Updating your home? You’re probably anticipating a lot of spending (and perhaps even more effort) coming your way soon. But as you navigate the world of home repairs and maintenance, you’re probably wondering – is it more prudent to be thrifty or better to splurge on higher quality? At Desert Sun Patios, we believe it’s…
It’s often joked that there are four different seasons in Alberta; getting ready for winter, winter, still winter and recovering from winter. While this is obviously tongue in cheek, Calgary residents know how frustrating the seemingly perpetual snow and ice can be, especially when you’ve got to go about your daily business. There are some…
It’s a well known truth to all Calgary citizens that winter is the hardest season to cope with. Beyond the frigid temperatures and whipping winds to cope with, there is the never ending battle against snow piling up in dangerous and frustrating snowbanks. It’s such a big problem across the city that there are entire…
As any owner of a four season sunroom will tell you, winter in Calgary is the best season to have a sunroom. The idea of having the feeling of being outside during the frigid temperatures and wild snowstorms all while being cuddled up and safe is a great contrast, and it’s an experience that you…
All Calgary residents know the importance of being ready for winter. The long cold months can feel like they last forever, and it’s only a matter of time before the autumn temperatures start to drop and snow symbols begin appearing on the weather forecast. For sunroom owners, these changes mean that it’s time to start…
The arrival of the new year always has Alberta residents thinking about their resolutions and goals for the next twelve months. While most of these revolve around personal challenges such as fitness, weight loss and breaking or creating habits, some citizens start to think about goals they have for their home. It’s natural to tie…
If you’re looking to create a new living space in your outside area as well as adding instance value to your home, then a pergola has to be your first choice. These simple constructions can be built in less than a week, and provide a gentle shade and a sense of luxury wherever you choose…
Every Calgary homeowner falls into one of two categories when it comes to their outside space: either you have a deck, or you dream about having a deck. In either case, you want to make this extra living space truly unique to either drive up the value of your home or to add a sense…
In a city the size of Calgary, finding extra space around your home is always a priority. However, creating that extra space can be challenging and costly, especially if your only focus is on expanding your internal square footage. No matter what size your outdoor area, installing a pergola is always a great option as…
Here at Desert Sun Patios, we believe that there’s a reason for every season to improve your home with a screen room. It’s a quick and easy process that can be completed at any time of year, especially if you build directly on top of your deck or patio (which avoids the need to dig…
All Calgary residents know that all good things come to an end, and this is most true when it comes to the Alberta summer. All too soon, the days start getting shorter and the mornings and evenings get that coldness that heralds the start of fall, with winter waiting in the wings. While you can…
With everyone spending more and more time at home these days, it’s easy to see why house extensions are some of the most popular home improvement projects in the last 18 months. However, there are more options to consider than simply forking out a small fortune for a whole extra room, complete with costly foundations…
It’s natural to think that summertime is the best time to use your sunroom, and for many reasons you’d be right. The bright Calgary summer days provide plenty of sunshine to heat your room up, and the big windows allow you to retreat inside from the heat and the bugs without sacrificing the view over…
As the long glorious summer days draw to a close in Calgary, you can almost feel fall coming in the air; the days start to shorten and the mornings and evenings get touched by a definite chill. The end of summer also signals the end of time outside in your backyard, but for sunroom owners…
Summer is always the best season in Calgary. The warm sunny days seem to last forever, the steady breezes seem more manageable and there’s always the knowledge that the cold winter months are a long way away. This makes it essential to spend as much time out in your yard as possible soaking up the…
Spending time outside during the warm summer months is the number one priority for many Calgary residents. The long winter months keeps everyone cooped up, so it feels imperative to make the most of the heat and sunshine. However, the irony of it all is that the sun and humidity quickly become oppressive if you…
While Calgary’s population density is considerably less than other major Canadian cities, it’s still hard to find cost effective ways to generate extra space for you and your family. A full home extension is out of many people’s budgets, while a simple internal remodelling might only yield a few extra square meters. It’s at this…
If you’re staring longingly out at your garden this winter, you can rest in the knowledge that there are hundreds others across Calgary doing the same thing. The thought of warmer weather, of barbeques and of summer activities in your garden is what keeps many people going through the long winter months. However, it’s not…
