Skip to content
Active Property Care

Active Property Care

Caring activity for your property passivity

Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Building Your Dream
  • How To Guides
  • Inside The Home
  • In the Garden
  • Latest
  • Must Reads
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • In the Garden
  • Why I Finally Caved and Got a Patio Cover (And Actually Love It)

Why I Finally Caved and Got a Patio Cover (And Actually Love It)

Brendan Berksaw February 24, 2025 4 min read
366
Image3

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. That’s when we came across Frisco pergola builders who specialize in creating custom outdoor structures to make patios more usable year-round.

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.

Image1

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).

Image2

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.

Continue Reading

Previous: Why Finding the Right Online Resource for Home and Garden Care is Important
Next: 5 Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This Spring

Trending Now

What Is Mortgage Pipeline Management and Why It Matters 1

What Is Mortgage Pipeline Management and Why It Matters

Brendan Berksaw May 9, 2025
Super Fun Bubbles: Check Out Sundance Spas at Take a Break Spas Image2 2

Super Fun Bubbles: Check Out Sundance Spas at Take a Break Spas

Lemar Serkmen May 8, 2025
Artificial Grass Materials -Durability and Design 3

Artificial Grass Materials -Durability and Design

Nysmaloria Zynthrix May 6, 2025
Choosing the Right Textures and Materials in Modern Home Accessories Image2 4

Choosing the Right Textures and Materials in Modern Home Accessories

Brendan Berksaw May 6, 2025
Streamlining Tenant Screening: The Case for Automation in Property Management Image3 5

Streamlining Tenant Screening: The Case for Automation in Property Management

Brendan Berksaw May 6, 2025
How to Sell an Inherited House Fast Without the Usual Stress Image1 6

How to Sell an Inherited House Fast Without the Usual Stress

Nysmaloria Zynthrix May 5, 2025

Related Stories

Artificial Grass Materials -Durability and Design
12 min read

Artificial Grass Materials -Durability and Design

Nysmaloria Zynthrix May 6, 2025 28
The Hidden Dangers of Asbestos in Older Calgary Homes Image3
4 min read

The Hidden Dangers of Asbestos in Older Calgary Homes

Brendan Berksaw March 28, 2025 208
The Timeless Charm of Vintage Garden Chairs Image1
6 min read

The Timeless Charm of Vintage Garden Chairs

Brendan Berksaw March 27, 2025 211
Service Dog Letter Image1
4 min read

Service Dog Letter

Nysmaloria Zynthrix March 25, 2025 220
5 Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This Spring Image1
3 min read

5 Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This Spring

Brendan Berksaw March 6, 2025 314
Why Finding the Right Online Resource for Home and Garden Care is Important Image2
4 min read

Why Finding the Right Online Resource for Home and Garden Care is Important

Brendan Berksaw January 24, 2025 495

more you may like

The Hazards of Spray Paint Fumes 1

The Hazards of Spray Paint Fumes

Brendan Berksaw August 7, 2022
Tried and Tested Methods For Opening Locked Doors 2

Tried and Tested Methods For Opening Locked Doors

Lemar Serkmen August 7, 2022
Trash can pull outs for every kitchen 3

Trash can pull outs for every kitchen

Lemar Serkmen August 7, 2022
Easy and fast method to get rid of stumps 4

Easy and fast method to get rid of stumps

Lemar Serkmen August 7, 2022
Growing Brussel Sprouts 5

Growing Brussel Sprouts

Brendan Berksaw April 5, 2022
Address: 444 Marenith Grove, Quarlis Springs, MQ 11223
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
© 2024 activepropertycare.com, All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT