Patio cover, veranda or pergola? Comparison is key!

Roof covers are indispensable if you want to enjoy nature from the comfort of your home, so verandas, pergolas and patio covers are definitely working the indoor/outdoor trend. But what’s the difference between those three?

Pergola: pros and cons

A traditional pergola is a wooden structure or an archway that shades a path or patio. The framework is often covered with climbing plants. Pergola’s have both pros and cons:

• The foliage adds shade to your patio

• A touch of romance: a pergola sprinkles your garden with rustic charm.

• A pergola is not attached to your home, which makes extra heating difficult.

• The plants that line your pergola need regular grooming.

• Pergolas offer no shelter from the rain, and are difficult to attach an awning to.

Veranda: pros and cons

A veranda is a kind of lean-to conservatory. Verandas become comfortably warm once the sun hits the glass, making them the perfect place to relax and recharge. Their biggest advantages:

• Additional living space: a veranda is the perfect lounge area. You can have a seat to read a book or enjoy a cup of coffee anytime you like.

• Plenty of natural light: treat yourself and your plants to a sunshine fix.

• Available in all price ranges.

However, a veranda’s biggest plus can also become a bit of a bother. The glass structure can make the room become as hot as a furnace on summer days, heating up adjacent rooms as well (nothing that can’t be fixed with a sun awning, though). In the winter months, it’s the other way around: without heating, verandas become too chilly to use.

Patio cover

While a veranda creates extra space indoors, a patio cover creates an additional, comfy outdoor area.

Benefits

• Your patio is sheltered while you retain complete control over your sun shading system.

• There are patio covers to match any style – from pastoral to sleek and modern.

• You can pimp your patio cover with heating elements, an audio system, LED-lighting and even sliding panels for extra protection against the sun, rain and wind.

• An aluminum terrace covering that isn’t overgrown with plants requires less maintenance than a traditional pergola.

Tips and trick

Make sure to keep these questions in mind when you’re buying a patio cover:

• Is the material durable and strong?

• Does the design complement your house and garden?

• Where will you install your patio cover to make sure the sunlight hits it just right?

Also interesting: the difference between a pergola and gazebo and the difference between a pergola and veranda.
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