It’s common knowledge that the Calgary summer is the best time to hang out in your screen room. You get all the benefits of the season, including the warmth and all the summer scents, combined with protection from all the worst parts, like the strong winds, biting bugs and harsh midday sunshine. However, many experienced…
It’s common knowledge in the city that summer is the best season in Calgary. In part this is due to it’s seemingly fleeting nature – all too soon do the temperatures start to dip and the leaves start to fall, but Calgary residents know to make the most of these short warm months. However, humans…
Why Pick A Sunroom When you’re looking for your next big home improvement project, you won’t get better value than adding a sunroom to your home. There are many reasons to pick a a sunroom as you’re looking to increase the size of your home, but three of the biggest reasons to go for a…
It’s common knowledge that Calgary is one of the best cities in which to own a sunroom. The openness of the city as a whole means that you’re likely to get a fantastic view from at least one side of the sunroom, and the average 333 days of sunshine puts the city at the top…
After what often feels like an eternity spent inside watching the snow falling and the temperatures rarely reaching above freezing, spring can’t come soon enough for most Calgary residents.It’s also a universal truth in the city that just because the snow stops and it’s finally warm enough for your lungs not to hurt outside, it’s…
While it can feel like winter traps you in your house, many people see the cold Calgary months as a time to reimagine and redecorate their homes. Indeed, there’s no better time to start thinking about making your sunroom ready for spring, especially if you own a three season sunroom that is largely unused during…
Your patio should be the signature piece of your entire backyard. Not only does it provide outdoor entertaining space, but it also provides a fascinating contrast to your lawn and gardens, and provides a subtle transition from the inside world to the outside. However, as every Calgary resident knows, the summer months can be brutal;…
The coming summer months in Calgary are a call to arms for all homeowners to start making their outdoor plans. Top on many people’s list is to spend more time on their deck or patio, but it’s not long before the wind, bugs and heat start to make it hard to make this dream a…
Being able to use your new space all year long is one of the best reasons to invest in a four season sunroom. This extra room in your house attaches to your home’s existing heating system meaning that you can sit and relax in your sunroom all winter long, unlike the three season rooms which…
It’s always the right time to be thinking about how to upgrade your home, but knowing which home improvement project will give the best return on your investment. You’ll never regret the decision to build a sunroom addition to your home; the extra space will allow everyone to breathe and spread out, you’ll gain a…
Modern life has become more and more frantic in recent years. The availability of high speed internet and smart connected devices means that home and work life often becomes blended and it’s hard to truly disconnect and find time for yourself. Even in those supposedly unplugged times, there are still the in person distractions of…
During summer, you don’t need to worry much about maintaining your screen room. Any debris that gets stuck to the mesh will either get washed away by the summer rains or can simply be washed down with a damp cloth. Your furniture in the screen room should dry out quickly with the wind and heat…
Add screen room storage to your home remodelling plan The main goal of most home remodelling plans is to gain more space. This might be to make room for a family expansion, to give everyone some breathing space or to have more space for entertaining. Whatever your home remodelling goals are, you’ll inevitably end up…
It’s tempting to think about the inside and outside of your home as two separate and distinct areas for decoration. However, if you learn how to complement interior decorating with the outdoors, you’ll find that guests feel more at ease in all areas of your home, and that making design decisions becomes easier as you…
There’s nothing like spending time under your pergola at any time of year. In the spring, the scents and sounds of the world coming out of hibernation is best enjoyed in your yard, while the pergola provides great shade during the summer heat. In autumn, the warm evenings stretch out under the stars, and there’s…
A three season sunroom is the ultimate in inside outside living. The basic concept is that it’s the next step up from a screened in porch, so you get full walls, big windows and plenty of extra space to use as you see fit. It also has the benefit that you don’t have to spend…
Your new sunroom will be your pride and joy for many years to come, but you’ll need to learn how to correctly maintain it to keep it looking its best. Ideally, you’ll spread the maintenance out over the course of the year to reduce your workload and to keep an eye on any potential problems.…
As summer draws to a close, your sunroom will become a focal point of your home as the evenings get darker and cooler. As you and your family think about moving your evening entertainment from the deck to the sunroom, it’s time to think about how to make your sunroom more cosy and inviting for…
Making the decision to install a sunroom addition to your home is the easy part of this amazing home improvement project. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the work can be completed, especially if you’re building on top of an existing deck or patio and before you know it, your brand new sunroom will be…
