Your backyard holds virtually endless possibilities for family fun and entertaining! In Texas, a covered porch will allow you to enjoy all-weather, year-round activities in your backyard. Add a kitchen, curtains, ceiling fans, and planters for a beautiful, complete outdoor living space–your own private oasis. In today’s blog, you’ll learn about the different options for porch coverings and how each type has unique features and purposes.
If you want to enjoy a patio, pergola, or awning in your backyard this summer, it’s important to start building NOW! Call or text Chris Duty with ROI at 682-337-1849. We serve the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, including Arlington, Grapevine, Denton, Benbrook, and the Hurst Euless Bedford area.
Benefits of a Patio Cover
Why should you invest in a patio cover? Texas sun kills more than grass. It can kill your desire to be outdoors for six months of the year. A porch cover, like a pergola, arbor, or patio, will allow you to enjoy time outdoors without feeling like a thirsty man crawling across the Chihuahuan Desert!
A patio cover offers:
- sun shade
- rain protection
- wind protection
- extra living space
- $$$ increased property value $$$
Types of Backyard Porch Coverings
Which backyard cover would best suit your family and lifestyle? There are many options to choose from, and remember that the materials, coloring, size, and shape of these covers are completely customizable. If your porch slab is small, it can be expanded within the overall plan for your backyard upgrades.
Since summer is coming soon, let’s dive right in!
- Pergola – Spaced wood slats or latticework over an outdoor living space. Pergolas are not completely covered, but because the sun moves across the sky, the vertically-set boards create shade all day.
- Patio – A solid porch cover with shingles or roofing material across the top. A patio with shingles that match those on your home’s roof will create a seamless, high-end look. It adds great value to a home.
- Arbor – Spaced wood slats or latticework over entryways. An arbor is similar to a pergola, but it’s smaller. Usually, arbors are built over garden seating areas, entry gates, and windows. They can add a sense of elegance and beauty to the front or back of your home.
- Awnings – Good for shade and ambiance. Some awnings are retractable, so you can open your patio to the sunny Texas skies whenever you like.
- Sun Sails – You may have seen sun sails over community swimming pools or playgrounds. Adding sun sails over part of your swimming pool can provide shade without the maintenance requirements of tree shade and concerns about tree roots. Sun sails can also be erected over porches.
- Trellises – Add a trellis and climbing plants to your patio to create a wall that blocks sun, wind, and rain. Plant-covered trellises also add a cozy garden feel to your porch. Remember that planters can be built into the design of your porch. Many people opt for plastic outdoor plants on their trellises because they require only a spray of water for cleaning and stay green year-round.
- Patio Curtains – Add acrylic curtains to create retractable walls around your patio, on one or all sides. Anchor curtains to the porch so they won’t blow around when winds and rain arrive. If you want outdoor curtains, the rods and anchors should be integrated into your porch’s design.
- Outdoor Kitchens – Add an outdoor kitchen will bring home cookin’ and grillin’ to your guests! You’ll have more time to enjoy the family and company if the chore of cooking can be accomplished in the middle of the backyard action. Don’t forget space for a mini refrigerator. A backyard bar is also a great addition to any outdoor kitchen. You choose the materials, appliances, countertop material, and location for your outdoor kitchen, and if you need help, just ask Chris with ROI!
If you want to enjoy a patio, pergola, or awning in your backyard this summer, it’s important to start building NOW! Call Chris Duty with ROI at 682-337-1849. We serve the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, including Arlington, Grapevine, Denton, Benbrook, and the Hurst Euless Bedford area.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Porch Covering
- Are there any HOA and city regulations to consider? Are there city permits you need to acquire? (If you hire Chris Duty to handle your build, ROI will acquire city permits on your behalf.)
- What type of maintenance is necessary for the porch covering? Some materials hold up to the Texas sunshine and harsh weather better than others. How often will materials wear out or become weathered? What does the seasonal or annual maintenance involve, to keep the porch covering looking new and increase its longevity?
- Do you need a larger porch slab? If so, you can choose from concrete, landscaping stones, or stones with a grass or plant border between each. A deck also holds great potential for increasing porch size. Decks can be as intricate or as simple as you like.
- Do you need lighting, plumbing, electrical outlets, ceiling fans, or built-in planters on your porch? It’s wise to add these elements while your patio cover or deck is being built.
- Will you need to block sun, rain, and wind on one or more sides of your porch? Lattice, shrubbery, or acrylic curtains can do the job. If you opt for curtains, the arbor, patio, or pergola should be designed to accommodate curtain rods and anchors. If you want ceiling fans to move the stale summer air, you’ll also need to run electricity.
Call Chris for Complete Construction of Your Backyard Oasis
If you want to enjoy a patio, pergola, or awning in your backyard this summer, it’s important to start building NOW! Call Chris Duty with ROI at 682-337-1849. We serve the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, including Arlington, Grapevine, Denton, Benbrook, and the Hurst Euless Bedford area.
Customers say…
“Rates were very fair, and I love the service they gave.”
“Great communication, easy to work with, professional, and quality work!”
“I would recommend them for anyone looking for a high quality, ethical company.”
Our contractors include skilled carpenters, electricians, plumbers, masons, and other talented tradesmen. These experts take great pride in their work, so you can feel confident that your home and backyard are in the hands of respected professionals. Chris will coordinate and oversee the entire job. He’ll be your main point of contact throughout the duration of your project. Read our reviews online!