You’re standing in your backyard, squinting against the relentless Arizona sun, thinking, “This could be so much nicer with some shade.” Your patio furniture is hot enough to fry an egg on, your electric bill resembles a small mortgage, and you’ve worn out three pairs of flip-flops this summer alone walking across your scorching concrete.
Sound familiar?
As a Phoenix homeowner, you’re not just looking for any patio cover—you want one that will actually stand up to our brutal summers, look fantastic with your home, and not collapse during the first monsoon that rolls through. And let’s be honest, you’re tired of sales pitches that sound great but leave you wondering what you’re really getting.
We get it. At Chillax Patios, we’ve been installing Alumawood patio covers across the Valley for over 10 years, completing hundreds of installations for homeowners just like you. We understand you’re probably feeling:
1. Overwhelmed by options and technical jargon
2. Skeptical about which company will actually deliver quality work
3. Concerned about getting the best value (not just the lowest price)
4. Worried about hidden costs after signing a contract
This article aims to cut through the noise and give you a straightforward comparison between two local options: Royal Covers (a well-established Phoenix company) and Chillax Patios. We’ll speak plainly, toss in a little humor to keep things interesting, and focus on facts so you can make the best choice for your home.
1. A clear, honest comparison between Royal Covers and Chillax Patios regarding experience, warranties, reputation, and craftsmanship
2. Practical criteria to evaluate any patio cover installer (even if you don’t choose either of these companies)
3. Understanding why quality installation often saves money in the long run
4. Specific questions to ask before signing with any company
5. Real-world insights about Alumawood patio covers in Phoenix’s unique climate
Before diving into company comparisons, let’s get real about why patio covers in Phoenix aren’t just a luxury—they’re practically a necessity:
1. Temperature Impact: According to recent studies, properly installed patio covers can reduce surface temperatures by up to 20-30°F. That’s the difference between your patio being usable or abandoned from May through September.
2. Energy Savings: APS data suggests homes with quality shade structures can see cooling costs reduced by 10-20%. Over the lifetime of your patio cover, that adds up to thousands of dollars.
3. Home Protection: Direct sunlight accelerates aging of your home’s exterior, windows, and doors. A quality patio cover extends the life of these expensive components.
4. Resale Value: Arizona real estate professionals consistently rank covered outdoor living spaces among the top features buyers look for in our market.
Royal Covers has been a fixture in the Phoenix metro area since 1979—that’s over 45 years of experience. They’re BBB accredited and maintain an impressive 4.9-star rating across nearly 300 Google reviews. As one of the longest-running patio cover specialists in Arizona, Royal Covers has built a reputation that spans generations of Phoenix homeowners.
Royal Covers specializes in Alumawood patio covers and pergolas, offering a range of styles and configurations to match different home aesthetics. Their extensive portfolio showcases installations across Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, and throughout the East Valley. Royal Covers is known for their detailed approach to designing and fabricating custom shade structures tailored to each homeowner’s unique space.
What sets Royal Covers apart is their longevity in the market. Since 1979, Royal Covers has weathered multiple economic cycles while maintaining their presence in the Valley. This staying power suggests Royal Covers has developed systems and processes that work consistently for their customers. When you choose Royal Covers for your patio project, you’re selecting a company with decades of institutional knowledge about Arizona’s unique climate challenges.
Royal Covers is fully licensed, bonded, and insured—important credentials that protect homeowners during and after installation. Their installation teams have likely seen every possible configuration and challenge in Phoenix homes, giving Royal Covers a depth of practical experience that’s hard to match. For homeowners concerned about reliability, Royal Covers offers the security of an established business with deep roots in the community.
The Royal Covers showroom allows customers to see materials and options firsthand before making decisions. This tangible experience can be valuable when comparing different Alumawood styles, colors, and configurations. Royal Covers also provides detailed quotes that outline exactly what’s included in their patio cover installations.
With Royal Covers’ extensive history comes a large portfolio of completed projects. Phoenix homeowners considering Royal Covers can potentially see examples of installations similar to what they’re planning, sometimes even in their own neighborhoods. This track record gives Royal Covers customers confidence in what their finished project will look like.
