Aluminum Patio Covers vs Wooden

You're considering a patio cover to define your outdoor space and make it more usable but unsure of the best material choice. JNR Home Improvements would like to help you make an informed decision.
This is how wooden and aluminum patio covers compare in the areas that make the most impact on buying decisions.

Appearance:

• Wooden patio covers and Aluminum Patio Covers can each feature a beautiful wood grain. A wooden cover will, of course feature that naturally while an Alumawood style patio cover has that wood grain embossed into the metal. 
• Wooden covers typically require "knee bracing" for additional support. This bracing is the "Y" shaped corner braces at the top of each post, often creating a cluttered look and a possible hazard if a taller guest happens to walk beneath the end of the patio where these bracing happen to be just above eye level. Aluminum patio covers do not require knee bracing, eliminating the clutter, resulting in a very clean appearance.
• An aluminum patio cover will never have a warped beam, splits or cracks. Wooden covers often look much older than they actually are after they have "settled". Unfortunately, wooden patios are typically built with "wet" lumber containing a moisture content of up to 30%. As this material dries, it shrinks, often causing your new patio cover to warp, split and even crack. 
• Once built, an aluminum patio cover will maintain its appearance and integrity for decades without ever splitting or warping. While a wooden cover may look nice immediately after construction, it is very unlikely that it will look as good after only one year.
• Design customization is possible with either type of construction to varying degrees. 

Maintenance:

• Aluminum patio covers require virtually no maintenance at all. An occasional rinse is about all you'll ever need to do.
• Wooden covers, as mentioned above, will move quite a bit in the first year as the building materials dry. It is not uncommon for a few elements to need replacement after they have properly settled. Very often, the heavier beams used for the header will twist and split in this timeframe causing some costly repairs fairly quickly. This is typically not covered by a builders warranty.
• If a new wood cover is painted, it will need to be touched up, at a minimum, one year after construction due to settling. 
• Painted or stained wood patios will need a fresh coat every few years to keep them looking nice as well as to ward off decay and degradation due to the elements.
• Wood is an organic material and also requires a yearly inspection for termites and rot. 
• Wooden patio covers will need to be re-roofed every five to ten years.
• Aluminum patio covers win the maintenance aspect hands down. There is practically no maintenance required at all.

Function:
Most patio covers main function is to provide shade and define the space. While both wood and aluminum patios or pergola can do this, there are some distinct differences.

• Insulated aluminum patio covers can provide a measurably cooler shade than any other type of construction including, of course, wood. With three to six inches of expanded polystyrene insulation in an aluminum insulated cover, heat simply cannot transfer through onto the patio beneath. This is most noticeable in areas with full sun exposure. 
• Lattice covers can be customized to provide as much, or as little shade as desired and are available in both materials. With a lattice cover, however, maintenance becomes a much more important factor as repainting small wooden slats can prove extremely tedious.
• In most cases, aluminum patio covers can be attached directly to an existing concrete slab compared to wooden construction that would require the concrete to be saw cut for footings leaving unsightly cuts and patching .
• Both aluminum and wooden patio coverings can be engineered to accommodate for high winds and snow loads.
• Aluminum awnings and patio covers can provide a class A fire rating as required in certain areas of Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Acton and other areas of L.A. County which are considered fire zone 4 and have more stringent material requirements.

Cost:
When comparing the most common type of basic wooden construction, wood patio covers typically come with a cheaper price tag than aluminum. This is quickly offset however by considering the cost of maintenance in just the first few years of ownership. 
Although a high quality aluminum patio can have a higher upfront cost, the idea that it will not require additional maintenance, always look great and have a greater impact on the resale value of your home should be considered.

Bottom line:
If you are planning to live in the home for more than a year after the patios construction, aluminum covers are a the clear, long term solution. You will eliminate typical patio maintenance, always have a great looking outdoor living space, have cooler shade, never get a splinter or have to worry about bug infestations. 

For a free quote on your new aluminum patio cover, contact JNR Home Improvements.