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.

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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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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.

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Now, there are outdoor rooms with all sorts of styles and conveniences of modern living.  No longer do you have to ‘rough’ it outside and sit on uncomfortable furniture in the blazing summer heat.  Some things just cannot be removed.  If you are trying to make summer not feel like summer in some areas of the country, good luck.  However, you can make your experience outdoors much more enjoyable.  Take temperature issues just as one example.

A beautiful looking outdoor room set up.

One of the most critical features of any outdoor patio room is going to be shade in the daytime and a sense of protection and coziness in the evening.  For shade, there are things like patio covers, awnings and blinds or curtains if you want a softer and more exotic look.  There are really no rules to these things.  Sure, outdoor landscape designers and decorators can give you some great ideas for what your possibilities are, but if your space fits your needs, then you are doing it right.

Another great feature you can add to your patio space is a misting system. These are nothing more than a tubing system that has nozzles placed evenly along the line that sprays out a fine mist of water to cool your patio space.  They are reported to be able to cool a patio area by as much as 30 degrees.  Part of this effect is the perceived cooling it provides.  The smaller the water droplets that come out, the better the effect.  The droplets hit your skin and then evaporate.  It is this evaporation that creates the cool sensation.  Larger droplets mean slower evaporation.

Now, as far as that evening entertaining goes, the critical component is your outdoor lighting.  This is what will create the ambiance.  While flood lights will throw a lot of light, they will not provide any sort of spot lighting for more intimate settings or gatherings.  Your outdoor room needs light just like any indoor room in your home.  When you have both spot and flood lighting options, then you can create more of a mood.

A final key feature to your outdoor entertaining in the evening is heating.  If we are talking about the fall or spring, patio heaters can solve your problems.  For the most part, you can get by with one of these and solve any issues with your patio being too cold to be comfortable.  A typical floor-mounted patio heater that is fueled by propane will be adequate for about a 10-15 foot diameter.

You can also go for a more intimate setting using an outdoor patio fireplace.  These are quite portable and available in a number of different styles and sizes.  They are very similar to a firepit, but are less permanent.  You can achieve a more quaint gathering around a natural wood fire than you will on a patio with a propane heater.  Although, you can also get a patio firepit table that can give you both a small crackling fire with the convenience of an outdoor table to sit at.  Again, the choices and accessories for your patio are almost endless.  If you can imagine it, it is probably available somewhere online.  And, if it is, it is probably talked about here at Patio Covers Place, where outdoor rooms and other patio living ideas are our passion.

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One thing is for sure, an outdoor room is slowly becoming the status symbol of choice for homeowners across the nation.  If you live in a climate that allows for almost year-round patio living, then you know how great of an escape

Here is a unique looking outdoor patio room with a tree in the center.

it can be.  Not only can you enjoy the patio in the summer, when the sun is beating down and you’ve got it made in the shade, but also in the evenings as well.  An outdoor patio room is a great way to entertain guests and have family dinners.

When the weather is right, there is no better place to dine than in the outdoors.  With outdoor dining furniture what it is, you can have as elegant or casual a setting as you like.  If your space is properly set up, you can spend hours with guests just relaxing and catching up on life.  When you start to get a chill, just fire up that patio heater or outdoor fireplace.  These make for different kinds of settings, one more ‘proper’ and the other one is a bit more quaint and intimate.  You just can’t replace that feeling and sound of a real crackling wood fire.  However, it is true that in some city ordinances, there are times of the year called ‘no burn’ days.  These days are when outdoor fires are not permitted due to high ozone pollution alerts.

An outdoor room is something that can be enclosed like traditional sunrooms or left open to the elements.  With the types of accessories that are available now, an outdoor screen room can be just as plush, convenient and comfortable as any indoor space.  There were times when things were a bit more sparse for your outdoor spaces and patio pleasures.  This is just not the case anymore.  If you’d like to expand your knowledge of what is available now, go to Patio Covers Place.  They have a passion for not only ideas for designing and covering your patio, but for all the things you need to make your outdoor patio room feel like a room in your home.

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This is a floor-mounted patio heater.

