- A retractable awning over a patio offers a versatile solution to protect you from the midday sun while allowing for time under the stars in the evening. You can purchase retractable awnings that attach to the side of your home and which you can easily unfurl with a manual crank or a remote control. One of the benefits of this type of patio cover is added savings on your electric bill. According to the American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers, shading exterior windows can reduce the heat inside your home by up to 77 percent, translating to a savings on your monthly electric bill of up to 25 percent.
- A pergola is an attractive cover made from treated wood. The open design of a pergola offers little shading and no protection from the elements, but it does offer a variety of design options. You can build your pergola with decking materials to cover your entire patio or just a portion. You'll need a frame with at least two posts attached to the back of your home, similar to building a deck. You can join the posts at the top with cross beams around the perimeter before inserting the individual slat beams that define the pergola. You can hang a chandelier or plants from the beams of your pergola to enhance your patio; you can also string decorative solar lighting for added design.
- A simple way to cover your patio is with sheets of lattice. The decorative sheeting offers more protection than a pergola and brings a vintage flair to your outdoor living space. You can find sheets of lattice at your home improvement store that you can paint or seal for added protection. You'll need to build a treated wood-post frame with horizontal or vertical supports for your sheeting. You can attach the sheets of lattice to the side beams and support beams across the top of your frame. Make sure you use decking screws to attach the sheets to avoid rust.
