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What is the cheapest way to enclose a patio?

Using clear vinyl to “wrap” your patio is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to enclose a patio during the winter season. But for this, you'll need a patio cover or pergola.

shadeworks.com - Enclose Your Patio for the Winter Season with These 4 Methods
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Winter is coming.

Maybe it’s spring or summer and you’re thinking ahead to prepare your patio for the cold season. Or maybe by the time you read this, it’s already winter! And if you reside in Idaho, you’re probably well aware of how cold the winters can get.

Let’s not forget the snow.

If you want to save your patio from the snow and make sure that the cold-freezing wind doesn’t stop you from enjoying your outdoor experience, you can enclose your patio during the winter season.

Wait!

“I can do that?”

Yes! You can.

And it doesn’t need to be permanent.

If you want to learn how to enclose your patio for the winter season, look no further. We’re going to go over four easy and affordable options to insulate your patio this winter season!

Without further ado, let’s get started.

4 Brilliant Ways to Enclose Your Patio for the Winter Season

Here are four great options for insulating your patio this winter season:

Clear vinyl siding Insulated curtains Shade screens Pre-made patio enclosures

Let’s look at each of these hacks one by one.

Clear Vinyl Siding

Clear Vinyl Siding from Covers & All

Using clear vinyl to “wrap” your patio is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to enclose a patio during the winter season. But for this, you’ll need a patio cover or pergola. You’ll be adding vinyl siding to the sides of your patio that comes in rolls and needs to be cut and rightfully measured so that it covers different sections of your patio. Upon cutting the clear vinyl sheet, you can hang it on your patio with ropes and grommets. At the same time, you’ll need a measuring tape to make sure that you are making the right measurements and cuts. Otherwise, you may end up wasting the sheet. Punching holes in your aluminum patio cover with nails isn’t a great idea. Not only can it damage the aluminum permanently, but it can cause moisture leaks within your structure and lead to long-term problems. At ShadeWorks, we void our warranties for pergolas and patio covers that have any drilling, nailing, or screwing of anything in the MOCKWOOD aluminum material. You can also buy pre-measured sheets of clear vinyl such as these sheets from Covers & All. We like the subtle look of these vinyl sheets that seem less obtrusive.

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The best thing about clear vinyl is that you can enjoy the outside view while still blocking the cold air and snow from getting inside. At the same time, it’ll also help you warm up the space (as clear vinyl doesn’t block the sunlight)! So, in our opinion, it’s one of the best options to enclose your patio during the winter season.

Insulated Curtains

Bonzer insulated curtains on WayFair

Another way is to install insulated curtains to block everything from the outside area. To install them, you’ll need to use a durable and adjustable curtain rod. Or you can attempt to hand them in the ceiling joists. That depends on where you want the curtains to be. Now, depending on your choice, you can select between the different colors and patterns available. Doesn’t matter – you can just select the patterns and colors – and match the style. These curtains are retractable. One of the big disadvantages of using insulated curtains is that you won’t be able to see what’s outside. So, if you have a breathtaking view outside and are afraid of curtains blocking it, we’d advise you to stay clear. However, if you don’t mind curtains blocking your view, then you may go with insulated curtains without any second thoughts. Or you can just opt for plastic curtains instead of heavy insulated curtains. We like these insulated curtains from Bonzer because of their hefty and thick material. Paired with an adjustable curtain rod, these would work well to insulate a covered patio!

Shade Screens

Shade screens aren’t just useful for blocking the summer sun- they can also add light insulation during the winter months. You can release them during winter or summer to cover the openings of the patio. And if the weather is not a concern, then you don’t necessarily need to release them.

As simple as that!

We measure and install your shade screens with the appropriate measurements. The material is lightweight and as these are not attached to patio railings, there are chances some air will slip through during the winter months. If you are okay with some cool air slipping in during the winter season, you can always opt for shade screens. Apart from the cold air slipping through, one other BIG disadvantage is that they will block your outdoor view. So, if you have a stellar and breathtaking outdoor view, then we’d advise you to stay away from shade screens as a winter enclosure option.

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Pre-Made Patio Enclosures

Vinyl pre-made patio enclosure from Akon Curtains

There are numerous pre-made panels or clear vinyl tarps that can be used to enclose your patio. Most are made of vinyl as well as cloth liner. These offer the same level of protection as a clear vinyl siding and are conveniently pre-made. So, the installation process is a whole lot easier. However, when compared with clear vinyl sheets, the price is a bit on the higher end. These pre-made clear vinyl tarps from Akon Curtains provide an easy enclosure solution at an affordable price! And that’s how you can enclose your patio during the winter season. It doesn’t have to be really difficult if you choose to go with canopy closures. But should you decide to do it all by yourself – with clear vinyl measurement, cutting, and installation, then it’d be BIG trouble. It’s important to take into consideration your taste and whether you want the outsideview to be visible or not. I hope we were able to help you out. And if you are looking forward to installing a patio or even covering your existing one, feel free to reach out to us. We serve across different locations, including Boise, Kuna, Nampa, Idaho Falls, and many more.

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