How To Protect A Deck Or Patio From Rain? (10 Awesome Ways!)

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Your deck or patio is a great place for you to relax and enjoy nature. But sometimes the weather may not be cooperative. It may be too hot, windy or even raining. Rain can damage the patio furniture and other items there. So, can you protect your deck or patio from rain so that you can still enjoy the views?

There are at least 10 awesome ways in which you can protect your deck or patio from rain. These are:

Waterproof the Decking

In this post I will tell you about each of these ways. You can decide the one that works best for you. Sometimes you may want to use a combination. So let’s get into this.

1. Retractable Awning

You can attach the retractable awning to the wall of the house adjacent to the deck or patio. There are many options to choose from and you would like to keep these in mind before you select the right retractable awning.

Size: This has to be large enough to cover at least the sitting or dining area of the deck or patio. But it should not be too large, else it will get blown away if the wind is too strong.

Fabric: Usually there are three options:

Canvas: Natural fabric, good for protection from sun but not from rain

PVC: Lightweight & waterproof, affordable but low durability
Polyester: Best of both worlds as high in both durability and weather resistance

Frame Material: The frame should be strong and yet lightweight and weather resistant. Aluminum frames are a good choice. Stainless steel frames are even better but push up the retractable awning price.

Mechanism: You can go for a simple manual mechanism that requires you to crank. Or you can pay a bit more and have the convenience of a motorized version.

You might want to check out Diensweek Motorized Retractable Patio Awning 12’x10′. It is made using a corrosion resistant T5 grade aluminum frame and water & UV resistant Dope acrylic fabric +PU coating fabric.

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2. Attached Patio Cover Awning

An attached patio cover awning is a retractable awning that is fixed and not retractable. It uses the house wall (on one end) and two or more posts (on the other end) to support a slightly sloping awning roof.

The roof is light but reasonably sturdy and waterproof. Aluminum or polycarbonate sheets are often used as roofing material.

You can check out Four Seasons High-Grade Aluminum Attached Patio Cover Awning if you like.

3. Patio Canopy

A patio canopy is a bit like an awning except that it is freestanding and has its own supports. The advantage of a canopy over an awning is that you are not location restricted.

If you have a large patio or a pool deck, your seating or entertainment area may be some distance from the house. A canopy would be perfect in such a situation. The canopy can be set up, anywhere, at short notice.

The key features that you must consider before investing in a patio canopy (aka soft top gazebo) are:

Size

Fabric – This is important as often a patio canopy is only designed as a sunshade. Make sure the fabric is waterproof or atleast water resistant
Vents – Most patio canopies come with vents in the roof to stabilize it in windy conditions. But incorrectly designed roof vents can let in rain too.
Structure Material – similar to a retractable awning, it should be lightweight, yet sturdy and weather resistant.

Ease of Setup

FAB BASED 10×10 Double Vent Canopy Gazebo with Netting for patios & decks is an excellent canopy with great reviews from satisfied customers.

We had a huge rain storm a few days after we put it up. The rain ran right off it with no water pooling on the roof.
Actual review by Mag on Amazon

4. Hardtop Gazebo

Sunnydaze Soft Top Patio Gazebo - 10x10 Foot with Mesh Screen and Privacy Wall - Cream

Price: $549.00

A gazebo will not just protect your patio or deck from sun, rain or even snow. It will add a touch of class to your backyard.

Traditional gazebos are octagonal, hexagonal or round. But gazebos can be square or rectangular too. The posts are often made of wood and the sloped roof uses weather resistant roofing material.

It is possible to have a gazebo custom designed & built to your specifications. A gazebo can be a DIY project too. Just get a kit online or from one of the big box stores.

PURPLE LEAF Outdoor Hardtop Gazebo for Patio is certainly worth considering. Some of its outstanding features are:

Teak-finish powder-coated aluminum frame
Fade and rust-resistant galvanized steel top
Vented roof for optimum airflow and comfort

Water gutter design ensures rainwater flows out of the edges of the frame and poles.

You can set it up yourself along with a partner or friends. Of course you will need some experience and DIY tools.

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5. Louvered Pergola

A pergola is a fixed structure supported by columns with cross beams or lattice overhead instead of a full roof. Pergolas add beauty & charm to a garden, patio or deck, especially if you have climbing plants or vines on them.

A pergola will certainly not protect your patio from rain. It doesn't even protect from direct sunlight. The appeal of a pergola is that it lets the sun play hide & seek with you.

