Here is a sample of the lattice-style patio roof.

What many people are interested in is the shade that a roof or other shade, can provide. If you have a more casual and smaller patio space, you may be able to get by with a simple patio umbrella. While not as permanent as a fully covered structure, it can still give you what you are after. Besides, you can also move it around and take it down in heavy winds or other inclimate weather. These are options that don’t exist with other patio roof options.      Photo credit

There are some very popular patio structures that we really embrace on our site. They are all similar, but have some unique differences as well. In terms of creating a nice outdoor room or larger patio area, a pergola is a very hard structure to beat. It has many features that make it suitable for the discussion here. Similar to the pergola are the gazebo and smaller structures; the trellis and arbor. These latter terms are sometimes used interchangeably with the term pergola, but not around here. What we refer to is a typical 10’ x 10’ or larger structure. This is not a magic number, it is just a standard size for garden canopies and other shade structures, so it is more for reference than anything else. Let’s talk about some of these roof styles and materials.

Patio Roof Styles

You can imagine the roof of your patio like any other roof, with some unique differences. We’ll use the pergola as our example, but the materials could fit others as well. The main thing about a roof on a free-standing patio structure is that it doesn’t necessarily have to provide all of the same features that your home’s roof does. In other words, it doesn’t need to be completely waterproof unless that is the type of roof you are looking for.

Many people prefer more of a lattice-style roof that allows more light to penetrate, but also gives shade as well. There are automatic louver style roofs now as well. These are really pretty nifty. You see, what would be ideal is for the beams or stringers on your pergola to match the angle of the sun’s rays. This would allow you to get the best type of shade possible. Part of this depends on how you situate your pergola – or other patio area – on your property. The sun sits in the sky differently at different times of the year. You can see how this particular style of patio roof accomplishes this – very ingenious design!

Now, there are other times when you can actually harness the placement and position of your patio structure for good use. What we mean is that you can use the roof of your patio to capture energy from the sun. A typical solar patio cover can give you enough energy to at least power the lighting and some other minor energy uses on your patio. Unless you have a large patio, don’t expect it to power your home or provide enough energy for your outdoor kitchen appliances or audio-visual equipment.

If you’re just looking for a simple roof for your patio, there are always wood, tile and metal choices. Wood, like the lattice roof or using a cross-beam style is a handsome look. It provides support for climbing vines and such as well. You can stain it and seal it to give you a longer finish. However, it will need to be maintained much more often.

With a cement or ceramic tile roof, you can get a more rustic or Mediterranean look and feel to your patio. It may even take on a cabana appeal. Typically, you’ll need to have a masonry built pillar or post structure to support such a heavy roof. These also require much more technical skill to install, so the DIYer may be stretching him or herself with this one.

A similar situation arises with a metal patio roof. You can use metal, like zinc, copper or steel to create a really elegant looking roof. Since it is a smaller space, the additional high cost of such a roof may not be as hard on the budget. These roofs have been demonstrated to last decades – even decades longer than a traditional roof. So, if you are interested in a patio cover that is truly unique and has some character and charm, consider hiring a professional to install a metal roof for you.

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Now, you would be hard pressed to distinguish indoor from outdoor furniture unless you were up close to it.  The types of fabrics and materials that go into patio furniture are made from very soft and durable fibers.  Many have built in ultraviolet (UV) ray fading resistance.  The furniture itself is as elegant as the fabrics that make the cushions.  Gone are the days of the simple plastic patio chairs.  Now, you’ve got outdoor bar stools and dining sets.  The list goes on

Here's one that looks to be more of an enclosed room kitchen outdoors.

and on, but for the purposes of this article, let’s get back on topic for our discussion of the kitchen designs.

Outdoor kitchen designs can be suited to the homeowner.  This means that if you are someone who enjoys entertaining and hosting more formal dinner parties, then you can have the makings for a commercial quality outdoor kitchen, complete with stainless steel appliances, grills and refrigerators.  Then, you’ve got the option of wine coolers and other accessories.  The outdoor sink or sinks can be fed with water from your hose or tapped into your home’s water supply line.  Photo credit

If your outdoor kitchen plans call for something a bit more country or cottage-like, there is room for designs in this area as well.  Just like with the indoor kitchen, you can have your choice of cabinets and countertops as well.  The only thing to keep in mind is that all of your choices need to be waterproof.  So, if you’re thinking in terms of wood, choices like redwood or cedar make for the best selections.  Stainless steel is always a good choice for appliances.  For the counters, you can go with any brick or stone choice.  A nice little feature might be something like an outdoor pizza oven or open pit-style fire place.

