Saturday, May 11, 2019

Pros and cons of aluminum carports and patio covers

Aluminum carports and patio covers have become a popular and attractive home renovation. The product itself has been in use for many years. Aluminum is a lightweight, durable material that can be used in place of bonded or steel structures. Over the years, features, colors and styles have evolved to offer homeowners a variety of options. Today we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these popular aluminum structures.

Benefits:

1] Durability - My parents have lived in the same house for more than 30 years. Their garden covers were installed in the late 1960s and still remain standing and functional. The product can stand the test of time and only needs to be cleaned once a year. Most companies design their units to withstand the wind and snow loads. Therefore, natural weather disasters are prohibited, and terrace covers or carports should be available for many years.

2] Attractive - As mentioned above, your carport or patio cover will remain in good condition for many years with a little maintenance. The aluminum pan will never rust. Available in a variety of colors, there are several styles of frames to suit the needs of any homeowner.

3] Simple structure - Due to the light weight of the aluminum, the patio cover can be directly connected to your patio panel, and the garage can be directly connected to your driveway. In addition, the connection to the house requires minimal anchoring. Note: Some areas may need to be set up in specific situations, please contact the code department in your area. One of the biggest advantages of aluminum construction is the minimum drop required for installation. Aluminum carports and patio covers require only the "Autumn/Foot" span. Corrugated roofs require at least 4 inches of descent/feet span, which often creates problems with external headroom.

4] Features - Few home renovation projects can provide high quality practicality with aluminum patio coverings or carports. The patio coverings on the deck and terrace avoid direct sunlight and weather and can make them more useful and enjoyable. Aluminum carports [independent or attached] provide good coverage for your vehicle when the garage is not available.

Disadvantage

1] Bird's Nest - W-pan aluminum is notorious for attracting birds. Several plugs are available from the manufacturer and it is highly recommended that you stick with them during installation. They do increase the cost, but they can help you avoid the hassle of cleaning the pan endlessly.

2] Trees - All aluminum carports and patio covers have built-in drains and downpipes, and if you live in a wooded place in the fall, leaves are a common problem. Since the aluminum structure does not require as much slope on the roof, the leaves and debris are more likely to accumulate. The most common problem I have seen is that the accumulation of blades is unattended, stopping the drains, backing up the water and greatly causing the panels to bend and leak.

3] Corrosion on the frame - Most aluminum patio covers and carports are fitted with steel joists and columns. When painted before installation, the natural exposure of the components will eventually lead to rusting of the components [especially when in contact with the ground].

4] Hail - The biggest problem with aluminum carports and patio covers is hail. We change a few of them every year. Due to the lightweight nature of aluminum, hail storms leave a small, unattractive clink in the panel. Most homeowner insurance covers this, and in most cases, if the hail is hard enough, you will cause other damage to your home.

As a contractor for many years, I learned to appreciate the beauty of the aluminum carport and the patio cover. The advantages of these products go far beyond the disadvantages. Almost all of the shortcomings can be done before simple maintenance.




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