Tastefully done renovations and enhancements to a house can increase the value of the property. But above all, it provides greater comfort to the people living in it; it is aesthetically pleasing, and depending on the renovations, it increases accessibility and mobility in and around the property. For any renovation work done to your home, whether it is adding a different front gate access, changing the tiles of your home, adding an extension, or building a patio cover are all the kinds of investment that upgrade the value of your home. You’d be spending money on these upgrades, which is why careful consideration is needed to ensure you get the most of your money, your renovations are secure, safe, and above all robust and long-lasting.
A covered patio, whether detached or attached, is one of those investments that increase the value of a home. If you are thinking of getting a patio, it is always a question of what kind of patio cover, where should it go, how big, and what material to use. Hardly do property or homeowners ever realize that they can, in fact, customize their patio cover.
But why would you want to customize your patio? Wouldn’t it be easier to get just a standard patio? Here are some reasons to motivate you to get a customized patio cover:
All Homes & Gardens are Unique
A patio cover needs to be customized because not all gardens are the same, and neither are all homes. What you choose and how you use your patio cover is entirely up to you. Keep in mind that your garden is different from someone else’s, and the needs for your patio cover are also different. Some people want a patio cover that enables them to barbecue every day, or some want a cover that partially gives shade to their plants. Some prefer detachable, while some like attached patio covers. Some people want patio covers that offer them better intimacy and peace.
Your Property Value
Apart from the fact that all homes and gardens are unique, your property value also changes the real estate value of your home. A permanent custom patio cover will boost the value of your home. Potential buyers interested in your home will definitely love a structure that provides protection from the sun and rain whilst providing comfort and privacy, what’s even better when the patio complements the home’s decor and style. A patio increases the enjoyment of outdoor activities in your garden from barbecues to tea parties, birthdays, and even a small wedding ceremony. This is definitely an asset to your home’s value.
Your Outdoor Entertaining
Having a customized patio cover gives you greater capacity to host outdoor activities. No more do you need to worry about bad weather, bugs or harsh sunlight. Having a patio allows you to throw birthday parties, dinner, cocktail nights or simply just having a place to chill and relax. It gives you a cool way to relax on a hot day and a warm place to chill on a cold day. No more running inside when the weather turns or having your banners and streamers ruined from the rain. Customized patios enable you to add panels or even fans, sound systems to make it adaptable to your needs.
Energy Efficiency
Custom patio covers also allow for a custom build to ensure it meets your needs as well as the conditions of the weather. A customized patio cover can be built to maintain your home’s temperature, keeping it cool during summer and warm during winter, plus it also takes some pressure off from your HVAC system. If you want to go a bit further in terms of energy conservation, you can also customize your patio cover with solar panels, solar skylights, mosquito netting or clear roofing to allow natural light to flow in.
Protection from your Outdoor Furniture
Customizing your patio cover also allows you to build one that provides protection for your patio furniture. You want something that has roofing wide enough to lessen the impact of a storm blowing in and wrecking your furniture and you also want it to provide enough shade without blocking off the sun. Either way, you can continue sitting, chilling and relaxing in your patio comfortably without being interrupted by slight rain or harsh sunlight.
Choosing Your Patio Cover Material
The material that you will use to construct your patio cover is one of the first few things you need to consider or consult with your patio contractor. Material choice matters as it is a big factor in things like budget, style complexity, and whether or not you can do it yourself or get a professional. The most common types of patio cover materials are wood, vinyl, and aluminum. Due to the popularity and versatility of wood and aluminum, you also get a new type called Alumawood, which is a blend of all three materials. https://www.royalcovers.com/, for example, specializes in Alumawood patio covers.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of the materials for patio covers:
Wood
• One of the most popular choices for patio cover materials
• Comes in a variety of colors, finishes, and textures
• Ideal for a rustic, warm, and natural look
• Can be matched with almost any home
• Durable, sturdy and long-lasting
• Expensive and high maintenance
• Possibility of rotting, eaten by bugs and exposed to other natural issues
Vinyl
• Much more cost-effective
• Requires little maintenance once it has been set up
• Is not as tough as wood
• Can get damaged easily and not strong weather durable
• Has less variety to choose from
Aluminum
• Is much more weather durable and can withstand climate and nature issues
• Requires little to no maintenance
• Least costly of the materials commonly used for patio covers
• Need to check on your local ordinances in using aluminum
Alumawood combines all the good things of all these three materials- the strength of aluminum, the authenticity, and variety of wood and the low maintenance of vinyl. It makes the best all-round choice for homeowners looking to install patio covers.
Types of Shading
Another aspect of your patio cover that you want to consult with your patio contractor is the type of shading. Knowing the type of shading will also give you a better idea of the costs involved and which shading works out for your needs and your home. Here are some common types of shading:
• The Awning
Awnings act like curtains, except instead of draping down, they extend outwardly. You can choose between traditional awnings or high-tech awnings, depending on your budget. The ideal benefit for this awning is to provide shade and as long as that fulfills your needs, that’s great. Awnings can be in vinyl or fabric, both with its own pros and cons.
• Lattice
Lattice provides a simpler form of shading and they are also thinner. It leaves space for the sun, and it is also aesthetically pleasing to a home’s overall presence. Homeowners also grow creeper plants so it can intertwine in the lattice, creating a whimsical and beautiful look. Lattices are usually made out of wood.
• Solid covers
If the area where your home is has very harsh sunlight streaming through, you might want to consider solid patio covers as it creates better and higher protection from the sun and weather. This can also add value to your property if you ever want to sell it in the future. Depending on the orientation of your home, solid covers need to be robust in order to lessen the harsh rays of the sun but still allow the warmth to get in. Solid covers are also beneficial in places where there’s torrid rains and strong winds.
• DIY
If you feel like you do not have the budget to hire a patio contractor, there are other DIY options that you can choose which is to get your own patio cover kit and set it up on your own. This is advised only if you have the necessary tools, the knowledge and not to mention the time to complete one. Sometimes, it is more beneficial to call in an expert to get the job done as opposed to doing it yourself because getting the tools, materials and even time may cost you more than hiring a contractor. Hiring an experienced contractor will bring more value for your money in the long run so always choose quality over costs.
Final Thoughts
Remember that patio covers, especially customized ones will eat into your renovation budget depending on how big it is going to be, the kinds of materials you use, the shade, the build time as well as the elements you include such as fans, solar panels, decorations and so on. Before deciding to DIY it or getting a professional to do it, create a blueprint of what you want, visit patio contractors in your area to get a feel of who they are both offline and online. It will also give you an idea of the pricing.