Aluminium vs Steel – What to choose when building your alfresco

Aluminium vs Steel

At Ultimate Alfresco, creating your dream space is our priority. And there’s a lot that goes into creating an outdoor area for you to live in and love. That’s why attention to detail is so vital.

Detail like understanding the differences when choosing the perfect material to build your patio or pergola with, so you end up with your perfect outdoor space.

For example, the difference between steel and aluminium.

If having your alfresco area look and feel well made and part of your home (rather than being tacked on), then choosing the right material to build with is important.

Here are three reasons we think choosing aluminium can be a better option than steel.

1. Minimal maintenance

Aluminium can be powder coated, where steel frames welded on site cannot. Welded steel frames can only be painted, which requires ongoing maintenance. Paint does not stand up to weather as well as powder coating, so can more easily start to peel or break down. That is visually unappealing, as well as meaning you have to get the paint brushes out or the painters in.

Aluminium frames mean you don’t have to worry about rust causing damage to your patio or pergola frame either. Why? because steel rusts and aluminium doesn’t.

2. No bumpy bits

Steel frames have welded joints, which can be quite unsightly. Building with an aluminium frame means you can use engineered concealed bracketry – creating flush seamless joints. And that is much more visually appealing.

Also, steel beams tend to have visible seams, which can be amplified when painted.

3. Better engineering

Aluminium frames are much lighter than steel frames. This means they can span exceptional distances and are substantially smaller than a steel beam spanning the same distance. Being lighter doesn’t mean aluminium is weaker. Our Louvretec range of opening roofs is made to withstand winds of over 160km/hour.

So, if you’re looking at adding an alfresco area to your home, talk to us about your options. We will work with you to create the alfresco of your dreams.

To discuss your alfresco options, contact us today.