At one time, patio heaters were more available for commercial purposes and not suited well for the residential owner.  Whether it was cost, size or application, the patio heater was something you only saw at your favorite restaurant’s outdoor patio or at large outdoor events.  All this has changed with the introduction of the types of portable patio heaters we are discussing here.  There are floor-stand styles and other table-top versions.  The typical floor-standing patio heater is capable of heating an area approximately 10-15’ in diameter.  They use propane fuel, in most cases, to burn at about 40,000 BTU throwing a very comfortable amount of heat.  They also have settings so you can control the amount of heat it is giving off.  At full high heat, a typical propane patio heater will last about 8-10 hours.

Your patio may not be that large in size, so you may not require a heater that is capable of this heat output.  For smaller applications and spaces, there is the table-top patio heater that was mentioned above.  This style is exactly as it sounds, it sits atop a table or shelf that provides more local heat to a smaller group of people.  This can give you a nicer and more cozy feel to your patio gathering.  Who knows, maybe you are just spending some time out there with your significant other and don’t need to be heating a large space.  There are no rules against both of these types of patio heaters on your patio at once.  In this way, they could act much like a patio shade and a patio umbrella do.  One provides large shade cover, one is a bit more ‘spot’ specific.  You could have the floor-stand one blasting out its heat for your whole space and find that there are little nooks and pockets on your patio that your table top heater could hit more effectively, all while saving you more in terms of fuel costs and wasted heat.

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If you thought chandeliers were only for indoor spaces, think again.  In fact, there are all sorts of rustic lighting

It just feels instantly more elegant with a chandelier - even outside.

options that may suit your patio space.  Some of these patio light options include rope or string lights.  The rope style is sometimes referred to as deck lights, because of how they can be mounted along a railing or perimeter of a deck.  There are also styles that are more playful or whimsical and can be hung from your patio cover or other outdoor patio structure.  You might even find that your patio umbrella can be used as a source of light – at least in so far as the umbrella structure can support different lighting options.

But, for truly elegant lighting and a grand outdoor space, you’ve got to look into getting an outdoor chandelier.  These are not just indoor models that you no longer care about so you stick them outside.  These varieties have been manufactured to withstand the conditions of water and other issues with the elements, such as temperature and dust.  Imagine your patio as a type of outdoor room.  This room, just like others in your home, has a roof, floor and walls.  Okay, sometimes the walls are more a hint of a wall, like posts upon which some outdoor curtains or shades have been hung.  The floor can be stone or pavers and may be softened by the use of an outdoor rug.

The use of quality outdoor dining furniture will also help to create the mood of the space in question.  If you use top of the line furniture, your lighting will only serve to accent that and make your space shine even more.  So, enough talk about why a chandelier makes such a great addition to your outdoor room, how about some specifics.

The style of chandelier that you choose will be directly related to how you plan on using your space.  Like all accessories, you will get the most benefit if the type of lighting you choose matches your entertaining style.  These outdoor chandeliers we are speaking about are also available with shades, so you are not limited to the pendant drops and crystal styles.  Again, in all circumstances, remember to ensure that any outdoor light you choose is approved for outdoor use, has sealed electrical circuitry and is appropriately grounded.  You can get additional protection from having your switch in a rubberized ‘envelope’ with a heavier gauge outdoor cord.  These things should all come standard on any outdoor chandelier.

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Before choosing the right material for your patio cover designs, you must first decide how you will use your patio.  There are many uses for a backyard patio from a dining area, a sort of spa retreat complete with a hot tub, or a private secluded haven.  The use of the patio will help you come up with realistic patio cover plans that will help you make the best use of your space.  When you are brainstorming covered patio ideas, remember there is not just one kind.  There are a variety of patios and each serves its own purpose.  Patios include open patios, patio or sunrooms, poolside patios, retreat patios and entry patios.  Review the specs of these patios to decide on which will utilize your space and suit to be most beneficial to your lifestyle.

Now that you have chosen to proceed with your idea, you must make patio cover plans such as where in your backyard you would like it built and how many people it will need to comfortably sit.  These factors will have a large influence on the size and designing of your patio.  Remember the small details, because every little bit counts.  Adding patio accessories such as patio furniture, the flooring of the patio, patio doors and a hideaway deck box, are all important and decorative features you should consider.  Most importantly is the patio roofing design.

