The Pros & Cons of Covering Your Patio

Should you cover your patio with a shade structure? Adding shelter to your outdoor space can make it more functional, but it comes at a cost. Make the best choice for your home and family, weighing the pros and cons of covering your patio, from flexibility and comfort to cost and design limitations, with the help of outdoor living experts at Denver Pergola Systems.

The Benefits of Covered Patios

In what ways could a residential pergola investment pay off in your backyard?

Flexibility to use your patio in any weather.
With a covered patio, Denver area pop-up showers will never again send you running for cover. You can continue enjoying your outdoor space through the storm until inclement weather passes, just in time for an early evening cocktail, enjoying your outdoor space through the sunshine and rain.  

 
Improved comfort.

With StruXure louvered roof systems, you can quickly adapt to any weather, taking advantage of the sun’s warmth in cooler months, or adjusting louvers to the perfect amount of shade during hot summer afternoons. Integrating outdoor comfort features such as a built-in fan, patio misting system, an infrared heater, or motorized screens can further enhance comfort, increasing your ability to spend more time outdoors.

Patio protection.

Colorado’s high altitude sun and weather can quickly destroy unprotected furnishings and structures. Fortunately, the Akzo Nobel powder-coated finish of StruXure aluminum pergolas can stand up to the toughest outdoor conditions, protecting all things housed beneath, and extending their lifespan. Simply close the louvers on your remote controlled or manual system for shade protection, or program louvers with StruXure’s iLouver app on a schedule, adjusting them to shelter your patio at the hottest and brightest times of the day.

Lower energy bills and a more comfortable home.

Most homes have large glass doors or windows looking out onto the patio. These can allow a lot of sun into the interior of the home. With the influx of solar heat, your air conditioner will have to run more to maintain temperature. A StruXure can mitigate heat gain without obstructing your view, providing protection from the sun as needed, dropping the temperature of interior rooms 10-15 degrees in the heat of the day, reducing cooling needs and energy costs.

Added resale value and curb appeal.

A StruXure louvered roof system boosts value and curb appeal, offering a greater return-on-investment compared to wood pergolas. Permanent and extremely long-lasting, they add a unique touch, integrating your outdoor space into the architecture of your home, and increasing usable space to make your home feel larger. 

The Drawbacks of Covered Patios

Covered patios are more expensive.

StruXure pergola systems come at a price, from the cost of a small economy car, to the cost of a high-end, luxury car depending on system size and style. This is a double-edged sword, adding to the value of your home, but potentially leading to additional property tax expenses.

Some systems limit flexibility of use.

Though StruXure louvered roof system allows you to open and close louvers with up to 170-degrees of rotational flexibility, traditional fixed roof systems, wooden pergolas, and canopies leave you stuck one way or the other, fully exposed or fully covered. This lack of flexibility can be frustrating on lovely Denver days.

Design limitations. 

StruXure systems come in a variety of standard and custom colors, however, these may not match your tastes or your home’s architectural style. Our more economical options feature a more modern, industrial look, which may not match your preferences. Additional trim options and additions exist to make your system look more like a traditional wooden pergola, such as faux wood and architectural columns, but these come at an added cost.

 Space constraints.

People often feel like they have to house everything beneath their pergola. This can lead to a crowded space with limited functionality. Unless you have the budget to make it bigger, you should carefully consider how you are going to use that space primarily and plan accordingly. Is a 12x12 pergola adequate for what you want to have covered? Or is adding another $5k-10 extension worth it for you? Like buying a home, this is a forever project. You are only going to make this investment once, so consider it carefully, and stretch your budget.

Ensure lasting happiness with your patio shelter investment. Contact a pergola design professional at Denver Pergola Systems today.

This article was previously published at: http://www.denverpergolas.com/adjustable-residential-pergolas/the-pros-cons-of-covering-your-patio