In this day and age, it pays to make wise decisions when it comes to your home improvement dollars. Problem is, breaking ground on a conventional project can be involved, time consuming, and expensive. However, there are a number of new products available which can add equity and utility to your home simply, quickly, and at a fraction of the price of typical home improvements.
Its About the Foundation
If you have a deck or patio in place, chances are it would not support the weight of conventional wood frame construction. With modern building codes, these undertakings require costly reworking, or even complete demolition of your existing deck work or patio just to establish a foundation. But the new wave of Green building products and new lightweight building materials make use of existing decks and foundations while still meeting modern building codes.
What’s Hot:
Metal Pergolas
Arbors and pergolas have traditionally been made of wood. But there are metal pergola and lattice products that look like wood, but don’t suffer from the pitfalls of wood frame construction. Not only do metal pergolas never rot, crack, warp, twist, or become infested with termites, they have other superior attributes as well. They are more adaptable and can span greater distances than traditional trellises, and afford a more finished look for similar price. But factor in the lack of periodic maintenance and they outshine the competition for sure. Moreover, they can be attached to your home utilizing specialty high capacity structural gutters. These “super gutters”, as they are called, enable seamless attachments at or above the fascia of the home which also serve to carry water away from the covered area.
Composite Insulated Roof Systems:
These Energy Star rated roof panels have been specially designed to incorporate all the elements of a ceiling, attic, and roof into one laminated composite which serves the function of all three. These roof systems come with an embossed finish, are available in a variety of colors, and can even be shingled to blend seamlessly with your existing house roof. Unlike traditional single ply metal roof systems, composite roofs are capable of supporting weight, so you can walk on them, and they can span up to 30 feet or more, depending on the thickness and cladding. Composite insulated roof systems are used to create awnings, patio covers, screened rooms, and glass rooms.
Screened Patio Roof Systems
If you want to keep out bugs, debris, and critters, but let the sun and breeze in, then an all screen patio enclosure may be a good fit. Typically integrated with a gutter system, these installations are the least expensive option for providing a feeling of space while keeping you intimate with the elements. Many decks and patios go unused for months at a time due to mosquitoes. A screened enclosure opens the space back up for year round use without separating you from your yard. If you are looking for shade, consider utilizing a special screen designed to block light. Many shading screens block up to 90% of the sun’s radiation, making even the sunniest patio tolerable.
Canvas Retractable Awnings
If you want versatility out of your space, a retractable awning may be for you. Available in hundreds of styles, colors and fabrics. Avoid awnings with diagonal braces and shiny, tarp-like covering. Instead, choose an awning that incorporates load bearing armatures and a quality Sunbrella fabric. These units come in widths up to 24 feet and projections out to around 14 feet, and can be operated manually or by remote control. Many models also adjust in pitch for special circumstances. Keep in mind that retractable awnings aren’t meant to be left extended in the wind or rain. They are primarily a shade producing product which pulls back when not in use.
Vinyl Pane Patio Windows
Imagine converting your patio in minutes between screen and solid covering. Vinyl pane windows allow you to have it both ways, with a minimum of investment. Constructed utilizing an aluminum frame and extremely flexible vinyl material instead of glass, these patio window systems may be the best kept secret in the outdoor living market. Because the panels are so light, they work in any existing patio without the need for special foundations. Since they are made especially for every opening, you will always have a perfect fit. They are available in vertical and horizontal configurations, and insulate as well as a single pane glass window. Though they look like glass, vinyl pane windows can be removed from the frame and stored away for the summer. That’s versatility you don’t get from a glass window. They are also the perfect solution for keeping pollen from coating your patio every year.
Pool Enclosures
Probably nothing adds as much bang for your buck as a screened pool enclosure. Not only do these structures keep out bugs, debris, and critters, they have the effect of moving the “house” out of the back door and into an area which adds thousands of square feet of usable area. Though codes require these structures to function as pool safety fences and withstand 120 mph wind loads, they still are very open, airy, and bright. The most popular design is the mansard style hip roof, which affords the highest volume per square foot of any design, while providing an attractive, modern look. Many people are not aware that screened pool enclosures can be combined with solid insulated aluminum roof panels to create unique and versatile designs which provide a covered area and screened area all in one enclosure. Choose a contractor that specializes in constructing pool enclosures for your best price and overall quality.
Custom Sunrooms
By combining aluminum framework, custom insulated glass windows, and a composite insulated aluminum roof system, a patio can be converted into an all season sunroom fit for any weather, at a fraction of the price you would pay for a wood framed structure. Because the aluminum framework utilizes a stronger yet less bulky material, you will have more glass and less filler. Remember that enclosing with glass creates space which is considered part of your home. Unlike screened or vinyl additions, this “habitable” space will be assessed as additional square footage added to your home. Since costs to construct a sunroom utilizing the green building materials is much less than traditional methods, a large amount of equity can be established with a relatively small investment. 
Andray Herron, All Custom Aluminum
www.allcustomaluminum.com
850-524-0162
