Vinyl Patio Cover vs. Aluminum Patio Cover

Vinyl Patio Cover VS Aluminum Patio Covers

There are a lot of patio cover designs and materials to make your desired patio cover. This will be a summary for two different ones, so that you can better inform yourself and make a decision based on advantages and disadvantages for Aluminum Patio Covers vs. Vinyl Patio Covers.

Benefits of Vinyl Patio Covers

Patio Covers price are various from high end patio covers to low end patio covers, therefore the prices differ. If you are working with a low budget going with the vinyl patio covers might be the correct choice for you, since they can usually be cheaper than other patio covers.

If you install a Do It Yourself kit (also known as DIY), vinyl is very light and easy to work with, since it is designed for light snow loads and wind loads.

Vinyl Patio Covers have minimal maintenance, it will never rust, or rotten. You won’t have to be worried of termites, or the actual patio covers deteriorating because there is no chance of the patio cover falling apart due to rot.

Benefits of Aluminum Patio Covers

Aluminum patio covers are made from natural recycled material; they are good for the environment and Eco-friendly.

If you want a maintenance free patio cover, the aluminum patio covers will work at your favor, since they are maintenance free. You won’t have to spend several hours out of your day maintaining, or keeping up with it. Aluminum patio covers will never rot or rust.  The high end aluminum patio covers color will not fade, since they are powder coated, meaning they use the same method to paint your car as they do for patio covers.

Many people want a product that will last them for a really long time, especially if they are home owners since they will want their house to remain intact.  Aluminum patio covers are durable for a lifetime, and that is a major plus when choosing a type of patio cover they want to install.

Aluminum Patio Covers can stand high winds and heavy snow loads; this is perfect for people who live where the conditions are as such. You won’t have to worry about your patio covers coming apart, or being damaged, since they are designed for this type of condition.

Disadvantages of Vinyl Patio Covers

Vinyl patio covers are not made for heavy snow loads, and wind loads, and to make it work for heavy loads you need to put metal inserts inside the beams, and that makes it much more expensive and more labor is involved.

Some people don’t like the feel of plastic in their backyard and garden; it gives it an unnatural look. The vinyl patio covers can result in a more unnatural look and not be appealing to some.

Most of the vinyl patio covers will either, fade, crack or deteriorate in heavy sun, or I-UV radiation, so if you want to get protected from the sun you should reconsider your decision.

Disadvantages of Aluminum Patio Covers

Aluminum may be a little bit harder to work with, because it’s heavy duty. Since it’s designed for heavy duty snow loads and wind loads most of the beams will be heavier compared to the Vinyl beams. Although, aluminum patio covers are sixty percent lighter than metal patio covers.

Usually aluminum patio covers will be more expensive than the vinyl patio covers. Aluminum patio covers may be the right choice for you if you are working with high end costumers, looking for a lifetime patio cover or looking for a high end design.

In conclusion if you are looking for something that is cheaper and you are working with a lower budget and your patio does not have heavy snow or wind loads, and are not exposed as much to the UV Radiation, you should consider the vinyl patio covers.   If you’re budget is a little bit higher and you are looking for something long term that can stand the elements and you consider yourself as a handy man you should go with the aluminum patio covers.