What are the disadvantages of aluminium pergola?

Oct. 07, 2024

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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.

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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.

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.

The pros and cons of an aluminium pergola

So you&#;re considering an aluminium pergola, and you&#;re wondering what are the pros and cons of transforming your outdoor space with a louvered structure?

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Perhaps you&#;re also considering the merits of a wooden pergola, an awning or even a steel option. Well, if that&#;s the case, this article has everything you&#;ll need. We are the complete nerds when it comes to pergolas, and so feel free to benefit from all our expertise below, or just give us a call on 020 , and pick our brains!

The pros of an aluminium pergola

1. You create a truly flexible outdoor living space, that you can enjoy whatever the weather, all year round, allowing you to spend more time outdoors, creating memories with the people you love.

Aluminium pergolas come with adjustable louvered roof systems. This means that you can choose between basking in the sunshine, your perfect amount of shade, or waterproof, within seconds. They are exceptionally engineered to maximise sunlight in the good weather, and ensure complete protection in the rain, draining the water into reservoirs away from your entertaining space.

If you want the perfect outdoor haven, an aluminium pergola is the way.

2. Durable and Robust

There is nothing worse than a heavy wind busting your parasol, or desperately trying to weigh down a canvas canopy. aluminium pergolas are fixed down to your patio/decking and are immovable structures, wind resistant up to 120kmph. They are proper high-quality structures that withstand all weather conditions to extend your living space. The high-grade aluminium is powder coated to ensure it doesn&#;t fade in the sun light, there will be no rust, or decay like with wood, simply a structure that stands proud for 10 years+.

3. Customisable

To become your dream entertaining space. You&#;ll have a vision of how you want to spend time in your garden, and your aluminium pergola can be customised to suit that. It might be that you want an ultimate grilling and dining area. You might want an outdoor room that runs seamlessly off the back of the house, with blinds on all sides and patio heaters, creating a cosy outdoor shelter. You might want a fire pit and LED lighting, perfect for entertaining and ambiance. Whatever it is you dream of doing in your garden, your pergola can be customised for it.

4. Exceptional aesthetic

High quality aluminium pergolas are a thing of absolutely beauty, and no doubt absolutely transform the back of your house / outdoor space. There is a reason you&#;ll commonly find them on the back of the finest hotels and restaurants in the world, they add pure class.

5. Low maintenance

No rust, no decay, no fading &#; they are easy to look after and require almost no aftercare. Just give them a washdown after winter with some soapy water and they will look 10/10 for many years! No relentless jet washing and chemical treating like with a wooden pergola for example.

6. Cost effective over their life-time

A high quality aluminium pergola should last you a minimum of 10 years, and they should still be looking fantastic 10 years on. The aluminium powder coating protects from colour fading in the Sun, and aluminium is a rust free, low maintenance material. So if you opt for a £ high quality aluminium pergola, you can expect to get plenty of value out of it. If you enjoy it for 10 years, that&#;s £40 a month &#; not a bad price to spend more time enjoying your garden with the people you love. You might be wondering if your aluminium pergola is an investment in your home, if so, check out our article here &#; &#;does
an aluminium pergola add value to your home."

7. A simple, one off installation

When installing and aluminium pergola, you do it once, you do it right, and then you never worry about it again. It&#;s not like a wooden pergola, requiring frequent repair and remedial works, or a cheaper steel model, that will struggle to withstand the harsh weather conditions of winter. Your aluminium pergola can be installed on patio, decking or even a grass area (with the right footings) and then it&#;s a permanent fixture in your home.

The cons of an aluminium pergola

1. A very modern look, not always suitable for more rustic spaces

For many, the sleek, modern design of an aluminium pergola is of great allure. However, in certain spaces, it simply won&#;t be the right fit. Sometimes the juxtaposition of modern and classic side by side can be fantastic, and there are other times when that 15th century property just needs something more sensitive, like a more earthy wooden pergola.

2. Can be a greater upfront cost

Generally wooden and aluminium structures are fairly comparable in price, depending on the model, however the wooden pergola will require more maintenance and repair work, exceeding the total cost of aluminium in the long term. There is no doubt that a steel or vinyl pergola will be far more budget friendly, compared to aluminium. This is of course reflected in the quality of product and its longevity.

3. A less customisable design

Now you can certainly customise the functionality of your aluminium pergola, heaters, side blinds, wall mounting etc. However the design itself will stay fairly consistent. If you&#;re looking for something a little more unique and ornate, wood is the way to go. For those customers that want something truly one of a kind, having a wooden pergola design and carved, choosing every inch of the detailing, is the best method.

4. Less well suited for growing climbing plants

This was a big part of the original purpose of a pergola! Vines and flowers weaving and climbing their way up and over your pergola was the primary goal. Now of course we see our pergolas as entertaining spaces, places to enjoy our gardens with the people we love. And whilst you could certainly grow up the side of your pergola, you wouldn&#;t want these plants interfering with the mechanics of your weatherproof roof. So if you&#;re primarily after a pergola to satisfy your green fingers, wood is the way to go!

5. Must have proper groundworks

This is true of any permanent pergola structure. Wood, aluminium, a hard top gazebo &#; if they are going to stand ever present, they need suitable solid footings. However, if something more temporary will do the job, grabbing the pop up gazebo out the shed from time to time and pegging it into the ground will save a full installation.