As stated before, patio covers and roofs can be made out of many materials.  Aluminum and acrylic patio covers may not be as aesthetically pleasing as some, however they require much less maintenance and they are very affordable.  Natural wood covers create a very refined patio and can compliment any design, however they are quite a bit more costly to install and to maintain because the wood must be weatherproofed and treated often to prevent water damage.  For the best of both worlds, there are artificial wood grained or synthetic covered patio designs.  These designs offer the charm of natural wood, and the durability and limited upkeep of an acrylic or aluminum cover.

Whatever your needs, there are patio cover designs for you.  Whether you are creating the ultimate getaway in your backyard, or just a plain and simple outside dining area, you can find a charming design to fit your whole family’s taste.

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The reason that your patio space will look better with time is because of your landscaping and other elements that you add to liven up the place.  A brand new patio looks, well, brand new.  If you want yours to have a little old-world charm and distinguishing characteristics you can either wait for a period of years or you can get the look from the early on stages.  Now, you can’t necessarily rush the growing of your plants and vines, but you can affect how the hardscape looks.

Hardscape simply refers to those things that are part of your landscape or backyard design elements that are built or are manmade.  For example, your patio cover is a type of hardscape element.  It blends into your landscape design but also requires little in the way of maintenance, pruning, watering, etc.  The same thing is true about your actual patio itself.

You can have a simple concrete foundation poured and call it a patio, but this certainly lacks some much needed character.  Besides, if you have a patio paver walkway or other type of custom brick design, then you’ll get a much better blended feel if your patio brings this theme all the way around.

Patio pavers are the building blocks of good design.  This is a somewhat general term for the several styles available.  Pavers for patio construction come in both natural stone styles, brick looks or in cast concrete.  There is another category of pavers known as interlocking pavers.  The name comes from the fact that they have a symmetrical shape that are meant to be put together with others of similar shape to create an overall design.  Most places where you get your materials will even have a chart to help show you what types of patio paver designs or patterns you can create with these and also how many you can expect to need based upon your measurements of square footage.

Most of these interlocking ones are concrete patio pavers that can be colored shades of reds, browns and tans.  When all put together, they form a nice blended color palette.  The same thing is true of the brick patio pavers.  While these may be the familiar maroon colored brick, you can also find a brick shape that is made of these cast concrete stone looking styles.  The bricks can be laid in a herringbone pattern which has a nice and sophisticated look or a simple basket weave or butted joint type of pattern as well.  There really is no right or wrong way to pick your design, the key steps are with installation.  Another great thing about having a paver installation is that you can be comfortable with some type of outdoor fireplace and not worry about a fire risk.

Installing Your Patio Pavers

As mentioned, installation is the most critical part of this process.  If you are relying on your patio to be a firm foundation for years to come, you must make sure that it is graded properly.  For drainage purposes, you should have a degree of incline away from your home.  It doesn’t take much to get the water to drain away from your home’s foundation.

All climates and city building codes vary, so consult with your local professional to determine if you need to take any further steps before continuing here.  Once you’ve determined that you are clear to begin, you’ll need to dig out the area where you plan to lay your pavers.  Plan on having a 6” space around the edge of the area you plan to lay, that way you have some room to work and wiggle as you go.  You’ll appreciate this later.

Once you get the basic area dug, you’ll be adding in the base layer of stone or sand.  If you have a large area to build up, go with the decomposed granite to get the height up.  Then, you’ll use the sand as a base layer upon which your pavers will be set.  The process of leveling the sand – critical step – is called screed boarding or screeding.  It basically consists of laying down 1” PVC or rigid metal tube, pouring in the sand and leveling it.  The screeding step is to pull a board perpendicular to these tubes and pull toward you.  This will level the sand to the tubes and give you a nice 1” base layer to lay your pavers on.

