- Patio covers are permanent structures over patios that provide protection from the elements.
- Pros of patio covers include better shade and energy efficiency, better protection for patio furniture, and increased home value.
- Get your next patio cover installed by the experts at Sunesta of OKC.
How many times have you wanted to sit back and enjoy the summer air at your home, but when you go outside you are simply pelted by the sun? Or maybe you want to watch a storm come in without getting wet? Having a shade over your patio is almost essential to being able to enjoy your outdoor space year round. From the unforgiving sun in the summer to never ending showers in the spring, patio covers are a perfect way to complete any outdoor space and allow you to enjoy it despite the elements. A beautifully designed patio cover not only provides protection from the elements, but also helps create a truly unique space for socializing, and can even add to the value of your home! Pros of a patio cover outweigh the cons, we think. Keep reading to make that decision for yourself.
What Is A Patio Cover
Patio Cover is an umbrella term for structures that are built over a patio or porch to protect it from the elements. Patio Covers are typically a more permanent and sturdy solution to covering your porch. They attach to your house, and can significantly improve the value of your home while also providing plenty of protection from sun, rain, sleet, and snow. There are many shapes and sizes of patio covers that can be made from wood, aluminum, fiberglass, etc. They can also be heavily customized to fit the style of your home.
How Is A Patio Cover Different From An Awning
A patio cover differs from an awning in a few key areas. First of all, an awning is less permanent than a patio cover. Although awnings are still fixed to the house, they typically cannot support much if any weight and can be more easily damaged by hail or wind. Since they are not permanent structures, some types of awnings also have the added benefit of being able to retract. A patio cover will ultimately last much longer since it is a permanent structure.
What Are The Pros Of Patio Covers
There are many pros of patio covers that go beyond just offering shade. Patio covers offer a way to ensure that you and your patio stay protected from all nature has to throw at you. However, they do have some minor drawbacks that you should always consider before deciding to install one.
Better Shade & Energy Efficiency
The main purpose of a patio cover is to provide shade during the hot and sunny days of the year. A permanent patio cover will soak up a lot of the heat from the sun above as well as block out UV rays from above. The added benefit of this is that it keeps the sun from flooding into your home and warming everything up. A patio cover can actually make it easier to keep your home cool, and can save you money on your energy bills!
Provides Protection From Weather
In addition to protecting from the sun, a patio cover also protects against other types of weather. Many people like to buy expensive patio furniture and other things like televisions and firepits to complete their patio space. These items will degrade much faster if they are exposed to rain, snow, and hail. A patio cover offers protection not only for you during a storm, but also for everything on your patio.
Completes An Outdoor Living Space
Creating a covered outdoor patio essentially expands the footprint of your home outdoors. You can host parties and cookouts outside in any weather conditions. You can also use your outdoor space as a comfortable and quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Increased Home Value
Patio covers are not only highly functional, but can also provide an added boost to your home value as well. Well designed patio covers will be a highly attractive feature if you ever decide to sell your home. In a survey done by HomeLight, they found that if you installed a new patio cover for $3,269, it would bring a $3,563 increase in your home’s value. That works out to a 109% return on investment!
What Are The Cons Of Patio Covers
Although patio covers are a fantastic way to provide protection from the elements while adding space and value to your home, they do have a few minor drawbacks. It is important that you consider these factors before you install a patio cover and weigh your options accordingly.
Routine Maintenance
Any outdoor structure that is constantly exposed to the harmful effects of the sun, wind, rain and hail will need maintenance to keep them in good condition. Depending on the materials and design of the structure, more or less maintenance might be required annually. However, it’s worth mentioning that since patio covers are permanent structures, they will always be more robust than awnings or other temporary shade structures.
Doesn’t Stop Humidity or Wind
A patio cover does an amazing job at protecting your space from elements that come down from the sky, like rain and sun. However, they only protect the porch on one side. While the house is on one or more sides of the patio cover, this leaves the other sides open to the outside air. Since your patio is still open to the outside, it will not have the benefit of air conditioners or dehumidifiers. Additionally, wind can still blow onto the patio and disturb you or your furniture. You will still get protection from most of the elements, but wind and humidity are factors to consider in certain climates.
Less Natural Light Inside Home
One of the benefits of patio covers is how much they mitigate the sun’s heating effects on your home, saving you on energy costs. However, this has the trade off of letting less natural light in as well. It’s worth noting that light will still be let in from the open sides of the porch, but it will be significantly less than the light let in from a window without a shade over it. In the end, the amount of natural light is still noticeable and diminished. Careful planning of the placement of patio covers can help strike a balance between blocking out the sun and letting in light to save you money and keep you comfortable.
County Permits
Some larger and more substantial patio covers may require you to acquire a permit before you can begin installing it. It is important that you do your research on your local zoning requirements and building codes before you break ground on a patio cover. There may be time or monetary costs associated with getting the necessary permits, so be sure to factor that into your budget and project timeline if applicable.
Who Is Sunesta Of OKC
Sunesta is the #1 custom awning and retractable screen company in the OKC area. They are a local dealer who specializes in creating beautiful and long lasting patio covers and shade structures for every outdoor space. Every one of their awnings is made of the best materials, and is manufactured in America. They offer a huge variety of custom fabrics and colors, and they will design a shade structure that perfectly complements your space. Every one of their installations come with a 10 year warranty, which is one of the best in the industry!
Choose Sunesta Of OKC For Your Patio Cover
Now you know both the cons and pros of patio covers, you can make an informed decision on whether or not the pros of patio covers is enough to invest in one for yourself. If you are looking to create an outdoor space that you can enjoy for years to come, start planning your patio cover today with Sunesta of OKC. We have years of experience installing custom designed patio covers for all shapes and sizes of patios and porches. Our installations are quick and cost effective, typically taking less than three weeks to complete. You can begin planning your awning with Sunesta of OKC by visiting our website to browse our products and view our past projects. If you are ready to start designing your patio cover today, you can contact us for a free estimate. Days of relaxation in the shade await with an eye-catching patio cover!
If you’re looking for a way to improve the comfort, energy efficiency, and overall aesthetic of your home, consider investing in a Sunesta Patio Cover today by visiting our Sunesta website to find the perfect addition for your home. Not only do we have patio covers, we also carry window awnings, door awnings, retractable screens for your patio, and all the awning accessories you could ever want to enjoy your days & nights in your backyard. Check out Sunesta OKC and enhance your outdoor living area.
Phone: (405) 842-1991
Location: 919 NW 80th St, OKC, OK 73114
