Carport awnings are made of several materials, from wood, vinyl, fabric, copper, polyethelyne, steel, and aluminum. They offer different appearances and protection levels, and only vinyl, fabric, polyethelyne, and a very few wood awnings are portable. Aluminum carport awnings and other metal awnings are advisable if you plan to build a fixed and durable carport.
Aluminum’s advantages are that it is a very lightweight metal but still very sturdy. Its disadvantages include proneness to rusting if not treated properly and, because of its lighter weight, aluminum can be more prone to denting with its basic sturdiness compared to steel or copper. But if you bear in mind the proper care and treatment to keep it from rusting, aluminum is probably one of your most economical options especially if your budget is somewhat limited.
If you have a limited budget but unlimited handiness with such projects, consider buying a prefabricated carport kit that includes an aluminum awning; or, if you are changing awnings on an existing aluminum carport, you can buy a do-it-yourself awning kit that includes detailed instructions for building and installing it, including the precise tools and materials you will need.
Bear in mind that you may want to feature peak-shaped roofing because it makes rain and snow runoff easy. Aluminum is also fire-resistant and pest-resistant. So is an offshoot known as alumawood, a compound made of structure-grade aluminum, coated with weather-resistant polyester paint or enamel, and embossed with a wood-like pattern.
Alumawood is considered more rust and pest-resistant than ordinary aluminum, and there are carport awning kits that come in alumawood as well as standard metal. While the compound is generally considered to be mostly maintenance-free, its makers and sellers usually recommend you spray it down periodically with soap and water to wash away dirt or lime buildup, though rainfall will also wash alumawood awnings satisfactorily.
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Raymond is a professional blogger and handyman with automotive and home improvement interests.
Sat, Mar 13, 2010
Awnings, Carports