Are you thinking about adding some much-needed shade to your Phoenix home? You’re not alone. Every day, we talk to homeowners just like you who are tired of the relentless Arizona sun beating down on their outdoor spaces.
Hi there! We are Chillax Patios. After installing hundreds of Alumawood patio covers throughout Phoenix over the past ten years, we’ve heard the same questions pop up time and again. That’s why we wanted to take a moment to answer some of the questions that we frequently get asked by our clients regarding Alumawood patio covers.
Whether you’re sipping your morning coffee or grilling with friends, a good patio cover can make all the difference between a space you avoid and one you love. But before you make the big investment, you probably have a lot of questions. It is impossible to answer all of those, but in this article, we’ve compiled some of the common ones. Let’s tackle them one by one:
By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a clear understanding of what to expect when considering an Alumawood patio cover for your home. No fancy talk, just straight answers from folks who install these things every day.
“What kind of storm can an Alumawood patio cover survive?” It’s a valid worry! While Arizona doesn’t typically host storms like tornadoes and hurricanes, some of our monsoon weather can bring quite a gale.
The good news is that Alumawood patio covers in Arizona are required to have a wind rating of about 100 to 110 miles per hour. To put that in perspective, most of our infamous dust storms and haboobs typically don’t exceed 60 miles per hour. This means your Alumawood patio cover has plenty of buffer room to handle what Mother Nature throws at it.
But here’s the catch – and we think it’s only fair to mention this – a wind rating is only as good as the installation behind it. You could have the most wind-resistant materials in the world, but if they’re not properly installed, the next breeze could blow it down. This is why, at Chillax Patios, we’re sticklers for proper installation techniques. We’ve seen the aftermath of poorly installed covers after big storms, and trust us, that’s not a phone call anyone wants to make to their insurance company.
If you’re worried about picking a color that will look out of place in your neighborhood, you might be interested to know that brown has been the reigning champion of patio cover colors in the greater Phoenix area for at least the last decade.
Why brown? It works well with the desert landscape and the earthy tones common in Arizona architecture. It also doesn’t show dust as easily as lighter colors might – a practical consideration when you live in the desert.
That said, we’ve noticed a shift in recent years. More homeowners are opting for colors like adobe, gray, and black. Adobe is a lighter version of the brown color, and is opted for more and more, recently, as a better alternative, one that matches the landscape and hides the dust. As for gray and black, these colors are trending right now to complement the today’s modern white and black housing fad.
But if you’re looking to play it safe, or for a color that looks completely awesome while still complementing our southwestern style, brown definitely is the choice for you!
Good news – Being completely custom, these covers are also incredibly versatile! We’ve installed them in all sorts of places:
The main limitation you’ll run into is setbacks. Most properties have required setbacks, which are minimum distances you must maintain between any structure and your property line. These typically range from 3 to 5 or 10 feet, depending on your specific property and local zoning laws.
Before you get too far into planning, it’s worth checking with your city’s building department and your HOA (if you have one) about any restrictions that might apply to your property. This small bit of research can save you headaches down the road.
Beyond these setbacks, Alumawood patio covers can be built virtually anywhere that your HOA and city regulations allow. Their lightweight but sturdy construction makes them suitable for many applications where traditional wood structures might be too heavy or cumbersome.
This question actually has two parts, and both are equally important when planning your project.
First, how long will you wait from the time you say “let’s do this” until workers show up at your door? This timeline depends on several factors:
A good tip: If you’re thinking about adding shade for summer, don’t wait until it’s already 110°F outside to call. The early bird gets the shade in this business!
Once the crew arrives, how long until you’re enjoying your new shaded space? Well, that depends. Is your pergola going to be permitted?
Some projects may take longer depending on size, complexity, or if we run into any surprises (like discovering electrical wiring where posts need to go).
This is a question about safety and stability – and rightly so. No one wants their patio cover to become a giant kite in the next windstorm.
If your patio cover will attach to your house (as many do), we secure it by lagging into the studs of your home. This means we find the wooden studs in your wall and use heavy-duty lag bolts to create a solid connection.
For the posts that support the outer edge of your patio cover, we use one of two main approaches:
Both methods are effective when done correctly. The right choice depends on your specific situation and existing structures.
When you’re making an investment in your home, you want to know it’s protected. Warranties for Alumawood patio covers come in two parts:
The Alumawood material itself comes with a limited lifetime warranty. What’s “limited” about it? The limitation mainly applies to chalking and fading of the paint.
Let’s be real – anything left out in the Arizona sun is going to fade eventually. Most Alumawood warranties cover against chalking and fading for 6-10 years. However, here’s a pretty amazing fun fact: the paint is guaranteed against chipping, cracking, and peeling for life.
This is where companies differ dramatically, and where you’ll want to pay close attention.
Did you know that two-thirds of construction businesses fail within five years? That means if you hire a company that’s less than five years old, the chances of them being around to honor a labor warranty after five years are only one in three. That’s just statistics, not a judgment on newer companies.
Most contractors offer a two-year labor warranty because that’s what Arizona law requires. At Chillax Patios, we go beyond that with a lifetime labor warranty. If we install it, we stand behind it.
We’ve been around for over ten years now, and while we occasionally have had to return to fix issues, we work hard to make sure those callbacks are rare.
Alumawood is a very premium material, and you aren’t going to get any kind of custom lifetime product for free. But if you’re watching your budget (and who isn’t these days?), you’ll be happy to know that lattice covers are the most affordable option per square foot.
Lattice covers have slats that typically run north to south, providing excellent shade throughout most of the day. The design allows for air flow while blocking most of the sun’s rays.
The trade-off? For a short period around noon, some filtered sunlight will pass through the slats. It’s not enough to ruin your comfort, but it is worth knowing if you’re expecting 100% shade at all hours.
Many homeowners actually prefer this filtered light effect, as it creates beautiful shadow patterns on the ground while still keeping the area significantly cooler than full sun exposure.
Choosing the right patio cover doesn’t have to be complicated. With over ten years of experience installing hundreds of Alumawood patio covers across Phoenix, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.
That said, every home is unique, and what works for your neighbor might not be the perfect solution for you. The best way to figure out what’s right for your specific situation is to have a professional take a look at your space.
Whether you’re trying to create a cozy spot for your morning coffee, a shaded area for the kids to play, or an outdoor entertainment zone that doesn’t feel like a sauna, an Alumawood patio cover can transform your outdoor living space from a sun-scorched wasteland into your favorite part of the house.
And isn’t that the point? In Arizona, our outdoor spaces have the potential to be usable nearly year-round – if we can just get a break from that relentless sun.
Have more questions about Alumawood patio covers? We’re always happy to chat. After all, we’re just regular folks who happen to know a whole lot about patios. And in the Phoenix heat, that’s not a bad friend to have!
Since 2015, Chillax Patios has been bringing comfort outdoors as Arizona’s most trusted name in patio covers and pergolas. We’re proud to be one of Four Seasons Building Products’ top-rated dealers, and our customers love that our installations look amazing without needing constant maintenance. Reach out today to schedule your free estimate!
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