A Guide to Patio Covers and Outdoor Kitchen Areas

The idea of outdoor cooking used to mainly include only a grill. But as the world of outdoor cooking has expanded, many homeowners now use use deep fryers, pizza ovens, and large woks to cook meals in. As you expand your outdoor kitchen space, consider the main area where you cook and serve food. The installation of a patio cover can make a big difference on the area.



If your interested in learning about patio covers or even purchasing one, follow this guide to learn about the advantages of a patio cover and how the installation of one can completely transform your outdoor cooking space for the better.

Weather Protection

There is nothing like planning a day to cook outdoors only to have your plans spoiled due to poor weather. A patio cover can expand outwards and across the whole length of your patio to provide weather protection. You are not just limited to dry days when you want to cook.

When a patio cover has a bigger coverage area, you don't need to worry about rain blowing in and impacting the cooking area or getting food wet. All of your outdoor equipment will remain protected as well. While you could still use fabric or plastic covers on your food, you also have the opportunity to leave them uncovered without worrying about items becoming soaked.

Food Protection

Leaving food in the hot sun can spoil it quickly. Fresh items like salads can become soggy, drinks can become too warm, and meats could suddenly taste bad. The shade provided by a patio cover will make a big difference on your quality of food. The area under a patio cover will be naturally cooler and food will remain fresh for longer. You can set up a serving table right under the patio cover and put all of your food out once you complete cooking.

Less Debris and Preparation

During autumn and winter, the condition of a patio area can drastically change. Leaves, acorns, and small branches could easily blow onto on a patio area and onto your equipment. A covered patio provides extra protection from the leaves and reduces the preparation time needed to cook.

In the winter, you could still grill, but you would need to shovel away snow and ice if the patio was not covered. A covered patio can keep a majority of snow off the area and allow you to cook through each season of the year without any major issues. You do not need to pack your grill away during the cold months when you have a stable and strong patio cover.

Comfortable Eating

Instead of going back inside to eat, a patio cover offers an ideal spot for outdoor dining. Set up outdoor furniture and entertain guests with comfortable eating. The natural shade provided by the patio cover will allow you sit outside for an extended amount of time without getting too hot or sun burned.

A patio cover can expand outward so you have coverage over your outdoor kitchen area and an area where you set up outdoor furniture. You could even find a spot for outdoor items like a beverage fridge. Instead of going back and forth for drinks, a beverage fridge provides quick access to cold beverages.

For more information on the benefits of installing a patio cover, contact our team at Bauer Roofing, Siding, Windows & Doors. We provide patio-covering installation services, and we can help you plan out the best options for your home. The way you cook and entertain outdoors will completely change with the installation of a patio cover.