Modern pergolas are marvels of modern technology that easily transform any patio, deck or pool deck into an all-weather outdoor living space. While there is no such thing as a maintenance free pergola, modern aluminum materials do make for a low maintenance pergola. So, let’s take a look at how you maintain your new Azenco pergola.
Wood and Vinyl Pergolas vs. Aluminum Pergolas
While wood and vinyl pergolas are common choices for homeowners looking to create a covered patio, these materials come with some significant disadvantages compared to their modern brethren crafted from high-quality aluminum. Wood pergolas are prone to rotting over time, and they are very heavy, which limits where you can locate your pergola. Vinyl pergolas are less susceptible to environmental damage, but they can fade in the sun over time or develop cracks.
Aluminum pergolas, like the Azenco R-Blade adjustable louvered roof pergola, or the Azenco R-Shade fixed-roof pergolas, deliver life-long durability, lightweight construction, and minimal pergola maintenance over time. When it comes to maintenance, natural wood pergolas require routine painting or waterproofing. Vinyl can be a magnet for mold and mildew. Aluminum pergolas though are the easiest pergolas to maintain.
Maintaining Your Azenco Pergola
Our pergolas are all crafted from the highest-quality aluminum to ensure the longest-life for your new outdoor structure. We also employ the highest-quality exterior powder coatings to ward off oxidation, and prevent colors from fading in the sun. With these superior materials, our low maintenance pergola minimizes your routine pergola maintenance as well.
Just like any residential structure, regular inspection of your pergola is the best way to ensure it lasts a lifetime. We recommend a visual inspection at least twice per year. If you live in cooler climates where the leaves fall, make a point to insect your pergola during this time of year. Another inspection in the spring will help catch any debris that fell during the winter as well.
The only other bits of maintenance that you need to do is to keep the internal gutter system clear of obstructions, and prevent mold or mildew from collecting on the exterior.
How to Clean a Pergola
We usually recommend customers conduct an annual cleaning of their pergola, and that process starts with the gutters. Here are some tips for keeping your modern aluminum pergola looking fresh for years.
Keeping Gutters Clear
The hidden gutter system captures all the rainwater flowing off your pergola roof, shipping that rainwater through downspouts in the support columns. Keeping these gutters and downspouts clear of debris is quite simple. We recommend using a leaf blower to clear debris from the pergola roof and pergola gutter. Then, gently hose out the gutters. You can also use a soft brush with environmentally-friendly detergent, if needed, to clean any mold or dirt from the gutters.
Pressure Wash with Caution
Using a pressure washer can be an efficient way to clean your pergolas exterior while saving water. Make sure to choose a setting between 1,500 and 2,000 PSI to protect the exterior powder coating. This is the pressure level recommended for cars as well, if your machine has a preset for car washing, you can likely use that setting.
Removing Mildew
If your pergola is erected near wooded areas, you may see mildew begin to collect on the exterior. We recommend an annual bath with a mildew prevention agent. It will always be easier to prevent mildew growth than trying to eradicate it once it has taken over. To prevent mildew, shower your pergola with a solution as follows:
- 1/3 cup detergent (laundry detergent liquid or powder)
- 2/3 cup trisodium phosphate powder also called T.S.P. (ask your local hardware store)
- 1/4 gallon sodium hypo chloride 5% solution (Clorox® or equivalent)
- 3/4 gallon water
Removing Mildew
If your pergola is erected near wooded areas, you may see mildew begin to collect on the exterior. We recommend an annual bath with a mildew prevention agent. It will always be easier to prevent mildew growth than trying to eradicate it once it has taken over. To prevent mildew, shower your pergola with a solution as follows:
- 1/3 cup detergent (laundry detergent liquid or powder)
- 2/3 cup trisodium phosphate powder also called T.S.P. (ask your local hardware store)
- 1/4 gallon sodium hypo chloride 5% solution (Clorox® or equivalent)
- 3/4 gallon water
Finally, hose down the structure with clean water immediately after applying the solution.
Preventing Black Streaks
If you’ve stayed on top of your routine gutter cleaning, exterior black streaks should not be an issue. That said, life happens and sometimes a gutter becomes clogged unknowingly. The mess that builds up in the gutter can backup and leak down the side of the pergola. The best way to remove these streaks is with a gutter cleaner concentrate available at most hardware stores.
Cleaning Caulking Compounds
Our unique ability to custom extrude the aluminum segments that make up your pergola means that we also limit the joints requiring caulking. Where caulking materials are needed, we recommend owners clean the compounds as part of their routine pergola maintenance. The process is extremely simple, spray hydrogen peroxide on the caulking and allow it to soak for 10 minutes, then sponge or brush away any stains. Alternatively, you can use a paste of baking soda and water, allowing it to soak for 20 minutes, or undiluted vinegar that soaks for a full hour before being rinsed away.
Pergola Maintenance Conclusion
The year-long joy that modern aluminum pergola will bring to your outdoor living space easily makes it an investment you will enjoy for years. With minimal pergola maintenance you will continue to enjoy it for years to come. If you would like to explore pergola plans for your deck, pool or garden, please contact us today and we will connect you with one of our expert pergolas contractors near you.
