PVC patio covers are a popular choice for outdoor spaces, but they can wear out over time. Learn how to choose and replace a PVC patio cover to keep your outdoor space more useable while looking beautiful for a long time to come!

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How to choose and replace a PVC patio cover

 

During the spring summer and fall, I spend a LOT of time on my patio.

Sitting in my outdoor living space when temperature permits is the first thing I do with my morning coffee. Then it offers a rest during the day with a pretty view, along with ending the day outdoors while still somewhat protected from the elements. It’s safe to say, this patio is indeed my summertime living room!

Why choose a patio cover?

 

• allows for outdoor sitting during inclement weather
• protects your outdoor furniture from rain
• keeps the interior of your home cooler

At times, I have wished our patio didn’t have roof. However, since our backyard outdoor living spaces face south with no large trees overhead, having a patio cover over summer seating areas really protects us from the direct sun, offering much needed shade to fully enjoy our current outdoor lifestyle!

I like to sit on the lawn down below too… and at times wish I had a pergola for some added sun protection. Perhaps one day. So as it stands, during a hot sunny day, this patio cover saves us and helps keep our house cooler during hotter summer months too!

We also get a lot of rainwater on the west coast of BC, so a roof overhead is a must.

How to know when it’s time for an upgrade

 

• the roof leaks
• panels are becoming loose, even though they are still securely screwed in
• the roof panels start breaking, since age makes them brittle
• they become an eyesore: discolouration, breakage, showing their age

However, over time the roof panels really deteriorated. It became an eyesore filled with grit and mildew I couldn’t clean in the areas where the panels overlapped. And the list of roof leaks grew by the year.

So being well past their durability due date… for oh… only 15 years or so, at LONG last we replaced our patio cover system with new pvc roof panels! The patio ceiling is now a gorgeous crisp, clean white plantation vibe! It’s beautiful. With no roof leaks in sight.

Keeping your patio cover in good shape is a must… for usability and resale. However, not all went as planned. Thankfully, the challenges I personally faced may have been a blessing in disguise…

However, before you choose or replace your own patio roofing material with some kind of patio cover kits or roof panels, I’d like to share the pros and cons of what transpired with our own roof replacement, so you can be better informed before you shop for your roof sheets! 

Here’s what went wrong… and so very right, so you too can make your outdoor space your most enjoyable space it can be.

Why we replaced the roof

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When I first moved into this house about 15 years ago, the patio roof that runs off the 2nd main floor was pretty dirty where the panels joined. And the roof also leaked.

The current panels were called translucent, which allows the light to penetrate through. And while the translucent panels allow more light inside your home, when they get dirty, you can see it moreso. 

As time went on, the leaks grew increasingly worse, and the dirty joins just got to me. 

The final straw came when a big wind storm ripped one panel off. BINGO!

It was time. Replacing a pvc patio roof was in order pronto.

What roof panels should we get?

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So now it was time to mull over different patio cover ideas.

My first thought was to rip off the entire roof and start over with a beautiful dream peaked roof with wood beams, so I could get a better view of that gorgeous mountain view out back!

But after getting quotes in the thousands upon thousands, I decided my budget wouldn’t allow that. Plan B it is.

My wishlist had me mulling over clear roof panels… maybe I get in all the natural sunlight while enjoying the view that way?

Then we had one of the hottest summers I have ever remembered. And if it wasn’t for the white roof panels filtering out some of the sunlight, I don’t think I would have enjoyed this seating area all summer long like I did. Outdoor areas that face south need to take heed on this one.

I was also made aware of maintenance-free pvc (cheaper) vs. polycarbonate (twice the price). But I felt, my own pvc roof lasted a long time, so I’ll just stick with that, since this isn’t my dream roof anyway. What if I wanted to change it down the road?

So cheaper roof panels over the deck while getting in some light transmission through slightly translucent panels became the main goal.

Basically put, I wanted the same roof panels as I had previously. They allowed some light into the house, while still protecting us from the outdoor extreme heat and rain.

Preparing the frame

 

• pressure wash all the wood rafters
• repaint with a fresh coat of semi-gloss indoor / outdoor trim paint

I hired a local roofer, and waited until the pvc white roof panels came in stock.