Royal Covers’ warranty program includes both manufacturer coverage for the Alumawood materials and workmanship guarantees for the installation itself. Their long history suggests Royal Covers will be around to honor these warranties for years to come—an important consideration for a long-term investment like a patio cover.
At Chillax Patios, we’ve been focused specifically on Alumawood installations for over 10 years. Our business model centers on specialization rather than diversification:
1. Expertise: We exclusively install Alumawood patio covers, which means our crews develop deep expertise with this specific product.
2. Local Knowledge: Hundreds of installations across Phoenix have given us intimate knowledge of local building codes, permit processes, and the unique challenges of desert construction.
3. Personalized Service: As a focused, local company, we offer hands-on attention from initial consultation through final inspection.
4. Quality Focus: Our reputation depends entirely on our Alumawood installations, so we’ve refined our processes to ensure consistency and durability.
Royal Covers: With 45+ years in business, Royal Covers brings unmatched longevity to the table. This typically translates to well-established systems for estimating, permitting, installation, and warranty service. Their high volume of installations means they’ve encountered virtually every possible scenario a Phoenix homeowner might face.
Royal Covers has installed thousands of patio covers across the Valley since 1979. This extensive experience means Royal Covers has likely perfected their techniques through decades of refinement. When Royal Covers sends a crew to your home, they’re bringing the collective knowledge gained from countless previous installations.
Royal Covers’ longevity also means they’ve successfully navigated changing building codes, material innovations, and evolving customer expectations. This adaptability suggests Royal Covers can handle whatever unique challenges your specific installation might present. For many Phoenix homeowners, the peace of mind that comes with Royal Covers’ established history is a significant factor in their decision.
Chillax Patios: Our 10+ years of focused experience has allowed us to perfect our Alumawood installation process. We may not have been around as long as Royal Covers, but our hundreds of successful installations demonstrate consistent quality and expertise with this specific product.
Why This Matters: Experience reduces risk, but the type of experience matters too. Royal Covers’ broad experience across decades provides historical perspective, while Chillax Patios offers specialized focus. Both approaches have merit—it depends on what you value more: breadth or depth of expertise.
Royal Covers: Offers a workmanship warranty, which is documented on their website and in their contracts. This covers installation issues, while the manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty covers the Alumawood materials themselves. Royal Covers’ long history in Phoenix suggests they’ll be around to honor these warranties for years to come.
When you choose Royal Covers, you’re selecting a company with a multi-decade track record of standing behind their work. Royal Covers has been honoring warranties since the late 1970s, suggesting they have established processes for addressing any issues that might arise after installation. For many homeowners, this long-term reliability is a key factor when selecting Royal Covers for their patio project.
Chillax Patios: We also pair manufacturer warranties with our own workmanship guarantee. Our focus on doing one thing exceptionally well allows us to stand behind our installations with confidence.
Why This Matters: Here’s where things get interesting (and where many homeowners get confused). The manufacturer’s warranty typically only covers material defects—not problems caused by improper installation. A strong workmanship warranty from your installer is crucial because most issues stem from installation, not material failure.
Think of it this way: If your patio cover leaks where it connects to your house, that’s usually an installation issue (covered by the workmanship warranty), not a material defect (covered by the manufacturer). Always get both warranties in writing, whether you choose Royal Covers or Chillax Patios!
Royal Covers: Their 4.9-star average across nearly 300 Google reviews speaks volumes. This level of consistent satisfaction over many years suggests reliable quality and good customer service practices. Royal Covers has been making East Valley homeowners happy since 1979, establishing themselves as one of the most reviewed patio cover companies in the region.
The positive reviews for Royal Covers frequently mention their professionalism, attention to detail, and quality craftsmanship. Many Royal Covers customers specifically note the company’s thorough approach to design and installation. For a company that’s been operating as long as Royal Covers has, maintaining such high ratings suggests a consistent commitment to customer satisfaction.
Royal Covers’ reputation extends beyond online reviews. As a fixture in the Phoenix market for over four decades, Royal Covers has built relationships with suppliers, inspectors, and other industry professionals. This network reflects Royal Covers’ established position in the local construction community.
Chillax Patios: While our review footprint is smaller due to our more focused business model, we maintain excellent ratings and encourage potential customers to speak directly with our past clients.
