The Homeowner's Guide to Attaching Alumawood Patio Covers to Your Home: What You Need to Know

 It’s mid-July in Phoenix. The temperature outside has been hovering around 110°F for what feels like forever. You walk into your home and enjoy the cool air. But then, you cringe at the thought of your next electric bill. Your air conditioner is working hard. Those south-facing windows act like magnifying glasses, heating up your living room.

Sound familiar? If you’re like most Arizona homeowners, you’ve experienced this seasonal struggle firsthand.

We get it. At Chillax Patios, we’ve spent over 10 years helping homeowners in Phoenix. We’ve installed many Alumawood patio covers in the Valley. We’ve noticed how the right shade can transform outdoor spaces. It also boosts the energy efficiency of homes.

What You’ll Learn in This Article

By the time you finish reading, you’ll understand:

• How strategically placed Alumawood patio covers can significantly reduce your home’s cooling costs
• How Shade Structures Protect Your Windows and Walls from Heat Gain

Shade structures help keep your home cool by blocking sunlight. Here’s how they work:

• • Reduced Heat Gain: They block direct sunlight from your windows. This cools indoor temperatures.
  • Energy Savings: With less heat, your air conditioner runs less. This saves both energy and money.
  • Improved Comfort: A cooler home is more comfortable during hot weather.
  • Protection from UV Rays: Shade structures protect your walls and furniture from harmful UV rays.

In short, shade structures are essential for energy efficiency and comfort.

• Why Alumawood outperforms traditional wood for Arizona’s harsh climate
• How to determine the optimal placement for maximum energy savings
• Real examples of energy bill reductions from Phoenix homeowners

Let’s dive right in!

The Arizona Energy Challenge: Why Your Home Gets So Hot

First, let’s talk about why cooling your Arizona home is such an expensive proposition.

According to energy studies, about 50% of unwanted heat enters your home through windows. Those glass panes seem harmless, but they’re heat superhighways. This is especially true under our blazing desert sun.

Even with decent windows, the Arizona sun is relentless. When sunlight directly hits your windows, it creates what energy experts call “solar heat gain.” This heat transfers through the glass and warms up everything inside—your floors, furniture, and air.

Your air conditioner then has to work harder (and longer) to remove this heat, driving up your energy bills. It’s like trying to cool down a car that’s been sitting in a parking lot all day—it takes a lot more energy than keeping it cool in the first place.

The Strategic Solution: Shading Your Home’s Exterior

Here’s where things get interesting (and where you can save serious money).

Research from the Department of Energy shows that well-shaded windows can reduce heat gain by up to 77%. This finding comes from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Why? Because exterior shade stops the heat before it can enter your home.

Think of it this way: interior blinds are like wearing sunglasses after getting sunburned—they help, but they’re too late. Exterior shade is like applying sunscreen before going outside—it prevents the problem from happening in the first place.

Enter the Alumawood Patio Cover: Your Home’s Energy Shield

This is where Alumawood patio covers shine (or rather, prevent too much shine!).

An Alumawood patio cover, when placed near your home, helps protect your windows and walls. It’s especially effective on south and west-facing sides, creating a shield against the harsh sun.

Let’s break down how this works:

1. Sunlight Protection: Alumawood patio covers can block direct sunlight from windows. This keeps the inside cooler and protects furniture from fading. Studies show this alone can reduce the cooling load on those windows by up to 65%.
2. Creating a Cooler Microclimate: The area under your patio cover stays cooler than spots without shade. The cooler air surrounds your home. It lowers the temperature difference between inside and outside.
3. Reducing Radiant Heat: Your home’s exterior walls soak up heat and pass it inside. An Alumawood cover reduces this radiant heat transfer.
4. Extending Roof Eaves: Many Arizona homes have insufficient roof overhangs. An attached Alumawood patio effectively extends your roof line, providing shade during peak sun hours.

A homeowner in Phoenix tracked his energy use before and after adding an Alumawood patio cover. This cover shaded his west-facing windows and patio door. His July cooling costs dropped by 17% compared to the previous year, even though it was a hotter summer!

Why Alumawood Outperforms Traditional Wood for Energy Efficiency

Now, you might be wondering: “Couldn’t I just build a wooden patio cover and get the same benefits?”

Well, you could—but there are several reasons Alumawood is the superior choice for energy efficiency in our Arizona climate:

1. Heat Reflection: Alumawood embossed finish and lighter colors reflect more sunlight than wood. Wood usually absorbs heat. This means less heat transfer to the areas below.
2. Consistent Coverage: Unlike wood, Alumawood won’t warp, crack, or shrink in extreme temperatures. This means it provides consistent shade year after year, without gaps that let sunlight in.
3. Customizable Design: Alumawood is engineered to maximize shade when it’s hottest. You can also let winter sun in if you want. With solid, lattice, and combination options, you can fine-tune your shade solution.
4. Durability Means Sustainability: The longer your shade lasts, the more energy-efficient it becomes. Alumawood’s exceptional durability means decades of energy savings without the need for replacement.

We should mention that at Chillax Patios, we’re not experts in building wooden structures. We focus on Alumawood because it’s the best choice for Arizona’s climate and our customers.

