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Editorial Advertising General Information |
| Patio Depot Owner Revolutionized Industry Standards By Ofelia Saenz, Signal Tribune staff writer
Christopher, with his business partner Frank Panter, owns Patio Depot, a general contracting company that builds and installs patio covers, sunrooms and pool enclosures. As a manufacturer, Christopher built his former company, Texas Aluminum, from nothing to one of the biggest manufacturers of aluminum products in the country. The company went public in 1997. “I didn’t like the public world and so I retired...and have been working strictly with homeowners since then,” he said. Christopher’s revolutionary design took the formerly non-insulated, single “skin” and created a material that is flat on the top and bottom and has an insulating “core.” Although the product is made to look like wood, the aluminum sheath is termite and weather resistant, comes with a lifetime warranty and is maintenance free. “It wasn’t until I experimented with many prototypes that I came up with the snap-lock insulated panel,” explained Christopher. “The panels actually snap together. There are no screws, no nails, no boards, no wood, nothing for termites to eat.” The product is not only patented to be energy efficient, it’s patented to be leak proof. Christopher said, “When we’re finished...it’s a better insulated value then the roof on most homes.” Christopher’s invention has done so well, it has become the most popular patio cover in the industry and is used in 100 percent of sunroof sales. “Even if you don’t buy it from me,” said Christopher, “if you buy it from Home Depot, you’re still buying the product that I invented. The difference between us and Home Depot is we’re about 40 percent cheaper.” Patio Depot advises customers about design options and, with the help of their experienced construction crew, most patio covers can be installed in a day. “We have the oldest, best, most reputable construction folks,” said Christopher. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong with the installation, they offer a free service call within the first 48 hours. Patio Depot is so confident that customers will love their product, they ask for only $100 down and balance upon completion. “We’re here for the end result,” Christopher said, “for you to be happy in the end.” For more information about Patio Depot, call (562) 787-4802. |
In the mid-80s, Michael Christopher put himself through college installing patio covers. After receiving a degree in engineering, Christopher decided to improve on the “v” shaped corrugated metal sheets that were the industry standard at the time. The product he came up with, the insulated roof, has since stormed the market to the point that it’s become the patio cover of choice used across the country.