Covered patios designs are popular throughout Northern Virginia – and for good reason, too! A covered structure over outdoor living areas allows you to enjoy all the benefits of the outdoors with shade and rain control. More often than not, the covered element is a column-supported roof structure, which means it is open from all four access points.
Before you build just any shade structure, think of ways to personalize it for your home. Distinctive Deck Designs in Northern Virginia has many ways for you to customize your design. There are many features you can request to make the design uniquely yours.
- Columns – The support structures for your covered patio design can be much more decorative than 4” x 4” wood posts. If you elect to go with pressure-treated wood, consider staining it for a beautiful look. The disadvantage of traditional wood is that you will need to re-stain it periodically. Protect exposed ends for as long as possible with fluted clad kits. These are covers that go around the post itself to help make it a flush look against the top and bottom surfaces.Other ways to get creative with your columns include adding fluting or crown molding details to keep true to the Victorian or Colonial look of your home. You can also attach brick-like or stone-like tiles to them for a craftsman look.
- Ceiling Fans – Create a cool breeze that’s perfect for the warmer days and chillier nights. It seems counterintuitive to create a breeze under your covered patio when it’s already cooler out, but let us explain: if you have a heating element, a ceiling fan can help you spread the heat throughout a space. Just remember to set your ceiling fan panels the right way; when the ceiling fan is set in a forward direction (counterclockwise), it creates cooler downward airflow. When the purpose is to spread heat, reverse the fan blade direction to reverse direction (clockwise) to distribute the air.
- Entryway or window arches – Create your own covered patio design by working with your contractor to build unique openings into your new or remodeled space. For open covered porches, most of the designs we’ve done include straight or slightly arched openings, but we are capable of adding any structures you choose to your custom build. Show our master contractors any architectural features you’ve envied from online research, and we’ll match it in our plans. We have years of experience in the field and a variety of techniques to help you achieve that truly custom look.
- Bar tops – Some covered patio designs are built to complement outdoor kitchens. These typically shield the space from the sun, rain and other weather elements without posing a fire risk for cooktops. Make the most of your covered porch design by adding countertops to hold food, drinks, and offer guests a place to congregate. Consider purchasing bar-height seats to match. When the holidays roll around, if the weather permits, this can also be a great overflow holiday entertaining space!
- Pergola Extension – A roof is excellent for any outdoor lounging space, but many backyard patio designs are capable of accommodating a more open feel. One way to do this is to build a pergola that extends from your new or existing covered porch. Ask your covered patio contractor to do this in order to add extra square footage to your home. Depending on the angle and sun’s position, the pergola slats can help with shade control to any interior and exterior parts of your home.
- Outdoor Drapes or Screens – If privacy and shade control are a top priority, ask your covered patio contractor about adding screens to your porch design. Screens are available in many types of mesh sizes, but the best option for shade and pest control is a higher mesh size. These are easily identifiable as ones that have more vertical and horizontal lines per square inch.Outdoor drapes are a stylish alternative to screens. As part of your covered patio construction, opt for piping discretely underneath the eaves. These will allow you to hang outdoor drapes when you desire to use them. Simply tie them for everyday use, and then draw them to exactly where you need as the sun rises or sets. When choosing drapes for outdoor uses, chose the ones with built-in UVB and UVR protection for the best fabric integrity for outdoor uses. This sunblock coating also assists with reducing color fading of your colored or printed fabric.
These are just some of many ways you can customize your covered patio design. If you’re ready to make a change to your existing patio or to have a new one built, contact Distinctive Deck Designs today. Best of all, you can take advantage of our off-season construction specials for winter builds! Schedule your free at-home consultation online or by giving us a call: 703-263-9634.