IDEAS: PATIO PROTECTION

Now when I talk about patio protection, I am referring to installations that will assist with protecting your patio furniture and accessories as well as you against the elements of nature. You can have a lovely patio, with beautiful furniture, but if it is a windy day no one will enjoy the relaxation it should offer, if it rains water will get blown in and over time prematurely age your furniture and ruin your accessories which you will struggle to keep clean.

So let’s take a look at all the options – bearing in mind these options will vary dramatically in purchase price, durability and installation costs and difficulty.

1.       Frameless stackable doors & Curtains:

These doors are expensive!!! Between R 3000 – R 6000 per running meter. These will be custom sized and installation will be time consuming and costly and will need to be done by the professionals. You also get the ones that have frames, approximately the same price. The frameless ones are nice as they don’t make the area feel smaller. These doors are very secure and durable; they keep out rain and wind and still let the sunshine in. Outdoor curtains will compliment this set-up, they look beautiful and add to the décor, but they also serve as shade if there is too much sun coming in you can close the curtains whether the stackable doors are closed or open.

2.       Outdoor canvas blinds:

These are a much cheaper option, but being canvas and custom made it will still be rather expensive, but I think the installation will be easier and quicker. They often has a “window” in with clear plastic which still protects the patio from the outside elements when down, but on the sides rain and dust can still come in. They get hooks at the bottom to keep them in place, but are not secured on the sides. Once unhooked one can roll them right up and open up the space. Keeping these clean, I am sure is more difficult than cleaning glass. But they will offer good protection form the weather. One can still add the outdoor curtains so that when you roll the binds up completely you can open and close the curtains for protection from sun.

3.       Roll up ‘doors’:

I don’t know what the costs are of these, I suppose they have to be custom made to fit as per the first two options and I can imagine they must be the price of a garage door. Not the prettiest of options, but secure and definitely will keep the patio clean and protected. Again, curtains can still be added to pretty up the space and for shade from the sun. And when in use they can be rolled up, but I really do not like the look. It is too Industrial.

 Above: Clear patio blinds. These are not glass!!! Look closely. I think they will be difficult to clean and maintain.

Above: The canvas type patio blind with the window.

Above: Stunning "frameless" stackable doors. Very secure, easy to keep clean and maintain.

Above: Roll up outdoor blinds. Not a pretty site when down, but keeps the patio clean!

 

Above: Just love these curtains and this whole patio. It is just lovely!

Above: Just too industrial. I don't like it.

Above: I love this space. Stackable doors open up to the patio connecting the interior of the home with the patio. Curtaining used to cover from exessive sun, I am sure it will be pretty when open. Behind that curtaining there may be another set of stackable doors for all we know... this space is inviting and looks just so relaxing.