You’re in your backyard on a lovely Arizona morning, coffee in hand, dreaming of that ideal patio cover. Then you think about the Phoenix monsoon storms. Will your investment hold up against 60+ mph winds that can turn furniture into flying debris? If you’re confused about which patio covers are safe, you’re not alone.
Every summer, we hear from many Phoenix homeowners with similar worries. They’ve seen cheap patio covers torn apart in dust storms or are tired of moving their furniture inside at the first sign of rain. The frustration is real, as is the fear of making an expensive mistake.
In this article, you’ll discover Alumawood patio cover specs in Phoenix. You’ll see how Arizona’s building codes protect you and why knowing these can save you money and avoid injuries. We’ll explain the technical details in simple terms because, let’s face it, many of us aren’t engineers.
Let’s start with the basics. Phoenix uses the 2018 Phoenix Building Construction Code. This code has updates from the 2018 International Building Code. Here’s what matters: Arizona requires patio covers to withstand wind speeds of 115 mph for Risk Category II buildings (that’s your home).
Don’t panic—115 mph winds aren’t common. This refers to rare storms that can cause damage. The code allows wind loads to be calculated at 0.7 times the component and cladding loads. This means engineers include safety factors.
Think of it this way: if your car’s speedometer goes up to 120 mph, it doesn’t mean you drive that fast. It’s reassuring to know your car can handle it if needed. The same applies to your patio cover’s wind rating.
Here’s where it gets interesting. An Alumawood patio cover can withstand winds up to 115 mph when installed correctly. Some models can handle winds up to 150 mph. But remember: “when installed correctly.”
Since 2015, we’ve installed Alumawood patio covers in Phoenix. The quality of installation is key to wind resistance. Alumawood is strong and lightweight, allowing for longer spans without extra support beams. This isn’t just marketing—it’s physics.
Its lightweight nature is a safety feature. During high winds, a lighter structure has less mass to be thrown around, meaning less stress on attachment points. It’s like comparing a paper airplane to a brick. Both can be blown by wind, but the paper airplane bends while the brick either stays put or breaks something.
Let’s dive into what Phoenix actually requires. For aluminum structural members or panels used in patio covers not supporting glass, the total load deflection can’t exceed L/60. In plain English, your patio cover can only bend so much before it’s unsafe.
Most of the time, you don’t need a permit to build a patio awning in Phoenix. However, permits ensure your patio cover meets local codes and safety standards. Just because you might not need a permit doesn’t mean you should skip understanding these requirements. Your insurance company will ask questions if something goes wrong.
The engineering details are straightforward: DIY kits support a live load of 10 lbs to a 60 lbs Ground Snow Load. Wind ratings begin at 95 mph and can exceed 130 mph. Most homeowners don’t realize these ratings assume proper installation and regular maintenance.
We’ve learned this from installing many Alumawood patio covers in Phoenix: a wind rating matters less if the installation is bad. We’ve seen covers rated for 115 mph fail in 80 mph winds because corners were cut during installation.
Since 2015, Chillax Patios has been Arizona’s trusted name in patio covers. We’re not bragging; we’ve seen what happens when people choose price over quality.
For example, last year, a homeowner in Scottsdale called us after their “professionally installed” patio cover failed in a storm. The installer used the wrong fasteners and skipped crucial attachment points. This mistake turned a $15,000 patio cover into a $25,000 insurance claim when it damaged their neighbor’s pool.
The lesson? The cheapest option can be the most expensive mistake. Many customers find it wiser to pay a qualified Alumawood installer upfront to ensure the job is done right.
Let’s break down what happens at 115 mph winds. Wind force increases exponentially. A 115 mph wind doesn’t hit twice as hard as a 57 mph wind; it hits four times as hard.
The average wind rating in the U.S. is 90 mph, meaning patio covers should withstand at least that. Arizona’s 115 mph requirement is higher, which makes sense during monsoon season.
In high-wind events, your patio cover faces “uplift forces.” Imagine holding down a large piece of plywood in a storm. The wind doesn’t just push; it tries to lift it. That’s why proper anchoring is essential.
Here’s something you won’t hear from many companies: not all Alumawood installations are the same. The material is excellent—it won’t crack, peel, warp, burn, or rot—but performance relies heavily on engineering and installation.
The structures feature strong header beams. They also have a weather-resistant Aluma-Shield paint system with Teflon. This withstands sun, rain, wind, and extreme temperatures. For wind resistance, those heavy header beams must be properly sized and anchored.
We use specific engineering calculations for each installation. It’s not one-size-fits-all. A 20-foot span requires different engineering than a 12-foot span. Also, a cover attached to your house has different needs than a freestanding one.
Let’s be honest: quality Alumawood installation isn’t the cheapest upfront. Consider repair costs, insurance deductibles, and possible property damage from a bad installation. These factors make it a wise financial choice.
Here’s a quick look at what we’ve seen over our 10+ years in business:
Properly installed Alumawood covers: 99% survival rate during major wind events
DIY or cheap installations: 30% failure rate in similar conditions
Average repair cost after wind damage: $8,000-$15,000
The average cost for a cantilevered Alumawood patio cover is around $32 per square foot. This is based on proper engineering and installation. A $20 per square foot bid may look attractive until you consider the hidden costs of inadequate engineering.
Here’s something many homeowners overlook: your wind rating isn’t permanent. It depends on maintaining the structural integrity of your cover over time. If you spray it off occasionally, your Alumawood pergola or patio cover will look great.
But maintenance goes beyond cleaning. We recommend annual inspections of:
Fastener tightness (Arizona’s temperature changes cause expansion and contraction)
Structural connections (especially after any major weather event)
Signs of metal fatigue or stress (rare with Alumawood, but worth checking)
When looking for patio cover companies, ask these key questions:
What’s the engineered wind rating for my specific installation?
Can you provide engineering drawings and calculations?
What’s your failure rate during major wind events?
Do you have insurance that covers installation defects?
At Chillax Patios, we create beautiful, durable, low-maintenance outdoor spaces that fit your home. We’re licensed, bonded, and insured. We know that structural installations come with risks.
Alumawood patio covers can handle winds up to 115 mph in Phoenix. This is true only if they are well-engineered and installed correctly. The material is excellent, and the engineering standards are crucial for your safety and investment.