A Patio Cover Adds Value and Comfort to Your Home

If you're a Texas homeowner, you know how enjoyable an outdoor patio can be - providing it's covered. If it's open, though, you probably don't spend much time on your patio, given how blazing hot it can get in the summer and how rainy it can get in the winter. But Texans do love the outdoors, and it's a shame not to be able to enjoy your patio virtually year-round. That's why you need to install a shade cover, an awning, or some other type of patio cover.

When you add a well-designed, high quality patio cover, you'll not only be able to utilize what is often wasted space in Texas homes, but you'll also add value to your home. Beyond that, you give yourself options for later home improvements, since you can always enclose your patio with screen or glass in the future - turning it into a sunroom without having to rebuild the roof.

Lone Star State residents have a variety of options when it comes to patio enclosures. Patio cover styles include the pergola (often known as an arbor), which is a shaded area with cross beams and open lattice; an awning; or a shade cover, which is often solid but can have skylights. Some people even opt for carport-like structures.

Installing Texas Patio Covers
Whether you live in Austin, Dallas, or Fort Worth, you basically have two choices when it comes time to install a patio cover: you can do it yourself, or you can hire a contractor to build it for you. Texas patio covers that come in DIY kits usually range from about $2,600 to $3,800m depending on the size. Quality kits include two-pound density EPS foam insulated panels, heavy gauge stressed aluminum laminated skins, and decorative post wraps or columns. The kits should also contain all the hardware, fasteners, and sealants you need. If you decide to do it yourself, make sure to select a Texas company that will not only provide written instructions, but will also offer professional phone consultation.

Hiring a Contractor
If you decide to hire a Texas contractor to construct your patio cover, it's crucial that you select one with an established reputation. A reputable contractor will ensure that you receive a lifetime warranty against leaks and problems with the finish, and make sure that the shade cover is properly built and engineered to withstand Texas' harsh weather conditions. In addition, better contractors will provide you with patio cover pictures, a selection of patio cover prices, and even custom designs that will perfectly match the style of your home.

If you've ever felt imprisoned in your home because the Texas heat or rain prevented you from enjoying your patio, it's time to look into installing a patio cover. When you do, you'll be able to invite friends over for barbecues, relax with your family outdoors, and enjoy all the Lone Star State has to offer.

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Patio Covers - Giving New Life To An Average Backyard

Patios are a typical fixture in most American homes. They are often used as a relaxation area where the whole family can gather outside of the house. Parents can sit and read on the patio while watching the kids play in the backyard. Sometimes the patio is also used as an entertaining area when you have family or friends over for a Sunday afternoon barbecue, or even an informal dinner, when the weather is good.

The patio can be a setting for many different things, but it all comes down to the weather. If the weather is on any extreme, whether there's a thunderstorm or the sun is scorching hot, an uncovered patio is not much use for anything at all. Something as simple as patio covers can change all this.

When you install patio covers, the patio will be usable all year round. No matter what the weather conditions are, there's no need to worry if you have patio covers. Remember the time when you invited your office friends over for a fun patio barbecue, but the weather did not cooperate? Surely you ended up canceling the affair altogether.

But once you put up your patio covers, you need not worry about such things. You can do so much more in your patio than when it was left exposed to the elements. Once you have patio covers, you can leave games in the patio without having to worry. Some people even put televisions and other electronic appliances out in their patio.

With patio covers, gone are the days when your patio was a typical wooden platform with a table and a couple of chairs. You can make your patio as interesting as you want. You can design it as an extension of the house, or you can treat it as a part of the garden. The great thing is that whatever design you decide on, there will be an array of patio covers that you can choose from.

The popular vote is for wooden structures, because they are very informal and blend well with the natural environment in the backyard. However, the maintenance of wood might become tedious as the years go by, so if you are a busy person, you might also want to consider putting up metal frames for your patio covers.

