Southwest Patio Blog

do-patio-covers-really-lower-your-cooling-bill

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:27:22 GMT

Do Patio Covers Really Lower Your Cooling Bill?

Yes — patio covers lower cooling bills for most Phoenix-area homes, and the savings usually land between 10 and 25 percent during the hottest months. The honest catch: how much you save depends on which walls and windows your cover shades, and on the kind of panels you choose.

I own Southwest Patio , and I have been building shade across the Valley for more than 20 years. Folks call us The Shade Experts, and this question comes up on almost every estimate. So here is the straight answer, with real numbers and no sales fluff.

How Patio Covers Lower Cooling Bills in Phoenix

Your air conditioner is not really fighting the outside air. It is fighting the sun. When the afternoon sun blasts a west-facing sliding glass door, radiant heat pours straight through the glass, and glass is terrible at stopping it. One big slider can turn a family room into an oven by 4 p.m.

A patio cover blocks that sun before it ever reaches the glass. It also shades the back wall and the concrete slab, which soak up heat all day and keep radiating it into the evening. Shade the glass, the wall, and the slab, and your AC stops fighting a losing battle every afternoon.

Insulated Panels Do the Heavy Lifting

Not every cover cools the same. Our insulated patio covers are built with a thick foam core pressed between two sheets of aluminum. On a 110-degree day, the underside of an insulated panel stays close to the air temperature. A plain single-skin panel can get hot enough that you feel the heat radiating down on your head.

If your patio faces west or south, or if you dream about closing it in as an Arizona room someday, insulated panels are worth every penny. They keep the covered space cooler, so less heat presses against your back wall and door. To compare every option side by side, our product styles page lays them all out.

A Real Story From a West Valley Backyard

A retired couple in Goodyear called me about a west-facing slider that was cooking their family room. That room ran close to ten degrees hotter than the rest of the house every afternoon, the drapes stayed shut all summer, and the AC ran nonstop all afternoon. We built a 14-by-20 insulated cover over that patio.

Two months later they told me their July bill came in about 70 dollars lower than the same month a year earlier, and the family room finally matched the rest of the house. Nothing changed but the shade. That is a typical result for a west exposure — not a miracle, just physics.

The Honest Part: What a Patio Cover Will Not Fix

I would rather lose a sale than oversell one. A patio cover is not magic, and the savings are small when:

• Your patio faces north or already sits in the shade of trees or a two-story wall. You will gain outdoor comfort, but the bill will not move much.

• Your attic insulation is thin or your ducts leak. The roof, not the patio door, is your biggest heat source, and a cover cannot touch that.

• Your AC unit is old and struggling. Shade helps it, but shade cannot rescue it.

• The cover only shades a small window. Small glass, small savings.

Even then, a cover still gives you a usable outdoor room from October through May. But if your main goal is cutting the bill, I will tell you at the estimate whether your layout will really deliver. And since a cover has to earn its price, read my plain-English breakdown of what an aluminum patio cover costs in Arizona before you set a budget.

How to Get the Biggest Savings From Your Cover

After 20-plus years of Valley installs, here are my rules of thumb:

• Shade the west glass first. West-facing sliders and windows are the worst heat offenders in Arizona.

• Go insulated on west and south exposures. The foam core makes a difference you can feel with your hand.

• Make the cover deep enough. A shallow cover lets the low 5 o'clock sun sneak underneath it.

• Want your winter sun back? An adjustable louvered cover opens for December sunshine and closes tight for June shade.

Get an Honest Answer for Your Own Backyard

So, do patio covers lower cooling bills? Yes — and at your house, the size of the savings comes down to your sun exposure, your glass, and your panels. I am happy to look at all three for free. Southwest Patio has served Phoenix and Maricopa, Pinal, Gila, and Yavapai counties for over 20 years. We are licensed, bonded, and insured (ROC #282768), we help with HOA approval and permit paperwork, and financing is available. Call or text 623-695-6445 for a free estimate.

