Outdoor Coverings

When you’re looking at providing some much needed shade for the space directly outside your home, you’ll see a variety of options if you’re looking for a free standing addition. One of the most common is a patio umbrella. This is a free standing structure which looks like an enormous umbrella. It can be raised and lowered to save space, and most models can swing round to help you match the movement of the sun. The other most common option is a pergola with a cover. A pergola is another free standing structure that you can attach directly to your patio or deck. It’s a simple post and beam structure, with the beams creating a beautiful lattice structure. The cover can be made from fabric or vinyl to provide the shade you’re looking for.

Why Choose a Pergola

When you’re picking between your free standing options, it quickly becomes clear that a pergola with a cover is the smart option every time. It gives you the following benefits:

• Permanent shade – the most obvious reason to pick a pergola with a cover over a patio umbrella is that you get permanent shade all year round. A sun umbrella has to be put up and down each day, and you then have to spend time rotating it to just the right position to get the right amount of shade. A pergola provides a broader and more complete level of shade across your whole patio, keeping things cooler all afternoon. 
• Framing your space – a pergola will also help you to frame your outdoor space and create an aesthetically pleasing look from both inside and out. While it’s unlikely that it will cover your entire patio, it can easily take up 75% or more of the space. The posts will give your patio some structure, and you’ll find that you’ll naturally congregate underneath the shade of a pergola making it feel like an outside room. 
• An opportunity for growth – finally, you can create a whole new vibe under your pergola by buying some climbing plants and placing them at the base of each of the posts. You can then train these to twist up each post and across the lattice to give your pergola that classic Italian trattoria feel as well as giving you some additional shade. Jasmine and wisteria are common plants for this and will both give off a lovely perfume in the hot late summer afternoons. 

What Is A Patio Cover?

A patio cover is exactly what it sounds like: a cover that fits over the top of your patio to provide some much needed shade during the summer months. It’s a permanent structure that attaches to the outside of your home which means you don’t have to worry about moving it around like with a sun umbrella. A patio cover can either be made from fabric, like a porch awning, or from more solid materials like vinyl to give you stronger protection from the sun. 

Solid And Lattice Patio Covers

When you start looking at different Calgary patio cover options, you’ll quickly see that they fall into two main categories – lattice covers and solid covers. A lattice cover is a great look when you want a more dappled effect on your patio. They don’t provide as much shade coverage during the hot afternoons, but they do let more air circulate which can help cool things down. A solid patio cover, on the other hand, provides a much higher level of shade as well as protecting your patio during sudden summer storms (and even snow when the summer finally ends!). It’s harder to feel a breeze with a solid patio cover, so if you go this route, you might want to invest in an outdoor ceiling fan to get the air moving. 

Why Choose A Hybrid Patio Cover

If you can’t choose between a solid and a lattice patio cover, then a hybrid patio cover might be the right option for you. A hybrid patio cover gives you the best of both worlds, with some of the patio being under a lattice cover, and the rest of it under a solid roof. Some common ways to use a hybrid patio cover include:

• A central lattice – this option is great if you have a firepit out on your patio. The central lattice not only gives you better air circulation, but by putting the firepit underneath it, you create a central focus for your outdoor area.
• Lattice edges – putting the lattice part of your hybrid patio cover at the edge of your design creates a transitional visual effect that blends the indoor and outdoor worlds.
• Alternative patterns – this blend of lattice and solid patio partitions gives you an interesting visual effect while giving you good air circulation and shade coverage as the sun tracks across your patio in the afternoon.

Hosting A Sunroom Party

Your sunroom is a fantastic place to host a Stampede party; to be honest, it’s a great place to host any type of party! It’s a separate space from the rest of your house, meaning that you can close the doors behind you and not worry about the noise interrupting sleeping children or folks who want a break from the fun. Your sunroom is also naturally heated from the large glass windows, and the glazing and insulation will keep your sunroom long into the July evenings. Finally, your sunroom will have less furniture in it than in the rest of your home, meaning that you can add more Stampede themed stuff without taking away from the space for your guests.

Make It Western

The whole vibe for your sunroom during Stampede Week should be to make it feel like a continuation of the Western parties in downtown Calgary. While it’s not feasible to have a hitching post outside your sunroom, or to park a chuckwagon on your lawn as a focal viewpoint for your guests, there are some easy ways to bring a Western aesthetic to your sunroom.

Hay Isn’t Just For Horses

While they can be messy, nothing screams cowboy or cowgirl at your Stampede Week party than having a few hay bales around your sunroom. You can choose whether you use them for decoration, as additional tables or even extra seating, though if you choose the latter you probably want some sort of covering to make them less scratchy to sit on! You can find places to rent them from if you’re hosting a one off party, but if you’re celebrating with friends and family all week long, you might want to consider buying them outright. 

