Tons of people try to improve their patios with the help of furniture, daybeds made of real wood, or by installing an aluminum carport to make it more modern and efficient. There are lots of things to consider as you are upgrading your patio. 

If you have ever wondered how to install an aluminum carport or patio cover, then just read this article and it will be easy for you. I have installed a lot of them, by myself. Some of them were very large.

First, you need to order the cover. Measure the area you want to cover and make sure of where the posts will be and how they will be attached. This kind of cover is very light and needs to be secure. If you don’t install this cover right, the wind can take it away, heavy snow can collapse it, or it will leak in even light rain.

After you know what size you need, and have purchased it, you are ready to begin. If the cover is to be attached to another structure, install the first gutter/ beam to the structure using lag bolts with washers every sixteen inches, making sure it is level. These are pretty self-explanatory in that the wide part of this piece goes to the bottom as it actually is a gutter. If it is free-standing, you will need to install posts on each side and attach the first gutter to the posts on one side. Next, you need to install the corners of this piece. This is done by screwing it onto the first gutter with two self-tapping screws. Now you are ready to install the end gutters. Insert one of these gutters into the corner and attach it with two screws. Make sure you let this gutter drain slightly. I suggest about one-half inch per ten feet. You need to have a helper to hold this up on one end or rest it on a support post or step ladder. At this point, you need to seal this corner. ( After you have installed the roof panels, this can’t be sealed. ) Install another corner onto the other end of this gutter. Next, you need to install the other end gutter in the same way. Now you can install the last gutter. Make sure to check the corners to make sure that they are sealed. This is the frame that will hold the roof panels. You need to square up the frame. This can now be anchored to the posts.

The panels are somewhat different from one manufacturer to another, but they all have basically the same construction method. Install the first panel at the end of the frame, and screw it into place with two screws at each end of the panel and seal these screws. Next, put another panel into the frame, and it should lock onto the first panel by hooking it on in an upright position and laying it down to lock. Do not force it, if it doesn’t go in easily, you have something in a bind. Look at the panel and get this step right. These panels do not require any sealer at the seams, only on the screws. Screw this panel down, and repeat this process until you are at the end. The last piece of the cover may need to be cut. If this is the case, cut very carefully with tin snips, or score it with a utility knife and bend it back and forth until it breaks off. Install this panel as the others were installed, and seal all screws.

These covers usually come with clips to anchor the panels to the top of the gutters, make sure to use these clips on every panel, this will keep the cover from collapsing in heavy snow.

Now you need to put a downspout on to carry the water off. Mark the location and drill holes around, until you can get a short metal cutting jig, saw blade in and cut out the hole. Attach the downspout. Clean up your mess, and enjoy your cover.

Insulation in your home is one of the most important features. It prevents the outdoor weather from coming in and the indoor weather from going out. If your insulation isn’t up to par, you may be spending too much money on heating your home in the winter and cooling it in the summer. To prevent this loss you can spend a little money now and add little extra insulation. This job can be done by a professional but most homeowners can do it themselves with a little sweat and a few dollars.

However, insulation is installed it should fill the space snugly between studs or joists. Unfilled gaps become channels for airflow and draw cool air in during heating and warm air in when cooling your home. Fill any gaps between stuffing loose insulation into small spots. The usual places for the channels are in the attic above walls. Each side of a wall has dead wood that has small gaps between the walls and the deadwood. These gaps are commonly unfilled. Moreover, within these gaps, you will find that mold grows. This is why in order to avoid and prevent mold from growing inside your wall you have Moldxperts NJ, as they provide complete protection to you. 

Another area in the attic that is conducive to heat loss is in the garage. The area between the garage and attic should have a barrier of insulation between it. The garage is unheated or un-cooled and the transfer of air between these places is common in older homes. Start by using R-13 or greater Batt along the area where the garage meets the house. Staple to the roof trusses and joists in the attic.

In unfinished basements, cool air comes through the block or concrete walls easily. Start by using rigid foam insulation and attaching it to the walls with furring strips and cut nails. Attach every 16 inches and overlap seams with furring strips. Any seams that aren’t covered by furring strips should be sealed using silver tape. You should also add a vapor barrier between the basement and the upper floor. Take plastic vapor barrier and attach the floor joists with a staple gun, stapling every 6 inches to hold the plastic to the ceiling tightly.

Wrap any exposed pipes in the basement with insulated foam wrap for pipes. Heat loss and gain are very common in exposed plumbing. Your water heater has to work much harder to heat the water if left in the cold. The same is true in the summer when your air conditioner has to work harder to cool the home from heat loss from uncovered pipes.

Don’t fill in any insulation around flammable areas. Fireplaces should be left un-insulated. All lighting fixtures that expose themselves through the attic should be left uncovered. These areas can ignite insulation even if the insulation is fireproof.