A deck may not require a building permit if it is less than eighteen inches off the ground. Many decks feature a roof for sun and rain protection, built from materials other than normal roofing materials. Corrugated and other fiberglass roofing work fairly well and require a minimal slope, but will deteriorate in three to five years due to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Similar effects can be seen with other plastic materials. Awnings are made from a variety of materials.
Standard canvas deteriorates after a few years.
The vinyl-impregnated variety tends to last longer. Many of the retractable awnings use a woven synthetic material which tends to have a somewhat longer life than most of the other awning materials. Year-round water and soil are a must in planter boxes, mandating even more careful selection of construction techniques. Daily watering is usually required in mid-summer. Many gardeners recommend that you plant one pot inside of a larger pot with moss or other water-retaining material to keep more constant moisture levels.