Competition for the wooden carport? Budget-friendly and low-maintenance alternatives in aluminum

No one will deny that wood is a special material. Thanks to its technical performance, natural aspect and versatile design possibilities, it has traditionally been one of the most widely used materials for garden structures such as gazebos and carports. There is only one catch: wood requires regular maintenance. And let that be a stumbling block for more and more consumers.

Enjoyment. That's what it's all about. As life gets busier and workdays get longer, Belgians are less and less willing to spend their precious free moments on chores and maintenance. That evolution has not escaped manufacturer Exterior Living. Specializing for three generations in wooden garden structures, the company's internal R&D department has for several years been consciously looking for alternative materials that, while equal in strength, quality and design, are less demanding in terms of maintenance. In addition to the regular range of wooden carports, a range of aluminum versions has thus been growing since 2018.

The strengths of aluminum

The choice of powder-coated aluminum is not accidental. The material is strong, durable and low-maintenance. It does not rot or rust and a protective pretreatment according to Qualicoat Seaside standards guarantees a long life even in the most demanding conditions. Therefore, no repeated treatment is required to maintain the material's resistance. Occasional cleaning is sufficient.

In addition, aluminum is also very light. This greatly simplifies transportation and placement. Building elements can usually just be moved and placed by hand. No crane or other equipment needs to be used.

Simplicity pays off

Exterior Living previously played off the strengths of aluminum with the Maluwi modular concept. This allowed the customer to design the structure to a large extent, with a choice of various dimensions in the aluminum base structure and a whole range of wooden or glass walls and even doors.

This year with the Lumo follows a rather simple and above all budget-friendly model, consisting of a black aluminum structure on the one hand, and a roof in polycarbonate on the other. The structure can be freestanding or placed against the existing building. It works with a fixed width of 293 centimeters and five different lengths, where the placement of the poles is largely free to choose. The roof can be finished in clear or opal polycarbonate, good for a light transmission of 80 to 90 or 20 to 30%, respectively.

The Lumo's understated yet elegant black structure looks sleek and modern in the first place, although the carport's simplicity means it fits in with a whole spectrum of building and garden styles.

Tight to the details

However, the simpler the design, the more important the details. Therefore, square posts are used and a straight tight framing on the outside of the roof. This hides the minimal bending of the polycarbonate sheets, creating the illusion of a flat roof. For a perfect aesthetic result, both water drainage and screw connections are also completely concealed. A UV protection layer prevents the polycarbonate sheets from yellowing. They also retain their aesthetic and technical value for many years.