May 29 2009

Wood Patio Covers

Wood can rot if not properly treated and protected.

Wood can rot if not properly treated and protected.

When you think of all the beauty and elegance that wood patio covers provide both in terms of shade and ambiance, it is hard to think of not using it.  However, there are some things to consider when choosing wood for your covered patio.  First of all, you should determine where it is going to be situated in your yard.  If there is water that pools in that area, you either have a drainage issue or some type of sprinkler system sprays a fair amount of water in that area.  This can cause rotting of your wood and premature aging and possible necessary replacement.

Likewise, sun exposure can prematurely wear on your patio cover.  If it is stained and water sealed, you are in a better position than most, but you should still consider this dilemma.  Intense sun, like in the desert southwest, can cause your wood to dry out, splinter and weaken.  It may cause your structure to be weakened and dangerous over time.  Just a couple things to think about.

So, how does one deal with these problems of water issues?  The answer is simple, but the solution will not make you happy.  Because the last thing that you want to think about is more work when it comes to your patio, maintenance is  a dirty word.  This is exactly what we are talking about.  Like all things that naturally age and wear over time, your patio cover is no different.  Proper maintenance may be as easy as watching for insect damage and as involved as re-sealing and staining your entire structure.  This is only very labor intensive if you have a lot of damage that requires much sanding or other prep work prior to the staining job itself.

You could also eliminate some of this issue by getting a metal roof for your patio.  You can get them in copper, bronze, tin and steel and they will make your patio not only look even more elegant, but they last decades with little to no maintenance.  These metals will patina over time with exposure to the elements and add a wonderful element of charm to your patio space.

At the Patio Covers Place, we are very interested and passionate about patio designs that incorporate aspects of sustainable design and living elements.  There is no one product that is best for all applications, but strides made in the area of solar lighting and water conservation are great places to start when talking about outdoor patio designs.

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