Frequently Asked Questions for Patio Covers:
Q1 – What is a Patio Cover?
A1 – A patio cover is usually a lean-to roof system attached to the back of your house. The roof, columns, and beam need to be designed for your local snow load and your local building code. A patio cover is also referred to as a porch cover, veranda cover, or deck cover. On some homes, you could also attach your patio cover in a gable (a-frame) design.
Northlander™ Skyview Patio Cover, Lean-to Roof Style
PanelCraft™ Insulated Patio Cover, A-Frame Style
Q2 – Are Craft-Bilt Patio Covers economical?
A2 – A cover for your patio is a fairly economical renovation. The most economical method is to use wood and shingles, but it won’t be maintenance-free. The next pricing level is our PanelCraft™ patio cover system which uses insulated aluminum panels. For a little bit more you can have our Northlander™ Skyview patio cover system which uses translucent sheets. These sheets allow pleasing amounts of light without the heat and glare of glass roofs.
If you plan it right, you can build an economical patio cover now, and in the future close it in with our 4 Track Windows, transforming it into a three-season room.
Q3 – What is Craft-Bilt’s Patio Cover’s warranty?
A3 – The aluminum members used in our PanelCraft™ and Northlander™ roof systems have a limited warranty of 20 years. Find more information on our warranty page.
Q4 – What are the best patio cover materials?
A4 – Aluminum of course! You want a patio cover that will stand up to the weather, won’t rot or corrode, and that you will never have to paint or re-shingle.
Q5 – Does a patio cover increase my property value?
A5 – We do not have any research data on this. But imagine yourself as a buyer looking at potential homes. Most of the homes you see will have a back deck, but when you see that patio cover you will start dreaming of all the wonderful times you will have in your new backyard. All things being equal, a house with a patio cover will outsell a house without one.
Q6 – How long does it take to install a Craft-Bilt patio cover?
A6 – Most patio covers installed by a professional will take one or two days. Please visit our installation instructions for more information.
Q7 – Will my patio cover be loud when it rains?
A7 – We have heard this question a few times. Light rain on your patio cover can sound romantic, but a really heavy rain might make conversation difficult. The sound of rain on a maintenance-free roof won’t be much different than a shingled roof, and it should not affect your decision to have a patio cover.
We can’t stop the rain, but we can stop it from landing on your patio 🙂
Q8 – Is a patio cover worth it?
A8 – A patio cover is sure to add value to your home. It extends the use of your deck and the amount of time you can spend on it. It protects your outdoor furniture year-round. It makes your backyard lifestyle better. Oh yeah, it’s worth it 🙂
Q9 – Can you walk on insulated patio covers?
A9 – PanelCraft™ insulated roof panels by Craft-Bilt are incredibly strong, and if installed correctly can easily bear a person’s weight. But this is not advised for a number of reasons: our unique Krystal Kote clear coating which is applied over the paint finish can make them slippery, if the panels are already laden with a large amount of snow, the added weight of a person’s “point load” could be dangerous and you could scratch the finish. Make sure to follow local guidelines for working at heights.
Working on a roof is dangerous, please use a professional.
Q10 – Can I walk on a polycarbonate patio cover?
A10 – Craft-Bilt’s Skyview Structural roof system is very strong. The large aluminum beams are spaced apart a maximum of 24 inches. It can bear the weight of a person but only on the beams. Never stand or apply any type of point load on the glazing.
If the roof is already laden with a large amount of snow, the added weight of a person’s “point load” could be dangerous and you could scratch the finish. Make sure to follow local guidelines for working at heights.
Working on a roof is dangerous, please use a professional.
Q11 – Do patio covers need footings?
A11 – A properly installed patio cover will have concrete pier footings designed to meet the local building code. Many contractors have moved away from concrete piers to steel helical piles.
Concrete Pier or Steel Helical Piles
Q12 – What is a good size covered patio?
Q12 – Typical patio covers range from 10 feet x 10 feet to 12 feet x 20 feet. But all of our patio covers are custom made, projections can be as long as 18 feet, and widths can go to 40 feet or more.
Q13 – What tools are required for a patio cover?
Q13 – Aside from the typical tools like drills, driver bits, hammer, level, ladder, etc., you will require specialized tools like a miter saw with carbide tipped blade for non-ferrous metal (also referred to as a blade for extruded aluminum), hammer drill, and heavy-duty snips.
You will need to install aluminum flashing where the roof meets the house, so if you do not own an aluminum brake you will have to arrange to get this flashing from a local siding shop.
For more on flashing, refer to our sunroom training course, ROOF CONNECTIONS – LESSON 9.
Your patio cover will need to resist wind and snow loads and meet local building codes, so a DIY project should not be taken lightly. Craft-Bilt deals with contractors across Canada that can supply and install your patio cover.
Q14 – How do I measure for a patio cover?
Q14 – Your patio roof should always have an overhang. So if your deck is 12 feet x 12 feet, you would be best served with roof dimensions of 13 feet projection x 13 feet wide.
Typical heights at the front are seven or eight feet but can be as high as 12 feet. The mounting point at the house should allow for a minimum 1:12 pitch. For example, a deck with a ten-foot projection will have a drop of 10 inches (minimum).
Q15 – Why should I use polycarbonate instead of glass?
A15
Glass Roof:
- Solariums are Hot! Very expensive glazing is required to control the heat properly.
- Sunlight can cause glare and fading of furniture and other contents.
- Purlins are required (cross bars separating multiple pieces of glass); this is where many glass roofs will form a leak at some point.
- If tempered glass breaks, it covers the floor with thousands of tiny pieces of glass, and the replacement glass is very expensive to replace, both in labour and material.
- There is a good chance of seal failure over the years, and again, solarium glass replacement will cost a great deal in labour and replacement glass.
Polycarbonate Roof:
- Excellent value.
- The multiwall structure refracts the light, resulting in a pleasing light distribution with no glare.
- Over 99% UV resistance. Almost the entire relevant UV spectrum, meaning both UVA and UVB.
- The multiwall sheets are light, incredibly strong, and won’t shatter or crack like acrylic or glass.
- Craft-Bilt polycarbonate sheets have a flame resistance rating of ASTM E 84 Class A
- Skyview roofs by Craft-Bilt use one continuous sheet; there are no purlins and no related leaks.