Some people also prefer using patio covers that are made from cloth, or some other material that is easy to take down. This choice is also practical for people who like changing designs often, as a mere change of color or fabric can drastically change the appearance of your patio.

In the end, the choice of patio covers really depends on your personal preference, and on what purpose you want your patio to serve. One thing is for sure - once you add patio covers, you can start treating your patio as another room of your house, and how you use it is limited only by your imagination.

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Aluminum Patio Covers

Patio covers are used to create a roof for an open space that helps transform the area into a porch or a sit out. These covers are used to extend actual house areas and can be installed quite easily. To meet increased customer demands, manufacturers have created numerous patio cover types of different materials. Aluminum patio covers are a popular choice as they require minimum maintenance and are easy to clean. People need to use special cleaning solutions and a stiff broom to clean aluminum patio covers. Aluminum varieties can be sturdy, offering long-term durability. They may also be fitted with inbuilt drainage systems that facilitate immediate drainage of rainwater.

Aluminum patio covers are available in designs that are fitted with transparent sheets to allow sunlight to pass through, offering adequate lighting. They are also available in insulated varieties that use special foam between two aluminum sheets. These covers are easy to install and are mostly attached to a house with the help of a support framework. These covers are usually fitted at an angle that assists in cleaning and prevents water collection. Before finalizing a purchase, customers may engage in comparison-shopping to find an affordable and appropriate aluminum patio cover.

These covers are available at local and online stores. It is important to enquire about after sales services and warranty terms and conditions. This is important in case patio covers develop a crack or show signs of breakage. Manufacturers offer a wide range of aluminumpatio covers in varied price ranges. Aluminum patio covers are made available in shades of silver and can be shipped directly to a consumer?s doorstep. Aluminum patio covers vary, depending upon alloys, particular blends and recyclable varieties. They are trained technicians who help to cast them into specified designs and specific width and length.

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Patio Cover Plans

In order to use available open spaces to their full capacity, a number of people opt for patio covers. They are attached and extend over an open space with the help of support beams. This allows people to create an extended open area that can be effectively used for dining, barbecues, lounging or as sit outs. Patio covers also help protect outdoor furniture that needs to be left out for long periods. With the wide range of patio covers that are available at times potential customers may be entirely confused regarding what to buy. To understand this concept in detail, a number of manufacturers offer patio cover plans. These offer adequate details regarding the particular product.

A patio cover plan offers an overview of a project providing appropriate measurements and installation procedures. These plans are easily available at local stores or online. Professionals design them and potential customers may be required to pay a service charge to acquire them. This charge can be paid online through credit card. These plans are similar to professional services and sometimes have scope for customer inputs.

Patio cover plans are available for a wide range of patio options. This includes aluminum, lattice, insulated varieties and wooden covers. These plans allow customers to determine a variety that is useful and affordable. Patio cover plans are available in a number of ?do it yourself, varieties. These plans offer a graphical representation of actual covers and how they would look when installed. Customers may engage in comparison-shopping to select a patio cover plan that is appropriate and meets individual needs.

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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.

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How To Build A Patio Cover

If willing to experiment and build a Patio Cover, hammer out questions as to why you need a Patio Cover, for what purpose, whether it would be painted or made with wood, prefabricated aluminum or PVC, and if permission is required from state or city authorities. Remember that a patio is an extension of the house, generally not more than 12 feet and single-storied. The patio can be fully covered or have no cover. No special skills are required for building a Patio Cover except co-coordinating your patience, dimension of area, number of wood or aluminum panels and material required.

Begin with the necessary spade work according to weather conditions, area and usage of patio. The next step is selecting material from a comprehensive range, including polycarb panels for high summer or winter temperatures, vinyl opaque all weather conditions, vinyl translucent and clear panels suitable for use in milder weather conditions, aluminum pan roof that is cool, durable and requiring little maintenance, or insulated foam panels providing insulation for a strong low-maintenance roof. The panels should fit and install easily, and offer design flexibility. Check if the gutter system is accessible for cleaning whether it is w-pan gutter, roll form gutter or extruded gutter and valance.

