5 Pros and Cons of Aluminum Outdoor Living Structures

No longer just simple shade structures, today&#;s modern outdoor living spaces can be customized with full outdoor kitchens, interactive theaters or virtual golf ranges. They can feature dynamic adjustable louvered roofs that allow you to control the sun/shade balance, or fixed-roof designs for full-time shade. They can also be outfitted with modern amenities that bring the comfort of indoor life to the outdoors.
These elevated pergolas are made possible in large part by the evolution in modern building materials and techniques. Pushing that innovation curve has been the improved ability to mold and contort advanced aluminum. So, let&#;s take a look at the pros and cons of aluminum in outdoor living design.

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1. Pro &#; Aluminum is Lightweight Yet Strong

Aluminum offers immense structural strength while limiting the overall weight of an outdoor structure. While steel or wood can be leveraged in outdoor designs, both are extremely heavy which limits where a structure could be located. For example, a wooden pergola on a roof deck would be limited in size unless the roof supports were augmented. Leveraging a lightweight-yet-strong material in pergola design also means the structure itself can be more dynamic, particularly the roof. Unlike wood or steel that must remain static, our modern aluminum pergolas feature motorized adjustable louvered roofs that open and close at the touch of a button. This gives you complete control over the sun/shade balance on your roof deck patio.

2. Pro &#; Durability and Corrosion Resistance

Over the past decades, outdoor living spaces like pergolas, cabanas, etc. were often fabricated from wood which requires annual painting to avoid rot. More recently, small pergolas like those seen in DIY kits at the local box store, have relied on vinyl construction. While very lightweight, vinyl damages very easily as well. Aluminum pergolas, though, are very durable and, with the proper exterior coating, resist corrosion very well. All of the pergolas our manufacturing partner, Azenco, crafts to our custom specifications are powder coated to our individual specifications. These high-quality powder coatings can also be color matched to any color imaginable, or even coated with wood grain for a rustic look. We also back up the promise of durability with 15-year warranties on both the aluminum pergola and the exterior powder coating.

3. Pro &#; Flexibility in Design

The strength, weight, durability, and corrosion resistance of aluminum combine to make it a pergola designer&#;s dream material. The structural strength of the material allows pergolas to scale while minimizing the needed support columns, which means you are treated to more unobstructed views from your roof deck. The all-weather durability also makes powder coated aluminum the perfect material for the tropical climates here in South Florida. Knowing your new pergola will stand up to the extreme heat and blazing sun, as well as heavy rain and winds, makes the material an easy choice.

For example, if you wanted to add a covered outdoor kitchen to your beachside home&#;s roof deck, building it out of wood would add extra cost to the project to sure-up the roof supports, and guarantee you were replacing the structure in a few short years. Select a contractor, like SYZYGY Global, crafting advanced pergolas from high-quality aluminum, and your pergola will last a lifetime. With aluminum construction, we can easily raise the pergola height to allow more expansive views and better ventilate the grill station or fire pit. Additionally, the hollow frame and support columns of an aluminum pergola allows us to hide unique features like an internal gutter system, embedded LED lighting, hide-away retractable privacy screens, and cooling systems like patio fans.

4. Pro &#; Aluminum is Sustainable

Another unique advantage of fabricating outdoor living rooms from aluminum is its sustainability. At the end of life, a wood structure is bound for the landfill. Not only is high-quality aluminum going to last much longer, but at the end of its life, the aluminum is 100% recyclable. When you choose to work with SYZYGY Global, choice of raw material is just the beginning of our commitment to sustainability. Our manufacturing partner, Azenco, also audits its manufacturing processes to save, reuse and recycle in order to limit the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process itself. At its Miami manufacturing facility, Azenco continues to invest in green technologies adding new precision aluminum cutting machines that reduce wasted material, and captures and recycles all of the bits. It has revised its product packaging to be more sustainable, and even reinvented its logistics operation to limit the miles delivery vehicles travel.

