Decks are great.
We all know that.
That’s why so many people have them.
After all, they’re not usually the cheapest thing you can do, but people love getting them anyway.
But you know what can make a deck even better?
The subject of today’s article: deck coverings.
More specifically, what follows is a short list of some of our favorite covered deck ideas to make your deck and yard space even more of a joy than they already are.
And to sweeten things further, they’ll most likely result in an increase in your home’s value if you ever want to sell.
1. Sunroom
Let’s start with one we’ve covered before in a previous article.
Sunrooms are fantastic, especially if you live in a place that has four seasons (or lots of rain).
That’s because, whether the windows are screen or glass, a sunroom is effectively an extension of your house that increases its overall square footage.
It has a roof and 3-4 walls enclosing it from the elements.
Ideally, you’ll be able to open the windows whenever you want while also being able to close them whenever the weather gets a little too rough.
In either case, you’ll be able to lounge in your sunroom and enjoy the sights and sounds outside without actually having to be out in them yourself.
Sometimes, you just want to see but not touch.
And for those times, a nice sunroom is a perfect middle ground.
2. Shade Sail
A shade sail makes you feel almost like you’re living in a teepee, a Saharan nomad encampment, a Mediterranean island town, or an Ice Age hunter’s tent.
As a side note, those might be good aesthetics to draw inspiration from when you’re deciding how to decorate the rest of the space.
Basically, a shade sail is a large piece of cloth or other material (animal hide if you really want to lean into that Ice Age hunter thing).
It stretches between poles, hooks, or whatever else you’ve installed to hold it tightly in place over your deck.
Its simplicity is what lends it its versatility.
3. Awning
Like a shade sail, an awning is a simple covering designed to act as a barrier between you and the sun, rain, or other elements that fall from the sky.
Unlike a shade sail, though, an awning may or may not be fixed in place.
What we mean by that is that some awnings are immovable, while others can be retracted by turning a crank handle or some other means.
This can be helpful if you live in a place that gets a lot of snow or is subject to some other regular weather factor that might predictably damage a shade sail or fixed awning.
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4. Pergola
A long-time favorite of garden lovers, pergolas are fixed in their spot, providing a constant cover between you and the sky.
However, some newer pergolas feature louvered slats, giving you the ability to open your pergola to the sky if you so desire.
The main draw of a pergola is the fact that it looks classy, lasts a long time, is sturdy enough to withstand most weather events, and can be used as a support for certain garden plants.
Yes, not only does it protect you from the sun and the rain, but a pergola can also enable you to grow grapes, roses, or other climbing vines without worrying about them climbing up the walls of your actual house.
5. Gazebo
If your deck is big enough, or if you have multiple deck areas in your yard, you might consider installing a gazebo.
They’re great for providing an additional seating area or even a space for other things, like a grill station or a private outdoor movie theater.
Potentially the most physically robust and stable structure on this list of covered deck ideas, gazebos are the sort of thing you install on your deck or in your yard if you’re thinking long-term about your yard space and home value.
They’re an impressive statement that says, “I care about the place where I live, and I’m invested in it.”
6. Roof Extension
This one is exactly what it sounds like.
A roof extension is an extension of your roof over your deck space.
It will generally be physically attached to either your actual roof or your wall, and it will be fixed in place.
These are fantastic if you want something that’s going to last a while and make your deck look more like an extension of the rest of your house rather than a separate thing on its own.
In other words, a roof extension is one of the covered deck ideas you should consider if you want the overall appearance of your property to be integrated and cohesive.
The Sun Is Not To Be Trifled With
Especially if you have a lighter skin tone, you’re going to want to take the sun seriously and exercise the appropriate level of caution to protect your skin from it.
Excessive sun exposure can cause sunburn, premature aging, and other medical problems we won’t name here because this isn’t that kind of article.
In addition to making your outdoor space more enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing, we encourage you to use one or more of these covered deck ideas to keep yourself and those you care about safe from harmful UV rays.
