I feel like wood patio covers are becoming one of those trends that you see absolutely everywhere now. It actually makes a lot of sense because a covered patio cost can be quite low if you use simple rustic materials like wood as opposed to more costly options like aluminum, steal or natural stone. I really like this particular design because it blends in perfectly with the exterior of the house and really only requires the wood beams and ship lap roofing. A buddy of mine just installed a covered alumawood patio and, I'll be honest, I just did not like the look of the material. It looked fake to me and does not have the richness and warmth of natural wood.

Wood patio covers are some of the most functional and decoratively versatile items you can add to your outdoor entertaining areas. Not only do decorative pergola covers like the one in this photo shield you from the hot sun and an occasional rain shower, but they also create the perfect vehicle to hold climbing ivy and flowers. Those beautiful lilac or honeysuckle covered arbors you see in the Italian countryside are simply wooden structures like this underneath. You could cover just about any wooden patio roof in a similar way to create the same look but without the architectural detailing on the underside. The opportunities to personalize your design are absolutely endless.

When it comes to wood patio covers, I definitely think that simple is best. I have seen so many screened in porch designs that go overboard with extra detailing, trim work, and beams that would have been better off with more basic designs. Working in the contracting world you get to see a whole world of unique architectural styles, building designs, and color palettes, but I have always been attracted to more muted looks like this cozy deck space. Above all I think that patio enclosures are meant to be spaces to spend time with loved ones entertaining friends and family so you don't want them to be too high end and unapproachable. I love the simplicity of this gorgeous stone fireplace with adjoining grilling kitchen, covered by a richly stained bead board ceiling.

While I was looking for ideas for wood patio covers to install over our back deck, I came across this gorgeous design and just had to share it. I am a sucker for simple clean lines and geometric detailing. The patio ideas that this homeowner used have all of this and more -- I mean look at that fireplace! Even though the overall design looks quite complex, when you sit down and study it, I think it is actually pretty simple to build. My wife and I are no strangers to DIY projects and I think that we could figure out how to build a patio cover that looks just like this if we sketch out our dimensions and take it to the lumber yard. Our friend Ray is awesome with figuring out what we need based on just a picture, so I am hoping that we can recreate this awesome outdoor area in no time. I will definitely share pictures once it is done!

My neighbor first turned me on to the idea of using wood patio covers as a (fairly) inexpensive way to shield your outdoor spaces from the elements. We have had this beautiful wood patio for years and years but found ourselves avoiding it in the summer (the time of year you would think you would use it the most) because of the heat. Our family would love a space to relax or dine on a balmy summer evening, but the sun and frequent rain showers in our area tended to prevent that from happening. My neighbor convinced me to try installing an alumawood patio cover like he recently did and I could not be more please with how it turned out. Alumawood is more durable than natural wood because it is made of aluminum that has been molded and embossed to look like the real thing. It is also pretty inexpensive and easy to install.