We are on Pinterest!

February 1, 2012 · 0 comments

Are you on Pinterest? We’d love to follow you!

What do we like to pin about? We pin about patio recipes, backyard culture, enjoying life and style and design. Oh yeah – we talk about Patio Shade Structures, too! We want to know what you like to pin, too.

Find us on Pinterest and start pinning!

Alumawood is a family of patio cover systems that have been designed with every detail in mind. Our products provide consumers with an aesthetically pleasing, functional and long-lasting product available a variety of styles and colors. For years, our name has stood for value and innovation in the patio coverings industry. Did you know you can become a dealer of Alumawood products? Find out more here. Stay up-to-date by finding us on Facebook and Twitter. Also, subscribe to our YouTube channel and keep up with our blog for the latest updates.

 

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The Benefits of Patio Shade Structures in Your Home

January 31, 2012 · 1 comment

Patio Shade Structure

Patio Shade Structure

There are many benefits of using a patio shade structure in your yard or attached to your home. This addition to your property not only enhances its beauty, it also increases the value of the home and increases the functions and activities you can enjoy!

  1.  The health benefits include providing protection from the hot sun’s rays while still being able to see the beautiful blue sky and breathe in the fresh air.
  2. Patio shade structures also protect you from the elements such as wind and rain.  This enables you to continue to enjoy your outdoor activities, such as entertaining and grilling in spite of the weather.
  3. The feel of additional living space is created having a patio shade structure attached to your home or freestanding in the backyard.  You can add seating, a dining table and a bar for outdoor entertaining or perhaps some lounge chairs and a hot tub to relax in.  The decorative options are endless and can be customized to suit your own style and needs.
  4. Your energy bill can be reduced because patio shade structures help to cool down the house.
  5. The addition of a patio shade structure is not only aesthetically pleasing, it can also increase the value of your home.  A realtor or potential buyer will easily see that additional living space has been created by this addition.

The benefits of having a patio shade structure are pretty obvious. Alumawood recognizes how they enhance the beauty of your property, increases the number of activities you can enjoy in your yard, and can actually save you money by reducing your energy bill!

Alumawood is a family of patio cover systems that have been designed with every detail in mind. Our products provide consumers with an aesthetically pleasing, functional and long-lasting product available a variety of styles and colors. For years, our name has stood for value and innovation in the patio coverings industry. For quality, beauty and durability in your patio cover like you’ve never experienced before, find your nearest dealer of Alumawood products today. Stay up-to-date by finding us on Facebook and Twitter. Also, subscribe to our YouTube channel and keep up with our blog for the latest updates.

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Energy Efficiency in the Home

January 19, 2012 · 0 comments

Energy Efficiency in the Home

Energy Efficiency in the Home

There are many ideas and opinions about conserving energy that simply aren’t true today. Alumawood would like to share the truth about energy efficiency in the home. For example, did you know that using a patio shade structure can dramatically decrease your energy bill? Over the years, there have been many changes in technology, and some of the original ideas about saving energy have changed throughout the past decades. Here are some myths that we can clarify for you.

 

• As an individual (or family) can it really make a difference if we conserve energy? While it is true that one household or business may not make a big difference, if we add up all the households and businesses and total their energy usage over time it obviously does make a big difference overall.

• If we put our thermostats extremely low or high will we be cooler or hotter sooner? This myth is not true with modern heating and air conditioning units. What we all should do is set our thermostat at the desired temperature and leave it alone! There is no advantage to setting it at extreme highs or lows!

• Should we turn our lights on and off when we leave or enter a room? Years ago this was true but with today’s electrical metering it does not make a difference. The short spike of energy when a light is turned on is so minimal that it does not really affect the amount of energy you are using, and consequently it does not increase the cost of your electricity!

• Does it shorten the life of a light bulb or even a computer when it is turned on and off?
The answer to this one is no! The life of your light bulb is based on the length of time or hours it is used, so turning it off actually extends its life. As for your computer the answer is the same. Simply turn it off at the end of the day.