When you are considering how to plan for space at your outdoor bar seating area, a 15” depth and 24” width per person are good estimates.  Keep in mind, these numbers are also a reflection of the type of kitchen design you’ve got.  If you have more of an open flowing patio, then the seating needs not be so formally determined.  Speaking of a flowing space, a simple patio cover, can provide a great roof over this kitchen you’ve designed.  Over the grill or

Another outdoor kitchen idea, but much more simple.

firepit, don’t make the roof too solid as you and your guests will be choking on smoke the whole time.

So, you’ve got the roof figured out, but what about the flooring?  You’ll want to ensure safe-footing, nothing that gets too slippery when wet.  A patio paver floor works great.  Similarly, if you already have a slab or something laid, you can use an outdoor rug that can provide padding for the long standing periods on that hard surface and it will also provide more traction.  With so many options and choices from which to design, have fun with your outdoor kitchen plans and make sure it suits your cooking and patio living style.  Photo credit

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When you’re thinking about how to design your patio, and whether or not (and how) to cover your patio, it’s important to think of your garden environment in a holistic way. Your patio, magnificent though it is, doesn’t exist in splendid isolation – it has to complement all of the other features of your garden as well, if it is to truly have the desired effect of improving your home.

You can see how this conservatory in Stockwood park has aged, but still maintained its usefulness.

Many homes have not just a patio, but a conservatory as well. And, quite often, the patio is placed right outside of the conservatory, surrounding it. In this case, it’s vital to make sure that you plan each sensitively to make sure that they work together, and that they don’t clash.

This means things like choosing your patio tiles to match the color of the frame of your conservatory. If you’ve got a wooden conservatory, light colors often work well, to counter the darkness of the wood. Likewise, if you have a white PVC conservatory, then a darker, richer shade of tile can show off both to their best.

However, contrasts don’t work quite so well when you are planning a patio cover or a patio roof to sit next to your conservatory. A wooden patio cover next to a white PVC conservatory frame is a garden style disaster waiting to happen. So is an aluminum frame next to a classic wooden conservatory – a disaster so hideous, in fact, that you’ll probably spend your time hiding behind your conservatory blinds, rather than venturing out to actually enjoy your garden.

One of the best ways is to construct the patio frame from the same wood as the conservatory frame. If possible, buy the wood for both at the same time. That way you can be assured of a good match that will leave your garden looking effortlessly beautiful.

Photo credit

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It is true that you can build one yourself or have help from friends.  What makes your patio more enjoyable in the quickest amount of time possible is hiring the pros.  Not only will you have your patio covered more quickly but you will know that it is built to code – if that is even an issue depending upon your design – and is as safe as possible.  Because of the several different types of structures you can build and the materials you can choose from, having it done right is important for not only your safety but long-term investment as well.  The last thing you want is for your patio to be a health hazard each time you go out there or when there is a slight change of inclement weather that will threaten the integrity of your structure.

So, What Type Of Patio Cover Did You Have In Mind?

This is the elegance and ambiance patio covers can create.

You may not have given it too much thought and you found our site as a way of researching the topic itself.  Would you believe that are almost an endless amount of ways to cover your patio as there are to designing a home or landscape area?  Well, it is true.  The reason is that as long as your plans are within the guidelines of your city code or home owner’s association covenants and regulations – almost tougher than pulling permits sometimes it seems – then you can probably have it built.  You may even be able to tackle the project yourself or with the help of a small crew of your friends for the heavy lifting.  As you read on, you’ll learn why.

The broad categories of patio cover designs include open, roofed, and enclosed.  As the names suggest, you can almost get an idea of what the structure will look like, at least in concept.  How you execute the details of your project will allow for much personalization, customization and range of design ideas.  As outdoor spaces become more and more popular with home owners, it is being increasingly easy to find contractors that can work with your plans to build you exactly what you are looking for.