While waiting, I pressure washed, then repainted all the wooden rafters (which took a week!) with a semi-gloss trim paint to freshen things up nicely.

Can’t have a pretty new roof with wood needing painting!

Roofing panels we chose:

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• 12′ pvc opaque white roof panels (from Home Depot in Canada)

(did you catch the error in my choice yet?)

Other supplies and hardware used:

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• Plastic support strips for my given roofing
• White spray paint for plastic
• Cordless drill
• Extension cord
• #10 1.5″ hex head self-sealing roofing screws in white
• Ladder or sawhorse ladder to create easy scaffolding

Choosing plastic roof support strips

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• measure your roof dimension
• order roof supports that fit your chosen roof panels
• get a few extra, then return what isn’t needed if possible
• pick up outdoor durable spray paint in your chosen tone if they don’t come the way you want

These plastic strips attach the roof panels to the roof framing. The roof instructions suggested that I get the strips that come for my chosen roof panels and not to switch brands, as they all differ slightly. And while I didn’t install them myself, they did promise relatively easy installation.

This was an eleventh hour decision. We were going to try and use my original wood strips still on the roof, but once the work started, the new roof panels didn’t fit! ARG.

So I hightailed it to Home Depot and within an hour I was painting these beige plastic strips white since the strips only came in brown.

Why just brown?! No idea. But paint fixed that up really quickly. All I wanted to see was pretty white panels and nothing else standing out.

And my goodness, did they paint up nice!

How to paint plastic roof panel supports:

 

1. Lay the roof panel supports on top of cedar strips so they don’t lay directly on your drop cloth or work table. 
2. Ensure they are dry, clean and dust-free.
3. Lightly spray paint the strips from the tops, then along the sides.
4. Allow to dry.
5. Spray a 2nd coat in all directions for any missed spots.

Why these plastic roofing strips don’t come in white for white roofing I’ll never personally understand. But luckily, painting went fast and the roofer was able to come back the next day.

Paint chosen:

 

The spray paint I chose was Rust-Oleum American Accents Spray Paint in Semi-Gloss White.

It covered so well and dried super quick!

This paint is basically a primer and sealant all-in-one, and is geared to cover virtually any surface, including wood, plastic, metal, wicker, plaster, ceramic and more so I was secretly hoping some would be left over for other projects, and there was. Yay!

Attaching the plastic strips

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After the painted strips dried, they were nailed onto the roofing framework.

Then the pvc roof panels were attached to the white strips using white 1.5″ self-sealing hex screws.

Installation of roof panels

 

Next, roof panel install time!

The contractor installed most of the roof with a step ladder placed on the patio floor. Then he used a long ladder to attach the outer edges of the roof panels along the outside of the roof. So I am glad I hired out for this installation.

Where things went wrong

 

Once the contractor placed up the first panel, I noted that the light didn’t penetrate through it. I spoke up, but it was possibly assumed that maybe my own roof panels were just broken down so much they became more transparent…

Trust your gut friends. Because I didn’t.

I shrugged my shoulders, figured once the entire roof was on it would look different (talk about denial) and took my cats to the vet.

Upon returning, I came home to a beautifully completed roof… but with absolutely positively NO light of any kind penetrating through. At all. Oh no…

So I immediately went online to investigate why.

The listing for my chosen roof panels read OPAQUE.

GUT DROP.

I had assumed all white was translucent.

What do they say about assumptions again?

Why translucent is a perk to consider

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In a quick nutshell? This is big. So hear this one loud and clear.

Translucent roof panels allow some sunlight to penetrate through, leading to a brighter home interior.

Case in point: When I lived in my last farmhouse with a wrap around porch, while I loved porch living, I didn’t love how dark it made the interior of the house.

I swore I would never have a wrap around porch again.

 

Replacing a pvc patio roof with white opaque panels gave a similar result.

I lost a lot of lightness to the interior of the house.

Not exactly what this photographer who requires lots of natural light was hoping for.

As disappointing as that was, I walked around the yard admiring how pretty the roof sheets looked from down below. You can see a lot of ceiling from the ground. And all I saw was pristine white-looking slats!

