Are Covered Patios A Good Investment?

If you are a homeowner, you know how important the real estate market has become to the financial well-being and security of you and your family. Your home may well be your biggest investment, and like any other investment, it needs to be managed and protected. Unfortunately, home repairs are often put off due to costs or the inability to find a good contractor. The same goes for home improvements. The addition of, say, a covered patio may be put off when it could add to the value and enjoyment of your home.

Don't fall into the trap of neglecting home repairs and home improvements just because the real estate market is down. If you are selling, prospective buyers will be extra-critical and choose homes that are well-maintained and cared for. And in downtimes, attractive extras like sunrooms, decks, or pergolas are even more important when buyers have a large selection of homes to pick from.

Repainting a home is a great way to improve its appearance and give it what real estate agents call "curb appeal." Exterior painting isn't difficult and many homeowners do it themselves, but it can be a big and messy job. A good contractor can make things a lot easier by suggesting the proper paint for your home, showing various combinations of colors and carefully selected accent colors, preparing the exterior, and then do the painting quickly and competently. Expert preparation includes power-washing and may include repairing wood, Masonite or Hardie plank siding and trim. This will guard against paint blistering, peeling or flaking later.

Windows are another area of the home that's often neglected. Most homes today have dual pane windows for extra insulation and sound proofing. Unfortunately, the seals on older dual pane windows are often leaky, resulting in condensation and residue between the panes. Leaking seals defeat the purpose of dual pane windows, and the glass becomes dull and ugly. Replacement windows quickly fix this problem. I held off doing mine because I feared it was a big, expensive construction job. Then I learned that windows can often be replaced without ripping out the frames, and found a good contractor who did the work. If you think of replacing windows, also inquire about shatterproof, tinted, tempered and colored glass.

If you have a covered patio or any other structure that attaches to your home, be sure to have a contractor check for dry rot, leaks, cracks and other damage. These things are usually easy to fix, but they can really add up to costly damage unless taken care of. Water leaks, especially, can lead to catastrophic damage. Cracks and holes may provide access for pests, so it's better to tend to that quickly.

Taking care of one's home is good business and a good investment. Whether it's creating additional curb appeal with shiny new paint or an inviting covered patio if you intend to sell your home, or simply keeping your property in good condition so that you won't incur needless repair costs later on, proactive home maintenance makes sense. Many homeowners shy away from those tasks due to costs and the challenge of finding a good, reliable contractor. Don't give up - they are out there and you'll be glad once you find a good one.

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Cover Patio Q&A

What is used to tuck under roof shingles when adding a metal patio cover?

What is used to tuck under roof shingles when adding a metal patio cover with ridges on it? So obviously I cannot tuck the metal roofing with ridges under the roof shingles so is there a certain metal that they sale to tuck under the roof shingles and take shape of metal roofing also? If so what is it called? I seen the metal that they use for ridges on metal roofs but that has a hump on it and dont think that is what is used in my case.. Please post..

Generally the recommended solution is a two part system:

1. A "L" shaped metal transition flashing that goes under the shingles and over the metal.
2. Rubber closures that between the ribs of the metal roof, sealing it off. (These actually go down before the transition flashing.)

See:
http://www.bestbuymetals.com/how-to-install-metal-roofing.html
Click on "Tuff-Rib / Classic Rib Installation Guide"
See Page 10

It works about the same except for going under shingles instead of metal roofing at the top.

I just bought a gazebo that is 10' X 10' and I was wondering how much patio blocks I would need?

The blocks I want to get are 18" X 18". I want to get enough to cover the entire area, plus a few extra rows of them at the front entrance. How many will I need?

You need about 50

1.5X1.5=2.25sq ft
100 divided by 2.25 = 44..444

Plus a few extra for the front

Actually if you want to use whole blocks with no cuts your pad will be a10.5 foot square you will need 49 blocks for the field and how ever many for the entrance, (maybe 4 or 6).