Wood vs Aluminum Pergolas: What's Better in Dallas-Fort Worth?

So you're thinking about a new pergola and you want to make sure that wood is the right choice. It has to be.

After all, everywhere you look around DFW, the patio covers are wooden.

But why isn't aluminum as popular? Keep reading and I'll share some facts and opinions so that you can make an informed decision.

If you just want a quick summary, jump down to the comparison table at the bottom.

Let's start with cost.

Are wood pergolas or aluminum pergolas more affordable?

If you're trying to do an apples to apples comparison here, aluminum is going to keep your bank account much happier. And that's just considering the initial cost.

The cheapest western red cedar pergola I could find online is a 10'x10' unstained, rafter-only top for $2,299, or $23/SQFT. By the way, you'd have to install it yourself. The next cheapest kit price I could find started at $49/SQFT.

A 10'x10' aluminum pergola would start around $1,920, or $19.20/SQFT. That price includes installation and a lifetime warranty against chipping, peeling, flaking, and blistering on the paint. Just to be clear, with aluminum, you'll never have the added cost of re-staining.

Affordability goes to aluminum.

Do wood or aluminum pergolas last longer?

Are you the type of person who gets excited about re-staining old wood? If you are, then you'll love the standard staining schedule for a wood pergola of every 2-5 years. Paying someone to do it would run you close to $2,000 each time. Yikes!

If you leave nature to take its course, you'll end up with rot, cracks, or bugs. I'm beginning to wonder why wood is so popular.

I asked on Nextdoor what people thought about aluminum pergolas. The first response was from someone named Nancy: "We've had ours for 20 years and they are in great shape." I should get her on standby as a reference!

Since I started building aluminum patio covers full time in 2006, never has a customer called for repainting. I occasionally do repair jobs. Mostly after overgrown tree limbs decide to treat the patio cover like a piñata. Overall though, aluminum covers are built to last a lifetime.

Another point for Aluminum.

Is it easier to find a wood pergola installer or aluminum pergola installer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?

What do you think was used for the first pergola that people ever built? I doubt I need to tell you that wood has been the primary building material since pergolas first became popular. There's easily over 100 companies across the metroplex that have experience installing wood pergolas. Recently, some have started offering aluminum alternatives in addition, but it's not in their wheelhouse.

The reason is simple: manufacturers of high quality aluminum pergolas have only recently moved to the DFW area. Our manufacturer for luxury projects, 4K Aluminum, established a Dallas facility in 2020. And it wasn't until 2025 that Duralum, our high-quality value manufacturer, moved here. The lack of established companies who can provide a high quality installation of aluminum pergolas is the single biggest reason why wood is so popular.

Availability goes to wood, but I'm guessing that will change in the next decade.

What looks better for a covered patio? Wood or aluminum?

I told you I'd share facts and opinions. It's a fact that modern aluminum pergola designs look better than wood ones in my opinion. See what I did there?

In all honesty, I love the natural look of a wood pergola. It goes great with all the brick in the area. But so does aluminum. Depending on your budget, there's some sleek modern designs or you can go with a more classic pergola.

Look through our aluminum pergolas page for design ideas!

I'm giving this one a tie, since it's 100% subjective. Still 3-1.

Do wood or aluminum pergolas have better fire resistance?

Ever had your grill's drip tray catch fire? According to the NFPA, gas grills cause an average of 4,682 structure fires each year. Seeing flames shoot out of your bbq is a lot more interesting when there's exposed wood nearby.

If you want Class A fire-rated wood for your pergola, you'll need something treated with fire retardant chemicals. And you'll need to regularly re-apply a fire safe stain. That's more $$$.

Or you could go with aluminum. Ever tried lighting aluminum on fire? It takes a lot.

This one wasn't very fair.

Do aluminum or wood pergolas handle Dallas-Fort Worth's weather better?

We get a little bit of everything here in DFW. I hate hail the most. A wood pergola doesn't really mind it. Even a baseball size chunk of ice is just going to bounce off. Mother nature did a great job protecting herself from herself.

When it comes to aluminum pergolas, hail bounces off the insulated material and the extra-strength extruded material, but leaves dents in the roll-formed lattice or solid covers. Same thing happens when your neighbors keep slicing the ball off the 6th tee right onto your cover.

Insurance should cover any damage, but I'd double check before going with one of the hail-damage-prone structures.

Wood wins this one.

Do wood or aluminum pergolas resist pests better?

Termites, carpenter ants, and wood-boring beetles. I don't want any of those getting into my home. So I really don't want to serve them the insect equivalent of the 72 oz steak challenge right outside of my rear slider. Using western red cedar provides a bit of natural deterrence, but it doesn't last forever. Especially if the wood starts rotting. The worst part is you won't notice the damage until the posts start failing.

These pests don't digest aluminum. Enough said.

Wood vs aluminum pergolas summary

If you weren't keeping score at home, the final verdict was 5-2 in favor of aluminum. Here's a quick summary.

If I were you, I'd be giving aluminum an honest look. At the very least, give us a call and get a free quote for a new aluminum pergola.

Only if you're in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex though. I can't be everywhere.