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 just how quickly Calgary heats up in the spring and summer, and how strong the sun’s rays are.
This is where you need to turn your day dreams to a patio cover to keep you and your family cool (but not winter-cool!) all summer long. Not all patio covers are created equally, so here are a few of the more popular material options to discuss over hot cocoa:
- Wood – wood patio covers are always a classic option, and will give your outside space a much more rustic feel. It’s a timeless look that requires minimal maintenance providing that you select properly treated wood and keep an eye out of pests and bugs that may try to chew away at your posts. The main drawback is that most wood types used for Calgary patio covers, such as oak and cedar, tend to be expensive, so larger patio owners may find the cost prohibitive.
- Aluminum – if you’re looking for a sleeker, more contemporary look, then aluminum is a great patio cover choice for you. Not only is it considerably cheaper that wood for a patio cover, it’s also longer lasting with no maintenance beyond keeping it clear of leaves and snow. The best features of an aluminum roof is that they are fully water proof, and you can paint them in any colour to match either the roof or exterior walls of your home.
- Acrylic – lighter in weight than their aluminum counterparts, acrylic patio covers give partial shade while still allowing some sunlight through. This makes it a perfect choice if your patio is in a shaded corner and you want to avoid making it feel dark and closed in in the middle of the day. Make sure you treat it with a polish or painted finish to keep from discolouring during the long summer days.
You’ll also need to think about how much coverage you want to have. A solid patio cover will completely cover the space, keeping you safe from the sun in the summer and also the snow if you choose to use your patio for a winter party. However, the lack of ventilation can make fully covered patios stuffy and overly hot. The other option is to shoot for a lattice roof, where a beam structure is used with overlaid bars to create small openings in the roof. While it’s not water-proof and lets more UV light it, it will give your outside space a much lighter feel as well as being naturally ventilated. You can make a covered patio using wood, aluminum or acrylic, while the lattice effect tends to be for wood and metal styles only.
