If you’re in the market for a new patio cover, there are a few things to consider. Ultimately, you want to balance durability, longevity, and price.
While it can be challenging to find this balance without compromising on at least one of these three options, below we give you some pointers on patio cover costs, all to help you save money.
Key Takeaways On Patio Cover Costs
- Factor in your environment, whether in a hot, damp, or colder climate and how that will react with certain fabrics and materials.
- Measure your items correctly so you don’t have to send your covers back and forth to ensure they’re optimum size.
- Explore the option of bulk buying to save on patio cover costs, such as a table and chair cover combination.
- Think about what type of warranty suits you when working out your costs: a short-term (1 or 2 year) one or a lifetime guarantee?
Understanding What Your Patio And Furniture Needs
Air conditioning units, patio chairs, tables, and barbeques are all items you can find in an outdoor patio space. In the case of portable air conditioning units, for instance, you can lock them away. Yet a robust and durable fabric cover is usually still advisable as it stops pests and eventual grinding down of the system due to adverse weather.
Ideally, you’ll want to cover all the items, especially if they're stationary and can’t be moved into areas sheltered from the wind, heavy rain, ice, or blistering heat. Any prolonged exposure can hamper the product's lifespan and often cost you more in the long run.
So, when you buy a new product for your patio, check to see what storage and protection needs it has. That way you can make sure you get the most for your money.
Important Factors To Consider On Patio Cover Costs
Weighing up the most economical purchase for anything is an excellent mindset to get into. As inflation continues to creep up in prominent economies like the US, ensuring you get the suitable material, fit, and size while managing your patio cover costs is essential.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important factors to keep in mind when budgeting.
Type Of Material
By comparing materials, you can find out how durable your patio cover is and what would be the best type of fit. Ultra-premium 600 denier polyester is the most expensive fabric. However, this is because it is the most durable, 50% more than economy materials like non-woven polypropylene, and sub-premium 300 denier polyester, which is around 20% more durable than the economy.
It’s important to factor in weather extremes throughout the year and get the most durable material to match that. For example, you may want a covered patio, with a roof for extra protection.
However, the economy option could be the better idea if you’re looking to cover a few items that you store underneath a sheltered area. It all depends on your setup and outdoor space.
Size
If you have custom-made or bespoke patio furniture, you must ensure you get the measurements right before fitting a cover.
Larger items simply cost more due to the measurement of materials needed. Sourcing extra materials and designing them for larger items will incur extra patio cover costs.
Shape
As a rule of thumb, if you have a bigger-than-average patio table or an item that’s of a unique shape in your garden, such as a high-standing wide table or larger chairs that stretch beyond a regular size, chances are that you’re going pay a little more.
It’s important to compare prices if you find yourself in this position or potentially look to purchase a package deal from the same provider that covers several of your amenities.
Permanent Patio Cover vs Material Cover
Whether you decide on a material-based cover or a more permanent structure will depend on the level of protection you need to give your patio area.
If you want extra coverage and protection, you may opt for something that has a patio roof. These structures may consist of wood and aluminum and may have a deck roof. You could also opt for something like a louvered patio roof, which is similar in structure to a pergola, but the slats are narrower.
Materials for patio roofs are often influenced by the climate. If you live in a damp environment, opting for aluminum instead of wood tends to be the better option as it doesn’t have the scope to rot or become damp and damaged.
However, material costs can influence a project. Patio or deck roof costs can range drastically depending on the type of wood, for instance, and not getting the right one can led to moldy patio furniture.
For extra durability and longevity, you could use both a permanent cover and material covers. For example, if you have a wooden structure that provides partial coverage, you can explore cheaper material covers for individual items, which are still durable, like non-woven polypropylene. Again, you must weigh up this based on your environment, budget, and the likes of your timeframe for completing the project.
With such a wealth of options, even for individual patio heaters or fire pits, the market for covers directly correlates. Environmental factors, cost, and time are the three most critical factors when weighing up permanent patio covers and the material you wish to use to protect the items within it.
How Much Do Material Patio Covers Cost?
Patio cover costs are often dictated by the material you choose and the size of the product. For instance, in the PatioCover.com store, if you’re looking for an extra-large chair cover, economy non-woven polypropylene will cost around $40, with ultra-premium polyester costing $93.
Smoker grill covers stretch across a similar price range, with ultra-premium costing slightly less at $83.
More extensive items on your patio, such as large oval tables, will push you over the $100 mark if you’re looking for ultra-premium polyester. Many people explore the chair and table combination, which is cheaper and stretches right across all of the items, and one way to potentially save money and cut your patio cover costs.
These prices are some of the most competitive in the US market right now, and on top of that, you can get a lifetime warranty too.
How Much Does A Permanent Covered Patio Cover Cost?
The average costs of a permanent patio cover will depend on the size of your outdoor area and what you need to guard it from. On average, patio cover costs anywhere between $50 and $150 per square foot. A patio cover can be freestanding or added as an extension area to your property.
Aluminum Patio Covers
An aluminum cover can cost between $15 and $70 per square foot. Vinyl is often the cheapest cover, but many people don’t like the look and it isn’t as durable.
As you probably expect, this comes with additional construction and labor costs unless you make the structure yourself.
It’s for these reasons that material patio covers are preferred. In many cases, they’re quicker, easier and cheaper than permanent covers.
More Tips On Getting The Best Price For Patio Covers
To make sure you keep your patio cover costs down, we recommend taking the time to make sure you get the right measurements.
Our measuring guide will help you measure your unit correctly before you put your hand in your pocket.
Taking time to carefully measure your budget and explore what products you need and whether you can buy them in bulk or with a discount are all ways to keep costs as low as possible.
Buy Cost-Effective Patio Covers
If you want to take advantage of some of the best patio cover costs around, head to our store.
You can combine a patio chair and table cover if you want to cover your amenities most economically. Weighing up the pros and cons of your warranty cover is also a good idea. Cheaper economy materials like non-woven polypropylene and sub-premium 300 denier polyester are cheaper one-off payments. However, they come with a one-year and two-year warranty, respectively.
While the ultra-premium 600 denier polyester is the most expensive fabric, the lifetime warranty will save you money if you have to replace it. Given that it is 50% more durable, those who weigh it up go for the expensive option and gamble on the long-term costs, saving money.
Learn More About Patio Covers
Jan Craig
Writer
PatioCover.com
