Materials guide
Why aluminium beats wood, steel and fabric for patio covers
A patio cover lives outside in full sun, rain and wind, so the material matters more than almost anything else. Here is how aluminium stacks up against wood, steel and fabric on upkeep, lifespan and looks.
The best patio cover is the one you never have to fuss over, and that points to aluminium. It does not rot, rust or need repainting, and it holds its colour in harsh sun. Wood, steel and fabric each have a following, but each also carries upkeep that aluminium simply removes. Here is the honest comparison.
Aluminium: low upkeep, long life
Aluminium does not rust and does not warp. Our sections carry colour baked into the metal across 23 shades, so the finish resists UV and fading rather than sitting on top as paint that peels. An aluminium fixed IBR cover or a louvre awning shrugs off Highveld sun and coastal air with little more than the occasional wash. That is why everything we fit carries a 10-year guarantee on materials.
Wood: warm but demanding
Timber looks lovely on day one, but it is the highest-maintenance option outside. It needs sealing or varnishing on a schedule, and left alone it greys, splits and can rot or attract borer. In wet or humid areas that upkeep never stops. If you love the timber look without the labour, aluminium can be finished to suit the house instead.
Steel: strong but prone to rust
Steel is strong, but it is heavy and it rusts once the coating is scratched or weathered, which is a real risk near the coast. Rust means grinding, treating and repainting to keep it sound. Aluminium gives you the structural strength for a patio roof without the corrosion, and at a fraction of the weight.
Fabric: cheap entry, shorter life
Fabric awnings are an affordable way to add shade and they suit a retractable folding-arm awning well. But fabric fades, sags and eventually needs replacing, and it does not give you a solid roof you can rely on in a storm. For a permanent cover, aluminium lasts far longer for the money.
The bottom line
For a patio cover meant to last, aluminium wins on upkeep, lifespan and finish. Fabric still has a place for flexible sun shade, and timber for a specific look, but neither matches aluminium for a set-and-forget roof. A free site visit is the best way to see the options for your home, where one of our own consultants measures up and quotes in writing. We have been building these covers since 1988.
Good to know
Aluminium vs other materials: common questions
Does aluminium fade in the South African sun?
Our aluminium has the colour baked into the metal rather than painted on, so it resists UV and holds its shade far better than surface paint. It is backed by a 10-year guarantee on materials.
Is aluminium as strong as steel for a patio roof?
Aluminium is engineered to carry the loads a patio roof needs, and it does so without the weight and rust risk of steel. That makes it a better all-round choice, especially near the coast.
Is fabric ever the better option?
Fabric suits retractable folding-arm awnings where you want flexible sun shade that tucks away. For a permanent, all-weather roof, aluminium lasts much longer for the money.
How much maintenance does an aluminium cover need?
Very little. An occasional wash keeps it looking good. There is no sealing, sanding or repainting the way timber and steel demand.
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Four branches nationwide
We service all areas in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and on the Garden Route
Local teams measure, manufacture and fit from four branches: head office in Cape Town, plus Johannesburg, Pretoria and Wilderness.