For that professional Patio Cover you would need appropriate tools; you can order a complete tool kit or purchase one. The tools required would be a 3/8"" drill bit, hack saw or electric jig saw with fine-toothed blade for metal, a caulking gun, measuring tape, screwdriver, hammer, metal snips, socket and shank, crescent wrench, level, carpenter's square, ladders, heavy duty pencils, masonry and nuts and bolts. If the patio is attached to the house then the existing support system will help cover to fit easily. For a free-standing patio the cover will have to be fitted on all four sides, depending on shape. The building instructions will guide you step by step.

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Patio Covers - What You Must Know Before Buying Them

Having your very own patio is a luxury and a wise investment as it makes any house just that much better. I love my patio, all my life growing up I always wanted a house with a patio and finally a few years ago I bought a house that had a patio! This house was definitely a house in need of some work and the patio was no exception to this rule. The patio cover was old and cheap and falling apart, it gave very little protection from the sun and almost no protection at all from the rain. It was my dream to have a patio on my home so as the rest of the house was getting fixed up I decided to get a new cover for the patio.

There were so many patio covers to choose from and I was on a budget as I just got a new house so I needed to get a great deal on covers and get a great cover at the same time. I began researching online all the different types of patio covers. The retractable patio covers were my favorite, because you can change the shade and figure out just how much you want to let in or out it made a bid difference for me.

Outdoor covers were great too, they did the trick and were very affordable, my neighbors had these for their covers. The patio deck covers were great too. They were simple and they did the trick. They protected my furniture from damage from the sun and other harmful weather related elements such as water damage. I loved them on my patio and they made me feel great whenever I went outside.
Patio shade covers were another great option, they do pretty much what you think they would do, they keep the patio nice and full of shade so that you can simply relax and enjoy. You do not have to worry about sunburn with these patio covers.

The best place to look for patio covers is going to be online. You are going to find the largest selections of all different types of styles for you to choose from. Remember to take your time and choose the cover that is right for you. The great thing about looking online for these patio covers is that you get to compare prices and find the best deal for you and your home.

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Transform Your Patio With Simple But Elegant Patio Cover Designs

Patio cover designs are critical when it comes to determining the overall satisfaction you expect from your lovely patio. So, it will be your wise choice to consider your options regarding patio cover designs prior to buying wood, canvas, vinyl, fabric or other forms of materials. The truth is that, patio covers could feature pretty simple designs as well as very elaborate ones. Both types of designs can turn out to be useful, depending on the unique situation of the home and patio owner.

You could have plans and know how for building a pergola. That would be taken as a simple looking patio cover. Fortunately, in many instances, simplicity translates into extremely elegant type of end results. You will be provided with a shade and you have the liberty to have all the greenery, vines or flowers you want. Just let them grow up along the posts, up till the top. This sounds all simple, but such covered patio could yield the elegance as well as character.

Yet another option could be to go for a rather elaborate kind of patio cover option. How about considering design ideas that features Mediterranean kind of look and feel? For bringing that kind of appeal, you can make use of simple, yet effective things like stone and some special kind of roofing.
In the majority of the cases, a typical villa or may be a cabana styled patio cover could feature stone as well as mortar posts featuring a terracotta tiled roof. But then again, there might be special fabric drapes or other kind of conveniently retractable awnings. These can provide your shade very well. Additionally, they could be easily retracted for your desired level of sun in the daytime or during the night. They are both simple as well as elaborate kind of covers featuring nice looking fans!

Patio covers happen to be superb for your outdoor kitchens too! And there are a wide variety of feasible reasons people get them. While some just take it to beautify their home's interior or home decor, others lean towards mind blowing patio cover designs as they want to bring a whole new look the outdoor appearance, landscape, or pool and garden. But you can't deny the thing that people with patios can get benefits in many ways, which are hard to describe through words.

