In the past, when it came to building a patio cover, consumers were usually given two choices of materials: wood or aluminum. Both materials have positives as well as negatives (see my blog post on wood vs. aluminum patio covers). In many cases, clients want the look and feel of wood but not all the upkeep that wood requires. In these instances, I often recommend using Alumawood® created by Amerimax Building Products.
Alumawood is a material that does a good job of combining the positives of wood and aluminum into one product. Basically, Alumawood looks like wood on the outside but isn’t vulnerable to sun damage, water damage, termites or wood rot. Unlike traditional wood patio covers, Alumawood doesn’t require regular coating and sealing to keep it protected and looking nice.
The folks at Amerimax offer a variety of different Alumawood patio covers, including full roofs and latticed covers that let some sun in. They also offer carports.
I’ve been building decks, patios and patio covers for over ten years now. At Best Rate Repair, we use wood, aluminum and Alumawood, among other materials. I have to say that I enjoy working with Alumawood. Their products can be used on simple projects as well as very custom projects. My clients like the look of the material and definitely appreciate how little upkeep it takes.
As far as pricing goes, Alumawood typically costs about 25% – 35% more than wood. Keep in mind, however, that Alumawood has a longer lifespan than traditional wood patio covers and requires less maintenance, which will save an owner time, labor and the cost of cleaning, sealing and re-staining materials. The labor costs of building an Alumawood patio cover vs. a wooden patio cover is approximately the same (at least at Best Rate Repair).
As a builder, my recommendation is always for a client to go with the material they feel best about. I try to give the pros and cons of both wood and aluminum and suggest Alumawood when it seems appropriate. When choosing a patio cover material, homeowners need to consider how long they plan on living in their home, how they foresee using the patio, their budget and their geographic location. For instance, if they live in a wet area or somewhere near the ocean, a wooden patio cover just isn’t practical. If they still want that wood look for their patio, then Alumawood may be a great option for them.
I also recommend checking out the Alumawood website to see the different Alumawood styles they offer. If you ever have any questions about using Alumawood for your patio cover or how Alumawood compares to wooden patio covers or aluminum patio covers, give me a call at (619) 229 0116 or contact me through my website.
Alumawood is very impressive. This is the first time that I’ve known about this patio material. Thank you for posting this very informative article.
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Great article! The patio cover is a beautiful addition to the home and it also serves a variety of functions. It can create a retreat from the sun’s rays and help to lower bills by shading the side of your house.
I am designing a patio cover for my home. We want to install 4’X10′ open weave fabric panels using either a wood or Alumawood frame. Our area can sustain up to 50 mph winds on occasion. I have been told that 16 gauge material is available. Is Alumawood suitable for this application?
What if I plan of repainting the exterior of the house, can a painter put his weight on this alumawood to paint the exterior wall over it?
No, If you lay plywood over the area it might.But we do not recommend it.
Depending on how much he weighs, I have also done some painting and have used sheets of plywood to walk on to keep the alumiwood from denting … But it was only in a certain section..
do you recommend an Alumawood patio that is adjacent to a golf course? Golf balls do fly off the fairway and hit the original wood patio. Would this damage/dent the Alumawood patio?
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Thank you for talking about how it is a good idea to consider how long you plan to live in your house when choosing a patio cover material. I can see that doing this can help you find a durable material and a style that can add value to your property. It makes sense that in order to get the best results you would want to consult with a trusted professional and have them help you with installation and maintenance.
I’m planning on starting a backyard renovation of my home soon and I’m looking into installing a patio cover. I’ve heard a lot about aluminum patio covers but I was wondering what others thought about it. Although you’ve suggested Alumawood, I think I’m going to invest in Aluminum metal for my cover.
People who have been to our home say our backyard is like the surface of the sun. I believe we are in the hottest part of Las Vegas. Easy to get well over 120 degrees here. Everything gets ruined out there. And the wind gusts have either blown away or shredded everything. Our yard is a half acre. What kind of patio cover should we get that lasts, provides shade & won’t bring the heat to the house? Thank you
I have been to Vegas many times. the winters are OK for Alumawood, but during the summer you can fry an egg on them.
I still like the versatility of wood (wind with sand will require paint more often).