5. Con &#; Aluminum Pergolas Sometimes Cost Slightly More Than Wood

We promised you both the pros and cons of aluminum in crafting outdoor living spaces. There are a lot of upsides to the material, but the only potential &#;con&#; is really a matter of relativity. Sometimes, the initial aluminum louvered pergola cost will be slightly more than a similar structure built from wood. That said, the slight increase is absolutely outweighed by the increased longevity, elimination of annual painting, as well as the dynamic features that aluminum enables. The sustainability advantages of aluminum are truly the icing on the cake.

Contact SYZYGY Global

Today&#;s modern aluminum pergolas are some of the most dynamic outdoor living structures on the market. When evaluating the pros and cons of aluminum, the Pros truly do outweigh the Cons. If you are considering adding a luxurious outdoor living space to your home, please contact our design team today to see how our custom pergolas will unlock your absolute best life.

Have you ever experienced one of those sweltering summers where it feels like you just can&#;t get enough shade? That&#;s where pergolas can come into play. Pergolas are a trendy backyard landscaping element that offers relief from the shade by casting shadows in different directions throughout the day.

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Installing and maintaining a pergola is easy, especially when you pick out the right pergola materials to withstand the weather conditions in your local climate. Although wood pergolas were one of the first styles to explode onto the scene, more options are available now than ever before. We encourage you to select an aluminum pergola instead of wood since aluminum materials are made to last. 

Cool Off Your Patio With a Pergola

Pergolas are increasing in popularity among homeowners because they&#;re easy to install on your deck or patio and can be personalized with several exciting accessories. You can utilize this shade structure during the daytime to cool off or create the perfect nighttime hangout spot using attractive outdoor lighting solutions for pergolas.

Explore the different pergola accessories and the materials they are most often built from before deciding on what&#;s best for your property and its environment. Many materials are available, ranging from classic wood pergolas to modern PVC, aluminum, and pressure-treated lumber. Plus, you can pick from lighting accessories, covers, curtains for additional sun relief, and so much more.

Additional Pergola Accessories

Although a pergola will be effective in creating pockets of shade on your property, there are also several unique ways to enhance shade levels and aesthetics around your pergola. Choose a local landscaping company to help determine which accessories will work best with your existing landscape design and pergola style. Once you have a better idea of what you&#;d like to include in your ultimate pergola design, it&#;s time to shop for modern pergola accessories such as:

• Mosquito screens
• Sidewalls
• Curtains
• Awnings
• Shade sails or cloth
• Pergola roofs and covers
• String lights
• LED lighting solutions
• Patio furniture
• Landscaping elements like flowers and vines

Common Pergola Materials

On top of all the useful accessories you can find for your corner pergola, these structures also come in all different shapes, sizes, and styles, so you can always find one to perfectly match your property&#;s design and aesthetic. There are many different materials to choose from for your home&#;s new pergola. Some common pergola materials include:

• Composite wood
• Vinyl
• Aluminum
• Cedar
• Pressure-treated lumber
• Steel
• Cellular PVC

Each of these materials listed above has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Classic cedar, composite wood, and pressure-treated lumber all look great but are more susceptible to damage over time. Alternative materials like vinyl, steel, and aluminum are more likely to withstand harsh weather conditions wherever you live while also creating a beautiful landscape design. Below we look more closely at the answer to a common question homeowners have when installing a pergola: wood materials or a metal option like aluminum?

Aluminum vs. Wood Pergolas: An Age-Old Debate of the Most Durable Materials

Wood pergolas were one of the first styles of pergolas for sale in the landscaping industry and one of the most affordable options. Upon initial installation, wood pergolas look perfectly picturesque and provide adequate shade around your property. However, over time, wood pergolas can warp and break down, lose their beautiful qualities, and give you quite the headache.

