5 Pros and Cons of Aluminum Outdoor Living Structures

15 Jul.,2024

 

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.

Steel vs Aluminium Pergola: Which is Better?

Pergolas are widely used in the arrangement of summer cafes, restaurants, barbecue areas, and on the open terraces of cottages and verandas of country houses. Today, using pergolas, you can easily create a real masterpiece in your own backyard.

What is a Pergola? Why Do We Need Steel Pergolas and Aluminium Ones?

In the classic style, the pergola is made of lattice sections that create a frame for canopies of climbing plants. But the purpose of pergolas is not limited to this decorative function.

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Yes, they do decorate your territory, but they also perform different tasks:

  • Sun protection.
  • Support for climbing plants.
  • Organisation of a cozy recreation area (open-style gazebo).
  • A self-contained element of landscape design and territory decoration.
  • Zoning of the territory.

Depending on its purpose, different types of pergolas may be installed. There are many varieties of design, but they all differ in materials, shape, and style. Usually, the most popular materials for pergolas are:

  • Steel;
  • Timber;
  • Aluminium;
  • Plastic;
  • Stone and brick;
  • Combined variants.

Steel Pergola or Aluminium? What are the Advantages and Disadvantages?

As mentioned before, steel and aluminium materials are the most popular and stylish for designing your backyard. But what is the difference between them, and what are pros and cons of metal pergolas?

Let&#;s look at the features of each of the materials.

Steel Pergolas

A steel pergola is a great alternative if you don&#;t like timber or plastic. They are really easy to construct and are suitable for any modern landscape. One of the main benefits of steel pergola frames is their increased material strength and structural durability.

It means that, using this kind of metal, you will enjoy its beautiful view for many years to come. They always look ultra-modern and are very reliable. But at the same time, there are some disadvantages that you should be aware of.

  • Steel frames are difficult to produce, which is why, very often, their prices can be quite exorbitant.
  • The installation of steel frames demands the use of special equipment and quality foundation preparation.
  • Steel pergolas are very difficult to install yourself, which is why highly-qualified specialists are needed to build the frames.
  • It is important to provide anti-corrosion protection to prevent rust and other damage. Regular maintenance is also needed.

Aluminium Pergola: The Main Facts and Features

Aluminium pergolas are as popular as steel ones. They are available in different options, and are ultimately the most suitable for your backyard. They offer excellent value for money, and are usually more available than those made from other materials, such as wood or steel.

The undeniable advantage of aluminium frames is that they are completely resistant to the elements. They remain in perfect condition even when constantly exposed to sunlight, rain or wind. This is because aluminium is a material that doesn't rust or get damaged by the weather.

In addition, it requires almost no maintenance, except for surface cleaning from time to time with soap and water. 

But still, there are some cons.

  • Aluminium pergolas are lightweight, which means they can be easily deformed. It is not recommended to use aluminium frames for heavy planters or climbing plant canopies. 
  • Another disadvantage of aluminium pergolas is that their direct or indirect contact with other metals (especially copper), can lead to reaction issues.
  • Installing an aluminium gazebo or canopy requires a large investment, as it requires specific and thorough land preparation.

Main Differences Between Steel Pergolas and Aluminium Ones

Despite the fact that both aluminium and steel pergolas are widely used for landscapes, they do have some differences worth noting.

Steel frames are more suitable for heavy constructions and are often used as a base for garden arches. They are more reliable and stronger, but they are also much heavier and require additional corrosion protection.

As for the aluminium ones, they are very light and therefore easy to assemble. They offer a modern, geometric, and minimalist design that adapts perfectly to all types of architectural environments. However, they can&#;t be used for flowering vines and heavy structures on the roof.

You should bear in mind that each territory is individual and if you need a pergola, it&#;s better to choose the option that fits perfectly into your landscape design. But, still, the most reliable types of pergolas are considered to be steel and aluminium.

Are you interested in learning more about Pergola Aluminum? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!