Patio Cover Design Ideas

Choose Your Cover

Sometimes, you just need a little time in the shade – especially if you live in Southern California. Our daily sunshine can be relentless, especially in the summer months when the mercury starts to rise. If you have a patio – or plan on building one soon – you may want to install a patio cover as well. A patio cover will shade you from the sun (and in the incredibly rare event of rain in Southern California). It will help you cool off in the summer and it will protect your grill, furniture and anything else you keep on your outdoor patio. Patio covers are extremely popular, for the reasons mentioned.

Too many homeowners, however, miss the opportunity to “think outside the box” when it comes to building patio covers. There are a variety of options available for patio covers – including custom designs. There are few limits as to how you can customize your patio cover, from small touches like hardware to unique materials to custom-milled wood. Most homeowners want their home and yard to not only look different than the neighbor’s yard – but look better. Your patio cover is the perfect opportunity to make your home the envy of the neighborhood!

Patio Cover Materials

Wood: Wood remains the most popular material for patio covers. It’s beautiful, sturdy, long-lasting and helps give your outdoor space a natural look and feel. Most woods – including Redwood and Cedar – are rot and insect-resistant. Wood does, however, require some upkeep. Every few years, wood patio covers benefit from a sand and stain job, which keeps the wood looking bright and new – and extends its rot and insect resistance.

Aluminum: Aluminum is becoming increasingly popular for patio covers – and it’s not your father’s aluminum. Today’s aluminum is much more pleasing to the eye, thanks to customized cuts and evolving tastes. Aluminum is also extremely cost-effective, and maintenance-free (unless you consider hosing it down twice per year “maintenance”).

Cover in a Patio Cover Kit

The simple way to build a gorgeous patio is by purchasing a patio cover kit. At J&W Lumber, we offer three different patio cover kits: The Coronado – an open-style lattice cover that still provides ample shade for those hot summer days, The Catalina – similar to the Coronado but enhanced with a 2×6 fascia, and the Capistrano – an all-timber architectural marvel that will add gravitas to your outdoor environment.

These patio cover kits are entirely customizable, ensuring that no two covers look the same. After choosing your structure, the next step is choosing your wood. All versions are available in:

• Premium Rough Douglas Fir – a price-friendly option with raw, natural feel.
• Redwood – a gorgeous California classic with deep red hues.
• Western Red Cedar – a naturally insect- and rot-resistant wood that also happens to be one of the most beautiful woods in the world.

The woods can be re-sawn to give your cover a fresh-cut appearance. You’ll also be able to choose the amount of shade you want – which will determine the number of beams of wood – as wells as choose the cut-style of your corbels(decorative end cuts) and knee braces(support structures). There are 9 standard options for the corbel and 4 standard options for the knee brace, so you’ll likely find a style that fits your vision. If you have a particular shape in mind, portions of your lumber can be custom-milled to create your own original stylistic touch.

Next, you’ll choose your hardware. Hardware too often goes overlooked as a design element, but it can add real flare to your patio cover. Our lumber stores offer hot-dip galvanized and powder coated hardware in a variety of styles, from basic to ornamental. The final step in kit-customization is choosing your stain – whatever shade floats your boat! Our patio cover kits let you customize and personalize your cover without the grunt work. However, the patio cover kit isn’t your only option for customization.

Add Some Toppings

Once your patio cover structure is complete, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stop adding personalized design touches. There are a few interesting ways to make your patio cover stand out, including:

The Hanging Garden: Patio covers with lattice tops are perfect for hanging a variety of plants to create a “living” roof. Certain species of succulents, and vining herbs – like orange or chocolate mint – can literally make your patio cover come alive.

The Infinity Canopy: A new and inventive canopy system that allows you to design – and constantly redesign – its look. You can design your canopy panel-by-panel and slide them in and out depending on how much sun or shade you desire at any given moment.

Dream it. Do it.

The beauty of patio covers is that you have a nearly blank canvas to work with. Aside from the size of your patio (and the occasional local ordinance), you are free to create something inventive and unique. With different materials, hardware and trimmings available to you, if you can dream it, you can probably do it. If you have an idea in your head – or are inspired by something you saw at a neighbor or friend’s home, a Pinterest board or something you saw in a magazine or on television, our lumber yard experts can help you design it and bring it to life!

Contact us today to get started on your patio cover project!