Instead, opt for an aluminum pergola system, so the shade structure lasts for years to come with minimal maintenance on your part. Aluminum pergolas are also affordable, so you don&#;t have to worry about breaking the bank when budgeting to build your dream backyard landscape design. Let&#;s dive further into what makes aluminum the best material to build a pergola over wood alternatives:

Advantages of Aluminum Pergolas

• Aluminum pergolas have higher material costs than wood alternatives but still allow for low installation costs, especially when installing a prefabricated aluminum pergola kit from your local landscaping partner.
• Aluminum materials are smooth and non-porous, meaning they won&#;t be infiltrated and negatively impacted by water like wood.
• Aluminum&#;s smooth surface makes it easy to clean and maintain throughout the seasons. You can simply use soap and water to wash away dirt and algae stains or a low-velocity power washer to remove more stubborn debris.
• Aluminum is resistant to pest damage, including issues like termite and wood fly infestations.
• Aluminum is highly resistant to weathering and water damage.
• Aluminum pergolas are lightweight, so they are great for installing on decks and patios without worrying about warping or damaging the base structure.
• Many homeowners opt for affordable, easy-to-install, prefabricated pergola kits in aluminum materials, then purchase additional pergola accessories to include after installation.
• Aluminum will never bend, warp, or sag, so it&#;s great for cold, wet climates like the Midwest.
• Aluminum pergolas cast the same amount of shade as any other pergola material.
• Aluminum pergola materials will never rust, making them virtually maintenance-free.

Disadvantages of Aluminum Pergola

Of course, like any other material, aluminum still has its disadvantages. If you&#;re considering installing an aluminum pergola, be aware of these few minor issues:

• Aluminum is lightweight, so it&#;s susceptible to wind damage without the proper anchor system. Avoid aluminum pergolas if you live at higher elevations or in an area where gusty wind conditions are common.
• Material costs for aluminum are slightly higher than wood and PVC alternatives.
• Aluminum can get hot in the summer, especially after sitting in the sun all day, so it&#;s crucial for both adults and children to be careful when touching the pergola surface.

Benefits of a Wood Pergola

Wood is another common material option when it comes to pergolas. Although wood pergolas aren&#;t as durable as aluminum ones, there are some advantages to installing pergolas in this material:

• Wood pergolas allow for a lot of personalization since lumber can be cut to your exact specifications.
• Several types of wood can be used to construct a pergola, including cedar, redwood, tropical hardwoods, and pressure-treated lumber.
• Implementing additional pergola accessories is a straightforward task with wood materials.
• Wood pergolas are sturdy, so they can easily stand up to strong wind gusts.

Wood Pergola Drawbacks

The drawbacks of wooden pergolas are more numerous than aluminum. Here are just a few of the issues you should consider before installing a wood pergola:

• Wood warps and weathers with heavy rains, ice, and snow, so it requires a lot of maintenance and repairs over time.
• Troublesome pests like termites and wood flies love to make their homes within older, failing wood, often causing irreversible damage. 
• Since wood pergolas require more maintenance and repairs, the ultimate cost is always higher than aluminum over time.
• It&#;s much more challenging to clean dirt and debris off of wood, typically requiring specialized tools like a pressure washer.
• Wood materials are more likely to be damaged by rainwater, ice, and snow. Wood becomes waterlogged and warps or fails entirely, resulting in an unstable pergola structure.
• You&#;ll need to repaint, stain, and seal your wood pergola every few years as the sun impacts its original vibrancy.
• Since wood is a much heavier material than aluminum, it isn&#;t a suitable option for pool decks or raised patios and can affect their overall structural integrity.

Make More Shade Using the Best Pergola Materials

It&#;s clear that aluminum is the more cost-effective material choice when it comes to building a pergola. Although would will look attractive, it requires much more intensive care and upkeep over the years. In addition, wood is susceptible to a wide range of issues, such as water and pest damage.

Don&#;t waste your time and money on materials that won&#;t last. Instead, install an aluminum pergola with the help of your local landscaping company. With an aluminum pergola as the focal point of your backyard landscape design, you can count on the structure to last for years to come and provide your yard with the shade required to escape the sweltering summer sun.

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