Learning About ‘Open’ Covered Patios

This sounds a bit confusing at first.  Open covered patios?  If you are thinking about having a more open patio concept, then you are probably inclined to be thinking about gazebo or pergola types of structures.  These are similar in nature.  A gazebo is usually a structure that has more of a roof-like element to it.  It may also be more of a Victorian style with benches built into it.  Gazebos have more of a closer, intimate feeling to them.  A pergola has more of a criss-crossed type lattice structure to its ‘roof’. The term roof here is in quotes because it is more of an open structure, usually having trained vines or plants growing up and over it providing shade and ambiance.  This can also be quite intimate, but because of its open nature has more of a restful feeling about it.

Both types of open structures can be enjoyed much of the year depending upon your climate and weather of course.  Many pergola builders have mastered the craft in all corners of our country as the various designs can highlight the flowers and outdoor experience of the seasons.

The open patio styles are what are more classic for the popular surge in outdoor room spaces.  With these rooms, entire kitchens or entertaining spaces with kitchen appliances are made to bring the indoors out.  Many products and manufacturers are now offering items that are made to be exposed to the elements.  Stainless steel and stone items are the most common choices.  The partial covering offered by the plants or vines does provide some relief from mother nature to the appliances.

What About Other Covered Patio Designs?

While a gazebo structure may technically qualify as a “roofed patio”, what we are really discussing here are more formally covered patios.  In this case, patio covers that use framed members, with sheeting, and roofing materials like felt paper, and shingles.  This is definitely a job for the professional builder.

These types of covered patio areas are like the traditional ranch house styles of the 1970s – where the patio area is an extension of the rear part of the home.  The key to updating this look is in the post options and using paint and furniture items to bring a more modern feel to that outdoor space.

Now, How About Those Enclosed Patios…

Look at all this glass - that's an enclosed sunroom.

These types of rooms are more commonly called sun rooms or sitting rooms.  More popular in times gone by, but like all things, making a comeback.  Similar to the type of patio covers mentioned above, these spaces are very customizable offering each customer to personalize their space.  These porch-like spaces can provide a more enjoyable outdoor experience for longer periods in the season because of their enclosed nature.  Being screened in or enclosed with the use of retractable awnings or motorized awnings can provide another level of protection.  Enclosed areas can also be made to look and function as an indoor room with the use of pillars and draperies.             Photo Credit

Remember, what you are really after with any type of outdoor patio space is to be more able to spend some quality time outdoors.  You may just need some down time after work.  Maybe you have children and want to watch them play outdoors without the pounding sun.  Entertaining outdoors will leave your guests impressed and rejuvenated.  No matter what type of option you choose, your patio cover will help you enjoy your time  with friends and family.

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Here, you see the stone pieces used, along with stainless appliances - a great combination even in the rain!

These types of outdoor kitchen designs are really expanding on what is possible in the concept of what makes a patio a patio.  In fact, this has really sparked or been sparked, either way, by the trend in creating outdoor rooms to allow for a more flowing use of a home’s square footage.  Just like with any indoor room, there are walls, flooring and a ceiling or roof to consider.  Outdoor kitchens have some unique features about them that need other attention too, however.  Photo credit

One such feature that makes the outdoor kitchen unique is that unlike its indoor counterpart, the outdoor appliances and materials all need to be waterproof.  This is especially true if you are using something like an open style of patio cover, like a pergola to act as the framework or skeleton of your outdoor room.  A pergola will often have a lattice-style roof, which will allow rain and snow and other debris and intense sun to hit your kitchen area and appliances.

What types of appliances are available for an outdoor kitchen?  Think of your kitchen inside.  What types of appliances do you rely on?  These are all available as outdoor units.  Refrigerators, wine chillers or coolers, sinks, stoves, grill tops, even dishwashers can all be made for outdoor use now, too.  More specifically, these appliances come in stainless steel and have appropriate wiring specifications to be able to be used outdoors.  Since grilling is still one of the most popular ways to cook outdoors, there have been a number of advancements here as well.  You can get a grill that just drops into a counter area and allows for convenient cooking and serving.  Other unique items could include things like an outdoor pizza oven.  These even come as kits.  It is still best to hire a professional for installation if you don’t have the skillset or knowledge to make sure it is all set up right.  They are fairly costly, so you’ll want to ensure the job is done right.