For many homeowners, home improvement is a series of sequential steps rather than one-off big projects. This is often due to budget and time constraints about how long a certain area of the house can be out of bounds for, but it can also be a way of testing the water to see if you…
Adding a screen room to your house is a quick and easy way to gain some extra space and add instant value to your home. The low cost of materials and the high speed of installation means that, dollar for dollar, a screen room gives you the highest return on investment of any major home…
Out of all the possible home extensions and improvement projects that you could undertake this summer, nothing beats turning your tired old porch, patio or deck into a screen room. Dollar for dollar, it’s one of the best investments you can make; the cost of the materials is cheaper than building a whole new set…
The warmer weather can never come soon enough in Calgary. The moment that the leaves start to come in gets everyone thinking about spending more time outside. The daytime heat quickly turns into warmer evenings which means it’s time to work out how to use your outdoor entertaining space after the sun has set. Light…
The moment that you feel that warm nighttime breeze coming across the yard is like no other. It heralds the coming of outdoor living; late nights under the stars, cozy firepit reunions, and dinner parties surrounding by the sounds and smells of nature. However, just sitting in your yard doesn’t quite conjure up the full…
As the snow drifts and biting winds get replaced by spring rain showers and warmer breezes, it’s time to start thinking about renovating or extending your home. However, adding space to your home can be expensive and time consuming: knocking down exterior walls to make more space requires extensive machinery and labour, while the process…
It’s clear that a sunroom represents one of the best return on investment home improvement projects out there. It’s a quick project that can instantly add a sizeable number of square meters to your house, and if you build it on top of an existing deck, you’ll find the budget incredibly affordable. The biggest choice…
The unbridled joy that fills the heart of every Calgarian can almost be tangible when the weather starts to stay above freezing overnight and the promise of spring can be seen everywhere. The snow piles start to reduce, small buds can be seen on the trees and the air no long tries to freeze your…
As the winter months slowly come to an end, you might finally believe that the snow will actually melt and give you back your outdoor space. However, the debris of autumn combined with the ice and snow of winter can cause havoc to your patio, even if you’ve already invested in a patio cover to…
Nothing beats daydreaming about home improvements to cheer you up from the winter blues. As winter kicks into gear, thinking about how you’ll use your outdoor space, and in particular your patio area, in the warmer weather will get you through the snow storms and frigid cold days. However, it can be easy to forget…
Create your backyard oasis In the middle of the cold Alberta winter, it’s hard to remember a time when it was freezing outside with feet of snow piled up everywhere. However, a bit of summer dreaming will help keep the winter blues at bay, and the perfect way to do this is to plan out…
With the turn of the new year comes a desire to make resolutions and goals for ourselves; a way to start fresh and fill the world with endless possibilities. In no place is this need for newness more apparent than in our own homes, and our desire for change in our professional and personal lives…
Everyone has encountered that special room at some point in their lives, whether it’s a home, a friend’s place or when visiting grandparents. That room where everything is always neat, clean and tidy, and the place where you feel that you can’t even breathe without being scolded. For some sunroom owners, their new indoor outdoor…
Everyone knows that the best of having a sunroom is the way that the windows let light in and trap the heat in the summer, making the perfect place to lounge and relax all season long. However, most people with a three season sunroom see fall coming as a killjoy to their summer sunroom lifestyle.…
Who says that Halloween has to be an inside celebration? One of the best things about hosting a Halloween themed party is that it falls at the crossover time of year where it’s not going to be too hot that people won’t enjoy themselves, but not so cold that no one will want to celebrate…
When you’re looking to expand your home on a budget, a screen room is by far and away the cheapest and most efficient way to increase your square footage. This is especially true if you have an existing deck or patio that can be used as a foundation, but even if you’re building straight onto…
If you’re looking for an affordable and easy way to expand your Calgary home this year, then adding a sunroom, also known as a solarium, should be high on your list. A four-season Sunroom or Solarium is an added living space that can increase property value and add year-round enjoyment of your home. Ease…
Our whole team is proud to have been chosen by you and all our customers as the Consumer’s Choice for Solariums, Sunrooms and Skylights! Thank you to each and every one of our clients for choosing us to create their ideal patio and sunroom space! We hope to continue to impress you in 2020!