Optimal Placement for Maximum Energy Savings

Not all patio cover placements are created equal when it comes to energy efficiency. Here’s what we’ve learned from installing hundreds of Alumawood structures throughout Phoenix:

South-Facing Exposure: This is your biggest opportunity for energy savings. South-facing windows receive the most direct sunlight throughout the day. An Alumawood patio cover here can reduce cooling costs by up to 20% for that section of your home.

West-Facing Exposure: This is your second priority. Western exposure gets intense afternoon sun when temperatures are already at their highest. Shading west-facing windows is crucial for late-day comfort and efficiency.

East-Facing Exposure: East-facing windows catch the morning sun, but it’s usually softer than the afternoon light. Still, shading these areas can help keep morning temperatures more comfortable.

North-Facing Exposure: These areas receive the least direct sun, so energy savings from shading are minimal. However, an Alumawood cover here still creates comfortable outdoor living space.

The ideal height and depth of your patio cover also matters. For the best energy efficiency, your patio cover should shade windows during peak sun hours, usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in summer. Our design team can determine the right dimensions based on your home’s orientation and window placement.

Real Numbers: The Energy-Saving Impact

Let’s talk dollars and cents. How much can you actually save with a properly designed Alumawood patio cover?

Research from the Department of Energy shows that exterior shading can cut cooling energy needs by 15-25% in hot climates like ours. This translates to real savings on your monthly bills.

In a typical 2,000 square foot home in Phoenix, summer cooling costs usually range from $250 to $400 per month. A 20% reduction could mean savings of 250−400 per month . A 2050-80 per month during peak cooling season.

A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory showed that energy-efficient windows can cut cooling energy use by 22%. This is compared to standard windows without shading.

Energy savings from an Alumawood patio cover can vary. It depends on your home’s construction, existing windows, and other factors. However, these savings often cover a large part of the installation cost over time.

Beyond Energy Savings: The Full Picture

While we’re focusing on energy efficiency, it’s worth mentioning the other benefits that come with an Alumawood patio cover:

1. Extra Living Space: Your covered patio is usable in hot months, adding more space to your home.
2. Furniture and Flooring Protection: Your patio cover blocks UV rays. This helps prevent fading and damage to your costly furniture, flooring, and window treatments.
3. Increased Home Value: Energy-efficient upgrades, such as quality patio covers, often boost home value by 70-80% of their cost.
4. Reduced HVAC Wear and Tear: When your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard, it lasts longer and requires fewer repairs.

Quality and Precision Matter

In over 10 years of installing Alumawood patio covers, we’ve learned that precision is key. It affects both how they look and how well they work.

An improperly installed patio cover won’t just look bad—it won’t function efficiently as an energy-saving solution. Gaps, improper angles, or inadequate coverage can significantly reduce the energy benefits.

At Chillax Patios, we were actually the first company in Arizona to adopt the hidden hanger installation style for Alumawood. This focus on detail creates a cleaner look. It also improves structural integrity and provides more even shade coverage.

When evaluating patio cover options, remember that the lowest price rarely delivers the best value. To maximize energy efficiency benefits, use proper design, quality materials, and expert installation.

Is an Alumawood Patio Cover Right for Your Home?

While we believe in the benefits of Alumawood patio covers, we also believe in honest education. They’re not the perfect solution for every home.

You’ll see the greatest energy efficiency benefits if:

• Your home has significant south or west-facing window exposure
• These windows receive direct sunlight during peak hours
• Your current cooling costs are higher than average
• You want to create usable outdoor living space

The investment might not make sense purely for energy savings if:

• Your windows already have excellent external shading
• Your home is heavily shaded by mature trees
• You’re planning to move within the next year or two

What Our Customers Say

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what a few customers from the Phoenix area have said about their energy savings with Alumawood patio covers:

“We installed an Alumawood cover over our back patio that shades our kitchen and family room windows. Our July electric bill dropped by $65 compared to last year, and the temperature in those rooms is noticeably more consistent.” – Maria S., Chandler

“I was skeptical about how much difference a patio cover would make, but my west-facing home office is now actually usable in the afternoon. Before, it would get so hot I’d have to move to another room around 2pm, even with the AC running full blast.” – David K., Peoria

“Our Alumawood patio cover has paid for itself in just two summers through energy savings and increased use of our outdoor space. Wish we’d done it years ago!” – Jennifer T., Scottsdale

Taking the Next Step

If you’re considering an Alumawood patio cover to improve your home’s energy efficiency, here are some practical next steps:

1. Observe sun patterns: Note which windows get direct sun and when. This helps identify priority areas for shading.
2. Check your bills: Review your summer electric bills to establish a baseline for potential savings.
3. Think about your outdoor living goals: The best options mix energy efficiency with lifestyle perks.
4. Get a professional assessment: An experienced installer can check your situation. They will suggest the best placement and design.

At Chillax Patios, we offer free consultations to help you understand your options. We won’t try to sell you something that doesn’t make sense for your home—that’s not how we’ve built our reputation over the last decade.

Conclusion: A Cooler Home, A Smaller Carbon Footprint, While Increase Energy Efficiency

In Arizona’s tough climate, smart energy choices do more than save money. They also make our homes more comfortable and cut down our environmental impact.

A well-designed Alumawood patio cover is a great way to boost your home’s energy efficiency. It also enhances your lifestyle. By stopping heat before it enters your home, you’re addressing the root cause of summer energy waste.

Choose Chillax Patios or another top installer. This article shows how smart shade can improve your home’s energy efficiency.