FAQ: Patio Covers and Cooling Bills

How much can a patio cover lower my cooling bill?

Most Phoenix homes with a west- or south-facing patio see summer cooling savings in the 10 to 25 percent range. Homes with big glass doors under the new shade see the most. North-facing patios see the least.

Do insulated patio covers work better than regular panels?

Yes. Insulated panels have a foam core that blocks heat from radiating down into your patio, so the space under the cover — and the wall and glass behind it — stays noticeably cooler than under a single-skin panel.

Will a patio cover make my house dark in winter?

A solid cover does block some winter light. If that worries you, a louvered cover lets you tilt the roof open for winter sun and shut it for summer shade. We install both styles and can show you each one at your free estimate.

Louvered vs. Solid Patio Covers: Which Is Best for Phoenix?

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 19:31:17 GMT

Louvered vs. Solid Patio Covers: Which Is Best for Phoenix?

Louvered vs solid patio covers comes down to one simple question: do you want to adjust your shade, or set it and forget it? In my 20-plus years building patio covers around Phoenix, solid insulated covers have been the best fit for most Valley homes, while louvered covers are worth the extra money if you want winter sunshine, airflow, and total control.

I own Southwest Patio, and I have helped folks make this exact call for two decades. Here is how I walk my own customers through it.

Louvered vs Solid Patio Covers: The Quick Breakdown

Here is the short version. A louvered cover (our adjustable style) has aluminum slats that rotate. Open them for sun, tilt them for airflow, or close them tight for full shade and rain protection. A solid cover is a fixed roof. It blocks sun and rain every day, all year, with zero effort.

A few rules of thumb I share at almost every estimate:

• Want total control and winter sun? Go louvered.

• Want the most shade for the fewest dollars? Go solid.

• Grill or entertain under the cover a lot? Louvers vent heat and smoke better.

• Planning ceiling fans and lights? Both work, but a solid cover makes the wiring easy.

Why Louvered Covers Shine in the Valley

Our adjustable louvered patio covers are the premium option, and there is a good reason people love them here. Phoenix is not hot all year. From November through February, that low winter sun feels wonderful on the patio. With a louvered cover, you open the slats and let it pour in. Come May, you close them and you have deep shade again.

The louvers also help with trapped heat. On a 110-degree evening, heat keeps rising off your patio slab. Crack the louvers a few inches and it escapes instead of cooking you. We install Solara adjustable covers, built for Arizona sun, with a manual crank or a remote. Push a button, change your shade. It never gets old.

When a Solid Cover Is the Smarter Buy

I will be straight with you: I sell more solid covers than louvered ones, and for good reason. A solid insulated patio cover gives you cool, dependable shade every single day with no moving parts. The panels have a foam core sandwiched between two sheets of aluminum, so the roof itself blocks heat from radiating down on you. That matters a lot on a west-facing patio that takes the brutal afternoon sun.

If the budget is tighter, a solid flat pan patio cover still delivers honest shade for less money. And with Elitewood trim, a solid cover can look like it was built with the house. For most west-facing patios in Surprise, Goodyear, or Buckeye, all-day shade beats adjustability.

A Tale of Two Patios on the Same Street

Last spring we did two jobs on the same street in Goodyear. The first house had an east-facing patio. The owners loved morning coffee outside, but their old solid cover made the patio dark and chilly from Thanksgiving to March. We replaced it with a louvered cover. Now they open the slats on winter mornings and close things down by summer lunchtime. They say it feels like a whole new room.

Three doors down, the neighbors had a bare west-facing patio you could not touch after 2 p.m. all summer. They wanted shade, period, with no fiddling. We built an insulated solid cover with two ceiling fans, and now it is the coolest spot in the yard. Same street, opposite answers. That is why I never quote a cover without standing on the patio first.

The Honest Downsides of Each

No product is perfect, so here is the other side. Louvered covers cost quite a bit more, often close to double a comparable solid cover, and moving parts mean a little more upkeep. Monsoon dust storms leave grit on the louvers, so plan on rinsing them a couple of times a year. And while closed louvers shed rain well, they are not a sealed roof, so a hard sideways monsoon blast can push a few drips through. If numbers help you decide, my post on aluminum patio cover costs in Arizona breaks down real prices.

