After growing up in Snohomish and serving in the U.S. Navy, David Larkin and his wife Hannah wanted to put down roots. “I loved this area growing up, especially the mountains,” shares David. “We have four little girls and being close to family is important to us. We really love it here and enjoy being part of a great community.”
As he pursued various post-military career opportunities, David knew he wanted a position that would allow him to make a difference in the lives of the people he works with and in the lives of the customers he serves. Being General Manager of American Patio Covers Plus was a perfect fit. “Leading teams and having an immediate impact on people's lives was a big draw to small business,” he says. “We have a team of 20 employees, and our mission every single day is providing beautiful, well-structured patio covers so people can enjoy the outdoors year-round.”
Soon after joining the team at American Patio Covers Plus, David installed a patio cover at his home so that his family could experience the product first-hand. “My wife is from Georgia and it's a little warmer there with a little bit more sunshine and fewer rainy days. One of the big questions about moving here was how she would adjust to Seattle weather,” David says. “Having a patio cover has made a big difference. The amount of outside time we get now is incredible. I'm used to being cooped up and stuck inside from October to May, but the cover has really extended our outdoor time. Through cooler months, we can still go outside, have a cup of coffee, or even cook breakfast on a weekend morning. If it's raining, we're still able to be out there because the cover protects from the rain while allowing a lot of natural sunlight to come through.”
With sleek designs, patio covers offer an open and aesthetically pleasing solution for enjoying the outdoors during all seasons. During warmer months, covers provide shade, protection from UV rays, and reduce the temperature to an enjoyable range. During cooler months, the cover provides protection from rain and snow while still allowing natural light through, making the area feel like an extension of the indoors, but with fresh air and natural sunlight.
Families like the Larkins truly enjoy the many uses and benefits of the additional living space. "My favorite thing is Sunday morning breakfast. I love cooking pancakes and eggs on my outdoor griddle while a soft rain is falling, coffee in hand,” says David. “My wife, on the other hand, loves being able to invite large groups of family and friends over in the fall and spring without being worried about whether we'll be able to fit everyone. And then my kids love to read books on our super comfy outdoor couches. I don't have to store the furniture in the garage over winter since it's all covered, which is a huge plus."
Patio covers come in several styles and can be customized to fit the needs and structural requirements for each home. “There are two main styles of our patio covers, shed and gable. The shed style cover has a single slope that slopes away from the house. It's simple, very popular, and can be configured to basically any home,” explains David. “The gable style cover is more of an A-frame look. Although it is slightly more complicated to build, it really is beautiful architecturally.”
Some patio covers are adjacent to the home, which means that homeowners get protection from the elements from the moment they step out of the door. However, free-standing patio covers are also an option. “If you have a space that is further away from the house, whether it's a hot tub, poolside area, or really any kind of space that you want covered, we can do that as well with our with our freestanding patio cover,” says David.
For privacy or protection from wind, acrylic side walls can be added to give an extra layer of coverage, or custom railings for elevated covers, such as on second story decks. Patio covers are also low maintenance and made with aluminum and acrylic, which will not deteriorate and only require a gentle wash once or twice a year.
Because each home is unique, the team at American Patio Covers Plus works with homeowners to find the best solution to fit their needs. “Ron is our estimator and he has been doing this for many years, which means he has extensive knowledge of our products. He does a great job designing the patio cover to fit each space and really captures the vision of what the homeowner is looking for,” says David. “Then our installers, some who have been with us for over twenty years, have the knowledge, training, and experience to successfully and securely install it.”
Working with a local company has many benefits, including connecting with someone local during each interaction and having people who truly understand the climate and weather challenges. “Over the last 30 years, our company has perfected this product,” says David. “They are truly designed and engineered for the Pacific Northwest to endure the wind, rain, and snow that we get in this climate.”
To see and experience patio covers firsthand, stop by American Patio Covers Plus at 5916 195th Street Northeast in Arlington, visit americanpatiocovers.com, or call (360) 658-7281. You can also follow American Patio Covers Plus on Facebook and Instagram.
"My favorite thing is Sunday morning breakfast. I love cooking pancakes and eggs on my outdoor griddle while a soft rain is falling, coffee in hand. My wife, on the other hand, loves being able to invite large groups of family and friends over in the fall and spring."