Wood Pergola Patio Cover for Your Backyard

You have a great looking backyard, but it's a bit sparse. You need something to spruce it up and give it character. A wood pergola may be your answer. Wood pergolas, wood trellises, and wood patios are often confused or used interchangeably, but there is a difference.

A wooden pergola is a standalone unit with a lattice style top. This means the beams are separated and not fully covered. wood pergolas are used to protect plants which need a bit of shielding from the sun. You may place potted plants below the pergola or hang them from the beams. It adds a natural and calming feel to your backyard. Unless you're an expert builder it's best to hire a contractor to build the wood pergola for you.

A wood trellis is essentially a fence type of structure that can easily be placed in your backyard. You can easily find pre-built trellises in stores that you can put in your backyard. You won't necessarily need a contractor to put up the wooden trellis unless you desire something more sophisticated and custom built. Otherwise, you may find inexpensive trellises that are ready to go.

Wood patio covers are typically attached to the home. One of the major differences between the wood pergola and the wood patio cover is that the wooden pergola is a free standing unit while the wood patio is attached to the home. The wood patio cover can be built with a lattice top just like the pergola, but it can also be built with a solid patio cover. Both provide the same protection for the more sensitive plants that need a bit of shielding from the sun and you may choose to hang flowers from the beams of the patio cover as well. Keep in mind that the wood pergola is typically built away from the house over the grass.

Hiring a Contractor to Build Your wood pergola

Unless you're a professional builder you're better off hiring a contractor to build your wood pergola. If you don't have the right tools or construction education the process may be very frustrating. You may give up or put the work aside and it'll take much longer to complete than if you had hired a licensed contractor from the start. You need to not only have plans, but be able to properly read them.

Instead, hire a licensed contractor to do the job for you. It's important to check his credentials first just to be sure he really is licensed. You can verify the license number online against the state board of contractors website. Once you've found the right contractor you can be sure your wood pergola will be built correctly and to your specifications.

Transforming an Aluminum Patio Cover Into an Insulated Roof on Your Mobile Home

Mobile home repair can be a daunting task. A popular addition to mobile homes are aluminum patio covers. Aluminum patio covers offer a nice opportunity to increase outdoor living space. Typically these structures have a "U Pan" or "V Pan" design. A lot of people have tried to enclose the area underneath and heat it. Most people fail at this. I will tell you how to successfully accomplish this.

The hardest part to this task is effectively insulating the aluminum patio cover. Most people will see how the pans are shaped and become perplexed. The most effective way is to fill the low voids of the cover with 2" foam board. Measure and cut strips of the foam board to fit in between the ridges of the pans. You want the surface of the foam board to be flush with the top of the ridges of the pans. If you are not flush yet, add an appropriate thickness of foam to make the surfaces flush. Once flush, overlay a foam board across the entire patio cover. You can use 3/4" or 1" foam. Use screws with washers to attach the top layer of foam. If you are not going to finish the interior of the roof and don't want to see screws poking through, you can glue the foam down.

The next step is to install a rubber EPDM membrane over the roof surface. Black rubber is going to be the most readily available and inexpensive. I recommend using white EPDM rubber instead of black. You might have to call around to obtain this but it is worth the trouble. A white roof surface will reflect the sun rays in the summer time and help on keeping it cool. The insulation will keep the heat in during the winter months. Typically you would not glue the membrane down. Termination bars held down by screws are the best way to attach the roof. Install the termination bar on the vertical surface of the gutter/fascia that is bordering the patio cover. Use a 1/4" hex head screw that is approx 1" in length.

Make sure to properly tuck or flash the roof where it meets the existing structure. If you have an existing rubber roof and you have enough material, detach the termination bar and tuck the rubber under the other membrane. Then re-attach the termination bar.

You now have an insulated roof that you can enclose to fit your lifestyle. Use conventional wall construction to assemble and build walls around the area.

