A patio cover can make your outdoor living space more comfortable, functional, and enjoyable throughout the year. In Oregon and Washington, homeowners often look for ways to create shade during the summer, stay protected from rain in fall and winter, and get more use from their decks, patios, and outdoor gathering areas year-round.
From traditional wood-framed covers to low-maintenance aluminum systems, acrylic covers, and pergolas, there are several options to consider. Understanding the benefits and differences between each type can help you choose the best patio cover for your home and outdoor living goals.
A patio cover can help homeowners get more use from their outdoor living space while providing protection from the elements. Whether you’re looking to create a more comfortable place to relax, entertain guests, or protect outdoor furnishings, a patio cover can add both function and visual appeal to your home.
Benefits of a patio cover may include:
There isn’t a single patio cover that is best for every home. The right choice depends on your preferred appearance, desired level of weather protection, maintenance expectations, and how you plan to use the space. Below, we’ll look at four popular patio cover options and the benefits of each.
| Cover Type | Best For | Weather Protection | Natural Light | Maintenance | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before you start planning your project, there's one important question that homeowners overlook: Do patio covers require permits in Oregon and Washington? Jump to permit requirements and common mistakes homeowners make. | |||||
| Wood-Framed | Homeowners who want maximum protection and customization | Excellent | Low | Moderate | Excellent |
| Aluminum (Duralum) | Homeowners seeking low maintenance | Excellent | Low | Very Low | Good |
| Acrylic (Acrylite) | Homeowners who want natural light and protection | Good | Excellent | Low | Good |
| Pergola | Homeowners focused on style, shade, and outdoor living | Limited | Excellent | Varies by material | Good |
Every patio cover offers different advantages. The best choice depends on how much weather protection, natural light, maintenance, and design flexibility you’re looking for, or whether you’re trying to pick the perfect patio cover for the style of your Oregon or Washington house.
If you’d like to spend more time outside without worrying as much about the weather, a wood-framed patio cover offers solid protection throughout the year. Its solid roof helps shield your outdoor living space from rain, direct sun, falling leaves, and other weather conditions while creating a comfortable area you can enjoy in more seasons.
Wood-framed patio covers are a popular choice because they offer:
Wood-framed patio covers work especially well with the Craftsman-style homes that are common throughout Oregon and Washington. Craftsman architecture emphasizes natural materials and simple forms, which is one reason wood-framed patio covers look so at home on these properties.
Wood-framed patio covers aren’t limited to Craftsman homes, though. They can be designed to fit a wide range of architectural styles. Features such as exposed beams, wood soffits, and decorative brackets can help create a custom look that feels like an extension of a home. Wood-framed covers can also be tied into an existing roofline so they look like part of the original home design.
At Rick’s, we can design a wood-framed patio cover that fits the look of your home and helps you get more use from your outdoor space. A professionally designed patio cover can help you enjoy your backyard more often while adding lasting beauty and value to your home.
If you like the look of wood but don’t love the idea of ongoing maintenance, a Duralum aluminum patio cover may be a great fit. Duralum’s Weatherwood products combine the appearance of painted wood with the durability of aluminum, giving homeowners a patio cover that can stand up to Oregon and Washington weather with minimal upkeep.
Aluminum patio covers are a popular choice because they offer:
Duralum’s Weatherwood products are available in a variety of colors and feature realistic wood-grain finishes that help homeowners achieve a natural look while benefiting from the strength of aluminum construction.
Aluminum patio covers are especially popular among homeowners looking for a durable, low-maintenance solution that performs well in Oregon and Washington’s changing weather conditions. Thanks to a protective DuPont™ Teflon coating, Duralum patio covers typically require little more than occasional cleaning with soap and water to maintain their appearance.
Duralum products are engineered to withstand demanding weather conditions, including wind, heavy loads, and seismic activity. They also meet or exceed national building code requirements and are backed by a transferrable lifetime warranty, giving homeowners confidence in their long-term performance.
At Rick’s, we’ve found that Duralum Weatherwood products often pair well with ranch-style homes. Their clean lines and wood-look finish complement many of the architectural features common in these homes while providing reliable protection for patios and outdoor living areas.
One tradeoff with many solid patio covers is that they can make a space feel darker. Acrylic patio covers offer a different approach. Their translucent panels allow natural light to filter through while still protecting from rain, UV rays, and other weather conditions.
At Rick’s, we offer Acrylite acrylic patio covers, which are designed to provide weather protection while preserving the bright, open feel many homeowners enjoy. If you’d like more coverage without making your patio feel enclosed, an acrylic patio cover may be worth considering.
