A Covered Patio Should Put the Shade Where You Sit

If you keep moving your chair to stay in the shade, the patio isn't quite doing its job. A roof overhead can still let afternoon sun reach the place where you want to sit. That's why we ask about your evenings outside before discussing the size of a cover.

At Executive Development, we want to know what you're making room for. Dinner with family, a quiet chair facing the yard, or friends coming through the back door can lead to different layouts. We'll work through those details with you.

Show us when the sun becomes a problem

Photos from the morning and late afternoon can be useful during our first conversation. Tell us when you usually use the patio and which seats everyone avoids. We'll consider the sun's direction along with the house and the space you want to shade.

Low afternoon sun may reach underneath a cover. We can discuss the depth, seating arrangement, and whether additional shade belongs in the design. We'll also ask how you use the space in cooler months, when a sunny spot might be welcome.

We make room for ordinary movement

We'll look at the furniture layout with you, including room to pull out a chair and walk from the house to the yard. Post placement matters when you're carrying dinner through the door. A plan should make sense with people in it.

If a grill is part of the space, we'll discuss a suitable location and the manufacturer's clearance requirements before finalizing the layout. Tell us about storage, pets, and anything else that shares the patio. Those details help us avoid a cramped corner later.

We look at how the cover meets the house

For an attached cover, we review the existing structure and the proposed connection. We'll explain how the design supports the cover and manages water where it meets the house. The condition of the wall and roof can affect the scope.

We'll also work through foundation needs, the existing slab, and the applicable permit requirements. These are planning decisions we handle with you before construction, rather than details you have to piece together after choosing a style.

The small conveniences belong in the plan

Lighting, a fan, and conveniently placed outlets can make the space easier to use. We'll discuss those options alongside the structure so the wiring and switch locations are part of the proposed work.

Before moving ahead, we'll review the scope, cost, and schedule together. Bring a few photos and tell us what you want an ordinary evening to feel like. That's a good place for us to start.