyle, you will be well on your way toward building your perfect patio design.
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