Once you’ve got this part finished, you can begin laying in your patio pavers.  If you are making an old cobblestone looking walkway or patio, you can be a bit more haphazard or random with the selection of each paver.  If you are going for a more uniform look, like with bricks for a herringbone appearance, you’ll need to be a bit more precise.  Most newer concrete pavers have built-in spacers to them, so you just place them right up to one another.  Some older bricks are smooth on all edges so you’ll need to leave some space for the sand to fill the joints later.

What About A Flagstone Patio?

The process is very similar whether you are laying brick pavers or flagstone.  The only difference is in the thickness of the flagstone itself and the way that it is set into the sand or decomposed granite or crushed rock as it is sometimes called.  Because of the way that the flagstone is shaped in nature, it naturally has a non-uniform surface.  Laying it flat on a smooth concrete surface would reveal this.

So, when you are going to use flagstone for a patio or walkway, it needs to be set properly to avoid rocking and breaking due to uneven pressure.  Also, there are different grades of flagstone.  If you just plan on light use then ‘walk on’ grade is acceptable – usually measures ¾” to 1- 1/2” thick.  Thicker than that and you are into ‘patio grade’ which is rated for heavier use and placement of patio furniture and the like.  Once you’ve got the right thickness, you can begin laying it out.

Flagstone comes in odd shapes and sizes for a more organic looking pattern.  You simply lay your crushed rock or sand down in about 1” thickness and then work your flagstone into it by sliding it a bit back and forth and side to side.  You can gently tap some spots with a rubber mallet to nudge it into the base layer as well.  Be careful because it is very easy to crack and split with too much force on an uneven lie.

With both the flagstone patio or paver patio, you’ll need to finish the joints in some way to complete this project.  Simple mortar sand can be used to fill the cracks and swept over it at a 45 degree angle.  Then water it to let the sand settle and repeat until you have sand filling the joints.  For wider joints like with the flagstone, you can also grow some moss or other fine living material between it.  As we first mentioned, these little touches can make your patio look even more charming and aged than it really is.

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Your average sized patio will need multiple blinds if you want complete protection and privacy. Most patios have somewhere between 4 and 8 openings, and each one will need its own blind. The beauty of this is, you can decide which ones you want open, and which ones should be closed. You can still block out that harsh heat (or that neighbors sticky beak), while benefiting from that southerly breeze from the other side.

Bamboo is one of the best materials that you could use on your patio, as it is incredibly durable, and environmentally friendly. This is why bamboo flooring is so popular and versatile.  Many people don’t realize just how strong this material is. As a matter of fact, bamboo, in

An example of an outdoor bamboo blind.

many cases, is even stronger than wood, has the ability to withstand the extreme conditions that a patio is subjected to, without having to constantly treat the blinds to keep them in good condition. From an environmental standpoint, the best thing about bamboo is the fact that it is such an incredibly renewable resource. Bamboo grows many times faster than wood, this means a higher turnover for the farmer, a smaller price tag for you, the customer, and the crops are replenished in a fraction of the time, when compared to wood. With all the talk you hear about global warming and holes in the ozone layer, the less old growth forests that are used in our homes the better.

One of the biggest benefits of having a patio is that it allows you to relax in comfort, while still enjoying the outdoors. Many people don’t realize until it’s too late, that installing fabric, vinyl or steel blinds or shutters on their patio can quite often ruin this characteristic and turn your patio into just another room of your house. Bamboo, with its natural grains and organic look, creates the privacy and protection you are looking for, without taking away from the joy of being outdoors.

If you are on a tight budget, then bamboo blinds are the perfect option. You will find that there is no cheaper material to be found in the world of patio blinds, and you can save even more by doing your shopping online. Because web based stores have fewer overheads, they will more often than not pass these savings on to you. Not only will they save you a packet in the initial purchase, but they are extremely easy to install. This means that you can save even more by grabbing your drill and screwdriver out of the garage and installing them yourself.

Once they are installed, you will need to keep in mind that they should be rotated on a regular basis. I like to rotate mine every three months or so. The reason for this is that one side of the blinds will see a lot more sunlight over time than the other side, and the blinds will start to fade over time. Flipping them around on a regular basis will ensure that the fading happens more gradually and evenly over the whole blind.

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