And given all that, you should plan your patio nicely and artily build. You are at your liberty to choose the material - could be poured concrete made slab, could be tiled, could be brick paver, or any other surface. But even the grandest looking patio might look incomplete without the right covers. There really are numerous styling that you might choose from. But the commercially sold patio cover kits could be after all worth considering. You could easily transform your patio with simple but elegant patio cover designs.

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The Merits of Aluminum Patio Covers

aluminum patio

The best way to buy these covers is to do comparative shopping. It is necessary to collect complete information about the sales services and warranty terms and conditions. This will prove useful in case the patio cover develops cracks in future. While browsing through the different covers, you will find various aluminum patios in a range of prices.

Usually the quality and price of covers depends on the various blends of alloys and recyclable quality. Some of these could be in attractive shades of silver and there may be offers for direct delivery to your doorstep. Some stores also offer to provide trained technicians who would cast the covers into your desired design and proportions.

Tips for taking care

Although aluminum patios are durable, affordable and extremely low-maintenance, there are certain inconveniences too. These patio covers are hugely targeted by birds for nesting. So, if you do not clean the patio timely, they could block the gutters and cause leaks to occur in the long run. Another problem related to aluminum patio is that it can be damaged by hail and hence, must be painted.

Cleaning of aluminum patio cover is rather easy. A little soap and water usually is enough to keep it clean. If you want to take special care, you may keep applying a special cleansing solution to it on a regular basis. Just put this cleansing solution on a stiff broom and scrub the aluminum cover to rid it off all dirt and keep it attractive.

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Beginning the Search For a Perfect Patio Cover

Most people who own a home with a patio either say that they rarely use it, or that is the one of the most useful features of their home. A patio is expensive to build, regardless of what it is made with - brick, tile, concrete, or a different type of surface. Why wouldn't someone want to protect their investment by installing a patio cover that costs a fraction of the money spent to build the patio?

With a patio cover, you can turn your patio into a sanctuary when the weather is not ideal. If it would normally be too hot to lay out in the sun, a patio cover can provide needed shade so you can enjoy the sun in a more comfortable setting. This is also healthier for yourself since you are not directly receiving harmful UV rays from the sun. You will also keep you and your patio furniture dry with a cover, allowing you to remain outside comfortably and your furniture to last longer. Patios are meant for relaxing and entertaining, both of which can be vastly improved with a patio cover.

When choosing what type of patio cover is best for you, think first about what you want to turn your patio into. Do you need side panels to fully enclose your patio in a rain or wind storm? Do you only want it to partially shade your patio so you can still get a decent amount of sun? Do you want your cover to be retractable so that it is only used when needed? You will have many options to choose from - retractable awnings, cabanas, gazebos, arbors, canopies, and more.

The main decision you will have to make is the material that you want to shield your patio. There are advantages and disadvantages to every material that should have a sizable effect on your choice. Wood, for example, may be prone to rotting if you are in a very rainy climate. Aluminum is sturdy, cheap, and can be painted colors, but you may want something classier protecting your patio.

You will most likely have to choose from either installing a patio cover kit or creating a custom cover to suit your needs. Make sure that you do enough research to establish a solid plan before taking any drastic actions. The last thing you would want to do is buy a patio cover kit and realize that it does not match up to your patio's measurements when you try and install it. This will waste time and money for you, as well as future time that could be spent relaxing or entertaining on your patio!

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Wooden Patio Covers

Patios add beautiful outdoor space to homes. Patios can also add a transition into the garden. These wooden covers function to protect the patio from the sun and other elements. These wooden covers can be very stylish. Wooden patios offer beauty to the patio and protect it from the rain and sun.

Wooden covers add value to the home. You can enjoy outdoor activities like barbecues with an outdoor patio in the sun or the rain. An outdoor patio is a great place to curl up with a good book. Wooden covers offer style and grace.

