Why choose Alumawood for your outdoor shelter? Known for its strength and longevity, Alumawood merges the warm look of wood with the resilience of aluminum. Avoid the hassle of termite damage and persistent maintenance as we explore customizable styles, cost benefits, and installation choices for your Alumawood patio cover in this enlightening guide.
Key Takeaways
Alumawood patio covers are durable, low-maintenance options that mimic wood’s appearance and offer various protections including UV, fire, termite resistance and support customization with lighting and add-ons.
Alumawood offers different styles such as Lattice, Non-Insulated, and Insulated covers to meet diverse aesthetic preferences and functional needs, with cost savings over traditional wood covers.
While Alumawood patio covers can be installed DIY for simpler designs, complex or attached structures may require professional installation; maintenance is easy, enhancing long-term value and comfort.
Understanding Alumawood: A Modern Alternative to Traditional Patio Covers
Alumawood patio covers, developed by Amerimax in 1983, have emerged as a leading choice for homeowners seeking quality and a long-standing reputation. Here are some key features of Alumawood patio covers:
Made from high-quality aluminum
Features an embossed texture that beautifully mimics the grain of real wood
Provides an aesthetically pleasing finish
Ensures superior durability and corrosion resistance
Alumawood patio covers offer:
Resistance to fire, termites, cracking, warping, and rot
Durability in diverse climate conditions, including snow and rain
Minimal maintenance, as they do not require staining or sealing like wood
Aluma-Shield® paint system with Teflon® surface protector, which repels dust and dirt
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Alumawood products, manufactured in the USA, help limit your exposure to sunlight, offering UV protection and thus increasing your outdoor comfort with their embossed surface.
Types of Alumawood Patio Covers: Lattice, Non-Insulated, and Insulated
Alumawood patio covers are available in various styles to suit different needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for motorized louvers, covered panels for adjustable shade and protection, or intricate screens for added comfort, Alumawood has you covered.
We’ll explore the unique advantages of three Alumawood patio cover types: Lattice, Non-Insulated, and Insulated.
Lattice Patio Covers
Designed to reduce sun exposure by 40-60%, the Alumawood lattice system provides a charming and sophisticated aesthetic that resembles classic wood designs. This makes it an ideal choice for those who prefer traditional looks without the maintenance burden. Offering around 50% shade during midday and 100% shade after about 3 pm, lattice patio covers are perfect for outdoor entertaining, allowing natural light and refreshing breezes while filtering harsh sun rays. They are especially suited for gardening enthusiasts who need sunlight and rain for plant growth.
These lattice covers offer partial protection, enabling some sunlight and rain to pass through. They weather various conditions without bleaching, cracking, or rotting, unlike traditional wood. However, a notable drawback of lattice patio covers is their lack of complete elemental protection, which can lead to uneven coverage and potential damage to outdoor furniture over time.
Non-Insulated Patio Covers
Also referred to as solid patio covers, non-insulated versions offer comprehensive protection from the sun and various weather conditions. They offer complete shading and shelter, making them suitable for outdoor activities regardless of the weather. However, a drawback of solid patio covers is the total blockage of sunlight, which can impede the growth of plants underneath.
Alumawood’s non-insulated patio covers feature:
An interlocking design with a flat pan ceiling that resembles a tongue and groove design
A light-colored heat-reflecting roof regardless of the ceiling color.
Suitable for DIY installation
Can significantly increase the value of a home
Create an outdoor room that can accommodate features like bars or outdoor kitchens, transforming your outdoor living space.
Insulated Patio Covers
Insulated patio covers epitomize both comfort and energy efficiency. The insulated MAXX Foam Panels used in Alumawood patio covers are Energy Star-rated, reducing heat transfer and creating a more comfortable outdoor space if you should ever choose to enclose it with either windows or sunscreens. These covers boast a high-end appearance, attributed to the thicker aluminum-clad foam panels, which offer a more substantial look than standard pan roofs.
