If you have a patio on your home that you like to use throughout the year, covering it can add some flexibility to the outdoor space. There are many different options when it comes to patio covers, so finding the one that is the best fit for your situation may require a visit to your local home center to see what the options are. 

Metal Patio Covers 

A metal patio cover can offer some very specific benefits, the first of which is durability. If you want to cover the patio and leave the cover in place all year, you may want to consider a patio cover with a metal frame that bolts to the house and the patio surface so that it is stable in the wind, rain, and even snow. 

Some of these metal structures are covered in vinyl to make them easier to maintain, but the supports are metal inside. The roofing material can be made from metal or fiberglass panels that bolt to the frame and are strong enough to support snow on the cover in the winter. If you want to let some light through, you may want to consider a translucent fiberglass panel combined with the metal panels. 

These patio covers come as kits from many home centers, but you will need to know how much are you want to cover before you pick out the kit for your home. Some manufactures sell starter kits and then add on parts to allow you to tailor your patio cover to the area you need to cover but be sure to check on any limitations that might arise if you extend the cover too far. 

Soft Patio Covers

You may like the idea of a sailcloth or canvas cover over your patio better than a metal structure, and that option is available in many designs. Often these patio covers use a wood or metal frame that the canvas or cloth is stretched over when you want to use it. They can look fantastic and provide shade on your patio but are not great for rain and other weather.

Retractable patio covers are another softcover option attached to the house and use a canvas top that is retracted in when it is not being used. The patio cover is pulled out when needed and then put away so it will not be damaged by wind or other weather when you are done using it. 

Many of these covers have motors that open and close them, so you never have to struggle to get the cover out or retract it when you are done on the patio. 

For more information, contact a patio cover supplier.