Solid covers have a trade-off too. The shade you love in July is the same shade you get in January, and the rooms behind a solid cover can feel a touch darker in winter. If your patio faces north or east, think hard before giving up that gentle morning sun year-round.

Call The Shade Experts at 623-695-6445 for a Free Estimate

If you are still weighing louvered vs solid patio covers, the fastest way to decide is to have us stand on your patio and look at sun, exposure, and budget with you. Southwest Patio has been shading Arizona homes for more than 20 years. We are licensed, bonded, and insured (ROC #282768), we handle the HOA paperwork and city permits, and financing is available.

Estimates are always free, and I promise you a straight answer, even if that answer is the cheaper cover. Call or text 623-695-6445 and let's figure out which cover fits your backyard.

FAQ: Louvered and Solid Patio Covers in Phoenix

Do louvered patio covers leak when it rains?

Closed louvers overlap and drain into a built-in gutter, so normal rain is no problem. A hard sideways monsoon storm can push a few drips through. If you need a bone-dry patio every time, go solid insulated.

Which cover is better for a west-facing patio?

Usually a solid insulated cover. West-facing patios take the worst heat of the day, and the foam core keeps it from radiating through the roof. A louvered cover works too, but you would keep it closed most of the summer anyway.

Do I need HOA approval or a permit for either style?

In most Valley neighborhoods, yes to the HOA and often yes to a city permit, for both styles. Do not let that scare you off. We prepare the HOA paperwork and handle the permit process, so all you really do is sign.

HOA Approval & Permits for Patio Covers in Arizona

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 23:38:32 GMT

Do I Need HOA Approval or a Permit for a Patio Cover in Arizona?

In most Arizona cities, yes, you need a building permit for a patio cover that attaches to your house, and if you live in an HOA community, you also need the HOA’s written approval before work starts. The good news is that both are very doable, and a good contractor will carry most of that load for you.

I own Southwest Patio, and I’ve been building patio covers, pergolas, and awnings around Phoenix for more than 20 years (ROC #282768). Folks call us “The Shade Experts.” I’ve filled out more permit forms and HOA requests than I can count. So let me walk you through how this really works, and where people get tripped up.

When You Need a Permit for a Patio Cover in Arizona

Most Valley cities require a building permit for any patio cover that attaches to your home. That includes Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Goodyear, Surprise, and just about every city we work in. The city wants proof that the cover can stand up to our monsoon winds and that the posts sit on real footings. That’s not red tape for the sake of red tape. I’ve seen what a July microburst does to a cover that was screwed into stucco with no engineering behind it. It ends up in the neighbor’s pool.

The permit process usually looks like this:

• Submit engineered drawings and a site plan to the city.

• Set the posts and footings, then pass a footing inspection.

• Finish the install and pass a final inspection.

Fees and review times vary by city, so plan on a few weeks from application to approval. Permits also add a little to your budget. I break down all the numbers in my post on aluminum patio cover cost in Arizona .

What Your HOA Wants to See

If your neighborhood has an HOA, and most newer ones around the Valley do, you’ll need to send in an architectural request before anything gets built. The board usually wants a drawing of the cover, the exact color, the height, and where it sits on your lot. Most boards approve covers that match the home. Earth tones and clean designs sail right through. Bright colors and odd shapes get questions.

Two rules of thumb from my 20 years of doing this. First, submit to the HOA before you apply with the city, because the HOA can ask for changes. Second, submit early. Many boards only meet once a month, so a request that misses the meeting waits for the next one. Plan on two to six weeks for HOA approval.

A Real Story: The Cover That Went Up Without Paperwork

A few years back, a homeowner in Surprise called me in a panic. He’d paid a handyman to build a patio cover the summer before. No permit, no HOA request, posts sitting right on the pavers. Then two letters showed up in the same week: one from the HOA telling him to remove it, and one from the city asking about an unpermitted structure.

