Here's a quick question for you: what are patios called that don't have patio canopies fitted? The answer is more often than not a waste of good paving stones, since for many people living in the UK, the patio gets used only a handful of times per year.
Without patio roofs or patio canopies the patio is open to the elements, and do we have plenty of those in this country! With the weather in this country being so unpredictable it's virtually impossible to know for certain that a patio will be able to be used.
You can't even plan ahead for this evening at lunchtime the weather often changes that quickly. If you want to entertain, perhaps inviting friends over for a summer evening's drink and nibbles, you can't predict that the weather will be suitable, and if it isn't, you have to make do with sitting indoors.
This is a great shame because more often than not with just a little bit of shelter the patio would be perfectly fine, and if you could use your patio more, you'd almost certainly find more opportunities to use it. This makes sense, since the more usable something is, the more used it becomes, until you start being able to predict that you'll be able to take advantage of your patio space, enjoying fresh air, the outdoors, the views of the garden you so lovingly tend, (or dust, depending on your tendency for green fingers).
Being able to invite friends over, knowing that you'll be sheltered by either patio roofs or patio canopies will mean that you can plan for an evening's entertainment without always having to have a backup plan for if the weather turns damp.
But of course whilst it is easy to consider the elements of the UK as being somewhat inclement, and decidedly damp, this isn't necessarily the case, and there's the opposite viewpoint to consider. Because although patio roofs may well prove to be especially beneficial in protecting you and your guests from summer showers, there is also the sun to consider.
Sitting outdoors is great, and getting a little sun on your skin and fresh air in your lungs does all of us the world of good. But we're also increasingly aware of the dangers of sitting out in the sun for too long - even in the UK.
For this reason many people have chosen to have patio canopies fitted which provide a little shelter from direct sunlight, diffusing the light a little and helping to afford skin enough protection to allow for sitting outside for longer, without having to slap on factor 50 every thirty minutes.
Of course, when it comes to choosing patio roofs and patio canopies you have several different choices, and depending upon your home, your preferences, your exterior decoration and your budget you may decide between one of three main types.
The three main types of patio roofs include those made from canvas or some other form of fabric material, those made from timber, and those made using a material known as glass reinforced polyester, sometimes abbreviated to GRP.
Of the three, timber framed patio roofs or patio canopies are of course the most expensive. Although you'll be sheltered from the rain, the sun won't be able to get through of course, and if you enjoy soaking up a little sun then the timber framed canopies or roofs may be a little too opaque.
Fabric or canvas based patio canopies are a popular choice, and can look very attractive, often available in a wide range of colours and styles. However, it's important to be aware that they often have a limited lifespan, because whilst fabric based patio canopies are perfect in some countries such as Spain, in the UK they're exposed to considerably more moisture, which can cause mildew and rot to develop over time.
Perhaps the safest option, and certainly the most affordable, are those patio roofs and patio canopies made from glass reinforced polyester, or GRP. These offer a level of translucency that ensures protection from the elements, but also allows enough light to pass through that you can enjoy your patio without feeling as though you're practically indoors again.
Because GRP is fully waterproof, there are no long term worries as far as maintenance is concerned. Once you've had your choice of GRP patio canopies or patio roofs fitted, all you need to worry about is choosing the drinks and nibbles and deciding who to invite first.
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