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Patio Covers vs. Cabanas / Gazebos

Patio covers are ideal for providing consistent shade and protection against heat gain in a fixed area. If you would rather have a freestanding shading option that could move around your patio easier than an awning, then a shade canopy might suit your preferences better. Since cabanas don’t need to be attached to your home, homeowners can relocate them as they please, depending on how much sunlight they want in an area.

Cabanas can add a more substantial visual impact to your backyard, especially if you’re looking for a shade solution to set up next to a pool. In contrast to patio awnings, which are immovable, sturdy coverings installed over a patio, a cabana or gazebo is a small, standalone fabric structure that can act as both a retreat and a visual centerpiece for your poolside décor.

A cabana can also be a more effective shading solution for homeowners with a large backyard, especially if they want shade in an area dozens of feet away from the structure of their home.

Because patio covers are attached to your home and, by their nature, shade large sections of exterior walls, they can help you save significant money on utilities. A cabana or gazebo that’s set up away from your home typically won’t shade exterior walls or impact your cooling costs.

Depending on the fabric style and size, a cabana may cost less to install – but this is highly dependent on the size and scope of the patio cover, cabana or gazebo project.

A patio cover’s static positioning and sturdy installation can make it more resilient to Arizona’s sometimes brutal monsoon winds and dust storms compared to a standalone cabana or gazebo.

If you want functional shading that seamlessly blends into your everyday life, a patio cover might work better for you than a cabana. If you want to create a shaded area next to a pool, grassy play area or elsewhere in your backyard, a cabana or gazebo may be better.

At Arizona Awnings, we’ll help you weigh the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision on whether a patio cover, cabana or gazebo would best suit your needs. No matter which you choose, we’ll personalize it to match your backyard aesthetic, from the type of valence to adding drapes or roll curtains to your cabana.