Pergolas are an amazing addition to the outdoor area of the house. It looks beautiful and it just looks like something out of a fairytale. But how do you know which material to choose for your backyard pergola? Wood is the most popular pergola material while aluminum is also getting popularity. So, how to choose between them before consulting a pergola contractor. Well, give this guide a read.
Aluminum Vs. Wood Pergolas
Durability
You need to know which material is the most durable. This is extremely important for pergolas, during material selection, because since this structure is usually built outdoors and is exposed to all kinds of conditions so you want to ensure that you’re choosing a material that will last for a long time to come.
Aluminum Pergolas
As far as aluminum is concerned, it is a highly durable and strong material, which can last for 20 to 30 years. An aluminum pergola doesn’t need a lot of looking after. Since it is a form of metal that doesn’t corrode easily, it doesn’t need to be sealed and there just isn’t a lot that you need to do to ensure that your pergola looks amazing.
Wood Pergolas
Even though wood is the most commonly used material in the construction of pergolas, it’s still not as durable or strong as aluminum. You’re comparing metal to a piece of lumber, so obviously the former is going to have the upper hand when it comes to durability.
A wood pergola can last anywhere between 5 to 20 years depending on the type of wood you choose and how well you maintain it.
So, if you’re looking for a material that’s going to last you a long time, then you need to go for aluminum because wood will create problems along the way and you don’t want to invest in a material that will make your life harder rather than easier.
Maintenance
Next up is the consideration of maintaining the pergola. A pergola, even though it’s an outdoor structure and it’s quite sturdy, does require maintenance from time to time, which is why material selection becomes crucial because you don’t want to spend your money on a material that will cause you to slave over it day in and day out. That’s just not going to work out.
Aluminum Pergolas
Aluminum is a wonderful material if you’re looking for something low maintenance. It doesn’t need much. You can just set it and forget it and there won’t be any problems. All you need to do, annually, is to ensure that you’re protecting the structure from rust, and that can be done with a good ole rust-resistant paint. Moreover, you just need to clean it regularly like other structure of the house.
Wood Pergolas
Wood is a material that needs quite a bit of care. You want to seal the material first of all so that water doesn’t seep into the wood or damage it in any way.
You also want to ensure that you’re polishing the wood so that it looks shiny and beautiful and this is something that you need to do regularly, rather than once every year.
Price
Next order of importance is the cost of the pergola material. This is a very important consideration because if you can’t afford a material, then it’s automatically a no-go.
Aluminum Pergolas
Aluminum is a cost-effective material and it is something that a lot of people would want to choose given that some wood types are double the price of aluminum. However, the cost of high-quality aluminum and medium-quality wood is quite much the same.
Wood Pergolas
Wood is the most expensive pergola material. But before you want to avoid it, the good news is that there are many types of wood so you will find a type that would be in your budget. Depending on the quality of the wood and the type you’re choosing, the price can go up or down.
The Appearance Of The Pergola
The next thing that is important to keep in mind when choosing between wood or aluminum for your pergola is the actual look of the pergola when it’s made.
Aluminum Pergolas
The look of an aluminum pergola is extremely minimal and it looks industrial of sorts. Since it is a metal, it’s not nearly as rustic or romantic in appearance, which is a key characteristic of a pergola.
So, if you want to capture the traditional beauty of the pergola, then you will have to go for another material because aluminum pergolas have a very straightforward look to them that not a lot of people appreciate. However, you can paint your aluminum pergola to make its appearance much better.
Wood Pergolas
Pergolas made out of wood are unmatched in appearance. There is just something so beautiful, rustic, and warm about pergolas made out of wood that it is just a crowd-pleaser.
Moreover, the warmth of the wood and the overall combination of the pergola structure with the complex design of wood just looks so amazing and it looks like something out of a Victorian fairytale.
Weather Resistance
This is probably the most important thing that you need to consider when you’re choosing between two materials for a pergola. Since the pergola will usually stay outdoors, you want to ensure that you’re choosing a material that is going to take everything without getting damaged.
Aluminum Pergolas
For aluminum pergolas, weather is nothing that can budge them. They are amazing when it comes to any season and they will stand tall and pretty, no matter if it’s shining outside or raining like cats and dogs. You will see the durability of aluminum shine through in a pergola, so it’s a great weather-resistant material.
Wood Pergolas
As far as wooden pergolas are concerned, they can be a bit more of a hassle, especially in extreme weather conditions. If it’s too humid then the wood can get spoiled and fungus and mold can damage the structure.
If the weather is always changing and unpredictable, then wood can expand and contract and it can cause cracks in the structure if you let it go unnoticed for too long, then you’ll end up with a damaged structure that can fall apart at any moment.
Customization
The customization of a pergola is a key factor when comes to designing. Materials need to be customizable to any extent because there are people who like different designs of pergolas and they want the design to be mimicked to the T.
Aluminum Pergolas
Aluminum pergolas can be a bit of a problem. Since it is a metal and it’s not highly malleable, there aren’t a lot of options for customizing the pergola and this can be off-putting for a lot of people because this factor hinders creativity and that’s not what people want.
Wood Pergolas
Wood pergolas are highly customizable, so the pergola can be made into any and every shape or design that your heart desires. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the more customization you want to go for, the more expensive the pergola construction will be.
It is something that a lot of people can forget, but if you’re choosing a complex design, then obviously it’s going to be a bit more on the expensive side. So, it’s a good thing to keep in mind during customization.
Conclusion
Wood and aluminum both have their own sets of qualities and things that don’t make the cut for the perfect material. So, with this guide, you can decide which material you want to go for. If you have any queries, you can always get in touch with custom pergola builders Long Island to know which material would be the best for your needs and preferences.
