A patio cover serves as a cheap and simple extension to your home while also improving its curb appeal and, consequently, property value. A suitable cover isn’t just about looks, however; it also allows you to get a lot more use out of your patio. It’s great for maintaining a shaded exterior area during the hot summer months or for protecting you from light rain if you’re having a barbecue.

Before you choose a patio cover, you’ll want to think about what you intend to use the outdoor space for. Following are some important considerations that will help you determine which solution is most suitable:

• Do you have any outdoor furniture and/or a grill?
• Is there a fire pit that might need to be protected or relocated?
• When do you intend to use your patio and in what sort of weather?

Consider the Exterior Appearance of Your Home

Any kind of home extension, even something as simple as a patio cover or awning, will look dreadful and significantly decrease your home’s curb appeal if it doesn’t complement the rest of the building. Ideally, it should match the appearance and functionality of the rest of your patio as well as the house. Fortunately, there are many options to choose from, including retractable awnings, shelters and screens.

Don’t Neglect Function

Remember that a patio cover also serves a functional purpose rather than just an aesthetic one. As such, you’ll need to think carefully about factors such as color. For example, in relatively hot and arid regions, as is the case with much of Texas, you’ll ideally want to go for lighter colors to prevent heat absorption. Also, brighter colors don’t fade as much, since they’re not so vulnerable to bleaching by the sun.

Choose the Right Material

With average summer highs hovering around 90 degrees in much of Texas, you’ll definitely want to choose a patio cover that can survive the heat. For example, insulated and laminated roof panels will be far more durable than a simple awning. Heavy-gauge aluminum panels are among the most durable materials, and they’re also very lightweight. Another option is vinyl, a material that has improved enormously in the last few decades to become a decent and cost-effective affordable to many older materials. Best of all, high-quality, rigid vinyl is immune from rot and warping, and it is extremely resistant to UV light.

Allied Siding & Windows is a Texas-based company that builds custom-made patios.