Glass verandas and patio sun awnings are two entirely different products that can enhance the exterior of your property. For a start a glass veranda is a permanent structure over your patio area and an awning, though permanent, can be either extended or retracted over your patio area depending on the weather. But what benefits do they provide and which one is more suitable for your requirements?

A retractable patio sun awning is a very useful addition to your home especially during the warmer summer months as it can provide UV protection and a shaded area allowing you to sit outside comfortably all day long, if you so chose. Most companies offer a choice of colours and patterns and different models to include attached to house retractable awnings, free standing awnings and window sun canopies therefore providing you with a choice to suit your own requirements. It is also possible to install side canopies either with or without an overhead awning, which provide privacy as well as shade.

Unfortunately what a patio sun awning does not provide is a long term solution for wet and/or windy weather – an awning can become damaged or unusable if left out to face the elements.

A glass veranda is a stylish addition to the exterior of your home blending house with garden and creating a unique outdoor living area. They are available in different colours and styles including Victorian and contemporary designs and are custom built to your specifications.

The benefits of a glass veranda are that it is completely waterproof and will not be damaged by the weather. These advantages allow year round use of your patio area for dining al-fresco, an extension for parties or to protect your smoker friends who used to have to stand outside in the rain to have a cigarette! Additionally these structures also provide protection for your garden furniture – there is no need to cover it or find somewhere to store it away during the colder months as it remains clean, dry and protected from the effects of the weather. Enhancements can also be added to your glass veranda with the installation of halogen lighting and heating cells allowing longer outside use of your covered area during the colder months and darker evenings.

One downside of a glass veranda is that it doesn’t provide any sun protection. This can be resolved with the installation of a patio sun awning installed above the veranda roof or external conservatory roof blinds to protect you from harmful UV rays.

So whilst patio sun awnings have proved their popularity over the past few years and provide UV protection from the sun and a comfortable shaded patio area during the warmer months, with the weather in Britain being so unreliable the installation of a glass veranda could prove to be a popular long term investment by creating an all weather covered outdoor space.

Article originally published at Source by J. Browning