Metal roofing, such as aluminum patio covers, offer more fire protection than wood covers. Aluminum is not flammable, and fire should not pass through it. However, fires can spread across and through wooden patio covers. It is safer to use wood with a fire-resistant treatment than untreated wood, although both types of wood are less safe than aluminum.
Since aluminum is a soft metal, rats and mice can gnaw on it just like they can gnaw on wood patio covers. Some pests, however prefer wood patio covers to aluminum. For example, termites, carpenter ants and wood-boring beetles tend to damage wood. Using a water-repellent preservative can help prevent insect damage to wooden patio covers.
Rain is often very loud on an aluminum patio cover, and it is quieter on a wooden one. Individuals who live in rainy climates and value a quiet patio might prefer wood for this reason. However, some people find the sound of rain on an aluminum cover soothing. Aluminum dampens sound less than wood so it is also more likely to cause echoes of loud noises than wood.
Both aluminum and wood patio covers will provide shade protection, but they can behave differently when it comes to temperature control. Lighter covers generally reflect more light and keep an area cooler than darker covers. Aluminum is often more reflective and more inclined to keep a patio cool than dark wooden patio covers. However, both types of patio covers will reflect a great deal of hot sunlight when painted with a reflective coating.
Outdoor aluminum requires less maintenance than outdoor wood. Wood can suffer from mildew problems and rot brought on by moisture absorption, while aluminum does not have these issues. Aluminum is also thinner and lighter than heavy woods, making it easier to move and install as a patio cover. However, aluminum may be more difficult to cut and drill into than wood when building patio covers.