Five Extra Costs to Consider If Using Insulated Roof Panels to Make a Covered Patio
Insulated roof panels are large panels that snap together, and in addition to insulating your roof, they can also be used over a patio. They help keep a patio more temperate, while also adding shade. However, these panels need a few supporting elements. Here's a look at what you need so you can start to crunch the numbers and decide if you want an insulated covered patio:
1. Fascia Gutters
Fascia gutters are special gutters that are going to be attached to the fascia boards located at the edge of your eaves. These gutters don't carry water. Rather, they have a angled shape that is ideal for slotting one end of the panels into.
2. Posts and Beams
While the fascia gutter and some adhesive hold up the roof side of your panels, you'll need something else to hold up the other side. In most cases, this is as simple as putting up a few posts and beams. The posts can be planted into the ground around your patio with concrete. Then, the beams can be attached to them to provide a supportive structure against which your insulated panels can rest.
The insulated panels can typically rest on a pretty spare frame of posts and beams, but if you want extra beams to hold hanging chairs, hammocks or hanging plants, you will want to take that into account when thinking about your design.
3. Gutters
If you currently have traditional gutters on your house, you will end up removing a portion of them when you get ready to install your insulated panels. In some cases, you may opt to live without them, but if you live in an area with heavy rainfall, you may want to outfit the covered patio with its own set of gutters and downspouts.
4. Panel Thickness
In addition to thinking about rainfall, you also need to investigate the wind load ratings in your area. Of course, the wind load itself doesn't add anything to the cost of your project, but it helps dictate the thickness of the panels you need, and that is important to consider when you are pricing out this project.
5. Extra Accessories
While insulated roofing panels over your patio help to block the sun from above, they don't give you any protection on the sides. For that reason, you may want to add outdoor blinds or curtains to your covered patio, and you should factor those costs as well.
If you are ready to move forward, contact a roofing panel expert for more information today. In addition to selling panels, many companies also take care of installation as well, and they may be able to give you a package price for a covered patio if you prefer.