Barrel of Laughs

Having a centrepiece for your sunroom will make your Stampede Week party pop. Pick up (or rent) a full or half whiskey barrel to use as a serving table or gathering spot. If you’ve got overnight guests, you could use it as a cooking surface for your electric griddle, so folks can gather in your sunroom while you make pancakes to give them vittles for the day. In the evenings, the barrel becomes a home for your whiskey collection or somewhere for folks to stand around and reflect on the fun from the day.

Accent With Art

The best thing about a Stampede Week party is that the theme is already picked out for you, so you can swap out the artwork in your sunroom easily to get a Western vibe. Whether it’s stills from famous Western movies, paintings of rodeo riders or simply commercial posters from previous Stampede Week celebrations, you’ll easily be able to find things to create the party vibe all week long.

Sunrooms In The Heat

A sunroom comes into its own during the hot Calgary summer months. It’s designed to be a naturally warm space, but there are ways you can adapt the sunroom design to make it a cooler space for breaks from Stampede Week fun:

• Window glazing – the big glass windows are the key attraction for a summer sunroom. They let plenty of light (and therefore heat) into your room and give you unparalleled views out over your garden all season long. However, you have to pay attention to the type of windows you install. Picking double glazed windows allows the light in and traps the heat for longer, warmer evenings. Going for triple glazed helps to keep the heat out more, leaving your sunroom naturally cooler while still being a bright and open space. 
• Ceiling fans – your sunroom is going to get warm, no matter what you do, especially when you have people in there breathing and moving. A ceiling fan is a great option, especially if you chose an A-frame sunroom style with a high vaulted ceiling space. A fan helps move the air around, pulling warm air up and pushing cooler air back down to you. There’s nothing like a cool breeze on your face after a day at the Stampede. 
• Connection to your HVAC – finally, if you install a four season, or all season, sunroom, you have the option of connecting to your home’s existing heating and cooling system. Instead of having to leave the connecting door open to allow some of the heat to dissipate into the rest of your home, you can create a hermetically sealed cool space set at whatever temperature you feel most comfortable with. This is the ultimate way to dodge the July heat and conserve your energy for more Stampede Week fun. 

Decorating For The Heat

You can also bring some interior design considerations to help combat the heat in your sunroom. Installing lightweight furniture such as wicker helps to keep you cool as you relax, as well as putting thinner fabric drapes or curtains so heat can escape more easily. You can also be mindful about the types and strengths of the lighting you put in the room; less is definitely more when it comes to heat management! Finally, you can add a small drinks refrigerator to the room so that you and your guests have the ultimate way to keep cool without having to move too far. 

GMB: Stampede Week is almost here! Keep cool in a brand new sunroom

X/Insta: There’s nothing like Stampede Week in Calgary, but the July heat can suck all the fun. Keep cool in a brand new sunroom. 

Facebook/LinkedIn: There’s nothing like Stampede Week in Calgary, but the July heat can suck all the fun. Keep cool in a brand new sunroom and keep your Stampede energy high all week long. 

Why Choose A Screened In Deck

A screened in deck is an increasingly popular home upgrade for Calgary citizens as it doesn’t require any additional digging or renovation. The simple post and beam structure gets erected on your existing deck and turns it from a space that is only usable in sunny weather when it’s not too hot and the bugs aren’t biting to somewhere that you will want to sit during all of your free time. The solid roof gives you day-long shade and protects your deck furniture from the Calgary summer thunderstorms, and the screens keep out the bugs and the worst of the strong winds. 

Further Benefits of a Screened In Deck

Beyond the benefits of living your best outdoor life while enjoying all the comforts of being inside, a screened in deck also comes with a variety of additional benefits.

Increased Property Value

In terms of returns on your initial investment, a screened in deck represents incredible value for money. The simple structure keeps the costs down, but a screened in deck dramatically increases the curb appeal of your home to prospective buyers who will envisage long summer days spent on the boundary between inside and out. It’s also a quick install, meaning that you can add it to your property in time for the real estate photos and you’ll see a jump in the asking price and offers.

More Space To Spread Out

With more and more Calgary residents opting for staycations to make the most of our wonderful city, a screened in porch offers you a significant bump to the square footage of your home without incurring an exorbitant cost. Whether you choose to make your new space the focal point for family gatherings or make it a full kid-free zone, the extra space will give everyone some breathing room during the summer. You’ll also find that a screened in deck makes the perfect “command centre” for your summer gatherings, providing shade for those who overheat quickly and a place to host drinks and snacks for those who want to run around in the sunshine. 

