If you have a deck on your property, adding deck coverings offers many benefits. Good deck coverings can shield a deck from weather elements, create a more snug space for outdoor recreation, and also add value to the deck.
When it comes to deck coverings, you have plenty of ways to go. You can go with temporary solutions which you can put up and take down any time you want. You can choose a partially permanent solution like a retractable awning. Or you can have a permanent veranda roof extended over the deck to provide a suitable cover.
Permanent veranda roofs have both pros and cons when used as deck coverings. Here is a look at these.
Benefits of Using Permanent Veranda Roofs as Deck Coverings
Veranda roofs, as the name suggests, is an extension of the structure of your house. As such, these roofs attach directly to the wall at one side of the deck, extending from that wall to cover the deck. This has the obvious advantage of durability – compared to most other deck coverings, veranda roofs are a lot more durable and will last a long time.
Another great thing about permanent patio or deck roofs is that these require very little maintenance on your part. So you don’t have to worry about cleaning, retracting or maintaining any roof parts, which is often the case in other types of coverings.
Downsides to Using Permanent Veranda Roofs as Deck Coverings
The most notable downside of permanent veranda roofs is their prohibitive costs. This type of deck coverings cost a lot more than other options. The material costs alone are a lot higher than most other options. Then there are the labor costs. You can expect to spend a significant sum on the costs of labor involved in building a permanent veranda roof.
Another disadvantage of a permanent roof is, well, that it is permanent. So once the roof is built, you have a very limited scope for customization. This makes it slightly harder to evolve your deck’s aesthetics over time.
Keeping Your Budget in Mind
While permanent roofs are a great option for deck coverings, they have their set of pros and cons as shown above. If budget is not a primary concern, you may consider adding one to your deck. A DIY approach may help you trim down on the overall costs. However, if you want to ensure a job well done, it is best to hire a professional interior and exterior renovation company.
If you’re thinking about adding a deck to your property, your planning should take into account ROI variables. Materials, size, access, and the “wow factor” all contribute to a prospective buyer’s perception of the value added by a deck to the property. It’s worth becoming familiar with deck construction in the comparable properties in your area so you can position yours where you want to be value-wise. Another value relationship to consider is that between your deck budget and the overall value of the property. It doesn’t make ROI dollars and sense to build something too grand for the size and likely resale price of the home. One rule of thumb used by contractors and architects is that a deck should be no larger than the home’s biggest interior space.
Keep in mind, too, that adding value to your home gets the attention of the assessor and the underwriter, so your property taxes and insurance premiums are like to be increased. Like anything else built by human beings, a deck will inevitably require some maintenance and/or repair as time goes by. Good choices of materials, with expert design and construction, are the ticket to keeping those costs down and your enjoyment and ROI up.