This is a modular outdoor kitchen unit.

In terms of materials or features of an outdoor kitchen, the same ideas apply inside.  When you think about your cabinetry, again it just needs to be waterproof.  Woods can be used, but you’ll want to make sure that you use things like cedar and redwood for their excellent weathering abilities.  You’ll also find that you can get the same basic counter top features.  Using a material like brick or stone is going to be your best bet.  Granite works well outdoors, too.  However, you may want to be cautious with it as it is quite porous, so sealing it and such can be a chore.  Photo credit

Other things to keep in mind are seating arrangements.  The right ratio of space has been given to be about 15” of depth and 24” of width for each person.  This will give you a good estimate as to how long to make your counters or bar area for seating.  If you choose to have a more formal outdoor dining area, then the table and chair set will likely give you enough of a separation on its own.  There are many ways that your outdoor kitchen ideas can take shape, enlisting the help of a professional designer or architect might be helpful.  You can also find great ideas for outdoor kitchen plans online and in fine home magazines.

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Patio Cover Designs and Ideas

Often, what gives such an elegant look is what they leave off as much as what they are made of.  For example, the wooden beams that can cover the patio or deck, depending on where it is built, can provide just the right amount of shade, while letting just enough sun in to grow beautiful plants or climbing vines.  When these plants become more mature, they crawl all over these covered patio structures and look like some old-world Mediterranean or Spanish villa.  The posts that support the patio cover may be made of concrete, stone or even more expensive and exotic marble or limestone.  While these may be for the lifestyles of the rich and famous now, it’s really all that was available hundreds of years ago in many cases.  The point is, you can still capture the essence of these more expensive patio cover designs because of the plethora of man made and cultured materials these days.  The popularity of the outside room has made this type of patio easily accessible to all.  With a very modest budget, you can create quite a nice look.

Rustic Patio Covers Can Be Elegant Too

Patio designs range from rustic to refined.  Rustic appearances can be achieved by using newer materials manufactured to look old.  Some patio cover kits are sold this way.  These can also be made of newer cement block post structures that are covered with cultured tumbled stone facing material.  These appear like the posts are made of stacked rocks that support a nice wooden top or even a metal roof.  The pillars can also be finished smooth and have a Venetian plaster look to them creating quite a refined old-world style.  When you add lights, some awnings and canopies you’ve got an area that you and your guest will enjoy to relax and even dine under.

Photo credit

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How would you know if you had taken all of the factors into account?  This is where a professional designer could help.  Your patio cover designs will take on several different characteristics of both your home and your personal style and preferences.  We’ll get to a few of the options below, rest assured, there are many more than you will see here.  These just reflect a representative sampling of basic designs.  The way that you can improve or enhance these is almost infinite (and budgetless it seems at times).  In other words, imagining what you would like your patio cover to look like and be is up to your imagination and budget, because literally almost anything is possible with the type of building materials and equipment available to today’s builder.

General Covered Patio Plans

Before we go any further, let’s briefly describe the covered patio types you might encounter or want to have designed, they fall into some broad general categories.  First of all, there is the category of open or closed patio roof styles.  This is simply a reference to the fact that some allow you to see the sky and allow rain to get through, others allow partial light and/or rain and others would block all light and water or other elements from Mother Nature.  Then, you need to consider the type of building material:  wood, metal, vinyl, fabric or some combination of all of these.   Another choice concerns free standing versus attached structures.  Finally, you would need to decide if you wanted to have shades or awnings as part of your cover as well.

This is a lot to consider.  So, in order to make the process simpler, you can simply view the pictures below and read the captions.  In most cases, the picture represented is a good reflection of the type of patio cover you can expect to see or have built within that style.  Patio covers are like any type of home remodeling project in this way; what you see for your use and taste can be reflected in your home.

Following Are Some Patio Cover Ideas

An attached pergola style patio cover.