Increased Mental Health

There are a slew of scientific and psychological studies that have shown the positive impact of nature, and being close to nature, on our mental health. There are also studies that show that the busyness of modern life coupled with rampant technology use makes it harder for us to connect with nature. A screened in deck gives you the space to put the phone down and take some mindful moments each day to enjoy the natural beauty in your backyard. Its a great place to set up a yoga mat for a quiet morning stretch, or simply somewhere to curl up with a cup of something hot and a good book to fully decompress after a long day. 

How A Screened Porch Works

A screened porch is a great addition to your outside space because it’s such a simple structure to add. It’s typically built on top of an existing deck (or patio, at a push), and connects to the external walls of your home through screws and ties. The money saving part comes from its construction, which is basically a post and beam format with a solid roof and screen walls. The screens, made from insect proof mesh, is what makes it magical during a Calgary summer. You’ll get all the sunshine, cooling breezes and views out over your garden without having to worry about the strong overhead sun or the biting insects that can spoil any outside time in the city. 

Bring The Outdoors Inside

Your new screened porch instantly blends the boundaries between inside and outside given the lack of solid walls combined with a solid roof over your head. You can continue to bring the outdoors inside with some of these ideas:

• Choose outdoor textures – the overall vibe of a room is always about how you decorate the space, and this often comes down to which textures and materials you choose. Picking slightly rougher textures, such as a burlap rug, wicker chairs or driftwood picture frames, will conjure up the feeling of being outside from the comfort of your indoor space. You can complement these touches with some soft furnishings like a soft throw blanket to snuggle under or a large beanbag chair for younger family members to relax in during the summer evenings. 
• Find outdoor furniture – another approach to blend the boundaries between indoors and outdoors is to use furniture that you would typically use on your deck or patio. While this could include a set of comfy folding lounge chairs, it can also be an outdoor set of wicker arm chairs and a long sofa. For some extra warmth in the spring and fall evenings, consider a small electric fire pit to use as a central focus point for your screened porch.
• Bring the plants inside – finally, you can make you and your family feel like they’re stepping directly into the garden by bringing some of your potted plants from the garden to the screened porch, and put them next to some of your indoor houseplants that would thrive in additional heat and humidity. Consider having some hanging from the rafter and aim for a mixture of colours and sizes to create a unique visual effect. Finish the outdoor feel to your indoor space by picking out interesting plant pot designs; this can act as your artistic finishing touches while also looking after your plant babies all summer long.

What is a Park Model Sunroom?

The moment you step inside a park model sunroom, you’ll immediately see how it got its name. The main feature of any sunroom is the big windows on three sides of the room, giving you the best view out of your campground at any time of day. Depending on your budget and personal preferences, you may opt for full floor to ceiling windows, a half window design for more privacy, or a traditional wall and window structure on two sides with a mesh screen leading to the outside. No matter which design you choose, you can add to the sunlight with skylights and glass-panelled doors.

Design Factors For Your Park Model Sunroom

When you work with Desert Sun Patios to construct your park model sunroom, you’ll be amazed at how much of the work is customizable to your campground property. Here are some of the factors you’ll need to consider when you’re working with us to design your dream trailer sunroom:

• The foundations – the biggest factor that will dictate the overall size and shape of your trailer sunroom is what you’re going to use for the foundations. If you have an existing deck or solid patio outside your park model, you’ll be able to use that as the base for your sunroom, but you’ll be limited by the size of your deck or patio. However, if you only have grass or dirt outside, you can dig the foundations wherever you like, but you’ll find that this option increases the overall cost of the project due to the cost of excavating the dirt. 
• Position of external exits – most people will place the external door of their trailer sunroom at one end or the other to give them the maximum amount of usable space. However, you can add multiple exits to make the best use of your outside space and to reduce foot traffic in your sunroom, or place one directly opposite the external door of your park model to allow for direct access to your home while leaving the sunroom free for use throughout the day.
• Proposed purpose – finally, decisions about the number and the size of windows as well as any potential skylights will be dictated by how you intend to use your trailer sunroom. For example, if you want it as an observation station, you’ll want the biggest windows that your structure will support. On the other hand, if you want it as a guest bedroom, you’ll want some walls to offer some privacy to the many guests who will come visit your new trailer sunroom.

What is a Trailer Sunroom?

You may have come across sunrooms as a residential upgrade around Calgary. They’re big windowed rooms that typically sit on a deck or patio to the rear of a house and provide the perfect space to enjoy the best of the summer months without worrying about bugs, heat or humidity. A sunroom for your trailer is exactly the same, just on a slightly smaller scale. It does require a hard surface, so if you’ve already got an existing deck outside your trailer, it can be quick and easy to build. A sunroom is characterized by large windows, sometimes going from floor to ceiling, and they fit the profile of your trailer so you can make them as long or as short as possible.

