The Four Types Of Patio Shelters - How To Compare The Options

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In the UK, patio shelters are homeowners' way of saying it might rain. Surprisingly, they're often right too. Patio shelters provide shelter, although not necessarily always from the rain. Rumour has it that occasionally the UK has been known to catch a glimpse of sun, at which point everyone rushes out with chairs, tables, drinks, sandwiches and sun lotion, only to find that the summer is over and it's back to the grey skies.

But if you have a patio, it does seem a shame to not be able to use it, or at least to have the patio doors open a bit more often. Sitting inside looking glumly at the weather, only so that you can fling open the doors at the first hint of a patch of blue sky does seem a terrible waste of what should otherwise be a hugely enjoyable aspect of your home.

People love having a patio, and certainly having any kind of patio canopy or patio shelter provides a good deal more flexibility than would otherwise be enjoyed. Able to keep off a certain degree of rain as well as protecting from direct sunlight, patio shelters come in all shapes and sizes, and if you're considering the advantages they offer, then you'll be anxious to know just what the options are in terms of make, model, manufacturer, material and cost.

It's also worth bearing in mind the long term advantages and disadvantages of certain patio shelters, since one patio canopy may prove to be very different from another after a few summers have elapsed, whatever the weather may be.

Although we may talk about patio shelters, the actual materials, manufacture and installation applies similarly to other exterior additions to your home, such as bay window canopies and porch canopies. There are several options to consider, although the pros and cons of various alternatives tend to apply equally regardless of the precise installation and location.

Basically the four main options for patio shelters or for any similar installation is either fabric, timber with felt lining, timber with slate or lead, and glass reinforced polyester (otherwise referred to as GRP). These four options should be considered and compared carefully before any final decision is made. Not only will this help to ensure that your patio canopy is ideally suited to your home, your needs and your location, but it will also help to make sure that your long term investment is sound, and isn't merely a quick solution that you're likely to regret in a couple of years' time.

You may well have seen advertisements for fabric canopies around over recent years. They're quick and simple to erect, requiring relatively little expenditure and relatively little installation time, expense or inconvenience. However, it's important to bear in mind that we don't live in the Mediterranean (you may have noticed), and for this reason patio canopies made from fabric will be exposed to the typical British weather.

Ideal for keeping the sunlight off you when you're enjoying the week long summer, they're rarely fully waterproof, and after a few years the fabric may need repairing or replacing as it can begin to suffer either through water damage, rot, mildew or even UV damage.

Timber based canopies, whether felt lined, lead lined or slate tiled will all require a considerable installation period to be accommodated. This can be expensive, although longevity is usually not so much of a problem compared with fabric based shelters.

However, it's important to remember that timber based flat roofs need to be regularly checked and maintained for leakages, and repairs can be costly. Often any damage isn't visible from the outside very easily - it's only when you begin to see mildew on your wallpaper that you know you have a problem.

It's no surprise that glass reinforced polyester patio shelters have soared in popularity across the UK, chiefly because not only are they cheap and quick to install, but require virtually no maintenance and last for many years, providing complete water protection, as well as being UV resistant and mildew resistant.

GRP patio shelters are built on site in a very short space of time, and fitted to the unique irregularities of your patio and exterior wall, meaning that they are guaranteed to be entirely waterproof, with no more maintenance required than a quick wipe with a wet cloth once in a while. Ideally suited to the UK weather, and providing a convenient, low cost way of extending the use of your patio space, GRP patio shelters are a perfect all-round solution, however many hours long the summer is likely to be.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Patio Shelters | www.fibreglassmouldings.co.uk | Patio Canopy

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