The design of insulated patio covers, featuring interlocking panels and sealed joints, effectively prevents leaks and discretely channels rainwater away, ensuring your comfort in any weather. However, color choices for insulated patio covers may be limited, and some communities might have regulations that require patio covers to be constructed of wood, not aluminum.
Insulated patio covers are notably more expensive than non-insulated patio covers, however, there are times when it is well worth the investment. If you live on a golf course the insulated roof panels help protect you from golf balls without receiving any dents that are visible from underneath. Also, the insulated patio cover keeps your patio area cooler if you ever enclose your patio area with either windows or sunscreen, as enclosing your patio cover will hinder the natural breezes that keep it from getting hot under the alumawood patio cover.
Customizing Your Alumawood Patio Cover: Design Options and Add-Ons
Alumawood patio covers can be customized to suit individual design preferences, thus enhancing the beauty and practicality of your outdoor living spaces. Customization options include flush-mount LED ceiling lights, ceiling fans, and TV mounts, which provide efficient lighting while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design. These upgrade options can turn your patio into a perfect spot for evening gatherings or quiet nights under the stars.
In addition to electrical and custom shapes, Alumawood patio covers support the integration of add-ons such as:
Sophisticated screens
Covered panels
Motorized louvers
These add-ons provide additional comfort and control, allowing you to install and create the perfect balance of style, shade, and richly textured comfort for your outdoor areas.
Comparing Costs: Alumawood vs. Traditional Wood Patio Covers
Alumawood patio covers are notably cost-effective. They can cost approximately half the price of comparable redwood or cedar patio covers for a similar size and style, as shown with a 10×10 lattice or Pergola style patio cover. In comparison, a quality wooden lattice patio cover of the same size can cost significantly higher due to the materials and maintenance required.
On average, aluminum patio covers cost between $30 and $40 per sq ft, while wood patio covers typically run up to 2x as much. Traditional wood patio covers often incur additional long-term maintenance costs, such as an average of $500 – $2000 every other year for regular painting or staining. The Alumawood Non-insulated patio cover or the lattice style patio cover, being the most reasonably priced covers produced by Alumawood, underscores the value Alumawood provides.
DIY or Professional Installation: Choosing the Right Approach for Your Alumawood Patio Cover
Choosing between a DIY or professional installation for your Alumawood patio cover hinges on the design’s complexity and your personal preferences. DIY installation can be appropriate for flat-roofed designs with a simple angle for rain runoff and for freestanding patio covers that are detached from the home. Thanks to the lightweight and larger panel sizes of Alumawood materials, along with the availability of DIY kits, these patio covers are relatively easy to work with and allow for customization, potentially saving on installation costs.
However, complex designs, such as pitched roofs or larger areas, and attached patio covers using a ledger board usually necessitate hiring a professional contractor due to the intricacies involved in safe and compliant installation. Choosing professional installation for elaborate or customized Alumawood patio cover projects offers added assurance due to the contractor’s expertise in materials, structural integrity, and adherence to local building codes.
Enhancing Your Outdoor Living Space with Alumawood Patio Covers
Alumawood patio covers offer numerous enhancements to your outdoor living space. By providing protection from elements like sun, rain, and snow, they make activities such as barbeques and reading more comfortable. Alumawood patio covers provide deep shade, reducing patio temperatures by blocking heat absorption and radiation from the concrete pad. This makes your patio an all-weather haven for relaxation and fun.
The solid style of Alumawood patio covers offers a sleek, modern appearance that can be embellished with ceiling fans and lighting fixtures for improved evening ambiance. More so, homeowners can customize Alumawood shade structures, allowing them to refine their outdoor living spaces to their unique style and comfort needs, transforming their backyard into a personal oasis.
