Photo: T. Bouras
Festoon lights are affixed to the underside of the roof with small D-rings. Photo: T. Bouras
Photo: T. Bouras
Photo: T. Bouras
Photo: T. Bouras
Photo: T. Bouras
“Before” A very low and leaky roof.
“Before”
I replaced the vinyl siding on this wall with reclaimed cedar boards.
The homeowner selected smoked Lexan roof panels to provide shade while still admitting lots of daylight, and most importantly, keeping the rain away. These Tuftex panels are strong and durable.
I replaced an aging wooden patio cover with corrugated fiberglass panels – low and leaky – with a tall freestanding steel shade pergola, topped with smoked Lexan panels to shed rain. This functional modern intervention will in time join the other metal panels in the garden in taking on a rusted finish.
I also installed a gutter and rain catchment barrel, and replaced vinyl siding with reclaimed cedar. Finally, I created a steel gate from a punchout panel to replace a worn-out chain-link gate.
anastasis 
Very nice work. I would like to do this in Chicago. What size are the box beams and posts ? I’m a retired welder (Boilermaker) looking for a 12×10 patio pergola replacement. We need to slope polycarbonate covers 5% to shed snow and water. Once again nice work
Thanks. The posts were 4×4 .120 wall tubes. The main perimeter beams I believe were 2×10 tubes – I’m guessing .083 wall. Here in Arizona we don’t have the persistent humidity and rainfall to worry about so this is just left unfinished to let weather and surface rust take its course without worrying about rust compromising the structure. Not sure how you guys need to handle finishes in your part of the world. Glad you enjoyed this post.