How to Care for an Aluminium Pergola

In short: An aluminium pergola is almost maintenance-free — aluminium doesn’t rot, doesn’t corrode and never needs painting. For routine cleaning, a mild soapy solution (washing-up liquid) and a soft brush or cloth are all you need; save a special aluminium cleaner for the more stubborn marks. Never use wire brushes or sharp objects. In winter, carefully clear any build-up of snow from the roof.

Pergolas are a popular feature of garden design, adding a pleasant atmosphere to a space and offering protection from the sun and rain. There are various types of pergola, the most common being wooden and aluminium. In this article we’ll look at how to care for an aluminium pergola and what advantages it has over wooden pergolas.

An aluminium pergola is a great solution for anyone looking for a modern, practical way to shelter from the sun or rain. Aluminium is a material that is highly resistant to the elements and requires practically no maintenance. All you need is a little time and a few basic tools.

If you own an aluminium pergola or shelter, you’ll appreciate just how easy it is to keep clean and gleaming. For routine cleaning, a mild soapy solution (washing-up liquid) and a soft brush or cloth are all you need. Save the special aluminium cleaner — available from any DIY shop — for the more stubborn marks that soapy water alone can’t shift.

Thinking about an aluminium pergola? Plenty speaks in its favour: a modern look, quality, strength, durability and a long lifespan — and, just as importantly, easy maintenance and almost no care required.

Quality installation is the foundation

For your aluminium pergola to serve you faultlessly for many years, proper, quality installation is essential. Installation involves concreting the foundations that anchor the pergola in place. Our skilled team are experienced in installing aluminium pergolas, so you needn’t worry about your pergola’s strength. It will certainly stand up to bad weather and strong winds too.

How do you care for an aluminium pergola?

Aluminium pergolas are a popular choice thanks to their weather resistance and easy maintenance. Aluminium is corrosion-resistant, so it doesn’t need regular painting. This resistance comes from an anodising surface finish, which forms a hard oxide layer on the surface — a layer thicker than 20 μm is enough for reliable protection. So to maintain an aluminium pergola, all you need is a mild cleaning product and a soft brush or cloth to remove dirt and dust. Aluminium pergolas also don’t need regular protection against insects and fungi, which is often necessary with wooden pergolas.

If you have an aluminium pergola, it’s important to protect it from damage and from the elements. Aluminium can react with certain chemicals and acids, so you need to be careful when using various cleaning products and fertilisers. Aluminium pergolas also need protection from wind and from any impacts by objects that could cause damage.

What are the advantages of an aluminium pergola?

Aluminium pergolas have several advantages over wooden ones. One of the biggest is their resistance to the weather. Aluminium doesn’t rot, dry out or become brittle the way wood does, so aluminium pergolas need less maintenance and last longer. There’s an environmental bonus too — recycling aluminium saves up to 95% of the energy needed to produce new aluminium, making it a material with both a long lifespan and a gentle end to its life cycle.

Another advantage of aluminium pergolas is how light they are. Aluminium pergolas are far lighter than wooden ones, which means they’re easier to install and can be moved from one place to another. Aluminium pergolas are also less prone to various pests — such as the wood-boring pests that can damage wooden pergolas.

A further advantage of aluminium pergolas is their design. Aluminium can be easily shaped into different forms and sizes, so aluminium pergolas can come in a wide range of designs and shapes. They can also be finished in various colours and surface treatments to suit your needs and taste.

Wooden pergola vs. aluminium pergola

Wooden pergolas are the classic choice and have their own charm. They feel warmer and more pleasant to the touch than aluminium ones, which can be an advantage if you’re after a cosy, welcoming place to relax. On the other hand, wooden pergolas need more maintenance than aluminium ones and are more prone to damage and decay. Wood can also be more expensive than aluminium, so wooden pergolas can cost more.

Aluminium pergolas have their pros and cons. They’re more durable and need less maintenance than wooden ones, though they can feel less pleasant to the touch. Aluminium pergolas are also lighter and come in a range of designs that easily adapt to your needs and taste. If you’re looking for a pergola that needs less maintenance and lasts longer, an aluminium pergola may be the better choice.

A major plus, and a key to a long lifespan, is the aluminium structure itself — the aluminium profiles. Aluminium is an extremely durable, dimensionally stable and practically indestructible material. And on top of that, it needs almost no maintenance. So what do you actually need to do?

When caring for an aluminium pergola, focus mainly on:

• The structure – the aluminium profiles
• The pergola roof
• The pergola floor

Maintaining the structure of an aluminium pergola

As we mentioned, the aluminium profiles we use to make our aluminium pergolas are exceptionally high quality. They need virtually no maintenance. There’s no need to paint them, varnish them or care for them in any way. All you have to do is keep the aluminium pergola clean. Use ordinary washing-up liquid and water. Be careful, though — don’t use wire brushes or sharp objects to clean it.

If the coating on the pergola does get damaged, get in touch with us. The colour coating can be restored.

Watch out for snow build-up on your aluminium pergola

When it comes to the roof of an aluminium pergola, no special care is needed here either. It depends on the type of roof you choose. If it’s a shading screen, simply retract it into its box for the winter.

If you choose a glass roof, again all you need to do is clear away dirt as required. In winter, however, during heavy snowfall, we recommend carefully removing any build-up of snow from the pergola roof, and reading up on how to care for your pergola in winter.

Caring for the floor

With the floor, care depends on what it’s made of. For paving or concrete, again no maintenance is needed. Simple sweeping and washing away dirt with soapy water will do.

If you opt for a wooden floor, though, maintenance will be more involved. You’ll need to treat it regularly with an impregnating coating, oil or wood stain. Every few years you’ll also need to sand it down.

As you can see, an aluminium pergola really is low-maintenance. Even without any care, it will serve you for many years unchanged and with no loss of its functional qualities!

Cleaning more stubborn marks on an aluminium pergola

If soapy water alone isn’t enough for certain dirt, reach for a special aluminium cleaner. Before you use it, make sure the surface is completely dry. Apply the cleaner to the aluminium pergola or shelter with a hose or a sponge and leave it to work according to the instructions on the packaging.

Once it has done its job, rinse the aluminium surface with clean water. Make sure you’ve removed all the cleaner, and let the surface dry completely. If any moisture is left on the aluminium, it can leave marks or unsightly rings.

If small marks or scratches appear on the aluminium surface, you can carefully remove them with fine steel wool or a polishing paste. Afterwards, rinse the aluminium surface thoroughly. For more on how to care for the other materials in garden seating areas, see our guide to maintaining pergolas and gazebos.

The advantage of aluminium shelters and pergolas

Aluminium shelters and pergolas aren’t prone to rust or corrosion. That means they don’t need cleaning as often as wooden pergolas or shelters. Even so, clean them regularly to keep their original appearance and extend their lifespan.

Always remember that when cleaning an aluminium pergola or shelter, it’s important to use the right cleaning products and techniques.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better for a garden pergola, wood or aluminium?

The answer depends on your preferences and needs. Wooden pergolas have a classic, pleasant look but need more maintenance and are more prone to damage and decay. Aluminium pergolas are more durable and need less maintenance, but aren’t as pleasant to the touch as wooden ones. If you’re looking for a garden pergola that needs less maintenance and lasts longer, an aluminium pergola may be the better choice.

What does the price of a gazebo or pergola include?

The price of a gazebo or pergola includes the final surface finish and complete turnkey installation at your home, with delivery.

How long does it take to install an aluminium garden pergola?

Installing an aluminium garden pergola takes 1–2 days, depending on the size.