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It’s no surprise that here at Patio Heat and Shade we spend more time on our patios than anyone we know. If you can’t get enough of your “outdoor me time” either, we’ve got some ideas on how to make the most of your patio this winter. Enclosing your patio (temporarily or permanently) will extend its life into and perhaps throughout the winter, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space year-round. Let’s look at some of our favorite patio enclosure ideas for winter…
Enclosing your patio in glass will create an amazing family sunroom, perfect for your morning wake-up routine, pet sunbathing, kids’ playroom, yoga/workout space, after work cocktail room or even a napping room, all while surrounded by your gorgeous outdoor view. A fully enclosed sunroom not only adds more warmth to your home but gives you the gift of soaking up your natural surroundings while being bathed in natural (vitamin-D producing) light.
Enclosing your porch with screens gives you all the comforts of indoor living with the health benefits and fresh air of the great outdoors. In the summer, screens make this a fantastic summer retreat, with a solid roof to provide shade and protection from harmful UV rays while the screens allow fantastic airflow without the bugs. During the summer, the obvious benefit of keeping the bugs on the other side of the screen is a given… but during the winter a screened porch continues to provide protection from the weather by abating snow or rain from entering your porch area. Turn your “3-season” room in to more of a 4-season room with the addition of a patio heater which can raise the outdoor air temperature by as much as 30 degrees (F).
Retractable patio covers (also known as retractable awnings) provide UV protection year-round, keeping your family safe from the sun’s harmful rays. Additionally, retractable awnings in winter provide shelter from the rain and snow, adding to the time your family enjoys your patio space. Select an awning with cheerful, vibrant colors to help battle the seasonal depression many experience during winter. Consider your temperate zone when selecting a retractable awning… selecting an awning for Northern Michigan and one for South Georgia are two very different things. Check out the weather resistance ratings of awnings before you make your selection.
During the winter we strive to cut down on the amount of snow, rain and wind that gets into our patios, and creating a barrier between the outdoors and your patio is the best way to do so. The problem is, we don’t want to wall it off – we want to still enjoy the open air feeling that our patios allow. This is the perfect situation for patio shades – for a small investment you can significantly reduce the winter’s weather from reaching your precious patio space. Besides, a gently blowing breeze passing through patio shades creates a visual landscape that can’t help but relax you.
When selecting a pergola, opt for one with a louvered roof to provide open air refreshment in the summer and a closed ceiling in the winter. Already have your pergola? You can install a retractable roof to offer the same functionality. The addition of waterproof tarps to the top and sides of your pergola will go a long way toward making your pergola fully usable in the winter. Once you’ve got the top and sides enclosed, select the perfect patio heater to warm your family and make your pergola a cozy retreat
Adding outdoor temporary patio space for a winter event isn’t as hard as you might think. Select a pop-up gazebo tent that will instantly expand your outdoor party space, especially if you select one with curtains built into the frame. Closing these curtains and selecting a small patio heater as a heat source, you can create a little, enclosed entertainment space that is perfect for your next outdoor winter party. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for anchoring the gazebo when the winds increase in speed.
When it comes to making your outdoor patio comfy in winter, it’s time to bring the heat. Some of our customers have built-in heating in the floors of their patios (an excellent way to heat the space incognito) and find that using their patios in winter is easy as pie. For the rest of us an outdoor fire in a fire pit has been the go-to method of heating a patio space. If you prefer your heat to be a little more modern, install the right outdoor patio heater to keep everyone comfy.
When selecting outdoor furniture that can weather through winters with no problem, focus on furniture made from aluminum, plastic, concrete, or teak wood furniture. Conversely, stay away from iron or steel, and wicker or rattan as they are susceptible to corrosion and damage from prolonged exposure to moisture. Invest in nice outdoor cushions but store them in the garage when the winter winds arrive to keep them in tip-top shape for spring. Winter patio décor should lean heavily on natural elements, like coniferous wreaths and planters featuring pinecones and winter berries.
Enclose your patio with the thickest material possible, keeping in mind that one of the reasons you love your patio is for the outdoor views. One of our favorite methods of enclosing a patio is to use a thick, clear vinyl siding panel to enclose your patio walls, keeping the amazing views from your patio while introducing a thick plastic insulating sheet to keep heat inside. As a bonus, you’ll get the benefits of the greenhouse effect to heat your patio. Select a patio heater that is highly efficient (electric infrared heaters are our favorites) to keep costs down.
One of the things we love about our patio spaces is their versatility… they can be summertime BBQ hangouts, spring birthday party venues, winter formal dining rooms and locations for fall harvest festivals all in one space. Enclosing and heating your patio is the best way to get the very most out of your patio space, keeping it the go-to destination for any family and friend get-togethers all year round. Sit back, close your eyes, and smell the honeysuckle-scented spring breeze, the summer wind providing a much-needed heat respite, the crispness of fall in the air and the crackling clean scent of winter all in your one outdoor oasis.
When building or modifying your outdoor patio to prepare for winter, start by enclosing the walls to keep the heat inside, then select the right heat source to keep everyone comfortable. Selecting furniture ready to weather the winter and adding winter-friendly décor will get your patio ready for winter. Ready for that perfect heating solution but not sure which one is right? We’ve got your back on this – call one of our patio comfort experts here at Patio Heat and Shade and we’ll be happy to talk you through it, one step at a time.