Here is an example of an attached – with posts – pergola type patio cover.  That is a mouth-full.  See how the beam on one end is mounted to the house?  This adds strength as well as making it look tied into the home.  This type of cover is also open as you can see.  Wood patio covers like this would also include styles that would have more slats across the top and then even plants and vines growing atop it.  This provides more shade and a softer appearance, all while adding a splash of color or aroma from any flowering plants.  Photo at right

Photo Below

This is an example of an open patio cover - pergola, with vines.

Here is an example of a patio cover kit. It is extremely durable, long-lasting and simpler to install than a traditional wood patio structure. You might find it easier to construct as a DIYer and this is one of its main attractions. Photo courtesy of http://austinpatio.com

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The reason why patio cover plans are important is that to enable a livable, even workable space, consideration needs to be given to what needs to be covered. What is the climate like? Is there likely to be a lot of entertainment and gatherings there? How often is the area going to be used? All of these questions can and will influence the final decision on what the cover will look like when it is finally constructed.

Construction usually takes the form of either an open or enclosed structure, with a roof.   This patio roof, depending upon how it is designed can function as pure shade cover or provide a bit of mixed shade and sun, the perfect combination for plants below.  There are many variations on the theme and there are lots of varieties of hybrid structures that can combine both methods.  An area that is open for when the weather is beautiful and plants are flowering, and an area that is more sheltered so that the patio is still usable – even when conditions could be a little better.

As can be seen, there are so many different and varied patio cover ideas that it becomes vitally important to start the search by coming up with some needs and wants. The first of which should be, what is going to be the primary use of your patio cover. Is a lot of time going to be spent out there? If so, possibly a large cover would be suited. What material is the home made out of? It would look a tad awkward having a beautifully constructed brick design next to a mostly wooden home.  However, it is quite possible that this mix could work, given the proper planning and design.

By asking these sorts of questions, it becomes possible to envisage how the final design will turn out. Warm climate most of the year round? Then perhaps open patio cover designs are what are needed. Are you going to be doing lots of entertaining during the nighttime in a variable climate? An enclosed cover could be called for.  Likewise, if your weather is prone to a lot of rain or other weather, then you might opt for a covered patio that is simply an extension of your home’s roof.

Certainly, covered patio ideas start flowing thick and fast when a little bit of thought is given to what role they will ultimately play in the living area!  The main aim of covered patio designs is to find the best example of what is needed so that more time can be spent outdoors! Just think about all the fun and relaxation that will take place in the future when the cover is up.  Enjoy the design process as it comes to life for your new patio!

Photo credit

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So, the question is, how can you carve out a little piece of shady heaven in your garden or patio space?  One attractive option is with patio arbors.  You could consider these both as sculptural pieces in your yard as well as functional places to get a shady seat.  Many times you will see an arbor used to support some vines or other flowering plants over a nice patio swing.  The same type of set up can be achieved by having a garden bench sitting patiently beneath one of these handsome arbors.

What Types Are There?

A perfect spot to sit and swing beneath a patio arbor.

An arbor may go by several other names, which we will briefly parse out here.  On Patio Covers Place, we use the term arbor to describe a wood or metal structure that typically has four posts and a cross-beam ‘roof’. They are much like a pergola, except that they are smaller in size and scale.  Occasionally, you will also hear the term trellises used to describe these structures.  A patio trellis, in our mind, is more of a two-dimensional structure that is meant to support smaller growing vines and is often mounted up against a wall or fence for added depth and dimension.

A patio arbor can also welcome you into your patio or garden space.  They may have an arched roof or top that serve as a door to your space.  You might find that they are usually constructed of wood.  Because of its ability to be crafted into many styles, wood is an easy choice.  Cedar and redwood make excellent choices for their ability to weather to a nice color and also stand up to the elements.

You can care for them by sealing and staining each year for a structure that will last you for years to come.  Metal arbors are also available.  Wrought iron is making a comeback in many outdoor home and garden designs and features.  This will also provide support for your plants and vines, all while adding a nice strength and timeless appearance to your garden space.  Whether you choose wood or metal, you really can’t go wrong with either choice of these patio arbors.