We were able to save the cover, but it wasn’t cheap. We had to get engineered drawings done after the fact, dig proper footings under the existing posts, and walk the whole thing through the city as a retro permit while the HOA reviewed the design. By the end, he’d spent about half again what it would have cost to do it right the first time. He’s a happy customer now, but I’d rather you skip that lesson.

The Honest Answer: Sometimes You Don’t Need Either One

I’ll be straight with you, because that’s how I’d want to be treated. Not every shade project needs paperwork. If your home isn’t in an HOA, there’s no approval to get. And some cities don’t require a permit for a small freestanding structure under a certain size, often somewhere around 200 square feet, though every city sets its own number. A shade sail, a patio umbrella, or a simple bolt-on window awning usually needs nothing at all.

So don’t let anyone sell you engineering you don’t need. But when in doubt, one quick call to your city’s building department beats a tear-down order every single time. We make that call for our customers before we ever quote the job.

How We Handle HOA Approval and Permits for You

At Southwest Patio , the paperwork is baked into the job. After your free estimate, we put together a complete HOA packet with drawings, spec sheets, and color samples. Most HOAs require the homeowner’s name on the request, so we hand you a ready-to-send packet and coach you through it. On the city side, we pull the permit, schedule the footing and final inspections, and meet the inspector so you don’t have to burn a vacation day.

We do this for every style we build, and you can compare them all on our patio cover product styles page . Whether you want a basic lattice cover, a solid insulated cover strong enough for ceiling fans, or a motorized louvered system, the approval steps are the same. And it doesn’t matter if you’re in Phoenix or out in Queen Creek. We know which cities want what, because we’re in their permit offices every week.

Get Your Patio Cover Permit and HOA Approval Handled

Here’s the bottom line: you probably do need a permit for a patio cover in Arizona, and your HOA probably wants a say too, but neither one should scare you off from getting the shade you want. Southwest Patio has been guiding Valley homeowners through this paperwork for over 20 years, and we install proven Solara and Four Seasons product lines with financing available. Estimates are always free, and so is the advice. Call or text me at 623-695-6445 and we’ll get your project moving, paperwork and all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does HOA approval take for a patio cover?

Most HOAs around Phoenix take two to six weeks, depending on how often the board meets. A complete packet with drawings and color samples speeds things up, and we provide that packet for our customers.

What happens if I build a patio cover without a permit in Arizona?

You risk fines, a stop-work or removal order, and headaches when you sell the house, since unpermitted structures often surface during inspections. Fixing it afterward with a retro permit almost always costs more than doing it right the first time.

Does a freestanding pergola need a permit?

Sometimes. Many cities exempt small freestanding structures under a size limit, often around 200 square feet, but the rules differ from city to city. We check with your city’s building department before we quote, so you get a straight answer for your address.

Aluminum Patio Cover Cost in Arizona

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 02:07:59 GMT

How Much Does an Aluminum Patio Cover Cost in Arizona?

Most aluminum patio covers in Arizona cost about $3,500 to $12,000 installed, and a motorized louvered system usually runs $15,000 to $30,000 or more. The size of the cover, the style you pick, and a few site details decide where your project lands in that range.

I own Southwest Patio, and I've been building patio covers around Phoenix for more than 20 years (ROC #282768). Folks call us “The Shade Experts.” In this post, I'll give you the same straight talk on price that I give at a kitchen-table estimate. No games. Just real numbers.

Aluminum Patio Cover Cost in Arizona: Typical Price Ranges

Here's what most homeowners across Maricopa, Pinal, Gila, and Yavapai counties pay for the covers we install:

• Open lattice covers: about $3,500 to $7,000

• Solid flat pan covers: about $4,500 to $8,500

• Solid insulated covers: about $6,000 to $12,000

• Adjustable louvered covers: about $15,000 to $30,000 and up

A quick rule of thumb: plan on roughly $25 to $45 per square foot for most solid aluminum covers. You can see photos and details of every option on our patio cover product styles page . And if you want a tour of everything we build, our first blog post walks through each style, too.

