What Are Deck Covers?
Deck covers can take an exposed outside area and provide shade, shelter, protection and style. They can be constructed of various materials, such as wood, vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, and plastic, with some being custom-built while others are pre-fabricated.
You can choose one to fit over a pre-existing deck or to enhance a custom deck you may be constructing along with the help of your designer and deck contractor.
You may have opted for a wooden deck, or have a composite deck surface, or you may simply have a concrete flat patio area where you are considering adding this feature. The main purpose of installing a deck cover is to prevent water from entering the space between deck boards, which can cause damage to the underlying structure and even cause structural failure. However, deck covers can serve as basic a purpose as providing shade or being an accent piece which is aesthetically pleasing and suits the look and feel you want.
A deck cover can be an essential piece of equipment for an outdoor space for the simple reason of longevity, preventing damage and reducing maintenance costs over time. In particular, if you have a wooden deck, damage from natural elements is a concern and quite an important consideration, whether you live near the beach or on a country property in Canada. Both scenarios come with their own elemental maintenance concerns.
Deck covers can offer protection against wind, rain, snow, heat, bugs, and other weather conditions. They also provide privacy, prevent dirt from accumulating, and can provide other opportunities to really make your outdoor space reflect your own personality and tastes.
However, not every type of deck cover does all of these so consider your reasons for wanting a deck cover installed and consider which type will meet your needs.
Here are the top 5 reasons you should get a deck cover installed if you live in Canada.
1. Protect Your Deck (And You!)
Living in Canada has its pros and cons. While we enjoy those long summer days and can even appreciate those calm rainy days, or a beautiful wintery snowfall, it’s important to protect your deck from not only harsh weather conditions but the cumulative effect of even those milder sunny days over time.
Whether your deck is exposed to sun, rain, wind, or an abundance of snow, these natural elements can severely damage your deck and other types of outdoor furniture.
This is where deck covers come into play.
A deck cover protects your deck, furniture and guests from harmful UV rays, it can provide shelter from the rain, block out the wind, and keep snow from settling on your deck. They can also provide protection from insects and other pests.
Speaking of protection, MDT also shared 8 essential deck maintenance tips for fall and winter in this blog if you’re interested.
3. Keep Your Deck Cool (And Your Home!)
Once summertime comes around, odds are you and your family will be spending more and more time outside in fairly hot weather. Canada’s summers can be as warm as the tropics on certain days. On average, the warmest province in Canada is Ontario.
They get hotter summers than BC, so although the winter days might be colder, their summer days are hotter and, as temperatures rise, so does the need for air conditioning.
The good news is adding a deck cover can not only protect your deck (and skin) from extreme sunlight and heat, it also results in a cooler deck. Even better, it can provide a structure for you to pop in a ceiling fan or corner fan to further cool down the area.
The best news is that this cooling effect can actually transfer to your home! By breaking the effect of direct sun on your home’s walls and windows, the temperature inside the house can be moderated somewhat, which means you can save on energy bills. Another saving can come from the fact that if the family is comfortable outside, that means fewer people indoors running fans or the AC.
3. Improve the Aesthetics of Your Outdoor Living Space (And Get Creative!)
Not only do covered decks provide protection from natural elements and a cooling effect but they also allow you to transform your backyard into a beautiful outdoor living space. Given the variety of shapes, styles, sizes, and materials you can choose from, you can get really creative and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your backyard.
Maximise the look of your outdoor space with a motorised louvered pergola. With a touch of a remote, your world will be transformed. The louvered roof allows or blocks the sun, can open completely, allowing full sun and breeze, and keeps out rain or snow when in the closed position. They can be adjusted to meet your exact preferences. Enjoy more views of the outdoors with a stylish, functional design.
Or a transparent roof covering to protect against the rain while still being able to view the stars at night? Or a modern sleek design with recessed lighting to enhance the architectural style of your home? Maybe you’re a little more bohemian and would like a pop of colour with an accent wall all strung with fairy lights.
Creating a covered area to enjoy a meal, have a glass of wine by an outdoor fireplace, or show off your expertise if you’re a Grill Master are all great for social butterflies, while simply designating an area to house your plants and a hammock for the perfect nap may be more your speed. These are only a few ideas of the enhancements that a deck cover can offer, your imagination is all it takes.
Looking for some backyard inspiration? Here are some other backyard oasis ideas that will transform your outdoor space.
4. Add Value to Your Home (And Life!)
Installing a deck cover can definitely allow you to enjoy your outdoor spaces more, however, it not only improves your enjoyment and the aesthetics of your outdoor living space, it can also increase the value of your home.
By customising your deck and the cover for your deck, you can increase your home’s resale potential, giving you good reason beyond your own immediate comfort to install a deck cover as an addition to your house.
For the same reasons mentioned above, for those looking to buy a home, aesthetic appeal, maintenance costs, and lowered energy bills are all great selling features, as is an outdoor living space in general.
The main thing to remember is that covers should complement your home’s exterior style which means you should choose a design that complements the architectural character of your home. The best part is that you will get to enjoy it in the meantime while knowing your home has just increased in value with this one addition.
If you’re not sure what your vision is yet, consulting with expert deck builders can help you to transform your backyard into a functional yet beautiful outdoor living space.
5. Enjoy Your Deck All Year (Day or Night!)
Enjoying the outdoors can be difficult when you live in a country like Canada. With more than half of the year consisting of unpredictable weather, it’s tempting to stay indoors. So, if you want to enjoy your patio or deck space all year round, consider adding a deck cover to your backyard space.
That way you can truly enjoy spending time in your outdoor oasis relaxing with a book during the evenings, spending quality time with your loved ones, or hosting dinner parties under the stars (and built-in lighting) with the protection of a covered deck, no matter the time of year.
Just make sure to choose the cover that suits your activities, whether it’s keeping out the bugs in June, keeping warm in winter, or minimizing all those pesky falling leaves in fall that can affect your deck and are a pain to sweep.
Better yet, discuss features and elements to include in your cover like retractable blinds, cooling fans, heaters, screens and lighting to ensure you can enjoy your deck day or night, no matter the weather or time of year. Whether you’re looking for a simple or custom design, our team can help you choose the perfect cover for your deck. Contact Mississauga Decks & Trim to discuss your project today.