Why This Matters: Reviews offer insights into not just quality, but how a company handles problems. Look for responses to negative reviews—every company occasionally faces challenges, but great companies resolve them promptly and professionally.
This is where the rubber meets the road—or in this case, where the aluminum meets your house. Here’s what separates good installations from problematic ones:
What It Is: The ledger board is where your patio cover connects to your house. It’s the most critical component for both structural integrity and preventing water intrusion.
Royal Covers: Their decades of experience likely means well-established protocols for proper attachment methods. Royal Covers has perfected their ledger attachment techniques through thousands of installations across Phoenix. When Royal Covers installs a patio cover, they’re drawing on decades of knowledge about proper flashing, fastening, and sealing methods.
Royal Covers’ extensive experience with different home constructions throughout the Valley means they’ve likely encountered and solved virtually every ledger attachment challenge possible. This institutional knowledge gives Royal Covers an advantage when dealing with unusual home configurations or construction types.
Chillax Patios: Our specialized focus has allowed us to perfect our ledger attachment techniques specifically for Alumawood on Arizona homes.
Why It Matters: Improper ledger attachment is the #1 cause of leaks and structural failures. If an installer cuts corners here (wrong fasteners, improper flashing, or inadequate sealing), you’ll pay for it later—possibly with water damage to your home.
What It Is: The slope of your patio cover that ensures water runs away from your house.
Royal Covers: Their extensive experience means they’ve likely developed effective approaches to Arizona’s unique drainage challenges. Royal Covers has installed patio covers through decades of monsoon seasons, giving them firsthand knowledge of how water behaves during heavy desert downpours. This experience informs how Royal Covers designs and pitches each patio cover for optimal drainage.
Royal Covers’ long history in Phoenix means they’ve seen how different pitch configurations perform over time in our specific climate. When Royal Covers designs your patio cover’s pitch, they’re applying lessons learned from thousands of previous installations across the Valley.
Chillax Patios: Our focused expertise allows us to tailor drainage solutions specifically for Alumawood installations.
Why It Matters: During monsoon season, a properly pitched patio cover directs water away from your home. Even a slight error in pitch can lead to pooling water, which stresses the structure and can eventually cause leaks.
What It Is: The screws, bolts, and connectors that hold everything together.
Royal Covers: As an established company, they likely have standardized hardware specifications. Royal Covers has had decades to test and refine their fastener selections for Arizona’s harsh climate. Their longevity suggests Royal Covers has identified which hardware performs best over time in desert conditions.
Royal Covers’ volume of installations means they’ve likely seen the long-term performance of different fastener types across thousands of projects. This real-world testing gives Royal Covers valuable insights into which components stand the test of time in Phoenix.
Chillax Patios: Our specialized focus on Alumawood means we’ve optimized our fastener selection specifically for this product in desert conditions.
Why It Matters: In Phoenix’s harsh climate, inferior fasteners can corrode quickly. Quality stainless or properly coated fasteners cost more upfront but prevent premature failure and unsightly rust streaks.
Let’s talk money—because we know that’s a major factor in your decision.
Both Royal Covers and Chillax Patios likely fall in the mid-to-premium range for Alumawood installations. Neither company competes on being the absolute cheapest option, and there’s good reason for that.
According to industry data, Alumawood patio covers in Phoenix typically cost between 18−18-55 per square foot installed, depending on style (lattice vs. solid), size, and complexity. A standard 300 square foot patio cover might range from 5,400to5,400 to 16,500.
The Cheaper Bid Warning: If you receive a bid significantly below this range, proceed with caution. Here’s what might be missing:
1. Proper permits and inspections (a big red flag!)
2. Adequate flashing and waterproofing
3.Quality fasteners and hardware
4. Proper structural support
5. Experienced installers (vs. day laborers)
The Value Perspective: A quality installation might cost 15-20% more upfront but can last twice as long without problems. When you factor in the potential costs of fixing water damage, repainting prematurely, or even replacing a failed cover, the more expensive initial bid often becomes the better value.
As one of our customers put it: “I’m not rich enough to buy cheap things twice.”
