Pergolas
A pergola is a freestanding structure used to provide shade over a space. These structures rarely have a solid roof, but rather a slatted roof structure that blocks out a proportion of the sunlight that hits them, instead of blocking out sunlight completely. Pergolas are most often rectangular or square in design. Some pergolas can be designed with retractable UV-resistant canopies, but the open slats otherwise leave the area underneath open to sunlight and the elements.
BENEFITS OF PERGOLAS
- Free-Standing Design
- Enhances Your Outdoor Space
- Adds More Privacy To Your Backyard
- Creates Shade and Protection from the Elements
Covered Patio
A patio cover is essentially an outdoor structure that has a full coverage roof with completely open sides. The full roof coverage allows you to spend time in your outdoor living space in nearly all weather conditions, rain or shine. Plus, these structures provide plenty of shade to keep you comfortable even during the hottest summer days. Covered patio structures are usually square or rectangular and are most often constructed from wood or stone. They can be designed to match or complement your existing architecture, landscape, or outdoor living features.
BENEFITS OF COVERED PATIOS
- Provides Sufficient Shade and Relief from the Sun
- Creates More Living Space
- Makes Your Outdoor Living Space More Usable
- Increases Property Value
- Can Be A True Extension of Your Home
As mentioned, a covered patio is often installed as an extension of your home. Pergolas, in comparison, do not attach to your home. They can, however, be placed near your home, on your patio, or anywhere in your yard for that matter.
With covered patios, homeowners can get creative with the design and overall look of the structure. As mentioned, covered patio structures are often constructed out of stone, wood, and other materials. Pergolas are typically built out of vinyl, wood, or other high-quality material.
Pergolas are a much more simple structure than covered patios, so they tend to be cheaper. Compared to pergolas, both the cost and project timeline for a covered patio will be more. However, considering the value they add to your home, they are well worth the investment.
While pergolas do add some privacy to your patio design and space, they can’t really compare to the privacy you can create with a covered outdoor living space. Plus, with covered patios, you can add automated drop shades and other features that will help increase privacy.
One thing you’ll want to include in your outdoor living area is seating. You’ll want to ensure that you have enough available space to add some furniture and other seating options. There are many different types of outdoor furniture, and with a covered patio, you really don’t have to worry about the type of furniture you choose as it will be protected by the structure. Consulting with an outdoor design company about patio furniture is a smart idea for an overall cohesive design. Patio designers will be able to help determine placement and size, as well as the best materials, color, style, and they can even help you choose actual pieces.
If you want to enjoy your outdoor living area at any time of the day, you should definitely take some time to think about lighting. Incorporating patio lighting into your patio design is essential to make your outdoor space usable at night. With the right lighting, you can help define your outdoor living area, brightening the space in subtle ways that tie everything together. For an eye-catching look, layer the lighting, beginning with the perimeter to call attention to the boundaries of your outdoor living area, followed by paths. After that, add stairs and accent lighting into the mix.
There are so many ways you can transform your outdoor living area into an entertainment space for you, your family, and your guests. If you want your outdoor living space to include all the comforts of the indoors, you’ll need some entertainment options, whether that means surfing the web on your laptop, binge watching your favorite series on Netflix, or kicking back to your favorite tunes. Of course, if you are going to invest in these entertainment options, you’ll want to make sure that your outdoor living space has a structure that will provide enough protection from the elements. Some entertainment features you can add to your home include TVs, WiFi, stero and sound systems, and more!
If you want to use your outdoor living space throughout the entire year, you’ll want to do more than just ensure you have a covered patio structure over your outdoor living space. To escape the intense heat of the summer and the cool temperatures of the winter months, you can add different features. For example, our patio contractors have designed outdoor living spaces with mister fans that can keep you cool and lower the air temperature of the space by anywhere from 15 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, we have also designed patios that have heaters that can be used on chilly evenings and during the cooler months of the year.
Of course, you may already have a grill, but if you don’t you’ll want to ensure you get one! With an outdoor kitchen, especially one that is under a covered patio, it’s definitely worth investing in a nice grill as you will likely be using it quite a bit. We recommend a two-sided grill if you really want to take your grilling to a whole new level.
The same goes for your indoor kitchen as it does for your outdoor kitchen — you can never have enough counter space! To ensure your outdoor kitchen is functional, you'll want plenty of room to prepare food and serve guests. Our patio contractors often recommend using granite countertops as they help bring a nice aesthetic to your outdoor kitchen and patio space in general.
While they may not be as essential as a grill, a refrigerator and a sink are a useful addition to your outdoor living space, nonetheless. If you’re planning on using your outdoor kitchen for a lot of food prep, a sink is a great way to ensure your space stays clean and sanitary. Having a refrigerator will also provide peace of mind when it comes to food safety and storage.
Never have to run inside to grab a cold one again! With a fully-stocked bar in your outdoor kitchen, you’ll have a place to store drinks as well as make some delicious cocktails! With a bar, everyone has an area to stand, sit or generally gather for conversation — and keep out of the way of the cooking area. Beverages, glassware, and barware can be stored underneath the bartop in cabinets or shelving.
When looking at outdoor kitchen design, be sure to consider a comfortable seating and dining area for you and your guests. Reserve an area of your patio kitchen for entertaining family and friends and eating the meals you prepare for them out there. You could add a table and chairs or have a large kitchen island installed that serves as both an area for preparing and eating meals.
Where you place your fireplace is very important! The location of your outdoor fireplace will impact its usage and the overall atmosphere of your patio. Oftentimes, homeowners choose to place them alongside a wall or in a corner.
Outdoor fireplaces can be constructed from a variety of high-quality materials, including brick, stone, concrete, or stucco. Typically, homeowners will choose a material that best fits with the architectural style of their home.
There are two main types of outdoor fireplaces:gas-fueled fireplaces and wood-burning fireplaces. Wood burning outdoor fireplaces are the most popular as they have the traditional authenticity of a fireplace and bring a rustic sense of style to your outdoor room or sitting area.