FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
2
o Yes, it can. Please be careful up there.
 WILL THE ROOF HOLD THE WEIGHT OF A CEILING FAN OR LIGHT?
o No, it will not. You will need to add a beam to support the ceiling fan or light.
 DOES THE PATIO COVER ROOF NEED A PITCH TO DRAIN WATER?
o Yes, it does. In non-snow areas, the minimum roof pitch (slant) needed is ½” per foot of the depth of the
patio cover.
o In snow areas, try for 1” per foot or more if possible.
o If you purchased a 10-foot deep patio cover, the minimum pitch needed is 5 inches.
o If you are able to increase the pitch, we suggest you do so.
 ARE THE OPTMA ROOF PANELS FLAT OR LIKE A “W” OR TWIN “V?”
o The roof panels are shaped like a “W” for increased strength and further spans.
 IS A BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRED?
o Please contact your local building department to find out the requirements in your area.
 CAN I CUT THE ROOF PANELS DOWN?
o Yes, you can cut them with metal tin snips or electric metal shears.
 I DO NOT HAVE A CEMENT SLAB. CAN IT BE BUILT ON GRAVEL?
o It can be built without a cement slab, but you will need to pour concrete footings at each post location.
Then, you must anchor the posts to the footing using the heavy duty bottom post bracket and edge
anchors sent with the kit.
 DOES THE OPTIMA PATIO COVER COME WITH A “SETBACK BEAM?”
o This patio cover design does not have a setback beam. It comes with a structural aluminum front
fascia/gutter.
 DOES THE CONTEMPRA COME WITH A SETBACK BEAM?
o Yes, it does and you will typically have about a 12” front overhang.
 CAN I HAVE AN OVERHANG ON THE FRONT OF THE OPTIMA PATIO COVER?
o This patio cover design does not have a setback beam. The structural front fascia/gutter supports the
roof panels at the front end of the panels. There is no front overhang.
 CAN I HAVE AN OVERHANG ON THE FRONT OF THE CONTEMPRA PATIO COVER?
o Yes, you can and you will typically have about a 12” front overhang.
 CAN THIS PATIO COVER BE USED ON A COMMERCIAL BUILDING?
o Yes, it can.
 ARE SKYLIGHT PANELS AVAILABLE?
o At this time, we do not offer skylights.
 CAN I PAINT THE PATIO COVER A DIFFERENT COLOR?
o Yes, it can be painted. Talk to a painting professional about the best methods of preparation and
painting process.
o If you paint it, you will void the manufacturer’s paint finish warranty as well as lose the benefit of a
factory-painted, maintenance-free finish.
 WHAT IS THE DIMENSION OF THE OPTIMA HANGING CHANNEL?
o The two-piece male and female hanging channel is 5 inches tall.