Patio Covers - Finding a Contractor to Build Your Deck Or Patio Cover

Choosing a patio cover scheme is a personal choice. If an architect designed your patio then the cover will most likely need a professional contractor's touch. A remodeling contractor can help you decide on a patio cover suitable for your patio or deck and explain some of the products capable of surviving the extreme high desert climate.

The Desert

Places like Palmdale California experience severe summers and near constant Santa Ana Winds. The winters can be blistering cold and your patio cover will experience every extreme of those conditions month in and month out.

Before you call a professional contractor to help you build your patio cover, consider doing some research first. Think about the patio's primary use, will the patio be used for entertaining?

Think about the Intended Use

For example, will he patio be a place to put your barbecue, a table and some chairs? Are you envisioning an enclosed or climate controlled patio design, or something that simply keeps the sun off your back as you enjoy a nice Mojave Desert summer evening? The possibilities are endless and it's best to have an idea in your mind before accepting offers from prospective general contractors in your area.

Collecting Ideas

Another fantastic idea is to consult the internet and magazines for creative ideas. Design ideas are plentiful and available to you if you look hard enough.

Think about the Mojave Desert weather conditions. The sun and wind can quickly ravage any untreated or improperly treated patio cover.

Think about the Santa Ana winds. Something impervious will need to be built. You the consumer should be armed with this kind of knowledge when consulting with a contractor.

Budget

Once you have an idea in mind, contemplate budget. Decent patio covers can range anywhere from a couple thousand dollars on up depending on the complexity of the project, materials used and quality contractor involved.

Having a Picture

One of the best pieces of advice that I can give is that a picture does speak a thousand words. If you can show a contractor an image of what you want, you'll be fifteen steps ahead and closer to getting what you want.

Be it a page taken from a book or an image from the web this will save you big time.

Now delegate your efforts towards tweaking the details. No sense in wasting time,struggling to draw a mental model of what you desire and expecting the professional contractor gets it. Knowing that the professional contractor has a good idea of what you want brings good piece of mind. Also, you'll get more realistic estimates in return.

Three Ideas For Building A Patio Cover

If you have a patio in your home, and you can't sit on it while the sun glares, you might consider going for a patio cover. Patios can be useless when it's too hot or when it's raining. A cover is a simple structure that can be put up even with the most plain materials and tools. Make use of these ideas to build your own covering.

Idea one:

Arbors are the most frequently used cover. An arbor is a structure or framework that supports the growth of plants and creepers like orchids. It is typically made from metal or wood. The structure is being supported by vertical columns, which are made from similar materials.

The upper portion is a matrix or grid of lightweight beams. After installing the arbor and erecting the roof, hang or plant the orchids and creepers on the framework. This helps you make your patio a lot cooler.

You can use lighter and well-suited roof to stop the rain from pouring into your patio. Roof tiles can be attached or mounted on the arbor as well. If you plan to do so, you need a durable material like wood or metal for the arbor.

Idea two:

You can go for the "sail away" technique of installing sails. The sail is a piece of canvas, which can be connected into supporting holes or tied down into the upper part of the arbor. It is at times 100% water proof. This method appears to be the handiest as it can be tied and removed as often as you want.

Use different umbrellas for the patio. Just like the sail, these umbrellas can be very convenient as well. The umbrellas can be installed and removed quickly.

You can choose from different colors, sizes and fashions. The umbrella manufacturers came up with modern ideas such as hanging umbrellas, those that are placed on stands and those that are shaped like canopies.

Idea three:

This idea is considered to be very weird. The entire patio is covered thus resembling a different room. Its sides have large French doors with a covered up roof. This can withstand any type of weather condition.

These are the ideas that you can use when you're planning to put up your own covering. You can try out other innovative ideas. Just let your imagination roll. Think about how you could make your patio a better place to stay despite the rain and the glaring sun.

Installing a patio cover is a great way for you to enjoy your patio. Choose the idea that suits your taste best and get started. This will surely give you and your family a very good opportunity to enjoy the view of your surroundings.

