Most new patio covers in East Contra Costa are aluminum, and most of the tired, sagging ones being torn out are wood. That is not because wood is a bad material. It is because wood in a hot, dry summer and a wet winter needs regular care, and most covers do not get it. Here is how the two compare.
The short version
| Aluminum (incl. wood-grain) | Wood | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical lifespan | Aluminum 30–50 years; Alumawood-style 20–30 | 10–15 years |
| Upkeep | Wash it; clear gutters | Stain or seal every few years; check for rot and termites |
| Cost, patio cover | $20–$50/sq ft | $60–$120/sq ft for a solid wood roof |
| Cost, pergola | $10–$30/sq ft (aluminum or vinyl) | $20–$40 pine, $25–$40 cedar, $40–$50 redwood per sq ft |
| Look | Clean, uniform; embossed wood grain available | Real grain, can be stained any color |
| Heat | Thin roof panels transfer heat unless insulated | Thicker roofs stay cooler underneath |
Lifespan and upkeep
HomeGuide puts aluminum covers at 30–50 years, Alumawood-style embossed aluminum at 20–30, and wood at 10–15. The gap is mostly maintenance. Wood exposed to sun dries and checks; water gets into the checks and the end grain; rot starts at the posts and the ledger, and termites follow. A wood cover that is stained or sealed every few years can last much longer than 15. One that is not often starts sagging in its second decade. Aluminum does not rot or feed termites, and its baked-on finish needs only washing.
Looks
Wood is warmer and can be stained or painted to match trim. Embossed, wood-grain aluminum (Alumawood is one well-known brand) is the common compromise: it reads as painted wood from a few feet away and keeps aluminum's upkeep. Plain smooth aluminum looks more modern. Most HOAs care about color more than material, so ask yours.
Heat
A thin, solid aluminum roof gets hot in direct sun and radiates some of that down. Insulated foam-core panels fix that and are the standard choice when the cover sits against a family room. A wood roof with sheathing and roofing is cooler underneath, but it costs far more. For a pergola, the material makes little difference to shade.
Replacing an old wood cover
If an existing wood cover has soft posts, a sagging beam, or rot where it meets the house, it is usually cheaper to remove it and build new than to repair it. Replacement means demolition and haul-away, checking the wall where the old ledger was, new footings if the old posts were set in the slab, and a permit for the new cover. Ask quotes to price removal as its own line. If the old cover was never permitted, the new one fixes that too; see permits.
Aluminum options are on aluminum patio covers, wood and aluminum pergolas on pergolas, and every range on patio cover cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which lasts longer, an aluminum or a wood patio cover?
Aluminum. HomeGuide lists aluminum covers at about 30–50 years, embossed Alumawood-style aluminum at 20–30, and wood at 10–15. A well-maintained wood cover can outlast that range; an unmaintained one often does not reach it.
Is Alumawood cheaper than wood?
Usually. HomeGuide lists Alumawood-style covers at about $18–$35 per square foot for lattice and solid roofs, against $60–$120 for a solid wood roof.
Do aluminum patio covers get hot?
A thin solid roof does in direct sun. Insulated foam-core panels keep the space underneath noticeably cooler and are the usual choice next to living areas.
Cost ranges and technical notes on this page are general information from the sources named, not a quote or professional advice. Prices vary by size, material and design; get a written quote for your patio. See the disclaimer and cost sources.