Patio Covers
Most patio covers attach to your homes back wall or roof eave and extend over your existing patio slab or deck. Depending on the size of your existing slab the posts will either go on top of the slab or in the ground just past the slabs edge (we suggest putting the posts on the slab if you ever plan adding screen walls in the future). Patio covers are the easiest kits to install for the do it yourselfer.

Materials:
Choose from aluminum, insulated or steel covers. Aluminum kits are pre-finished, maintenance free and aesthetically pleasing. You three choices are “W” pan ( some times called “V” pan), flat pan style, and insulated. When viewed from the underside the “W” pan has the shape of “W” shape visible, the flat pan and insulated resemble a flat ceiling. The flat pan or insulated would work as a patio room or screen room cover. The span capability (load carrying ability) of the different styles is governed by the thickness of the material and the depth of the pan. The thickness of the aluminum the roof panel is formed out of, or the thickness of foam (in case of the insulated and the density of the foam), effect how many feet between supports you can span and meet a given load requirement. Steel cover are usually used for commercial installations.

Insulated style carport covers have a greater clear span and greater load requirements than W or flat pan covers. Insulated covers are made of two aluminum panels that are laminated to a structural foam core (usually 3" or 4" thick). These interlocking panels can be walked on and stop the heat just like an ice chest. You also end up with a finished ceiling. A fan beam can also be ordered inside an insulated panel so you will be able to hang a ceiling fan from your patio cover without adding any additional support.

Patio Cover Kit Systems: each manufacturer has various component parts that when combined make up a system. The parts are designed to work together to create a good looking cover, that serves as intended and resist the elements. When you tell us the size you need, the style you prefer and the load (snow or wind) you need to carry, we choose the parts needed to make your kit based on the following: That the cover will meet the load requirement when properly installed, that all the parts will fit together, that the cover will look good. We strive for a carport cover kit that is reasonably ease to install, and that has a minimal need for onsite size adjustments - while trying to keep the prices affordable.

Post:
The post on your patio cover will either attach to your existing patio slab or deck with brackets or set into the ground with cement. (check local codes for proper post hole size). The amount of post you will need depends on the size of your cover. Before you order your patio cover kit, decide where you will be putting the post since you will need post brackets if you choose to attach to your exisiting slab / deck.

Permits: if you are in a town where a building permit is needed or desired, please request standard engineering tables from us prior to ordering you patio cover kit. Your city will tell you what criteria you need to comply with. Your cover design will be governed by their requirements more than your wishes. The city rules will govern the cover’s placement on your property, and if the cover needs to be attached, or free standing, and maybe the size you will be allowed to install.