A Canadian’s deck should always be the centre point of any outside space at home. Looking out over your deck as the summer sun rises, you may be thinking about how nice it would be to spend the day outside, lounging and playing in the heat. Nothing beats being outside in the summer months, and…
Your deck should always be the focal point of your outdoor space. It’s a guaranteed flat space for seating and tables, and provides the natural transition from inside to outside. A deck is a great place to gather for parties or just watch your loved ones runs around, enjoying the seemingly endless Calgary summer days.…
When you’re looking at extending your home to create some extra entertaining space on a budget, installing a screenroom or a sunroom are your two best options. They both come with a significant set of positives that make them worth considering in terms of expanding your home and generating some extra home value: Ease of…
The moment that you walk into your newly finished screen room, you know for certain that it’s going to be the focal point of your entertaining over the summer months and beyond. The big screens act both as windows to let the light and protection against bugs and the harshest sun rays, and the new…
If you’re spending time out on your deck wondering how to cover it in a cost effective and aesthetically pleasing way, then a hybrid pergola is a fantastic solution for covering your deck. While you can install a hybrid pergola on decks and patios that come off just one side of your home, the biggest…
The winter months are always the best time in Calgary to start planning and dreaming what changes you’ll make when the weather starts to turn warmer. With the end of winter in sight, it’s time to think about making the best use of your outdoor space to turn your yard into the only place to…
Find out what a sunroom is and what can provide for you! Sunrooms can add property value to your home, add much needed living space and allows you to enjoy the views of outdoors, all year long!
Choose between a three season or four season sunroom and see which is right for you in our Calgary showroom!
Every garden needs a touch of magic to make it feel like a true extension of your home. For some, this could be a fountain or other water feature. For others, it may be a tree fort tucked away at the bottom of the garden. However, there is one structure that will change your garden…
For some people, a deck represents an extension to both their home and their garden; a quiet haven where the great outdoors can be enjoyed in the safe shadow of their own home. However, with the Calgary spring comes the Calgary bugs, and quickly the temperature rises to make being outside at midday uncomfortable. It’s…
As the winter drags on and the idea of above-freezing temperatures slowly fades from memory, your sunroom will become a safe haven of warmth to get you through to spring time. A well made four season sunroom should be connected to your home’s heating and cooling and system, so all you’ll need to do to…
Keeping your sunroom optimally lit is never a problem during the daylight hours, when the sun’s rays come pouring in, creating a beautiful warmth all day long. However, it’s a different ball game when the sun goes down, as the height of your sunroom combined with a lack of wall space makes it hard to…
The whole purpose of building a sunroom as an addition to your home is to create a room with plenty of natural sunlight. This light acts both as decoration and as a heating source for the room, so it’s important to plan out your sunroom windows before the builders begin their work. When thinking about…
After the big rush of Christmas and New Year, Valentine’s Day always seems to sneak up quickly and without much warning. Before you know it, the big day is here and you’re scrambling for reservations and gifts to make the day special for your loved one. Fortunately, your sunroom can easily be turned into the…
When most homeowners start dreaming of their very own sunroom, they most likely see a calm oasis at the end of their current home; a space apart from the rest of the house which they can fill with nice pieces of furniture and which will be used to relax and possibly entertain. As the planning…
As the calendar turns to the new year, you’ll be spending more and more time in your new sunroom with the holiday season. Entertaining your friends and famly is the most obvious way to use your sunroom, but this January, maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at how you’re using your Desert Sun…
As winter sets in, most people close up their sunroom for the season, and then spend the next few months staring wistfully at this unused space. However, if you have a four season sunroom, winter is the best time to get your sunroom up and running again. The clear crisp days makes for excellent levels…
Adding a new sunroom to your home can feel like a big risk. It’s a lot of money to spend on a part of your home that is immediately visible to guests and passers-by. It’s also really hard to undo if you don’t like what you get, as there’s a whole range of ground work…
It’s always the right time to think about home improvement, but it can be hard to make significant changes on a budget. Of course, superficial changes like repainting the outside of your home or remodelling the bathroom will give a quick fix, but adding extra space is a surefire way to add value to your…
When the weather in Calgary starts to turn wintery, most people start to think about staying inside and the dark, depressing months ahead. These people obviously haven’t thought about getting a four season sunroom to allow them to have an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. A sunroom instantly adds value to your home in any season, but here…