Canterbury Arbor - 42" Opening

Price: $979.00

However, a louvered pergola is a unique innovation that lets you adjust the roof cross beams to any angle. You can fully open the roof (angle of 90°) or completely close it (angle of 0°) to protect the patio from rain. Light to moderate rains are easily channeled away through the integrated gutter system.

If the idea of a louvered pergola interests you, be sure to check out SORARA Outdoor Louvered Pergola.

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6. Waterproof Sun Shade Sail

Sun Shade Sails are typically for protection from the heat & UV radiation from the sun's rays. Often they are not effective against rain.

However, if you were to buy & install a Waterproof Sun Shade Sail, then you will be able to protect your patio or deck from rain as well. It really all depends on the material of the sail. A sail made from high-density polyester will be durable, sturdy and waterproof.

MR. COVER Waterproof Sun Shade Sail is excellent and quite affordable too. Its salient features are:

Made from 185 GSM high-density polyester
Tightly knitted polyester can block out 95% of UV rays and is 100% waterproof
Easy to Install

7. Patio Umbrella

A patio umbrella is a simple, yet elegant solution to protect you and your patio from sun & rain. Of course not any umbrella will do, you certainly need a heavy-duty umbrella for your patio or deck.

Do check out the following factors before making a purchase:

Size: Large enough to cover the sitting area, small enough to be stable even in windy conditions

Canopy Fabric: Polyester is your best bet to protect the patio from rain too
Ribs & Venting: Important for stabilizing the umbrella in windy conditions
The Pole: The material must be weather resistant and sturdy enough to provide stability and not be blown away. Aluminum is a good choice

The Base: Ensure that the base is on wheels for moving the umbrella around. You should also be able to weight it with sand or water to provide stability
Crank Mechanism: This lets you get the right position & tilt

I recommend that you take a look at the Grand Patio Deluxe NAPOLI Patio Cantilever Umbrella. It checks all the boxes and is well worth the price. It gets excellent reviews on Amazon from actual buyers.

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8. Patio Rain Curtains

Sometimes having a roof above is not enough to protect the patio from rain. If the rain is accompanied by wind, as is often the case, rain will get blown in. The only solution for that is to use patio rain curtains on your pergola or gazebo.

Patio rain curtains work on the same principle as indoor curtains. The main difference is in the curtain material.

The material must be

100% waterproof & UV resistant
Heavy duty & durable
The grommet should be weather resistant

How about checking out cololeaf Outdoor Waterproof Patio Curtains. It has some amazing features like Waterproof, privacy protection, light control, thermal insulation and noise cancellation.

9. Patio Furniture Covers

Admittedly patio furniture covers will not protect your patio from rain. But it will protect your valuable patio furniture.

Patio furniture covers come in a variety of sizes. You have covers for individual pieces or for entire sets. Before you order the covers, make sure you get the size right. A smaller size will not fit and too big a size may let water in.

A perfect fit is what you need!

The material of the cover is definitely the most important to look for. You want a material that is

100% waterproof, of course, but UV resistant too

Breathable vents to prevent condensation
Soft inside layer to prevent scratches
Tie downs to secure the cover

As there are too many variables involved it is best that you do a bit of research by clicking the link below:

Patio Furniture Covers

10. Waterproof the Decking

The best way to protect a patio or deck from rain, water and moisture is to waterproof it. All decking materials, concrete, stone or wood, can be waterproofed by applying the appropriate sealer.

Following are the best sealers for each type of decking:

Wood & Composite Wood

Thompson's Waterseal Clear Water-Based Waterproofer Wood Protector even exceeds Industry Standard ASTM D-4446 for Waterprooﬁng Wood. It is exceptionally good at

Preventing Water Damage
Maintaining Wood’s Natural Color

Resisting Mildew and UV Damage

Brick & Concrete Pavers

Foundation Armor SX5000 Water Based Silane Siloxane Penetrating Concrete Sealer is a Department of Transportation approved Silane-Siloxane penetrating concrete sealer.

It penetrates deep into the substrate where it chemically reacts to form a hydrophobic barrier within the pores. This reduces the absorption of water by up to 95%. It protects concrete, from within, without changing the look or feel of the surface.

Natural Stone Pavers

A good impregnating sealer such as Miracle Sealants 511QT6 511 Impregnator Sealer will last 1-3 years on a natural stone pool deck. The actual life depends on the texture, foot traffic and even the strength of the power wash.

Thank you very much for reading the post. I do hope you found it informative and helpful.