3 Patio Cover Materials and How to Choose the Best One

So you’ve made the decision to add a patio cover to your outdoor space. The next hurdle: material type. Not all patio covers are made of the same material and you may feel confused about how to find the right one, considering the myriad choices available.

 

Your choice of material is crucial as this can determine the quality of your patio covers. Materials need to be strong enough to withstand the elements for a long time, but lightweight at the same time to keep you comfortable while you’re relaxing beneath it. Additionally, different types of patio covers offer your home different optical effects, which is why it’s important to pick the one that does what you intend. The patio, after all, is as much a decorative piece in your home as it is functional.

To help you out, here are three common patio cover materials along with their pros and cons:

WOOD

Strength: Beauty. There’s just something about the appeal of wood that is timeless and difficult to match. It’s available in a sizeable selection of types, colors and textures—all of which are great for styling your home.

Weakness: Demanding upkeep. Its gorgeous appearance has a price. Wood needs regular sanding and repainting. Extending the life of wood patio covers can be challenging as they’re also prone to warping, peeling and rotting.

VINYL

Strength: Minimal maintenance. If you want a patio cover that doesn’t need to be sanded or repainted every few years, go with vinyl. High-quality vinyl is more durable than wood as it’s less likely to rot, peel or crack.

Weakness: Appearance. Vinyl is not as attractive as wood. In fact, some homeowners complain that it looks inexpensive. Vinyl can also fade over time. Most vinyl patio covers come in a limited number of colors and unfortunately cannot be painted the more earthy tones that readily complement most homes.

ALUMINUM

Strengths: Durability, minimal upkeep, and low cost. Now here’s a material that passes the “strong but lightweight” qualification. Aluminum can provide superb protection from the elements without compromising comfort. Among patio cover materials, it’s also one of the more expensive, though its lifetime value is more than enough to offset this due to its natural, low-maintenance properties. You won’t have to deal with warping, cracking or rotting when it comes to this type of material. It’s also one of the more affordable material options available.

Weakness: Heat retention. Metal is a very good conductor of heat. Patio covers that are made of regular aluminum panels may make you uncomfortable when you stand beneath them.

Your best bet: Elitewood™ patio covers. Elitewood combines the best qualities of all three material types. It has the strength and light weight of your regular aluminum panels without the heat problem. It’s engineered to look and feel like natural wood but doesn’t need painting. Like vinyl, it isn’t prone to warping, splitting and rotting, which means little to no work is involved in its upkeep.

At Dreamstyle Remodeling, we like our patio covers to be maintenance-free, weather-resistant and long-lasting. This is why we specialize in installing Elitewood lattice in Albuquerque NM and the surrounding areas. These strong and stylish patio covers provide superb shade and cooling under the hot Southwest sun. They can be customized into an array of designs and styles that are sure to complement your home.

When you work with us for your home improvement project, we will help you find the best patio cover material for your patio and exterior. Enhance your outdoor space experience with our Elitewood patio covers! Call us at (877) 721-1590 to learn more.