Whether you’re leaning toward Royal Covers’ established presence or Chillax Patios’ specialized focus, here’s how to make your final decision:
Request itemized proposals from both companies (and perhaps a third option). Look for:
1. Specific materials listed (not just “Alumawood”)
2. Fastener types and flashing details
3. Permit fees included
4. Clear timeline
5. Warranty terms in writing
1. “Will you pull permits, and can I get copies?” (The answer should be an immediate “yes”)
2. “What specific fasteners do you use where the cover attaches to my house?”
3. “Can you show me photos of similar installations, especially the connection to the house?”
4. “What’s your process if I notice an issue after installation?”
5. “How do you handle water drainage during monsoon season?”
Ask both Royal Covers and Chillax Patios for references from installations similar to yours that are at least 2-3 years old. This timeframe reveals how the cover performs after settling in and experiencing multiple seasons.
For Royal Covers, you might even be able to find examples that are much older, giving you insight into how their installations hold up over decades. Royal Covers’ 45+ year history means some of their patio covers have been standing strong through dozens of Arizona summers.
1. If you value the security of a decades-established company with a large workforce, Royal Covers might be your best choice. Royal Covers’ long history in Phoenix provides peace of mind that they’ll be around to honor warranties and address any future needs.
2. If you prefer specialized expertise and personalized attention from a company focused exclusively on Alumawood, Chillax Patios might be the better fit.
Here’s something neither Royal Covers nor any other company’s sales rep will probably say outright: The difference between a great patio cover and a problematic one usually isn’t the Alumawood material itself—it’s the installation quality.
Two identical Alumawood products can perform dramatically differently based on how they’re installed. One might leak, sag, or develop issues within a few years, while the other stands strong for decades—all because of installation details most homeowners never see.
Stage 1: Hesitation – “Do I really need a patio cover? Maybe I can just wear SPF 1000 and shoes with asbestos soles.”
Stage 2: Research – Reading articles like this one while your phone overheats from sitting in the sun. You’re looking up Royal Covers reviews while simultaneously trying not to get third-degree burns from your patio chair.
Stage 3: Sticker Shock – “That’s what it costs?! Maybe I can just plant a really fast-growing tree instead.” You start Googling “world’s fastest growing shade trees” only to discover they all die in Phoenix heat.
Stage 4: Decision – Finally choosing a company after realizing you’ve spent more on portable umbrellas that keep breaking than a permanent cover would cost. You schedule appointments with Royal Covers and Chillax Patios to get professional opinions.
Stage 5: Installation Day – Watching in amazement as your unusable concrete slab transforms into an actual living space. Whether it’s Royal Covers’ experienced team or Chillax Patios’ specialists, you’re finally seeing your vision come to life.
Stage 6: The First Rain – Standing nervously under your new cover during a monsoon, waiting for leaks (with a quality installation, there won’t be any!).
Stage 7: Enlightenment – Realizing you should have done this years ago as you enjoy your morning coffee outside in August without breaking a sweat. You’re now the envy of neighbors who are still living the uncovered patio lifestyle.
Whether you choose Royal Covers’ established presence spanning more than four decades or Chillax Patios’ specialized focus, the key is making an informed decision based on quality, value, and fit for your specific needs—not just price.
Remember that your patio cover is more than just shade—it’s an investment in your home’s value, your energy efficiency, and your quality of life in the desert. A quality Alumawood patio cover from either Royal Covers or Chillax Patios should provide 20+ years of enjoyment with minimal maintenance.
At Chillax Patios, we’ve installed hundreds of Alumawood covers across Phoenix over our 10+ years in business. We’re passionate about helping homeowners create outdoor spaces that actually work in our unique climate. While we obviously hope you’ll consider our services, our primary goal is to help you make the best choice for your specific situation—even if that’s not us.
If you’d like to learn more about either company, we encourage you to:
1. Visit both Royal Covers’ and Chillax Patios’ websites to see examples of their work
2. Read recent reviews on Google and other platforms for both Royal Covers and Chillax Patios
3. Request in-person consultations to get a feel for each company’s approach
4. Ask for references from similar projects from both Royal Covers and Chillax Patios
Your perfect patio oasis awaits—and with the right information, you’re now equipped to make a choice you’ll be happy with for decades to come, whether that’s with Royal Covers’ long-established expertise or Chillax Patios’ specialized focus. You can always feel free to verify both company’s on their ROC licenses.