Acrylic patio covers are a popular choice because they offer:
In Oregon and Washington, many homeowners want protection from the weather without completely blocking natural light. Acrylic patio covers can help create a comfortable outdoor space while maintaining the bright, open feeling many people enjoy.
They’re especially popular for patios located near windows and glass doors because they allow more natural light to reach adjacent indoor living spaces. For homeowners who want coverage without creating a darker patio or backyard environment, acrylic covers can be an attractive solution.
Acrylite acrylic patio covers are available in a variety of colors and styles and are manufactured using durable acrylic panels designed for long-term outdoor performance. The result is a patio cover that helps protect your outdoor space while maintaining the open, airy feel that many homeowners are looking for.
At Rick’s, we can help you determine whether an acrylic patio cover is the right fit for your home, outdoor living goals, and desired level of natural light.
Not every outdoor space needs a solid roof. Pergolas offer a more open design that can provide partial shade while helping define patios, decks, gardens, poolside spaces, and backyard gathering areas.
For many homeowners, the appeal of a pergola isn’t just the shade it provides. A pergola can help transform an ordinary backyard into a destination for relaxing, entertaining, dining, or simply spending more time outdoors. Pergolas are commonly used to create outdoor rooms and gathering spaces while maintaining an open, airy feel.
Pergolas are a popular choice because they offer:
Pergolas help create outdoor spaces that feel more intentional and inviting. Whether they’re placed over a patio, near a pool, or in a backyard seating area, pergolas can help define how a space is used while maintaining an open connection to the surrounding landscape.
In Oregon and Washington, where homeowners often look for ways to enjoy their outdoor spaces during changing seasons, pergolas provide a balance of shade, airflow, and openness. They create comfortable places to relax, entertain, and spend time outside without fully enclosing the space.
Many homeowners also appreciate the flexibility a pergola offers. It can serve as a simple architectural feature, support climbing plants, or become the centerpiece of a larger backyard gathering area. Because the roof structure remains open, pergolas allow sunlight and airflow to pass through while still providing relief from direct sun. Pergolas are designed to create shade and define outdoor spaces while maintaining an open-air feel.
At Rick’s, we design and build custom pergolas that fit the character of the home and the way the space will be used. Whether you’re creating an outdoor dining area, a place to relax with family and friends, or a focal point in your backyard, a pergola can add both beauty and function to your property.
Homeowners can choose from several pergola options, including cedar pergolas, vinyl pergolas, and Duralum aluminum pergolas. Each offers a different combination of appearance, maintenance requirements, and long-term durability, making it easier to find a pergola that fits your home and outdoor living goals.
And for those homeowners love the open feel of a pergola but would like additional protection from rain and sun, WeatherShield pergola covers can provide added coverage while preserving many of the benefits that make pergolas so popular.
Still have questions? Here are answers to some of the most common questions homeowners ask when comparing patio cover options.
Are patio covers worth the investment?
What should I consider before choosing a patio cover?
How long will a patio cover last?
Can a patio cover be attached to an existing home?
Which patio cover requires the least maintenance?
Can a pergola protect against rain?
What’s the difference between a pergola and a patio cover?
What patio cover allows the most natural light?
At Rick’s, we often get questions about permits. While the exact information depends on your municipality, we always advocate for being cautious to avoid an issue in the future!
Although it may vary by municipality, most areas adhere to the rule that you need a permit if your cover is over 200 sq. feet. Many people think a permit isn’t required if it’s not attached to the house. However, that’s a common misconception. Even a free-standing structure built on your property needs a permit if it’s more than 200 sq. feet. Many covers over a specific size will also require engineering to ensure the cover will be built solid enough to withstand things like potential snow load and wind gusts.
Deciding not to get a permit when one is required can be a very costly mistake for a few reasons. Imagine these scenarios:
Whether you’re interested in a wood-framed patio cover, a low-maintenance aluminum system, an acrylic cover that lets in natural light, or a custom pergola, the Rick’s team can help you compare options and design a solution that fits your home, lifestyle, and budget.
With more than 40 years of experience serving homeowners throughout Oregon and Washington, including Salem, Eugene, Hillsboro, Gresham, Vancouver, and the Tri-Cities, we’ve helped thousands of families create outdoor spaces they can enjoy in more seasons and in more weather conditions.
Schedule your free estimate and design consultation today, and let’s start planning your ideal outdoor living space.
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