Reviews
Aluminum vs wood patio covers in Alberta, compared for snow and hail
A covered patio in Alberta faces heavy snow and hail, so compare aluminum and wood on snow load, hail resistance, lifespan and repair costs here.
Desk
Shade Desk
Pergolas, awnings and roofs, including what needs a permit.
Rules
How the National Building Code of Canada shapes covered patio design
A covered patio in Canada is sized by NBCC snow load, wind and attachment rules that provinces adopt into law. Here is what that means for spans.
Rules
Does a backyard patio need an engineer under Saskatchewan and Manitoba codes?
Patio design ideas in Saskatchewan and Manitoba hinge on clay soil, frost depth and when stamped drawings are required. Here is what each code demands.
Guides
Aluminum Patio Cover Snow Load: Questions to Ask
Aluminum patio cover snow load questions for your designer: ask about site loads, spans, snow landing zones, footings and house connections.
Guides
Low-Voltage Patio Lighting: A Layout That Avoids Glare
A low voltage patio lighting layout that avoids glare starts with fixture height, beam spread and one run of 12-gauge cable. Here is the sequence.
Guides
Porch restoration checklist for documenting and planning
Use this porch restoration checklist to record conditions, check local code and historic approvals, sequence permits and millwork, and close out safe repairs.
Guides
Small patio designs checklist for homeowners
A small patio designs checklist ordered by consequence, covering layout, local approvals, drainage, materials, shade, contractor scope and closeout.
Features
Where do the weeks actually go in an outdoor living build?
What an outdoor build really takes, week by week: permits, utility locates, weather windows, cure times, and the lead items that decide the finish date.
Features
Rushing a patio renovation timeline: which phases to protect and why compression backfires
How a patio renovation schedule runs phase by phase, and why rushing demolition, discovery, base work or cure creates later problems instead of saving time.