Patio Roof Structure

Function

• A patio roof protects you from inclement weather while providing privacy from peering eyes on upper floors. It can block the sun and lower the temperature, allowing you to relax comfortably on hot days while preventing the fading of furniture and prolonging the life of your patio upholstery. During wet weather, it keeps you dry by shedding snow and rain away, allowing you to enjoy the patio even during imperfect weather.

Features

• Many patio roofs are constructed with a slant to easily shed precipitation. To allow the sun to shine on your patio during cool temperatures while maintaining the ability to recover the patio when needed, temporary structures, retractable awnings and those with removable or adjustable panels, provide flexible coverage. In many areas with mild climates and mostly dry, sunny days, a trellis or arbor type structure is all that's needed. These allow you to grow vines across the top, and they provide sun and light rain protection while adding living color to your patio.

Types

• Many patio covers are constructed in an open design with weather-resistant and insect-resistant woods. Lattice panels or evenly spaced boards are often used to provide partial shade while allowing the sun to filter through. Fabric covers in the form of removable panels, a quick-setup fabric canopy or an adjustable awning provide the flexibility to cover the patio only when needed. For permanent structures, a wood framework is a common solution in which the roof is sheathed with wood panels and covered with shingles or metal to match the house roof.

Considerations

• Review local building codes for specific requirements and restrictions before beginning construction on a permanent roof structure. You might design your structure to complement the architecture and style of your home. Install shingles to match those on your house roof, and paint the structure in the same color as the house to blend it in seamlessly. Or choose a coordinating color to make the structure a standout feature.