Monday, December 26, 2011

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.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

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.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

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.