Patio Canopies: Protecting Your Patio From The Elements

Patio Canopies: Protecting Your Patio From The Elements

When it comes to investing in their homes, many working individuals with families view it as their primary investment. Not only is a home a symbol of social status, but it also serves as a personal statement of the homeowner. Therefore, it's not surprising that people put in a lot of effort to make their homes beautiful, comfortable, and functional without breaking the bank.

This desire to create an inviting and functional living space has fueled a multi-billion dollar market for home refurbishments, fixtures, and related maintenance services. Within this market, there is one particular segment that thrives on home building and renovation: the market for patio canopies, covers, and accessories.

Patios are exposed to rain, snow, sun, and other elements, leading canopy manufacturers to develop various models made from different materials to address this concern. In order to provide maximum comfort, canopy makers typically offer waterproof systems with roof tensioning and support to prevent water accumulation. It's important to note that made-to-order patio canopies can take around 3-4 weeks for delivery.

One popular solution for protecting patios from the elements is the use of aluminum patio cover kits and retractable awnings. These outdoor patio covers are designed for long-term use, require minimal maintenance, and comply with standard municipal load ratings and provisions of the International Building Code. The retractable feature allows homeowners to adjust the awnings based on the weather conditions. Aluminum canopies also come in do-it-yourself models that can be used to enhance an existing deck, serve as carports, or provide protection for boats owned by wealthier homeowners residing near the water. By investing in extended patio canopies, homeowners can practically enjoy the outdoors continuously.

Patio canopies also have a wide range of applications, including residences with swimming pools, backyard decks, or other large and exposed areas. These flexible and pre-engineered structures can be attached to an existing home, placed over the desired area to be covered, or set up as stand-alone units. Canopies can even be made of steel while maintaining their retractability and flexibility. Some manufacturers go the extra mile by offering screen attachments to provide added comfort, privacy, or security. For open patios, canopies effectively transform them into extensions of the house or entirely new rooms, providing homeowners with expanded space and enhanced comfort.

Patio canopies offer homeowners a variety of options to better protect their patios and overall homes, ensuring that they can entertain family and friends outside regardless of weather conditions. Additionally, canopies provide a worry-free environment to enjoy activities such as reading a book, having tea, or simply relaxing outside on the patio. Some canopy makers even offer custom-made options with features like wind-release protection and flexible awnings.

According to the US Census Bureau, backyard patios have become increasingly common in new single-family homes, with 45% of these dwellings now featuring patios compared to 37% in 1992. This rise in popularity has led to a corresponding increase in outdoor furniture sales, with the American Home Furnishings Alliance reporting a 129% growth in the purchase of canopies, tables, and other outdoor items. Responding to this surge in demand, retailers have focused more on outdoor collections, with companies like Hold Everything and West Elm launching their initial outdoor lines in 2005. Restoration Hardware even dedicated 52 pages of its summer catalog to outdoor entertaining, more than double the number of pages dedicated to the category in 2004.

Canopy covers also come in heavy-duty vinyl options, available in various sizes for easy maintenance and storage. Many manufacturers provide vinyl patio units with limited 15-year warranties. Alternatively, lattice patio cover kits are also available, primarily designed for garden settings.

Innovations in the market have led to the production of patio canopies made from Alumawood, an aluminum material that looks and feels like wood. These canopies offer all the benefits of wood without the drawbacks, such as peeling, warping, repainting, and termite attacks.

The use of patio canopies isn't limited to residential settings; they are also popular in non-residential environments. Companies like Eide Industries, Inc. offer both permanent and temporary or portable models with frames made from aluminum tubing or galvanized steel and fabric covers made from an extensive line of canvas products. These versatile exterior and interior products appeal to restaurants, resorts, hotels, retail shops, convention centers, theme parks, as well as exhibits and trade shows. For businesses with sidewalks, setting up a canopy along the path not only provides shade for passers-by but also has the potential to attract customers to the shop. When combined with appropriate lighting, patio canopies contribute to the overall aesthetics of a business, even during off-hours.