The point of having an outdoor space is to sit and enjoy your time outside. However, the “great outdoors” can sometimes be a treacherous place, surrounded by the blaring sun or annoying insects that ruin your experience. Nowadays there are many options that can improve the quality of your outdoors experience – lowering exposure from the sun or blocking off insects so that you can still breathe in that quality fresh air without the constant buzz. Here are some different options for a covered deck to consider for your own home which allow you to spend more uninterrupted quality time with mother nature.
Cover, or No Cover?
How and when you prefer to spend time on your deck factors a lot into this decision. Some like it hot. Some like it cold. And some don’t like to perform maintenance when they approach retirement age. But if you cover your deck, you can use it when the sun is out and shining in 90-degree weather without sweating through your clothes. And not only does it protect from the sun, but with a covered deck you would be able to experience the natural sounds of the rain undisturbed from under the safety of the roof of your deck.
And a cover for your deck shields more than just you – it also shields your deck from the different harsh conditions of the elements. This reduces the amount of sun and water damage done to it over time, lengthening it’s lifespan. As an extra bonus, the shade provided from the roof will extend to the side of the house, shading the side of the house, keeping it cool during the summer months. This will allow the inside area to be shaded and cooler, thus reduce air conditioning costs.
While this all seems great, some people enjoy bathing in the glow of the natural sunlight, soaking up the natural vitamin D and getting their tan on, all while enjoying the privacy of their own home. That’s a bit harder to do if there’s a roof above your head. Another thing that you must be wary of is the extra maintenance that will be required to keep your roof in clean, safe working order. While it will help reduce the required maintenance that will required on your deck, ensuring there are no leaks, cleaning off leaves, and even potential snow shoveling on your roof isn’t the most fun part about having the extra shade.
Covered Deck Shading Options:
There are many different ways that you can shade yourself from the sun if you do decide that a covered deck is the right decision. Here are some common ways that you can cover your deck.
1. Roof Extension
With a roof extension, there aren’t many walls to block the low angling sunlight as they are extensions of either the second floor of your building or an extension of the current roof over the deck section of your home. As the name sounds as such, aesthetically it looks like an extension of your home, usually carrying the same roofing and is attached to the side of your building. These shades normally come with two or three walls.
2. Awning
If you’re somewhat in the middle of your decision and want the luxury of having both shady days as well as getting in some nice sun, an awning is the perfect middleman. While these are usually made of fabric and not a sturdier material, they can still be pricey. Depending on how you wish to open and close your awning, the overall cost upwards of thousands of dollars for a motorized one, and that’s not even including potential maintenance and repair costs.
3. Pergola
If you’re all for visuals and aesthetics and not much usability, a pergola may be the covered deck choice for you. The main function of these pretty overhangs is mainly to reduce the harsh glare from sunlight. Other than that, they don’t keep out the elements and are normally not attached to your home. Although they do make for good structures for your plants to hang on and grow along.
4. Pavilion
If you’re still somewhat caught in the middle and can’t decide if you want to invest a ton of money into building a whole new structure to your house, pavilions may be a steppingstone. Pavilions can be constructed as part of your deck, but you can simply buy a portable one and give it a try. As they are pretty small, you can still have parts of your deck uncovered for the sunny days; however, they won’t hold a whole crowd inside so be mindful of the limited space.
5. Screened-In Deck
If you have a major mosquito problem, screened decks might give you some fresh air and sunlight minus the bugs. The sun can shine through just fine and the rain can make its way in as well, it may seem worthless unless you welcome the natural elements. The thin film of screen prevents any unwanted guests from getting into the space. Unless these guests are heavier than an insect. Then you might have a problem.
Covered Deck Designs
While some deck owners want their entire deck space to have one or the other, there are even compromises you can settle on that will give you the best of both worlds when it comes to covered decks. Covers such as the awning uses cloth’s that are outstretched using a motor to allow shade on demand. Others such as the roof extension does not give you that luxury, as once you decide on the shade, you are stuck with it. Depending on your surrounding environment and design of your house, you can flare up your shading with some different aesthetics.
Modern decks normally incorporate a simple metal and hard-wood look, attached to a glass interior. Some beach styles have a more tropical look, with sticks and thatch-style roofing giving it a more rustic, beachside look. If you’re looking or living in a more urban setting, a wood deck with a pergola surrounded by vegetation gives you a homier feel and even provides more play space. While so far these are places for people to sit and relax, some people relax when they’re in the kitchen. Were it to be raining, cooking or grilling would be a bit difficult outside. However with an overhanging shelter on your deck over the grill and burners, what more could a master grill man ask for?
And That’s It!
Rain or shine, snow or sleet, these different covered decks will allow you to ensure the outdoor experience you desire. …Although I’m pretty sure nobody has ever desired mosquitos.
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