Aluminum Vs. Wood: Choosing the Right Material for Your Awning

Awnings/ patio covers have always been popular among homeowners who are looking to upgrade their outdoor space. Whether you want to upgrade your garden, backyard, or rooftop, patio covers are always a great addition to have.  But what material should you choose for your patio cover? Well, two of the most popular options are aluminum and wood. Here, your makers of the best aluminum patio cover in Richmond, BC, share a quick comparison between these two materials:

Wood Posts for A Patio Cover

Wood patio covers look natural, elegant and luxurious. They are probably the most affordable awnings, but their benefits do not end there.

Pros

Wood is a very good material for the posts as it is very strong and durable and can withstand bad weather. Wood posts are very easy to install and can be good for beginners as well. They are also very aesthetically appealing as they can enhance your home’s curb appeal. Moreover, you can choose from a wide variety of colours, styles and designs to match your home and your style.

Cons

Since wood is a natural material, it can warp with time. The more exposed it is to water and moisture, the faster it will deteriorate. Make sure that it is installed in a place that is well-ventilated to prevent moisture build-up.

Also, wood is more susceptible to damage caused by insects, fungi and other pests. These need to be treated with proper pesticides, and precautionary measures need to be taken to keep them off.

Wood posts are prone to fire, especially when they are not treated properly. So, if you have a patio cover made of the said material, make sure that you treat it against fire as well as decay.

Aluminum Patio Covers

Aluminum posts for patio cover are also a very popular choice among homeowners, and it’s not hard to see why. Here are some of the advantages of aluminum awnings:

Pros

Aluminum posts are very easy to maintain. Also, since the material is more durable, you don’t have to worry about repairing.

Also, because aluminum posts are made of a material that is not prone to natural decay, they can be used in a variety of settings. Unlike wood posts, aluminum posts can withstand extreme weather conditions, from icy winters to hot summers.

Fluoropolymer is used to coat aluminum posts to make them last for years. It can give your posts either a bright finish or a subtle and more muted, wood-grain finish that won’t require the same level of care that wood posts require.

Cons

The only disadvantage of aluminum posts is that they may be more expensive than wood posts. 

Which Should You Choose?

Since both materials have their advantages and disadvantages, it is best if you evaluate your needs before making your choice. If you are just looking for something that is simple, you can go for a wood posts patio cover. However, if you want something that is a bit more sophisticated and durable, you can go for an aluminum patio cover. 

Conclusion

Both wood and aluminum patio covers have been popular choices among homeowners, and they can add a lot of value to your home. But since each material has its own benefits and problems, you need to choose what best fits your needs. Whether you choose wood or aluminum patio covers in Richmond, BC, make sure that you get yours done by a reputable manufacturer.

Advantage Aluminum Products Ltd. is one of the leading manufacturers of aluminum patio covers in Richmond, BC. Our experienced manufacturers can make you custom pergolas according to your specific needs. Get in touch with us to know more!

 

Wood Pergolas

Wood pergolas look natural, elegant and luxurious. They are probably the most affordable pergola, but their benefits do not end there.

Pros

Wood is a very good material for pergolas as it is very strong and durable and can withstand bad weather. Wood pergolas are very easy to install and can be good for beginners as well. They are also very aesthetically appealing as they can enhance your home’s curb appeal. Moreover, you can choose from a wide variety of colours, styles and designs to match your home and your style.

Cons

Since wood is a natural material, it can warp with time. The more exposed it is to water and moisture, the faster it will deteriorate. Make sure that it is installed in a place that is well-ventilated to prevent moisture build-up.

Also, wood is more susceptible to damage caused by insects, fungi and other pests. These need to be treated with proper pesticides, and precautionary measures need to be taken to keep them off.

Wood pergolas are prone to fire, especially when they are not treated properly. So, if you have a pergola made of the said material, make sure that you treat it against fire as well as decay.

Aluminum Pergolas

Aluminum pergolas are also a very popular choice among homeowners, and it’s not hard to see why. Here are some of the advantages of aluminum pergolas:

Pros

Aluminum pergolas are very easy to maintain. Also, since the material is more durable, you don’t have to worry about repairing the pergola all the time. You can also choose from a variety of colors and designs, depending on your preference.

Also, because aluminum pergolas are made of a material that is not prone to natural decay, they can be used in a variety of settings. Unlike wood pergolas, aluminum pergolas can withstand extreme weather conditions, from icy winters to hot summers.

Fluoropolymer is used to coat aluminum pergolas to make them last for years. It can give your pergola either a bright finish or a subtle and more muted, wood-grain finish that won’t require the same level of care that wood pergolas require.

Cons

The only disadvantage of aluminum pergolas is that they may be more expensive than wood pergolas. 

Which Should You Choose?

Since both materials have their advantages and disadvantages, it is best if you evaluate your needs before making your choice. If you are just looking for something that is simple, you can go for a wood pergola. However, if you want something that is a bit more sophisticated and durable, you can go for an aluminum pergola. 

Conclusion

Both wood and aluminum pergolas have been popular choices among homeowners, and they can add a lot of value to your home. But since each material has its own benefits and problems, you need to choose what best fits your needs. Whether you choose wood or aluminum pergolas in Richmond, BC, make sure that you get yours done by a reputable manufacturer.

Advantage Aluminum Products Ltd. is one of the leading manufacturers of aluminum pergolas in Richmond, BC. Our experienced manufacturers can make you custom pergolas according to your specific needs. Get in touch with us to know more!