The Many Materials Patio Covers Can Be Made From

There are literally hundreds of varieties of patio covers on the market today, and even more options if you decide to create a custom cover for your home.  Patio covers work very well to protect you and your patio furniture from the sun and rain.  Different varieties of covers include arbors, pergolas, canopies, retractable awnings, and gazebos.  These are all made from different materials, which I will discuss for the duration of this article.

Canopies are generally made from fabric.  Many people buy them because they are very inexpensive and can be found in an array of colors and designs, meaning you will surely find one that will match your patio nicely.  However, they are not as sturdy as other materials and could rip in a severe storm.  Fabric is normally used for retractable awnings, so if you are dead-set on a retractable model, you will have to deal with fabric as your material.

Aluminum is another very popular material that covers are made from.  They are inexpensive compared to come other materials, but will cost you more than fabric will.  They are incredibly durable and should hold up for years, leaving you with small maintenance expenses.  They can also be bought in different colors.  The main downside to them is that they do not look as elegant as other materials do, as they can sometimes look cheap.

The most elegant patio cover material is generally considered to be wood.  Pergolas, arbors, and gazebos are all made from wood.  You can install a full cover made of wood or a partial cover, which most people do.  Partial covers do not fully protect you from the weather, but vines can be grown onto them to shield you from the sun.  Wood is quite durable and is probably the best looking material to make a cover from.  However, you will spend a lot of money because wood is an expensive material and most wooden covers are custom, meaning you will have to design it with a professional and have them install it for you.

Other popular cover materials are vinyl and metal, which have similar characteristics to aluminum.  Make sure to shop all of these options and think about what you want to get out of your cover before making a purchase, so that you will know that you made the right decision.