Patio Planning Guide

Alumawood Patio

Aluminum is an excellent material to build with. Even the best wood patios will require maintenance, and have an average life of about ten years. Aluminum, on the other hand, does not attract termites, won’t burn, crack, or warp, or peel. Most manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty, some are even transferable. Aluminum has all the benefits of real wood, but none of the problems… and it is cheaper. This is the reason you see so many aluminum patios and ads.

What is “Alumawood”?

Alumawood is a trademark of Amerimax Corporation. Alumawood is essentially aluminum with a faux wood finish. Many other manufacturers offer a similar product, but are not supposed to call it alumawood. Many contractors that build Alumwood patio covers with Amerimax products, and many others use the name without permission. Others are more creative; I’ve heard “aluma wood”, “alumnawood”, “aluminawood” and “alumiwood.” They all mean the same thing!

Metals USA uses the trademarks “Elitewood” and “Ultra-Lattice”, which is a very similar product.

How much does it cost?

Aluminum products are slightly more expensive than wood, but you might be surprised that an aluminum patio cover will average about half the cost of a similar size and style wood cover. Aluminum patios can be built without the footers required with wood patios. Workmans compensation is more expensive for carpentry than aluminum. The labor cost is lower because aluminum patios can be installed in about one third of the time it takes to build a wood patio. Costs vary greatly depending on size, material, quality of contractors, style, and any extras. Anywhere between $9 and $35 per square foot can be expected. The permits are also cheaper, at $120 to $300, and can usually be obtained in one day. This will vary by your city, county, and state.

Customization

There are three main styles of patio cover:
Solid- Solid covers offer full shade. They keep the rain out, and can be enclosed with modular panels for all seasons. There are V-panel and W-panel covers that offer full shade, generally used with mobile homes and commercial buildings. Beams for lighting and fans can be installed.
Insulated- An insulated cover is just a thicker, insulated version of the solid cover. Like the insulation in your home, it keeps cooler or warmer longer than a solid cover would. Standard thicknesses are 3″, 4″, and 6″. Insulated covers also have the added benefit of accommodating electrical work easily, so fans and lighting can be added. Insulated covers can support more of a load. You can walk on them, and shingles can be added to match your home.

Lattice- The term lattice can apply to fencing, pergolas, and other surfaces, but a latticed patio cover is supported overhead and gives partial shade to your patio. Larger spaces between the slats allows for more and less shade, standard spacing options give 50%, 60%, and 70% shade. These patios do not protect from rain, but they do create a well lit natural environment that is considerably cooler than no cover at all. Many prefer the lattice covers because of the natural lighting.

Further customization includes: column styles, sizes and shapes, multi-level covers, wraparound covers, colors and finishes, and where and how the cover attaches to your home. Many contractors carry licenses for windows and doors. Of course, the concrete or brickwork under the cover can be any number of different styles. All of these will affect the price of your cover.

Homeowners Associations

Most HOAs will allow aluminum patio covers, but some will only allow lattice and not solid or insulated covers. Check with your CCRs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) to be sure before getting too far in your planning.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, we encourage you to comment below and we promise to answer your questions quickly.

In yesterday’s post I had you build a wish list for your patio. If you haven’t done that, I would start there. Now that you have a picture in your head, it’s time to find examples, and to give it a name. There are a few different styles, and like anything else they have their individual upsides and downsides. In almost ALL cases, you’re going to need to pour a concrete foundation, so I’ll start with that.

Most patio surfaces are concrete or cement. The concrete slab is usually poured over several inches of gravel. Some builders can do full masonry, add coloring, add glosses and finishes, lay down brick or stone, create intricate textures and stamps. Working with concrete in California requires a C8 license, We’re going into much detail on concrete in a later post.

Patio Covers- solid, insulated, lattice, and wood

Most patio covers are on a concrete slab and are built out of durable aluminum. Often the aluminum is pressed and painted to look like real wood. The aluminum manufacturers offer solid covers, insulated covers, and lattice covers. I will cover wood versus aluminum in another post shortly.

• Solid- Solid covers will block out all sunlight and create a solid shadow that moves across your patio throughout the day. They keep the rain out, and can actually be enclosed with modular panels. Another post will discuss enclosing a patio cover.
• Insulated- An insulated cover is just a thicker, insulated version of the solid cover. Some are better than others, and you can vary the thickness. Most insulated covers also have the added benefit of accommodating electrical work easily, so fans and lighting can be added.
• Lattice- The term lattice can apply to fencing, pergolas, and other surfaces, but a latticed patio cover is supported overhead and gives partial shade to your patio. Larger spaces between the slats allows for more and less shade to your liking. These patios do not protect from rain, but they do create a well lit natural environment that is considerably cooler in hot weather.

Car Ports

Usually aluminum solid cover. The driveway accounts for the surface. Width Varies from about 6′ to 12′ and length about 10′ to 20′ on average. Cost is minimal, low maintenance, low risk of damage (unless you live with a horrible driver heh.), and super fast to install or move. It… protects your car from bad weather, and you getting in it. These are not only used for cars, so don’t limit your imagination by its name.