Patio Cover Ideas for a Dream Outdoors

Where do you look for ideas or inspiration for a dream patio space? Many start with the more traditional sources of magazines or home shows. You could also contact local builders and contractors in your area. If you live in the right area, maybe you can peek over your wall and see what the neighbor has. Then, a choice that might leave you overwhelmed, is the online browse.

Making your ideal patio space come to life will rest on really one main concept; how do you and your family or those you will host hope to use your space. With this in mind, the great variety of patio cover ideas that exist will become more clear. You will then have the framework for the ultimate backdrop for what you should build around. The ability to customize and nurture your space to fit your landscape will yield the most natural design.

The previously mentioned idea is a simple one to grasp if you think about design. The family will utilize their patio differently than the couple that likes to entertain or host private, elegant outdoor dinner parties with guests. While you can certainly appreciate some overlap in designs between the two, making sure that your design fits your lifestyle will be your best bet.

You will also need to think about the variety of accessories for your patio. Not only is patio furniture important, but so is lighting. The outdoor lighting features available today are extensive. You will be able to find spot light, flood lights, outdoor lamps and other features that can help your patio dreams come alive. With the right lighting, you can really give your landscape features some pop as well.

There are certain softer and other 'hardscape' elements to landscaping. The softer ones are those consisting of living matter, while the hardscape includes features like brick, pavers, wooden structures, water features and fencing and edging. These are all elements that need to work together in such a way that they support your design ideas.

Take the trend in outdoor living and create a place where you can enjoy to be outdoors for more seasons than you currently are. This trend is probably not going to change anytime soon. Do what others have done and take this outdoor living trend to heart, you'll be glad you did!

Advantages of Aluminum Patio Covers

When you are on a tight budget but you still want to beautify or improve your patio, covering it up with a nice shade is always a good option. One highly advisable material to use are aluminum patio covers.

It is a very inexpensive means to making sure that you get just the right amount of shade and heat while you are relaxing in your patio. It is also an excellent means to keep all the harmful elements away from your patio and from your whole house as well.

Here are a few advantages of using aluminum patio covers and why it is always the best choice. Keep in mind that no two aluminum covers are made the same. Shop around for a while, not only for you to get the best price for your choice of style, but also for the best service and features that you can get from the vendors.

1. It lasts longer.

Because it is made of a type of metal, which is aluminum, you can be sure that you will be enjoying your patio cover for many years to come. A lot of houses that had aluminum covers installed ten or more years ago are still in ideal condition and still effectively keep the elements away from the patio.

2. Flexibility.

An aluminum cover need not just be used for patios. You can also have it installed over your carport which will serve as an excellent roof that will protect your car from rain, sun and snow.

3. Ease of installation.

Some aluminum covers, like the Alumawood patio cover is a do it yourself kit. What this means is you do not have to hire a professional installer to have it set up on your patio. As long as you have a sound understanding of home improvement basics, you can easily install such a patio cover in your own house.

4. Attractiveness.

Another good thing about an aluminum metal cover for your patio is that you can have it designed to your specifications to perfectly complement your house's style. There is also the Alumawood, which looks like it is made of wood when it is really made of aluminum or lattice. What this means is that it retains the elegance of wood while having the durability of a metal cover.

5. Simple design.

Such a metal covering need not be too complicated to install, or afterward, need not look too elaborate. Since it does not require much for installation, it will also appear simpler structurally and will not ruin the overall feel and style of your home. There will be less metal posts to worry about that might cover some of the nice features of your place.

Aluminum Patio Covers - An Abundance of Choice

The main dilemma homeowners face when choosing the right aluminum patio cover are the materials, details and colors that become the most important aspect of building an amazing patio.