Wooden covers have gained superiority over other materials because of their beauty. Cedar and redwood are hard woods and most commonly used for wooden patios. The beauty of wood does not compare to other patio materials.

Your patio can become a work of art. Add your personal style and it will increase the value of your home. It protects the patio furniture and barbeque from the sun, snow or rain as well as providing shade. Some woods cost more then other materials but worth the investment. Another wood is 20 to 30 percent less than aluminum or vinyl wooden covers.

Wood patio covers do require some maintenance. They need treatment to prevent water seepage and bug infestation.

Wooden patio covers can be damaged by the sun wind or rain. Wood does deteriorate quicker than other synthetic materials.

During the first couple year's preservative should be applied to the wooden cover. This will ensure the wood's durability. Then is should be reapplied every three years or so. The wood patio covering may end up costing more over the years then vinyl or aluminum but some may find the beauty of a wooden cover worth the price and maintenance.

If you want the natural beauty for your patio cover then wood would be the right choice. Wood is elegant looking and there are many choices and styles to choose from. If you can do it yourself, installing a wooden patio cover is simple.

If you are going for a complicated design it might be better to hire a professional.
Wooden patio covers are often made of pine, oak or hardwood. Oak is more expensive but lasts longer than pinewood or hardwood. Plywood sheets in lap board can also be used but the wood needs to be finished.

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Wood Patio Covers - A Necessary Tool For Home Improvement

You can enjoy the wood patio covers no matter what the weather is. You can protect yourself from the rain or sun.

These wooden covers add style and value to your home. With wooden covers, there are an unlimited number of designs to choose from. You can create your own style.

Wooden patio covers enhance the appearance of your home. They are highly functional, since they can protect you from any type of weather. You can have safety and peace of mind with wooden covers.

Wooden covers are always exposed to the elements so choosing what type of wood to use is important. The wood you choose must be able to endure the type of climate you live in. You want to choose a wood that does not require constant maintenance. You also want to choose a style that compliments your home.

Pine is a type of wood that will easily hold paint but does not have the anti-rotting agents that hard woods have.

Redwood, cedar and cypress are good wooden patio choices. If you plan to stain the patio you need a long grain type of wood. The knots in the wood will not interrupt the continuous design.

You can add special cutouts or designs to your wooden patio cover. Being creative with your design can enhance the look of wood patio covers. Latticed, arbor or solid wood designs are some choices for wood patio covers. Lattice and arbor are beautiful choices and still add protection for the patio.

The choices for designing a wooden patio are unlimited. New techniques at preserving wood have made wood a more popular choice for covers. They will last for years. A wood patio can be a great extension of your basement, kitchen or living room. With a wood patio cover you never need to cancel your cookout plans.

You can have a professional install your wood patio, or you can do it yourself. A professional installer can have it done in no time. If you are can do it yourself, there are kits with instructions, or if you are knowledgeable you can design your patio from scratch.

The link for your home's roof to the patio needs to be smooth so they do not leak. You can purchase stained wood or stain it yourself. Some woods are treated and do not need any stain.

A wood patio cover will keep your grill and your patio furniture safe and dry. It will be an extension of your home that will provide for great outdoor entertainment and give your home an elegant look.

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The Different Varieties of Patio Covers

Patio covers are available in the market in hundreds of varieties. Patio covers will protect your patio from nature. They include canopies, awnings & furniture covers. Permanent covers include pergolas, arbors & gazebos. Removable ones include retractable awnings, umbrellas & fabric canopies.

Before buying, you must decide the size & shape. Canopies are versatile types, available in different styles & usable in different layouts. They protect outdoor parties. Expenses will not be very high. They are less priced & affordable. Furniture patio covers are equivalent to patio umbrellas. To keep out wind & rain, canopies with side panels are used. The side panels can be rolled up or down. The side panels are usually clear or opaque. The opaque panels block out the sun & clear you better visibility.