One of the biggest price swings in any patio cover quote is the style you pick. An adjustable louvered roof costs a good bit more than a solid one, but it also does things a fixed roof cannot, like letting in that beautiful winter sun. Before you settle on a number, it helps to know which style actually fits your yard. I break the whole decision down in my guide to louvered vs. solid patio covers for Phoenix homes .

What Changes the Price

Two covers can look almost the same from the street and still be thousands of dollars apart. Here's what moves the number:

• Size. A 10x20 cover uses a lot less material than a 20x40, and it needs fewer posts and footings.

• Style. Insulated patio covers cost more than flat pan because of the foam core, but they're strong enough to hold ceiling fans and lights. Louvered patio covers cost the most because of the moving parts and motors.

• Finish. Upgrading to Elitewood material gives you a rich wood look without the termites or repainting, and it adds to the price.

• Concrete work. If your posts land on dirt or pavers instead of a good slab, we dig footings and pour concrete.

• Electrical. Fans, lights, and outlets need a licensed electrician.

• HOA and permits. Most Valley cities want a permit for an attached cover. We help with the HOA approval and permit paperwork so it doesn't eat your weekends.

One line item people forget until it bites them: city permit fees and HOA submittals can add both dollars and weeks to a patio cover project, and every Valley city plays by slightly different rules. Before you lock in your budget or your timeline, take five minutes with my plain-English guide on whether you need HOA approval or a permit for a patio cover in Arizona .

A Real Job: What One Goodyear Family Paid

Last spring, we built a cover for a family in Goodyear with a west-facing back patio. By 3 p.m., that concrete was hot enough to fry an egg, and their two dogs wouldn't even step outside. They wanted shade, a ceiling fan, and something their HOA would sign off on.

We built them a 14x20 insulated cover with two posts, a fan beam, and a finish that matched their trim. The total came to about $8,400, including the footings and the permit. The HOA and city paperwork took about three weeks, and the install itself took two days. The wife told me their patio runs 10 to 15 degrees cooler now, and they eat dinner out there most nights from October through May. That's the kind of call-back I like getting.

When an Aluminum Cover Is Not Your Cheapest Answer

I'll be honest with you, because that's how I'd want to be treated. An aluminum patio cover isn't always the right buy. If you're renting, or you plan to sell within the year, a $300 shade sail or a good umbrella may be all you need. If you just want shade over a grill, don't let anyone talk you into a $20,000 louvered system when a simple flat pan will do the job.

And if you think you might enclose the space into a sunroom someday, tell your estimator up front. It changes how the cover should be engineered, and planning ahead is a lot cheaper than tearing out and starting over.

Simple Ways to Keep Your Cost Down

• Attach the cover to the house instead of going freestanding. Fewer posts means fewer footings.

• Pick flat pan over insulated if you don't need fans or lights overhead.

• Book in fall or winter, when schedules are friendlier than in the spring rush.

• Ask about financing for your dream backyard so you can spread out the payments.

• Get a written estimate instead of guessing. Ours are free, and there's no pressure.

One more thing to weigh before you settle on a budget: a patio cover is not just an expense, because the right cover pays back part of its price every summer. Shading a hot west-facing wall and slider takes real strain off your air conditioner during the worst months of the year. I put honest numbers to it — including when the savings are big and when they are not — in my answer to do patio covers really lower your cooling bill .

Get a Real Price on Your Aluminum Patio Cover

The honest answer on aluminum patio cover cost in Arizona is a written number for your exact patio, not a guess off the internet. At Southwest Patio , we'll measure your space, walk you through the styles, and handle the HOA and permit paperwork. We install proven Solara and Four Seasons product lines, and estimates are always free. Call or text me at 623-695-6445 and let's get you some shade before the next Phoenix summer hits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for an aluminum patio cover in Arizona?