I mean… this patio ceiling is gorgeous. Translucent white didn’t look this white! It really is just jaw-dropping pretty! Now imagine this with a couple of string lights…

So while still frustrated with myself, I decided to give it a fair chance since it was done and already paid for.

I mean, a person could add perhaps the odd clear panel to create a skylight effect I suppose?

However, over the next 2 days, my mind started to change. Every time I looked at the roof from inside the house, I loved what I saw. The ceiling was just so crisp and white!

And slowly forgot about the increased darkness.

Then a big rainstorm hit, and for the first time in years, no leaks! I felt so protected under that very pretty white roof!

Another possible perk about opaque white crossed my mind too. 

Grit accumulates where the roof panels join, and with a translucent roof you really see it. And can’t clean it.

And now 4 years later, I see no grit in sight. At all.

So, here’s a little side-by-side comparison of the two plastic roofing choices so you can get a complete picture…

Roof sheet comparisons

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PVC roof panels

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• Price efficient but doesn’t last as long as polycarbonate.
• I couldn’t find it in translucent white.
• Opaque white blocks all sunlight out, will darken interiors, but hides grime, and looks much whiter than translucent white.

Polycarbonate roof panels

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• Pricier but is guaranteed to last longer.
• Comes in translucent white, (and other colours) allowing 45% sunlight through.
• Clear is PVC protected, but doesn’t cut out the heat or brightness as much as translucent white.

So… what’s the right choice?

How to choose the right roof panels for you

 

• What’s your budget? Can you afford to get the best?
• Do you want some light penetrating through? Or to completely block a hot southern sun?
• Think you want clear? I suggest to stand under some in hot sun to determine if it’s enough protection for your desires. I found them too bright and hot for my own needs.
• choose roof slope that will drain water sufficiently
• consider additional framework to support snow load

I personally think it comes down to personal choice and budget. Polycarbonate roof sheets are said to last longer. So if you have the budget, I’d go that way.

If I have to redo the roof again, I will likely go white translucent polycarbonate and put up with the overlapping grit again.

Just read all the fine print on your chosen roofing, because I sure didn’t.

And now that I have an opaque white pvc roof, will this choice ultimately be ok?

My own summary

 

While I lost some interior light, I gained a super pretty white ceiling with a stunning plantation vibe… which is much prettier than what I had.

We then proceeded to get one of the hottest summers on record for our area with this massive heat dome cooking the outdoors to over 40 degrees celsius for an entire week! That was quite an event.

And know what? It’s my bet those white opaque roof panels basically saved us so we could continue to use our ‘no central air conditioned’ upstairs.

Which leads me to think, maybe my mess-up is more of a dress-up after all…

Update: 3 years later

 

• Some of the side panels loosened from the wind, so I hired someone to tighten them up. A more permanent solution would be to use some kind of edge cap along the edges so they can never lift again.
• No leaks! However the ceiling can sweat when it’s been iced over and starts to melt.
• No grit showing between the overlapping panels.
• Panels still look flawless and spotless!

But do I miss the interior light I use to have?

I don’t notice the loss any longer because I’m use to it as-is. But if I had to replace the panels again, I’d go polycarbonate translucent white. Or perhaps a very daring clear with some added protection for direct sunlight when I desired to sit outdoors. But don’t quote me on clear just yet!

I was also told of a story of someone having an outdoor propane fire pit which cracked their PVC roof panels! However I have lit mine previous without issues, but now I’m not sure I will!

Read: painted lantern project HERE

We also hung up 2 solar powered string lights which creates such a nice ambiance in the evening hours! And are still very happy with how perfectly clean the panels still look!

Check out lots of solar powered string lights HERE

Mine are similar to THESE style of string lights.

But I secretly still do wish we had a little more light coming into the kitchen. However every hot summer, I’m glad we have for the patio cover we do have, so there’s that!

Do you have one of these roofs? Which did you pick? How do you like it?

Other unique DIY outdoor projects to make:

 

Screen door from scratch

Reclaimed wood garden walkway

Shave the Shed project

Visit many other unique DIY projects HERE

Check out my entire collection of DIY outdoor projects HERE