Patio Covers

Shade

Historically in Orange County, the method employed in building a patio cover for the purpose of creating shade was to use wooden 2x2s set an equal distance apart. There are many of these in the county and almost all of them need painting. The problem with this design it is next to impossible to sand/scrap and prep the wood to paint. Therefore, painting is not done, but when required, this task is very expensive. Our solution to the problem is to build the shade cover out of either vinyl or aluminum. Both products carry a lifetime warranty and both look very nice. From a cost standpoint the aluminum normally is a little cheaper. This is partially done by the fact that it is so light and it is fully engineered for high wind conditions and come in every possible size. Thus, no engineering fees are ever involved and because it is so lightweight the engineering allows us to set it on slabs without requiring a footing. We have done both as the pictures demonstrate.

Aluminum & Foam

The aluminum patio covers come in three styles. Two of the styles provided a water proof roof and one style is for shade only. The shade only ones use either 1.5×1.5″ or 2×2″ tubes places parallel to each other on rafters to provide shade.

Foam roof with trim kit and round columns. Vinyl was used for the handrail.

Solid roofs are either made from one piece of metal bent into what is called a standing seam roof. This type of roof can not be walked on and on cold nights condensation can build up on the bottom side and drip on your patio. We do not install many of these roofs. However, we do like the foam roofs. These have about 3.5″ of foam sandwiched between two sheets of aluminum. Condensation is not an issue and these roofs can be walked on. Normally they are installed with a trim kit which ads some pizazz and also a gutter and downspouts.

Foam roof with trim kit and round columns. Vinyl was used for the handrail.

This next picture shows a solid Alumawood roof set on a second story deck. This took a little doing getting the engineering approved through the city of Fullerton.

From a cost standpoint the aluminum normally is a little cheaper. This is partially do to the fact that it is so light and it is fully engineered for high wind conditions and come in every possible size. Thus, no engineering fees are ever involved and because it is so light weight the engineering allows us to set it on slabs without requiring a footing. We have done both as the pictures demonstrate.

Wood & roofing

Wood looks nice but has a maintenance issue

When the customer wants wood we are able to do so, but we try to encourage using pressure treated wood wherever possible in the structure. This wood is a little harder to paint and has small finger marks from the pressure treating process. The advantage is that at joints where water gets in the wood will not dry-rot.

Canvas Awnings

Canvas awnings leave most of the window uncovered and provide no barrier against wind and flying debris. You also need to take down any canvas retractable awnings during heavy storms to prevent damage to the canvas and its frame. Taking in the Shade.