I used to think patio covers were kind of lame, if I’m being honest. They reminded me of my grandparents’ house in Florida – you know, that flimsy aluminum awning that made weird pinging noises whenever it rained. But after spending another summer barely using our backyard (except for that one perfect week in May), my wife finally convinced me to look into it. Spoiler alert: I was totally wrong about patio covers, and now I’m that annoying neighbor who won’t shut up about their “outdoor living space.”
Let me back up a bit. We bought our house five years ago, and the previous owners had built this gorgeous patio. Like, seriously nice stonework, built-in bench, the whole nine yards. But we barely used it because it was either too hot, too wet, or covered in leaves. One particularly frustrating Saturday, after setting up for a BBQ and then having to rush everything inside because of an unexpected shower (thanks a lot, weather app), we started googling solutions.
Here’s what I’ve learned after way too many hours researching patio covers and finally installing one last spring:
First off, forget everything you think you know about patio cover kits. They’re not just glorified umbrellas anymore. Our neighbors down the street have this gorgeous wooden one that looks like it belongs in a fancy wine country restaurant. The couple across the way went with something super modern – sleek lines, built-in LED lighting, the works. And yeah, there are still aluminum ones, but they’ve come a long way since the 70s.
Money talk (because that’s what I really wanted to know when I started looking): You can do this on pretty much any budget, but – like most home projects – you get what you pay for. We ended up spending about $3,500 total, including installation. Could we have done it cheaper? Sure. Could we have spent way more? Oh yeah. I saw some setups that cost more than my first car.
Installation was… interesting. Quick tip: if your wife suggests doing it yourself to save money, and your only experience with home improvement is assembling IKEA furniture, maybe reconsider. We started going the DIY route and quickly realized we were in over our heads. Called a contractor halfway through day two. Best decision ever. Though I did learn some colorful new vocabulary words trying to level those first few posts.
The whole permit thing was kind of a pain (our city’s building department moves at the speed of molasses), but I’m glad we did it properly. Our neighbor tried to skip that step and ended up having to redo part of his installation. Expensive lesson.
Real talk about what it’s actually like having a patio cover:
The good stuff: We use our patio ALL THE TIME now. Like, I’m writing this from our patio right now, in February, with a space heater humming nearby. The kids do their homework out here. We’ve had dinner parties that didn’t end in mad dashes inside. My patio furniture isn’t slowly fading into sad, washed-out versions of their former selves.
The annoying stuff: Birds really like patio covers. Like, REALLY like them. We’ve had to get creative with deterrents. Also, you’ll need to clean it occasionally, which involves a ladder and some questionable reaching angles. And if you get snow where you live, that’s something you’ll need to think about (ask me how I learned that lesson).
Some random tips that nobody told me but I wish they had:
- Get samples of the roofing material and look at them at different times of day. What looks great at noon might create weird shadows in the evening.
- Think about where water will go when it rains. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t.
- If you’re thinking about adding lights or fans later, run the electrical before finishing the cover. Trust me on this one.
- Your grill needs more clearance than you think. Smoke gets trapped in weird ways under a patio cover.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. It’s completely changed how we use our outdoor space. My only regret is not doing it sooner. Well, that and letting my brother-in-law convinced me we could totally handle the installation ourselves. Some things are worth paying for.
The funny thing is, now I’m the one talking up patio covers to anyone who’ll listen. Last weekend, I caught myself giving an impromptu presentation about roof pitch and drainage to our new neighbors. My wife just rolled her eyes and went inside to get more drinks. But seriously – if you’re on the fence about getting a patio cover, just do it. Your future self will thank you, especially during that next surprise rainstorm.
Oh, and if you’re wondering about property values and all that – yeah, it probably helps. Our realtor friend says well-done outdoor spaces are big selling points these days. But honestly? That’s just a bonus. The real value is in actually using your outdoor space instead of just looking at it through the window and thinking “maybe when the weather’s better.”
Just remember: measure twice, check your local building codes, and don’t try to DIY it if your construction experience consists entirely of successfully building a birdhouse that one time in seventh grade. Unless you enjoy character-building experiences. In that case, go for it – just keep your phone charged to record the inevitable “learning opportunities” for posterity.
