Design
Designing your louvered roof system is one of the most important stages.
There are a few things that you will need to take in consideration while designing the Solara adjustable patio cover.
The first thing required to do is to design it according to your snow load and wind load (mainly reflect the substructure such as posts, support beams and headers)
Once you’re aware of the snow and wind load limitations, you can start designing the louvered roof system according to your needs.
Designing and planning your dream patio cover
Unlike other patio covers that are designed to maximize your shade, the Solara adjustable patio cover is designed to maximize the direct sunlight you will get. We will always try to design our louvers to open towards the sun since no matter which way you will direct our louver system, you will get 100% shade with a switch of a button.
We recommend to direct the opening of the louvers to the southwest or east, never to the north.
Our patented rafter can be attached on both sides, meaning unlimited dimensions. However, our louver can go up to 23 ft long, meaning if your dream patio cover 20ft x 40ft it will be easier to design it 40ft rafter x 20ft louvers.
You will receive less shade in a higher patio cover application than in a lower patio cover.
Keep in mind, that the sun is always on the move, it rises in the east and sets in the west through the south side. The height of the sun also varies throughout the seasons, so when you design your patio cover, take in consideration. For example, if your patio cover is facing west, you will always get sunlight through in the sunset. To receive more shade you can add visors or extend your patio cover to the west. Another example is, if your patio cover is facing south, the shade that you will receive will drastically change between sunset and sunrise.
If you have a big back yard, and you do not want to cover all of it, you have to keep in mind not just practical needs, but also the atmosphere you want to create. You will always want to cover your entire sitting area and leave some overhang. Even if all of your guests are under shade, some of them may be found sitting with no louvered roof system over. To have the best hospitality environment you should consider your sitting area layout.
With the Solara louvered roof system, you can create as many controlled areas as you like. For example, one area will be separately controlled above the barbecue stand. Another area will be separately controlled next the bay window, and the third area will be controlled over the sitting area. On a sunny day this will give you the opportunity to open the barbecue stand cover for the smoke and smell, close the bay window area to let the kids watch tv without reflection inside the house, and have 80% shade for the sitting area.