Using Your Trailer Sunroom

Once you’ve made the decision to extend your camping footprint with a sunroom for your trailer, you’ll quickly brainstorm a lot of different ways that you could use your new space. Here’s a few easy ones to get your camping season off to a great start.

Morning Zen

Evenings at the campground are for fires and socializing. Mornings are for coffee and quiet contemplation. You can set your new trailer sunroom up to make the most of the peaceful start to the day with a couple of comfy armchairs and somewhere to put your coffee. Make sure to add some soft blankets to keep you warm during the shoulder seasons and suddenly you’ll find yourself looking forward to mornings.

Storage Central

Camping comes with a whole bunch of gear that you want to have ready access to during the day, but that you don’t necessarily want to put outside your trailer in case of wind or rain damage. A sunroom becomes the ultimate indoor/outdoor storage base where everything you need for a day’s fun at the campground is easily accessible while keeping your main living space clear of camping detritus.

Room For a Friend

A more unusual way to use your sunroom for your trailer is to make it into a guest bedroom (or maybe just a place for you to sleep feeling like you’re truly outdoors!). Camping is always more fun with friends, and being able to offer them somewhere comfortable to sleep over that isn’t a cot on your trailer living room floor will make you very popular during the season. You can get creative with a simple futon or a pull out sofa bed so the space can double up as an extra living room during the day. 

A Carport To Save You Time

Carports can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of different materials to fit your driveway and your budget. However, the key component of any carport is the protection that they provide year round to save you time. They really come into their own during the winter months, sheltering your car from the seemingly endless snow and ice storms. You can add an extra layer of protection with vinyl or plastic sidings to avoid ice buildups around the base of your car. Starting the day with a clear car saves you time and helps you get on the road quicker, giving you a few more warm minutes in your home. During the warmer months, a carport can save you time by giving you a place to store your outdoor gardening equipment. Having your hoses, rakes and spades hanging in one place will make your carport a convenient home base for your yard work, as well as giving you a shaded spot to take a break during the hotter Calgary days.

A Carport To Add Value

Just like any outdoor home improvement project, installing a carport doesn’t automatically mean that your home is worth more. It doesn’t add to the square footage of your home, and doesn’t give potential buyers a new room or better features. However, what it does do is increase the curb appeal of your home; that first impression that people see when they’re looking at photos of your home or driving past to check out the neighbourhood. What they’ll see is a convenient place for their car next to their home as well as an opportunity for outdoor storage. This will make them be willing to pay more as it will look like a luxurious upgrade. 

Additional Features For Convenience and Return On Investment

You can take a couple of easy steps to upgrade your carport to make it more convenient for you and to boost the value it adds to your home. Simply adding electrical outlets will make a massive difference as you can charge everything from your outdoor tools to your electric vehicle, all with a solid roof over your head. Add in some built storage so it has a hybrid garage feel to it, and you could be looking at a 5% increase in the sale price of your home. 

Why Choose Cost Effective DIY Carport Plans

A carport can seem like a significant upgrade to your property given its size and presence next to your house. However, with DIY carport plans, you can get the year round convenience of a carport without breaking your budget. It’s worth looking at a variety of different carport designs so that you can make sure that you’ll be building a carport to fit your needs and your budget. Here’s some of the ways that using DIY carport plans can save you money in the long run with your carport project:

• Adapt to your property – the first and most obvious way to save money with DIY carport plans is that you can take them and adapt them to the shape of your home and driveway. While the plans will map out the dimensions of their suggested carport, you can easily make some edits and changes if you need it to be slightly longer for a bigger car, or somewhat narrower to fit in the gap between your house and the lawn. This can save you money as you’ll only pay for what you need. 
• Customized materials – there are plenty of different options when you’re choosing the materials for your new carport, and choosing DIY carport plans means that you can change or mix and match the materials to meet your budget and aesthetics. For example, if you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can make the whole thing from aluminium and vinyl which will give a more lightweight carport. For something more durable and rugged, you could use treated lumber to make it feel like a pergola on your driveway. 

Hands on labour – probably your biggest savings when it comes to choosing to use DIY carport plans is that you’re not paying for anyone else’s labour. Of course, when you work with a carport contractor, you’re paying for their expertise and to save yourself the time and effort of not building it yourself. However, if you’ve got the right set of tools, plenty of time and a willingness to follow clear instructions, then getting a set of DIY carport plans allows you to build your dream structure without breaking the bank.