Alumawood Patio Covers in Different Climates: Performance and Durability
Alumawood patio covers demonstrate resilience across diverse climates, offering durability and protection against a range of weather conditions. They are designed to be watertight, offering reliable protection against weather elements like rain and snow, making them ideal for use in varied weather conditions, including those that are wet and cold. Alumawood covers feature innovative coatings such as DuraTough Coating™, which is heat and corrosion-resistant, ensuring that the structure can withstand diverse harsh conditions such as sun, rain, wind, and extreme temperatures.
In hot and dry regions, like California and Arizona, Alumawood’s termite resistance makes it a superior alternative to traditional wood patio covers. Through thoughtful design, including selecting lattice-style covers for increased airflow and light-colored roofs of the solid-style patio covers to reflect sunlight, Alumawood covers can be optimized to maintain a cooler environment under the cover, enhancing comfort in outdoor living spaces across varying climates.
Maintenance Tips for Your Alumawood Patio Cover
Maintaining Alumawood patio covers is relatively straightforward. They are virtually maintenance-free, a stark contrast to the significant maintenance required for wood covers. The Aluma-Shield paint system with Teflon® additive from DuPont on non-insulated patio covers and the DuraTough Coating™ on Weatherwood patio covers are weather-resistant, anti-corrosive, and resist dirt and staining, making them more maintenance-friendly.
Alumawood covers do not suffer from common wood ailments, such as rot, cracks, rust, or termite damage, offering lower long-term maintenance costs. Routine cleaning can be performed using a solution of laundry detergent, trisodium phosphate powder, and water. For areas with limited rain exposure or to remove mildew, specific solutions involving sodium hypochlorite are recommended. For cleaning environmental black streaking, products like Gutter Zap 4 are effective, and for substances like caulking compounds or tar, mineral spirits followed by immediate rinsing with water are suggested.
In climates with high precipitation, aluminum patio covers like Alumawood are preferred due to their low maintenance, as they do not need repainting or staining.
Selecting a Reputable Alumawood Patio Cover Company
Selecting an appropriate Alumawood patio cover company is vital for the success of your patio cover project. Before making a choice, ensure the dealer:
Is licensed if required by your state (Required in Arizona)
Carries necessary insurance to protect you from potential damages
Has an established market presence, which suggests reliability and industry experience
Has any professional affiliations or certifications to ensure a higher standard of service.
Research and read customer reviews or testimonials to gauge the company’s reputation and customer service levels. Ask if the company can provide references and verify their past clients’ experiences with service and product quality. Ensure that the company has a good understanding of the product, including how to assemble your chosen patio cover type and adhere to engineering procedures for structural integrity. A reputable company should offer a written contract with clear details on the scope of work, timelines, costs, and payment terms. They should also provide a clear, written warranty that specifies what is covered and the duration of coverage.
Summary
In conclusion, Alumawood patio covers are a versatile, durable, and cost-effective solution to enhance your outdoor living space. With various styles, customization options, and the ability to withstand different climates, they offer an ideal solution for those seeking a low-maintenance, attractive patio cover. Whether you choose to install it yourself or hire a professional, Alumawood patio covers offer great value, transforming your backyard into a comfortable, stylish outdoor living space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Alumawood patio covers good in Arizona?
Alumawood patio covers are a good option due to their low-maintenance nature and resistance to rot, warping, and termites, making them a durable choice.
Does Alumawood get hot?
In hotter, sunnier climates, Alumawood patio covers are likely to get a little hot, much like your concrete, travertine, or paver patio flooring when the sun is shining on it. Darker colors will be warmer to the touch.
What are the disadvantages of aluminum patio covers?
Aluminum patio covers can conduct more heat than some other materials. Additionally, many people feel that aluminum lacks wood’s warmth and visual interest.
What material is Alumawood made of?
Alumawood is made of aluminum, known for its durability and weather resistance, making it a great choice for patio covers. It is manufactured from structural-grade aluminum alloys and finished with an exclusive high-performance coating system.
Is Alumawood cheaper than wood?
Alumawood is generally less expensive than wood for patio covers, even costing only half the price of a high quality redwood patio cover.