In most cities around the Valley, yes, an attached patio cover needs a building permit, and many HOAs want to approve the design first. We handle that paperwork for our customers as part of the job.

How long does an aluminum patio cover last in the Arizona sun?

A quality aluminum cover with a baked-on finish will last 20 to 30 years or more here. It won't warp, rot, or feed termites the way wood does. An occasional rinse is about all the care it needs.

Is an insulated patio cover worth the extra money?

If you want ceiling fans, lights, or a noticeably cooler patio, I'd say yes. The foam core blocks a lot of heat and gives the roof extra strength. If you only need basic shade, a flat pan cover saves you money and still does a fine job.

Call for a quote today! 623-695-6445

Welcome to the Southwest Patio Blog!

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 04:52:11 GMT

Welcome to the Southwest Patio Blog!

Greetings to all outdoor enthusiasts and homeowners looking to enhance their living spaces! We're thrilled to welcome you to the inaugural post on the Southwest Patio blog . Based in the heart of Phoenix, AZ, and serving a wide range of surrounding cities, Southwest Patio is your premier destination for all things patio covers. With a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction, we are here to transform your outdoor areas into the serene and stylish oasis you've always dreamed of.

At Southwest Patio, we understand the importance of your home's outdoor aesthetics and functionality. That's why we offer a diverse selection of pergolas, patio covers and awnings, designed to suit any style and need. From the sun-drenched afternoons in Phoenix to the cooler, breezy evenings in surrounding areas, our products are built to enhance your outdoor living experience year-round.

Our goal is to teach you everything we can about Pergolas, Patio Covers and Awnings. Follow us on Facebook , Instagram or Twitter to keep up to date with our latest posts. Let's dive into the variety of products we carry and how they can benefit your home.

Since kicking off this blog, we have started answering the questions we hear most often out in the field. One of the big ones: should you get a cover with adjustable louvers, or stick with a solid roof? The answer depends on which way your patio faces and how you use it, and I walk through it all in my new post on louvered vs. solid patio covers: which is best for Phoenix?

Open Style - Lattice Patio Covers

Our Open Style - Lattice Patio Covers are perfect for those who love the warmth of the sun but still seek a comfortable shade. These beautifully designed covers offer a balance of sunlight and shadow, creating a patterned light effect that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Ideal for garden settings, pool areas, or outdoor dining spaces, lattice covers bring an element of architectural beauty to your backyard.

Solid Style - Flat Pan Patio Covers

For those seeking more comprehensive shade solutions, our Solid Style - Flat Pan Patio Covers are a fantastic choice. These covers provide full shade, protecting you and your loved ones from the intense Arizona sun. With their sleek and modern design, flat pan covers are not only practical but also enhance the overall look of your outdoor space. They're perfect for creating a fully shaded area where you can relax, entertain, or even work outdoors.

Since writing this post, the question I have heard most about insulated covers is whether the energy savings are real or just sales talk. Fair question — so I answered it with real numbers from real Valley homes. Before you invest in shade for a hot west patio, read my honest take on whether patio covers really lower your cooling bill .

One question we get on almost every estimate is simple: “What's this going to cost me?” We believe in straight answers, so we put our real numbers in writing. Before you budget for your backyard, take five minutes and read our owner's plain-English guide to how much an aluminum patio cover costs in Arizona .

Solid Style – Insulated Patio Covers

Beat the heat with our Solid Style – Insulated Patio Covers. These covers are designed with energy efficiency in mind, featuring insulation that helps keep your patio cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This means extended outdoor living space usage throughout the year and potential savings on energy costs. Insulated covers are an excellent investment for anyone looking to increase their home's comfort and value.

Adjustable Style – Louvered Patio Covers

For ultimate flexibility, our Adjustable Style – Louvered Patio Covers are second to none. With adjustable slats, you can control the amount of sunlight filtering through to your patio with just the push of a button. Whether you're seeking full sun, partial shade, or complete protection from the rain, louvered covers offer the versatility to meet your needs at any moment.

