Patio Cover Before Concrete: Why Planning Shade First Saves Time and Money

In sunny Southern California, shade is essential to creating an outdoor space that gets used and enjoyed. A professionally installed aluminum patio cover offers a durable, low-maintenance solution for outdoor comfort. When intentionally planned, they act as an extension of your living space that flows seamlessly with the rest of your home and yard design.

If you’ve decided that you want to upgrade your backyard with a patio cover, you may be wondering when the right time is to start the process. It may surprise you, but the best time to reach out to a patio specialist is before concrete is poured. Many homeowners jump straight to concrete or hardscaping when beginning their backyard transformation. However, the best first step is to reach out to a patio pro early on, in order to save time, money, and frustration. Let’s talk about why that is, and the benefits of planning for shade first:

Stability & Structural Planning

Planning for a patio cover prior to hardscaping is the ideal approach, as it allows builders to lay the anchors for your cover directly into the ground for maximum stability, preventing shifting. Pouring the concrete around the existing anchors creates a seamless look and lowers the risk of the cement slab cracking over time. Laying the framework first creates the cleanest look while also maximizing stability.

Design Cohesion

Shaded areas become the focal point of your outdoor space, so planning the materials, finishes, size, location, and more for your patio cover early on is crucial to ensuring that you can get the most use and enjoyment out of your space. By planning ahead, you can ensure that your desired layout is possible, and that secondary elements like concrete, lighting, and other elements complement the space.

Avoid Costly Rework

Planning your patio cover before pouring concrete also helps prevent expensive changes down the line. When a cover is added after hardscaping is complete, it often requires cutting into concrete to install footings or adjust placement, which adds time, cost, and unnecessary disruption to a brand-new yard.

Planning Your Backyard Transformation?

If you’re anticipating adding shade to your outdoor space in the near future, save yourself time, money, and headaches by reaching out to a patio cover specialist early in the process. Schedule a commitment free consultation to connect with our team of experts and see how we can help you transform your yard into one that will be used and enjoyed for years to come!