Aluminum patio covers designs have really changed over time, modern day technology has advanced aluminum covers to have an aesthetically pleasing look to them that can stand up to the elements for a virtually maintenance-free period of years. They are less expensive then wood but yet they can match the aesthetic of the house from which they will be built and they can also be built to look like wood. To choose the best aluminum cover though you will need to start by deciding how big of a cover you will need, what you want the aluminum patio cover to look like, and what purposes you will be using your patio for.

When it comes to details... patio covers tend to have a great selection of details. Edge details make up the specific and often overlooked detail but it can have a huge impact on the style and look of the patio cover. Scalloped and Mitered edge details tend to be the more common amongst homeowners while Corbel and Beveled edges tend to be a more customized. Edge details make each patio cover unique so it's important that you choose an edge detail that fits your home design and style.

The best way to decide for yourself is to compare the edge det ails to the architectural design of your home. We see often where a person will choose the design without visioning it on their home. A square flat roof modern home will do well with mitered or beveled edge details for your aluminum patio cover, while a more traditional house will benefit from corbel and scalloped edge details. But choosing edge details for your aluminum patio cover are just one of the options when building your aluminum cover.

Color lights up our lives and build visions of beauty so when it comes to color choice for your patio cover it's important to decide on a color that fits you. Solid aluminum patio covers have 2 choices of colors while Open Lattice patio covers carry a larger variety of colors. White is a very complimentary silky smooth color that goes with most exterior house paint colors. Desert Sand our second color selection is perfect for exterior house paint colors that have earthy neutral and natural tones to them. Mojave Tan is the perfect tan for your home Mojave Tan adds a warming effect to your earthy exterior paint. Adobe is a great darker color perfect for creating that darker calming element to your patio cover. Sonora Beige a nice creamy beige color that compliments your exterior and last but not least Latte, think a nice robust coffee with just a light touch of vanilla cream. The perfect blend for other neutral colors paint and enjoy.

Nothing speaks more volumes and elegance then patio columns. These architectural beauties make your patio smile with confidence. They come in many common styles. Columns styles can be tapered, non-tapered, round and composite square columns crafted in durable fiberglass and PVC, as well as Wood Columns ranging from the classic to the uniquely detailed. You can also do half stone half column for a more unique touch.

Extending this beauty and detail of your aluminum patio and columns are column cap bases that provide a standout of the crowd unique and elegant way that says, " I'm original." These masterpieces will make your home reminiscent of royalty during the Roman Empire.

As you can see there are many different ways to design and create an aluminum cover. The plans, ideas and sources all make your patio a more enjoyable place. The options are many but the researching and planning make for a big part of the fun.

Lattice Patio Covers

Patio covers complement your home's architectural style and at same time provide outdoor space for entertainment or a quiet game of pool. The scene gets interrupted with temperature and weather changes, and you are left with no option but to move to the main house. A Lattice patio cover is an easy-to-use, economical and versatile system to protect your patio from the vagaries of nature. The discrepancy is in that, unlike solid patio covers, Lattice patio covers block 50 to 60 percent of the sun.

On most counts it is weather conditions and the exterior of the house that decide in favor of Lattice patio covers. cover material has to be water resistant and rust proof, and should not crack, peel or split. Wooden Lattice patio covers have a natural appeal, but require regular painting and checks for termites etc. In keeping with preferred sensibilities, patio cover manufacturers have found an answer with aluminum that resembles wood in form. The new wood-grained aluminum gives the look of real painted wood that is UV resistant, heat and fire resistant, termite proof and does not crack, peel or rot for first three years. Another advantage is that aluminum Lattice covers have built-in gutters presenting a clean attractive roofline. One can select from factory-baked enamel finish of natural cedar, or from a variety of colors available.

The Lattice patio cover with open framework of crisscrossed wood or metal strips in regular or patterned spaces is a new design available in regional, standard or custom models. These covers can be remodeled to fit in with any patio, whether attached to the house or a free-standing one in the yard. For a greener look, one can cover the Lattice with vines or other flowery creepers or, for a modernistic design, use half solid and half Lattice.