Awnings, Canopies and Pergolas Oh My!

Tis the season of sunlight, and the need to escape from it. When it’s really warm out, uncovered outdoor spaces aren’t all that much fun, especially if they are on the south side of the house. At times like these, the only way to get any use from that beautiful deck or patio is to have something, anything, that will block the sun from baking everyone and everything out there.

And like everything else in home design, the type and style of your patio or deck covering will be a function of your house’s style, the solar orientation the outside space has and your budget.

If you are considering the addition of an outdoor shade structure to your property, there are plenty of styles to choose from. The most common and stylish types of shade coverings are patio umbrellas, pergolas, lattice, sail cloth and other types of fabric coverings such as awnings and canopies. Some of these are considered temporary and removable, while others are fixed and permanent.

It may be tempting to order that awning you’ve been admiring or take on a home improvement project such as building a small pergola. While they are considered to be desirable additions to your property, they do still require an application to be submitted. Exterior Alteration Applications are available on the River Hill Community Association website at www.villageofriverhill.org. If you proceed with making the changes to your property before getting approval, you are doing so at your own risk.