Patio awnings will shade the patio area & provide protection. Thy will protect the area from the elements. Retractable awnings will cover large areas. They are made of aluminum, vinyl & wood. They are marketed in different styles & colors to match any décor. They improve outdoor living space & give a better appearance. Aluminum & wrought iron patio covers are more in demand. Maintenance expense will be very minimal. Aluminum frames can be installed easily & quickly. There are patio covers to suit your lifestyles & specific requirements. Internet will help you decide the right choice. You will be surprised to see the different methods of using a patio cover. When you select patio covers, so many choices will be there - some with advantages & a few with disadvantages. People who live in hot & cold climates will prefer flagstone. Flagstone is very strong & withstands the vagaries of the changing weather. Flagstone will not crack easily & it will be a suitable selection for the money you spend. Flagstone patios will not look the same.

Patios can be built out of tiles also. Tiles appear in different varieties, colors & textures. Endless varieties are available in the market. Tile is also relatively smooth. The furniture will sit squarely on the surface of tile. Brick is a favorable selection for many. Brick is also very easy to lay. People without any prior experience can do it themselves. Brick-made patios will look imposing, attractive & sturdy. Brick gives an eye-catching color also. Brick has been a favorite material for construction purpose.

Slate is another stone material which can be used for patios. They come in all colors & textures. They will be available in shops where stone & marble are sold. Patio covers are used for utilizing open spaces to the maximum extent. They are attached & they can be extended using support beams. Open spaces can be converted to sit outs, dining halls & also for barbecues & lounging. Patio covers will protect outdoor furniture. A number of manufacturers offer patio coverplan. A patio cover plan provides all details regarding appropriate measurements & installation procedures. They are available at local stores or online. Customers have to pay a service charge to acquire these cover plans, which can be paid online through credit card. Customer inputs can also be added.

They are available for a wide range of patio options. With these options, useful & affordable choices can be made. Self-made schemes are also marketed. These plans provide a pictorial presentation of actual covers. Prospective customers can compare all these options. & select a patio cover plan which suits his inner urges & satisfies his personal demands.

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Patio Cover Designs

Selecting a Patio Cover Design is a personal choice. If an architect designed the patio then the cover has to be of appropriate quality and custom made. But if the patio has been done by you, then decide on a cover that is easily fixed and durable. The neighbor's Patio cover does look good but it might be out of budget or would not match with house layout and usage. The patio could be for general use or a utility room to place a grill, clothes hanger, a table and few chairs; for entertaining purposes; a hobby or recreation room or an all weather living area for you and family pets.

Consult friends and magazines and do not go by availability. Designs are plentiful, from colored or striped awnings for partial covers, patio umbrellas for limited area cover, or solid aluminum or wood patio covers for complete protection against sun and rain. The wood or aluminum wood Patio Cover could be practical and fashionable and is available in a lattice or dome-shaped design. These covers are made of the highest quality material and do not twist, rot, warp or decay. Wood is being replaced with aluminum as it is maintenance-free, providing protection from the sun and rain for extended periods. Solar design patio covers are ideal in areas with plenty of sunlight. These covers, along with offering shade, produce clean and environmentally friendly electricity.

Selecting a Patio Cover Design also depends on the décor and shape of structure supporting it. A solid cover design is a good choice if you want to block out sun and rain or do not want to cover or remove outdoor items. In this case, an alternate would be to cover a portion of the patio with a solid roof and other half with lattice design. Another Patio Cover Designs is pergola, which complements an attractive backyard. One can create a relaxing outdoor atmosphere with a pergola structure either attached to the house or free standing. The angled slats give an airy feeling and at same time block sun to provide comfortable shade.

If you are a practical person then select a gable Patio Cover framed with aluminum rafters with no visible fastening system or ugly screws. If you really want to make full use of the patio in rain and sunshine then have a clear canopy made with indestructible polycarbonate with aluminum frames that will not rust. The canopy is available in clear and bronze tints.

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