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Want a patio you can use all year?

Chances are you do.

Having an outdoor living space that's enjoyable year-round is every homeowner's dream. After all, when you take the proper steps to prepare your outdoor space, you'll get:

• More time outdoors

• Increased property value

The Problem

Mother Nature doesn't care about your summer BBQ plans. Rain, UV damage, wind and crazy temperatures can ruin an uncovered outdoor space in minutes. If you want to enjoy your patio all year, it all starts with one thing most people forget…

Aluminum roof sealing.

Having a sealed patio roof is the foundation for any outdoor space meant to stand up to whatever Mother Nature throws its way. Without a strong, leak-free roof overhead, every other upgrade you make will be put at risk.

Including your furniture, flooring and any money you spend.

Below you'll find:

1. Why year-round outdoor spaces are so important

2. Why aluminum roof sealing is the foundation of year-round outdoor spaces

3. 5 step actionable tips to prep your outdoor space

4. Maintaining your outdoor space year after year

Why Year-Round Outdoor Spaces Make Sense

Outdoor living spaces used to be a "nice-to-have" option for homeowners. Nowadays, they're quickly becoming one of the most valuable areas of a home.

In fact, in a recent Fixr survey, 56% of remodeling experts agree that homeowners are focusing more on outdoor living and backyard upgrades in 2025 than ever before. Makes sense right?

People want more usable space. Families want to entertain. Everyone wants fresh air without obsessively checking the weather.

But wait…

If it rains? Guests come inside. Kids can't play in the pool. No one wants to sit on wet chairs.

An outdoor living space that's only good for a few months out of the year is a waste of time and money. Separating a seasonal patio from a year-round entertaining area comes down to proper preparation. And most of that preparation happens overhead.

Protecting your patio roof with aluminum roof sealing is the first step towards year-round usage.

Aluminum Roof Sealing: Why It's The Foundation of Year-Round Spaces

Think of your patio roof as a protective shell over your entire outdoor space.

Keeping rain out, reducing UV damage and shielding furniture below from the harshness of the outdoors should be every patio roof's number one job. An aluminum roof that's not properly sealed? That means leaks, water damage and headaches down the road.

Aluminum itself is great for patio roofs. It's lightweight, durable and rust-resistant. However, every roof has weak points.

Every metal roof experiences expansion and contraction as temperatures rise and drop. Aluminum joints, seams and screw holes are all susceptible to loosened seals over time. Enter… aluminum roof sealing.

Think of a quality sealant as sunscreen for the vulnerable spots on an aluminum roof. Applying sealant to every joint, seam and screw hole creates a "waterproof" barrier that prevents leaks before they happen.

If you have an aluminum patio roof with existing leaks, repairing an aluminum patio roof should be step number one. Any other upgrades you make to your outdoor living space should come after getting the roof in proper shape.

Spend time fixing the roof. Then spend money beautifying everything below.

5 Steps To Prep Your Outdoor Space

Alright, enough with the backstory. You're ready to take action. Below are five simple steps to take any outdoor living space from blah to blockbuster. These steps apply to newly built spaces and ones that have been sitting for years.

Check & Seal The Roof

Start from the top and work your way down. Inspect your patio roof and look for any water stains, drips or rust along the roofline. Proper aluminum roof sealing should be applied every year (minimum).

Areas to pay attention to include:

• Cracked/caulk coming off along joints

• Loose screws or fasteners

• Ceiling discolouration or water marks

Finding these things early can save you money in the long run. A little aluminum roof sealing and an afternoon of your time can save you thousands in potential damage.

Swap Out the Flooring

Once you know the patio roof is good to go, move onto the floor. Any space you want to use year-round needs flooring that can hold up to moisture, heat and foot traffic year-round without falling apart.

Options include porcelain tile, natural stone pavers and stamped/textured concrete. All will last for years, look amazing and fit any aesthetic.

Upgrade Furniture

Don't buy cheap patio furniture if you plan on using your outdoor space all year. Yes, those plastic chairs and inflatable sofa sets are fine… for about 3 months out of the year.

Investing in weather-resistant furniture that can hold up to UV rays and winter precipitation is key. Look for furniture built with aluminum frames, all-weather wicker baskets and marine-grade upholstery.

It can be easy to get caught up in fancy furniture pieces but think of how much you'll have to spend buying everything new each season if you don't start here.

Lighting & Heating

An outdoor living space that "turns off" at sunset is only half usable. People hang out outside for longer when the sun goes down if they have proper lighting. Mix overhead lighting with string lights and path lighting for best results.

As for heating, throw on:

• Ceiling-mounted patio heaters

• Portable fire pits

• Outdoor fireplaces

These can all help make the space feel cozy during cooler nights and evenings.

Outdoor Heating Sales LLC reports 39% of homeowners who made renovations in 2024 installed some sort of patio or terrace heater. The days of sacrifice are over. Full time outdoor living has arrived.

Weatherproof Patio Blinds/Screens

Last but not least, cover the sides. Outdoor blinds, retractable patio screens or clear weather curtains will prevent wind and rain from blowing through the open spaces of a patio.

Having a strong overhead covering paired with protected sides creates a usable space even when Mother Nature sends rainstorms your way.

Think backyard semi-furnished rooms instead of just a plain old patio.

Maintenance Matters

Don't forget about maintenance either. Sealing and prepping your outdoor space is only half the battle. Regular maintenance is what keeps it functioning year after year.

A basic maintenance schedule will look like this:

• Quarterly – inspect roof seals, clean gutters

• Bi-annual – deep clean floors/furniture

• Annual – reapply aluminum roof sealing as needed and inspect all fixtures are working

Roof sealing is the most commonly forgotten piece of the maintenance puzzle. UV rays and fluctuating temperatures break down aluminum roof sealing over time. Catching areas that need to be resealed early prevents disaster.

Drainage is another thing to monitor. Water pooling anywhere can cause foundation issues and destroy flooring. Ensure proper water drainage away from the structure at all times.

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Wrapping It All Up

Prepping an outdoor living space for year-round enjoyment is simple when done correctly. Start from the roof down with aluminum roof sealing. Upgrade the aesthetics in order of furniture > flooring > lighting.

Then rinse and repeat with yearly maintenance.

Homeowners are making backyard upgrades for one reason. To spend more time outside!

Follow these simple tips and you'll never look back at your newly renovated outdoor living space. Ignore them and you'll have another yard-ware closet that only collects dust half of the year.