Patio Cover Kits

Go Simple With A Patio Cover Kit

Are you trying to decide between having a custom patio cover built and building one from a kit? Patio cover kits offer an easy low cost way to improve the look and feel of your patio. Kits are usually of a basic and standard design, but you can also order a custom kit to fit the particular look you want. One major benefit of ordering a kit over custom building is that there is a guide to put them together. One down side is that they standard kits tend to have a cookie cutter look, and custom design kits can cost a bit more.

Patio cover kits are usually geared toward do-it-yourself buyers, but some companies, such as Solara, offer the use of licensed dealers to put the kit together for you. If, however, you are a whiz with tools, installing your kit yourself may not take that long and will save money. All kits come with step-by-step instructions. Some, such as from Vinyl Patio Kits, even offer a video. Patio covers can stand alone in your yard, by a pool, over a hot tub; or can attach to the side of your house. Covers can completely shade from the sun or add more of an arbor effect with partial shading. Shade Builder offers an arbor roof cover that can have a solid patio cover top in areas with more sun.

There are various materials available for patio cover kits. The most popular are aluminum, vinyl, steel, and alumawood.  Aluminium and steel patio cover kits are traditionally a simple flat panel that extends from the side of your home or stands alone on four posts.  These covers can be reinforced to deal with snow load in the winter. Both of these materials, however, can also make more of a lattice work patio cover.  Aluminum and steel patio covers are among the cheapest ways to go starting at 8.00 per square foot at Home Improvements Kits.com.

Vinyl patio cover kits are more expensive at about 2,260 for an 8' by 10' cover. Vinyl Patio Kits.com offers a variety of sizes. Vinyl covers provide a beautiful,low maintenance option. Alumawood patio covers, not as well known in the past,  are becoming more popular. The main benefit of Alumawood is its wood like appearance without the paint or stain maintenance that wood requires. Alumawood also has the benefit of not rusting over time like steel and aluminum. Patio Kits.com offers a lifetime warranty for their alumawood kits, which start at around 1,745 for an 8' by 18' kit.