Aluminium pergolas are a sustainable choice for building your garden shade and shelter structures.
When it comes to outdoor living, sustainability and style no longer have to be at odds. In the past, builders commonly used timber, stone, or metal to construct outdoor shelters such as gazebos, pavilions, and pergolas. Today, however, more and more designers and homeowners are choosing aluminium as an alternative to these traditional building materials. They design modern aluminium pergolas to last for decades, be fully recyclable, and require minimal maintenance.
In this article, we will examine how adding an aluminium pergola to your outdoor space can combine both practicality and sustainability. This will ensure your outdoor entertaining and relaxation area will benefit you, your family and the planet.
From Bauxite to Your Backyard.
The sustainability of building products has become an increasingly important factor in homeowners’ decisions about what structures to add to their houses and outdoor spaces.
With this growing environmental awareness, using aluminium in pergola design and construction is progressively becoming more popular. Aluminium offers several sustainability and design features that supersede more traditional construction materials.
Formerly, builders constructed pergolas using timber beams, concrete, steel joists, heavy bolts, and wire trellising. They often sourced the timber from unsustainable forests.Stone, concrete and brick require large amounts of labor and additional materials. Steel had to be welded, drilled and bolted. Additionally, timber and metal structures need various paint and stain products to seal and protect them.
Aluminium, on the other hand, is easy to assemble, requires few components, is weather and corrosion-proof, and can be custom-designed to suit almost any situation.
100% recyclable
One of aluminium’s most attractive and significant environmental benefits is its recyclability. Manufacturers can recycle aluminium almost indefinitely without any loss of quality. The recycling process uses only about 5% of the energy needed to refine raw bauxite (the ore used to produce aluminium) into finished metal, which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The process itself is straightforward. Recycling facilities simply sort, shred, and remelt used aluminium products before casting them into billets of fresh, reusable metal. The technology involved is also relatively simple. Increasingly, computerized systems manage aluminium recycling efficiently, reducing the need for operations staff to work in potentially hazardous environments.
Conservation of natural resources
Pergolas and grape arbours have a long history. Traditionally constructed in hot, dry climates, these outdoor structures provided shade, cooling, and frames over which various plants such as grapes, roses and vines could be grown.
Timber was the usual material used to build these shady and fragrant havens. Only relatively recently has aluminium begun to be used for pergola construction. Choosing aluminium over wood helps lessen the environmental impact of deforestation and the emissions created by harvesting trees and processing timber.
Of course, mining and refining aluminium also creates emissions and environmental effects. In the long term, however, aluminium’s ability to be recycled means that less demand needs to be placed on building materials such as timber.
A better choice than composite materials
Composite plastic building materials present a cheap and convenient option to homeowners looking for economical ways to improve their outdoor spaces. Pergolas constructed from composite materials such as recycled PVC or wood-plastic mixtures are cheap and easy to assemble. But these materials can pose problems in terms of durability, UV degradation and limited end-of-life recycling. They may also contain toxic substances that can further complicate the recycling process.
As we have seen, aluminium presents no real difficulties regarding durability and recycling. Its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions without warping, degrading, or fading makes it a superior choice over cheaper composite materials.
The Efficiency of Production and Maintenance.
Another factor to consider when choosing which pergola system is more environmentally sustainable is the efficiency with which its components can be produced.
This is where aluminium pergolas really shine. They have much higher production efficiencies and, therefore, a smaller eco-footprint. Here are some of the ways that aluminium is a better option than traditional building materials when it comes to sustainability.
A long-lasting material
Aluminium pergolas are highly durable and resistant to the effects of rain, UV and temperature. Aluminium itself is a highly non-reactive metal, especially when it is coated. Modern aluminium pergolas are made from high-quality coated aluminium. This enhances their longevity and aesthetic appeal while requiring a minimum of maintenance to keep them looking great.
No more warping and bending
Unlike wood, which can warp and bend over time, aluminium will maintain its structural shape and integrity for decades. This is especially true in hot climates where the effects of heating and cooling cause the cells in timber to swell and shrink. This natural movement means even cured timber components will go out of shape over time.
Aluminium, on the other hand, is extremely stable under all temperature conditions. When correctly engineered and coated, aluminium components can effectively manage thermal changes without compromising their integrity.
Energy-efficient manufacturing
Aluminium production is far more energy-efficient than other metals such as steel or copper. Steel, for example, requires large amounts of energy and the addition of carbon to reduce the iron ore. Aluminium production uses a process called electrolysis. This simply involves passing an electrical current through molten alumina (refined bauxite).
While this is still quite energy-intensive, aluminium smelters can be powered by clean electricity. Many manufacturers of aluminium products use renewable energy sources such as solar, hydroelectric or wind power to further reduce their carbon footprint.
Minimal maintenance requirements
Aluminium pergolas require very little maintenance to keep them in pristine condition. Unlike timber, they do not need staining, painting, varnishing, or sealing products. Nor do they require chemical treatments to prevent rot or insect infestation.
These chemicals can sometimes leach into the environment. By eliminating the need for them, aluminium pergolas are an obvious choice for homeowners who want to improve their outdoor spaces without damaging the environment.
Efficient Installation.
Compared to materials such as wood or steel, aluminium’s lightweight nature makes it far easier to transport and erect. This reduces the amount of fuel consumed during transportation and the amount of labour required during the installation process.
An additional benefit of this lightweight construction is that aluminium pergolas are extremely DIY-friendly. This means homeowners can easily erect their pergolas themselves, removing the need for expensive subcontractors.
Energy Conservation in Garden Design.
Climate-resilient outdoor structures offer several benefits to homeowners who want to minimise the amount of energy their home consumes. These benefits include:
- Natural shade. By creating a shaded space, aluminium pergolas reduce the need for air conditioning or electric fans on hot summer days.
- Winter warmth. When the cold of winter sets in, an aluminium pergola fitted with adjustable sides will retain warmth and reduce the need for artificial heating.
- Reduced lighting costs. The louvred roofs of aluminium pergolas allow for easy control of natural light entering the space below. By adding integrated LED lighting, the need for expensive external power sources can be avoided.
- Improved airflow. The same adjustable louvers that allow the light intensity to be controlled can also promote ventilation without the need for fans or other electrical appliances.
Sustainable Outdoor Living.
Modern aluminium pergola design offers extensive configuration options without compromising sustainability. The versatility of aluminium components allows designers to create pergolas for almost any size and shape of space.
They can customize the structures in various colours that blend seamlessly into the natural environment. This allows homeowners to design outdoor spaces that perfectly match their surroundings.
Their recyclability, durability, minimal maintenance requirements, and energy efficiency during production and construction make them stand out in green living space design. An aluminium pergola is a perfect way to enhance your outdoor space. It also contributes positively to sustainability and eco-friendliness. And that’s a win-win for both your home and the planet!
If you would like to know more about the benefits of aluminium pergolas, contact one of the team at progolas.com. We’d be happy to help you beautify your backyard and help the planet in the process.
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