Carport- “W” Pan Patio Covers

Our Carport- “W” Pan Patio Covers are designed to offer durable protection for your vehicles while complementing the aesthetic of your home. These covers are sturdy, weather-resistant, and provide excellent coverage from sun, rain, and hail. A stylish and practical solution, our carport covers keep your vehicles safe and enhance the curb appeal of your property.

Non-Traditional Patio Covers and Awnings

At Southwest Patio, we pride ourselves on our ability to meet the unique needs and preferences of our customers. That's why we offer Non-Traditional Patio Covers and Awnings for those seeking something truly unique. From custom designs to innovative materials, we work closely with you to create a product that perfectly fits your vision and lifestyle.

Since I wrote this welcome post, one question has come up more than almost any other: what paperwork do you need before the first post goes in the ground? If your neighborhood has an HOA — and most around Phoenix do — start with my straight-talk guide on HOA approval and permits for patio covers in Arizona .

Contact Us

Ready to transform your outdoor living space? Visit our website at https://swpatio.com/ or give us a call at 623-695-6445 to learn more about our services and to schedule a consultation. Our team at Southwest Patio is eager to help you create the perfect outdoor oasis you've always desired.

Stay tuned to our blog for more insights, tips, and inspiration on making the most of your outdoor spaces. Welcome to the Southwest Patio family, where your outdoor dreams become a reality.

Southwest Patio Blog

do-patio-covers-really-lower-your-cooling-bill

Do Patio Covers Really Lower Your Cooling Bill?

How Patio Covers Lower Cooling Bills in Phoenix

Insulated Panels Do the Heavy Lifting

A Real Story From a West Valley Backyard

The Honest Part: What a Patio Cover Will Not Fix

How to Get the Biggest Savings From Your Cover

Get an Honest Answer for Your Own Backyard

﻿ FAQ: Patio Covers and Cooling Bills

How much can a patio cover lower my cooling bill?

Do insulated patio covers work better than regular panels?

Will a patio cover make my house dark in winter?

Louvered vs. Solid Patio Covers: Which Is Best for Phoenix?

Louvered vs. Solid Patio Covers: Which Is Best for Phoenix? ﻿

Louvered vs Solid Patio Covers: The Quick Breakdown

Why Louvered Covers Shine in the Valley

When a Solid Cover Is the Smarter Buy

A Tale of Two Patios on the Same Street

The Honest Downsides of Each

Call The Shade Experts at 623-695-6445 for a Free Estimate

FAQ: Louvered and Solid Patio Covers in Phoenix

Do louvered patio covers leak when it rains?

Which cover is better for a west-facing patio?

Do I need HOA approval or a permit for either style?

HOA Approval & Permits for Patio Covers in Arizona

Do I Need HOA Approval or a Permit for a Patio Cover in Arizona?

When You Need a Permit for a Patio Cover in Arizona

What Your HOA Wants to See

A Real Story: The Cover That Went Up Without Paperwork

The Honest Answer: Sometimes You Don’t Need Either One

How We Handle HOA Approval and Permits for You

Get Your Patio Cover Permit and HOA Approval Handled

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does HOA approval take for a patio cover?

What happens if I build a patio cover without a permit in Arizona?

Does a freestanding pergola need a permit?

Aluminum Patio Cover Cost in Arizona

How Much Does an Aluminum Patio Cover Cost in Arizona?

Aluminum Patio Cover Cost in Arizona: Typical Price Ranges

What Changes the Price

A Real Job: What One Goodyear Family Paid

When an Aluminum Cover Is Not Your Cheapest Answer

Simple Ways to Keep Your Cost Down

Get a Real Price on Your Aluminum Patio Cover

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for an aluminum patio cover in Arizona?

How long does an aluminum patio cover last in the Arizona sun?

Is an insulated patio cover worth the extra money?

Welcome to the Southwest Patio Blog!

Welcome to the Southwest Patio Blog!

FAQ: Patio Covers and Cooling Bills

Louvered vs. Solid Patio Covers: Which Is Best for Phoenix?