There’s always something magical about fall in Calgary; the warm days mixed with the cold evenings, the crisp feel to the air, and the beautiful colours as the trees prepare for the long harsh winter. There’s plenty of reasons to be outside enjoying this time, but the chilly air and unpredictable weather patterns can put…
Whatever the crazy Calgary weather is doing, your new Desert Sun sunroom or screened patio is going to be the place to be in your home. Whether you’ve chosen a cozy 4 season room that will see you through the long winter months, a 3 season sunroom that doesn’t require a heater or extra insulation,…
There are many reasons why you might be thinking about down-sizing. Maybe the kids have grown up and left the nest, leaving lots of empty rooms. Maybe it’s costing too much to heat in the winter and keep cool in the summer. Maybe you need to free up some cash that’s been tied up in…
The long warm summers in Calgary lend themselves to lazy evenings outside with friends in the backyard. There’s nothing better than sitting out under the stars with the residual of the heat of the day still radiating from your surroundings. However, the intense heat of the late afternoon can mean that you have to wait…
There’s nothing like summer in park model homes, but how to keep cool this summer in a park model house is a question on every owner’s lips. The Calgary heat can often be overbearing, and even the best insulation in a tiny house won’t stop you from overheating. This is when you need to start…
The summer months invite everyone to spend more time outside – the idea of spending hours outside in your yard watching the world go by is a dream for many Calgary residents. There are multiple ways of creating new spaces to enjoy the warmer weather all season long: a house with a patio is nice,…
With Father’s Day coming up, Calgary families will likely be hanging out on the patio or deck, enjoying one another’s company and the sunshine. Having a yard celebration in the summer is the best way to enjoy the outdoors with family. It’s why most homes have an outside entertainment area. A Desert Sun Patio Cover is an…
As winter fades away, most Albertans start to think about how to make the most of the warmer weather that spring brings. It’s also a natural time to think about home improvement and extension, and fortunately Desert Sun Patios has just the idea to combine these two dreams! To enjoy the outdoors, natures’ beauty and…
After a long winter and a delayed Spring, Calgarians are anxiously awaiting to get outside, fire up the BBQ and enjoy time on the deck or patio with friends and family. With the arrival of summer comes pesky mosquito bites, dinner time flies and night time moths, but don’t get bugged out! These tips will…
Choosing to install a sunroom is one of the best home improvement projects that you can ever undertake. The overall cost is relatively small compared to a full house extension while covering a similar floor area, and the fact that they can sit on top of existing decks and patios means you won’t lose much…
The birds might not be chirping, the sun may not be shining but spring is (hopefully) just around the corner in Calgary. While this is an exciting time for most, the melt usually brings unsightly views once hidden by the pristinely white snow. This is the perfect time of year to start cleaning up the…
Traditional Garden Pergola Traditionally, a Pergola is a garden feature forming a shaded walkway or sitting area of vertical posts that support cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice, often which woody vines are trained. If you have a garden, you know you’ve imagined relaxing in your garden in the shade. It’s every gardener’s dream. A garden pergola is a perfect way to turn your…
We are all faced with the same dilemma once the snow starts to fall in Calgary. Do we throw in the towel and retire our BBQ’s for the season? No! We are Canadians, and grilling Alberta Beef is in our blood, no matter the season. There’s nothing quite like spending time on the patio with…
A patio can be a hot slab of concrete baking in the sun – or it can be a welcoming extension of the house, calling you outdoors to enjoy cool breezes and fresh air. However, it can quickly fill up with junk, making it feel claustrophobic and less user friendly. With a little planning, you can make your…
Don’t run away and hibernate from your patio just because it is wintertime. There are lots of ways you can have a functional patio in the middle of February. Whether your desire is to hang out with your loved ones in the evenings or on a quiet Saturday afternoon with tea, the following ideas will ensure you make the most of your patio all season long.
There’s nothing quite like spending time on your porch with family and friends. Picture yourself having a nice meal with your family or spending some time relaxing with the neighbours. Nothing beats enjoying the outdoors from the comfort of your own home. Adding a screen room or porch to your home can be one of…
After the long Calgary winter spent staring wistfully at your garden, the summer heat seems to pack a large punch all at once. While it’s tempting to want to spend all your time outside, the heat and strength of the summer Calgary sun means that you’ll spend more time back inside avoiding sunburn. However, it’s…
There’s a school of thought that says that extending your home to give you and your family more space is more expensive and more hassle than they’re worth. These people have never thought about installing a sunroom, either on top of an existing outdoor deck or just carving out some extra space from your garden.…
There are numerous benefits provided by a sunroom: creating an extra room for entertaining, adding instant value to your property and giving you and your family more breathing room from each other. One of the less obvious benefits, but one that should still be a significant part of your decision making process when planning out…