Photo credit

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Within the class of outdoor umbrellas – an ironic term since I can’t imagine why you would want an indoor one – are several smaller families of umbrellas.  These include poolside ones, offset or cantilever styles and the market umbrella.  We will discuss each of these here in a moment.  As you know, patio covers provide you some general shade for a specific area, but more ‘spot shading’ is really better accomplished with the selection of a great umbrella.

Styles of Patio Umbrellas

This is a wood and brass patio umbrella.

As mentioned, a patio umbrella is really just a name given to the fact that you use this one for your deck or patio.    It can be like having someone hold a shade up to block the sun just for you while you sip your cool drink and daydream about life always being like this.  A similar thing is true of naming the umbrella out by your pool.  Yup, you guessed it, it’s called a pool umbrella.  In effect, it is the same style of one you might use for your patio, with the exception that the materials used might be better suited for more water exposure.

Essentially, these styles are more classic of the market umbrella style.  It is so named because of its ubiquitous use throughout European open markets.  Now, these styles of umbrella can be found everywhere.  They are usually made with a straight pole, canopy and some type of stand.  Umbrellas stands for these can either be made of a heavy iron or a plastic base that can be filled with water or sand for weight.  The obvious reason for this is that you are trying to eliminate the danger of wind or other forces causing your umbrella to blow down or otherwise fall.  The heavier iron stands are more typical in restaurants, cafes and outdoor markets because they look nicer and have a smaller footprint or profile than the larger plastic types.  For home use, it is common to find the plastic ones that can be filled with whatever material you choose for weight.

Most market umbrellas have a fixed or rigid pole, but some have a tilt mechanism that can allow you to position the canopy to provide just the right angle for shade cover as the sun moves through the sky..  The shape and size of these umbrellas is typically in the 6’ to 10’ range for the canopy itself.  There are larger styles, but usually are custom ordered or can be accomplished with the next type of umbrella we will discuss.

Larger outdoor shades or umbrellas can be used if you need a greater amount of shade, but don’t want to commit to a fully built patio shade structure.  Here, we are talking about styles called cantilever umbrellas or offset umbrellas.  These are sometimes terms that are used interchangeably.  The basic point is, like the name suggests, an umbrella with a canopy that is offset from the base.  This allows for two things:  you can have more usable space beneath your umbrella and you can get more flexibility with shade positioning.  For example, let’s say that you are having a party out on your deck or patio and you would like to have as much free space for setting up or sitting as possible, an offset model is perfect for this application.  What you can do is set the base of the umbrella away from the table with food or the chairs you have set up and then the canopy can be positioned in such a way that your guests and/or food have it made in the shade, so to speak.

This is an example of the cantilever umbrella style.

Another option for a cantilever style is to mount the umbrella base to a fixed place like a wall or part of a more permanent building structure.  This allows for much more space freedom as you don’t have to worry about even where to position a base.  Now, keep in mind that with this style relocating it is a bit more of a chore, if even possible.     Photo credit

So, what are your options with fabrics and other umbrella materials?  Like most things related to your patio, quality will greatly affect your choices.  Fabric patterns range from simple to bold to anything in between.  If you want to make your patio look like a tropical island, there is an umbrella for that.  Sunbrella, a brand-name in outdoor fabrics, has UV resistance built in to their products.  Because of the way that the dye is added during the ‘wet’ stage of making this special acrylic fabric, the final product is fade resistant and wears well for years.

You can also find fabrics such as canvas and other vinyls that work well for an outdoor fabric that needs to withstand the elements of nature.  Other materials such as the wood and metal parts should be kept in mind as well.  Woods such as teak and properly treated softer woods can last fine outdoors.  The support members and attachment points to the canopy should be made of stainless steel, brass or aluminum for best results.  These will not only resist staining of your fabrics but will last longer than cheaper metal options.  Wind sheer is also an important thing to consider for both safety and longevity issues.  If you live in a windy region, you’ll need to ensure that you close your umbrella to make sure it stays in your yard.  As long as you follow the advice of proper maintenance and cleaning, your patio umbrella should last for many years.

To browse some more patio umbrellas or make a purchase, check out www.patioumbrellas.com

Photo credit (brass and wood umbrella above):

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