Sun Rooms

Generally speaking, a room attached to your house is an outside room addition, but a Sunroom is one with wide windows or other glass panels allowing for ample sunlight. Other names include a sunspace, rumpus room, Florida room, Three Seasons and Four Seasons Rooms. Unlinke an open or covered patio, most appraisers consider an enclosed space to be part of the square footage of the home. Sunrooms do not have to be attached to your house. For example a greenhouse, playhouse, or shed. With proper heating and cooling, these rooms can be used in all seasons comfortably. Most sunrooms can be used as an office, dining room, garden room, play room, game room, greenhouse, or just a winter-warm and summer-cool patio with a view.

Open Patios

An outside deck or patio without a roof. Open to plenty of sunlight. Often closed in with fencing or gardening. If you like lots of sun or have many plants, an open space can be very flexible and affordable. Landscaping, furniture, and umbrellas or awnings will make this space stand out.

Paths include walkways, driveways, pool decks, and sidewalks. I add them to this category because they do not generally include an overhead structure.

Gardens and Relieved Patios

Gardens need plenty of sunlight and water, but can be an excellent place to relax. Retreats are hidden ares, away from the commotion of the house, usually tucked in behind some landscaping or trees. This is your escape, a quiet zen place you go to relax. Usually not attached to the house.

Gardens, Reliefs, Open Patios, and Paths often tie together in a design.

Entryways

A porch in the front is a common type of entryway. It is important to have a clear path to the door, and good lighting. An overhang above the door will keep you dry while you search for your keys.

Landscaping will make or break an entryway, so make sure to have plenty of plants. Do not neglect your front yard, as it is the first thing people see when they visit your home.

Awnings, Umbrellas, and Retractables

Canvas Awnings and Umbrellas block out full shade. A low budget shade solution, flexible, easy to install, usually less permanent. Robust, well built products may be able to withstand weathering. If you live in a harsh climate (especially win), a more permanent structure might be a better investment.

Did I miss anything? Have Questions? Leave a comment!

Make sure you take a BEFORE picture, so you can show off the change you’ve made. It is especially rewarding for all you do-it-yourselfers out there. This post is all about the AFTER.

Imagining Your Dream Patios, in all Seasons

It may be November, but imagine for a second that it’s a sunny day in the middle of a heat stroke. This is probably the reason you’re building your patio, so the summer is important to consider. It’s hot outside and you want to cool down. Where do you want to be? What do you want to do? What do you need? How can you make the best of your patio?

My patio

I’ll tell you what I’d want. In southern California where I live, it could be over 100 degrees. I would want a thickly insulated patio with fans underneath, or possibly an enclosed space I could crank the A/C and still enjoy the sunny day and open a window for the breeze. I’d want a refrigerator nearby and I’d like to be relaxing reading a book or working on my laptop in a comfortable chair, with cupholders. I’d like to be able to see my yard and the sky and have plants nearby. I’d like there to be shade in the afternoon. At night I want to be able to light it as if it were day.

I should not only consider my patio in the near future, but also five, ten, or even twenty years from now. Beyond just hot days, think of cold days, average days, nights and mornings, parties or barbeques. How would you use it in those times? Try to think of all the different scenarios you would encounter in the years to come? Write down a wish list with all your ideas of your perfect patio. Don’t worry about the price or the details that could get in the way. Write freely and ask your family and friends for ideas.

With your wish list, it’s time to look around for photos that look like it does in your mind.
The next post I write will be mostly visual, on the different patio designs and styles. Feel free to post your before pictures and ask for suggestions. And in the mean time, check out this patio covers photo gallery

Here is a list of things to consider when building your patio, in no particular order. Most topics will be covered in their own posts, some will be grouped with others. I’ll be updating this list on a regular basis with links to posts and resources, so check back often.

• where to put it
• how it fits with your home
• style
• budget
• city, county, and state building codes
• what will you use your patio for?
• weather and climate
• seasons and geography
• resell value
• availible space
• pools and spas
• children
• pets
• neighbors
• builders, how to find them, how to work with them
• permits and contractor’s licenses
• do it yourself?
• resources, guides, and links
• windows and doors
• gazebos and sunrooms
• landscaping
• how will it effect your view?
• gardening
• maintenance
• accessories and furniture
• plants and animals in or around your patio
• blueprints and plans
• gas lines, electrical wiring (in the ground)
• lighting and adding electrical wiring
• heating and cooling
• walkways
• slope
• lifestyle
• designs and themes
• security (cameras, locks, etc.)
• insurance. is your patio covered?
• concrete slab
• awnings, carports
• hard construction versus room addition/enclosure
• going green (solar, materials, etc.)

Surely I’ve got a lot to write about. Some will be common sense, but I think it’s better to talk about it than leave it just in case. Let me know in the comments below if I missed anything!