A patio can add living space to your home. You may use it as an extra kitchen and dining area, a play area for the kids, or a place for adults to gather and socialize. If you want to be able to use your patio year-round and in inclement weather, it is a good idea to have a patio cover installed. You can choose what type of cover you want so that it matches the rest of your house. It can be strictly functional, or you can have one that is decorative too. Regardless of the type of cover you have installed, there are benefits other than just having more living space.

Energy Efficiency

A simple patio cover helps keep the sun from streaming into the windows around the area. In the summer, this means your home will not get as hot from the sun. While you may want the sun streaming in to add heat in the winter, you can hang curtains from the patio cover instead. This will create a buffer zone and keep the cold air from cooling down the house. Any time you can minimize the effects from outside, your heating and cooling bill will be reduced.

Save Furniture

A patio cover helps prevent weather and sun damage to your outdoor furniture. You will not have to worry about covering the furniture or storing it in the garage when you have a patio cover. In addition, the furniture in the room next to the patio will also be saved from sun damage and fading. Sun damage can cause the material to weaken so that it tears easily. You will also notice that the pieces next to the windows have different coloring than the rest of the furniture due to the sun. This type of damage can affect any carpets or rugs in the area as well. 

Increase Home Value

Any time you add extra living space to a house, it increases the home's value. While you may not want to sell right now, at some point in the future the idea might be appealing. A patio cover adds more value to the home than what it cost you to buy it and have it installed.

Contact a patio cover company to discuss the different options for your home. Once you have the cover bought and installed, you will be surprised at how much more time everyone spends outside. Your family will be getting a lot of fresh air and your home will be staying neater.