Cover my patio

[thyme4change]

I have a patio cover that has slats. It is white and aluminum. (It isn't vinyl, it isn't wood- is there another option?) The picture gives you a vague idea. I don't have a ceiling fan, and I think our small slats go from the house out (instead of being parallel).

Here is my problem. The slats let the sun through, which defeats the purpose in the hot, hot AZ sun. The slats let the rain through, which means I can't sit out there and watch the storms roll through. And it doesn't protect my furniture that is out there.

I would like to have a covered patio there. But, I already spent my house budget on the new sewer (and other repairs).

Anyone have any creative ideas on what to do with my patio that will cost less than ten thousand dollars?

[Deleted]

Tarp. 

[hoops902]

1.  There's no picture that you mentioned...which I think would be helpful.

2.  They make covers that go under decks to have a covered patio underneath.  I'm wondering if that can be installed under your slats (again, no good sense without a photo) but if you used the slats as similar to the decking...attach this under and use it to block the sun and rain.  It's typically called "under deck ceiling" or something similar.  It's not typically super expensive (definitely under 10 grand).  Lots of times it's like a corrugated steel or plastic with some channels to harvest the water that falls on it, run it down a created slope, then drain it at the end.

ETA:  Here's a link to an example of what it is.  www.decksdirect.com/more-deck-products/under-deck-drainage/zip-up-underdeck-deck-drainage?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2efrBRD3ARIsAEnt0ehZSihB95YhC9QLqV-ymNYPvYE1ovMx6RdbpvXXn5_I5lPWMJjoZPUaArZSEALw_wcB  There's an estimator at the bottom as well to check rough prices.

[chiver78]

does Sunsetter operate out your way? it's a company that does full-cover retractable awnings. 

[thyme4change]

Sorry, here is the picture.

[thyme4change]

Sept 12, 2019 10:33:58 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

1.  There's no picture that you mentioned...which I think would be helpful.

2.  They make covers that go under decks to have a covered patio underneath.  I'm wondering if that can be installed under your slats (again, no good sense without a photo) but if you used the slats as similar to the decking...attach this under and use it to block the sun and rain.  It's typically called "under deck ceiling" or something similar.  It's not typically super expensive (definitely under 10 grand).  Lots of times it's like a corrugated steel or plastic with some channels to harvest the water that falls on it, run it down a created slope, then drain it at the end.

ETA:  Here's a link to an example of what it is.  www.decksdirect.com/more-deck-products/under-deck-drainage/zip-up-underdeck-deck-drainage?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2efrBRD3ARIsAEnt0ehZSihB95YhC9QLqV-ymNYPvYE1ovMx6RdbpvXXn5_I5lPWMJjoZPUaArZSEALw_wcB  There's an estimator at the bottom as well to check rough prices.

I love the look of that. I will have to watch the video to see how water drains. I don't have a pitch over the slats, so I wouldn't want water to pool in there.

[hoops902]

Sept 12, 2019 11:15:55 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Sept 12, 2019 10:33:58 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

1.  There's no picture that you mentioned...which I think would be helpful.

2.  They make covers that go under decks to have a covered patio underneath.  I'm wondering if that can be installed under your slats (again, no good sense without a photo) but if you used the slats as similar to the decking...attach this under and use it to block the sun and rain.  It's typically called "under deck ceiling" or something similar.  It's not typically super expensive (definitely under 10 grand).  Lots of times it's like a corrugated steel or plastic with some channels to harvest the water that falls on it, run it down a created slope, then drain it at the end.

ETA:  Here's a link to an example of what it is.  www.decksdirect.com/more-deck-products/under-deck-drainage/zip-up-underdeck-deck-drainage?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2efrBRD3ARIsAEnt0ehZSihB95YhC9QLqV-ymNYPvYE1ovMx6RdbpvXXn5_I5lPWMJjoZPUaArZSEALw_wcB  There's an estimator at the bottom as well to check rough prices.

I love the look of that. I will have to watch the video to see how water drains. I don't have a pitch over the slats, so I wouldn't want water to pool in there.

It's designed to go under a deck that isn't pitched.  The system itself creates the pitch for the water to drain on top of the "ceiling" that you install.  It's not a lot of pitch, just enough to drain some water, but it creates it's own pitch when installed on (technically below) a level surface.

[thyme4change]

Awesome.

I am having trouble finding a company that does the work. All the different brands just have DIY videos. I really don't want to DIY this.

[Ryan]

My parents did this, if I remember correctly, it was dark enough to where you didn't feel the sun beating in.  Water drained through the channels off to the side.  

[tractor]

If it’s structurally sound, it would be pretty easy to put clear plastic panels over the top, or a mix of clear and opaque to limit the sun light. Available at most big box hardware stores and depending on the size of your patio, could be done for @ $500 in materials.

If you want to spend more, fly me out there, I’ll go buy the parts, have a couple of drinks then fly back home (which would still be well under $10K). 🙂

[mroped]

What you got there is a base pergola. As it was suggested, your cheapest option would be clear corrugated plastic. You can find it in pretty much any hardware store but you’ll always have your best prices at a big chain such as Lowe’s. 

[bobosensei]

If you just cared about shade you could do a climbing plant that would provide coverage.  I have one with a huge Carolina Jessamine growing on it and in the summer under the pergola it is about 20-30 degrees cooler and makes for a very pleasant place to be.

[thyme4change]

Sept 13, 2019 6:10:42 GMT -5 bobosensei said:

If you just cared about shade you could do a climbing plant that would provide coverage.  I have one with a huge Carolina Jessamine growing on it and in the summer under the pergola it is about 20-30 degrees cooler and makes for a very pleasant place to be.

I had suggested that to my husband and he was afraid it would still let the rain though, and it would climb onto our roof and cause problems.

[mroped]

Any plant would still let rain in! It is just natural! But will provide you with shade and a cooler “atmosphere” than a plastic roof would.
And yes, any wisteria like plant(ivy) will climb on your house roof but you can always trim it back

[laterbloomer]

I have never understood the point of pergolas. I have nothing productive to add, just that.

[thyme4change]

Sept 13, 2019 11:09:00 GMT -5 mroped said:

Any plant would still let rain in! It is just natural! But will provide you with shade and a cooler “atmosphere” than a plastic roof would.
And yes, any wisteria like plant(ivy) will climb on your house roof but you can always trim it back

That sounds like work. I'm too lazy.

🙄