• If we do choose to be energy conscientious won’t it inevitably mean we will be cold in the winter months and hot in summer months? We will never be comfortable! The truth is that energy waste is the main problem. An old furnace or air conditioning unit, or lack of insulation should be of more concern. If we can ignore out dated energy saving practices and optimize our usage of energy we can be comfortable at home or at work!

As you can see there are many outdated myths regarding energy conservation and efficiency. By using a patio shade structure, you can limit the amount of sunlight heating up your house (or, inversely keep the heat in your house during the colder months by effectively blocking the wind and shielding your home from the elements). Remember, every little bit helps in the conservation of energy!

Alumawood is a family of patio cover systems that have been designed with every detail in mind. Our products provide consumers with an aesthetically pleasing, functional and long-lasting product available a variety of styles and colors. For years, our name has stood for value and innovation in the patio coverings industry. For quality, beauty and durability in your patio cover like you’ve never experienced before, find your nearest dealer of Alumawood products today. Stay up-to-date by finding us on Facebook and Twitter. Also, subscribe to our YouTube channel and keep up with our blog for the latest updates.

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Find the Best Contractor for Your Home Improvement Project (VIDEO)

January 12, 2012 · 0 comments

National Sales Manager Ron Wilson discusses how to choose the right contractor for your home improvement project.

Remember to use your resources like the Department of Consumer Affairs and Product Manufacturer’s Website to find the best contractor for the job. This can save you money and time on your home improvement project, and that is a good thing!

Alumawood is a family of patio cover systems that have been designed with every detail in mind. Our products provide consumers with an aesthetically pleasing, functional and long-lasting product available a variety of styles and colors. For years, our name has stood for value and innovation in the patio coverings industry. For quality, beauty and durability in your patio cover like you’ve never experienced before, find your nearest dealer of Alumawood products today. Stay up-to-date by finding us on Facebook and Twitter. Also, subscribe to our YouTube channel and keep up with our blog for the latest updates.

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New Years Resolutions for Your Patio

December 28, 2011 · 0 comments

New Years Resolutions for Your Patio

New Years Resolutions for Your Patio

It is the holiday season and as the days grow colder, you may not be thinking too much about your patio shade structure. The truth is, many people do not treat their patios well; however, giving a little bit of extra attention can mean the difference between a virtually unusable patio and a fun outdoor living space. Why not make some resolutions to treat your patio better in 2012 than you did this past year?

• Pay attention. Inspect your deck or patio at least once a year, in order to catch sight of small problems before they become unmanageable. Splitting wood or cracked concrete can be easily remedied if they are discovered early enough.

• Prevention is key. Pounding loose nails back into a deck can prevent injury, and keep boards from becoming loose. Loose bricks or pavers are easy to resituate before someone trips. Keeping an eye on the condition of your patio or deck enables you to keep it user-friendly.

• Keep it clean. Routine maintenance can keep your patio enjoyable. Sweep it regularly, or use a leaf blower to get rid of the dirt. Then, at least once a month, spray it with a hose or pressure washer and mild detergent, if needed. Use a scrub brush to clean tough stains, and apply a bleach-and-water solution to any areas where mold or mildew are present, to prevent further growth.

• Protect it from the weather. Repaint or re-stain a deck as often as necessary, which will probably be every few years. Adding a waterproof sealant to your deck or patio will protect it from the elements and give you years of use. A patio shade structure can protect your patio, as well as personal belongings you use on it, from sun and rain.

• Create an oasis. An outdoor living space can be a gift to your family and friends, a gathering place in which to create memories that will last forever. Patio covers can make this easy, by turning your patio into an outdoor room, which you can decorate any way you please. A firepot or grill, with a cozy grouping of outdoor seating, can turn your patio into a party waiting to happen.

The time and attention you invest in your patio will pay dividends in happy memories of time together outside. Whether you are hosting a summer barbecue, or roasting chestnuts over your firepot on Christmas Eve, your patio will be a place to celebrate occasions and host festive events. This year, make a New Year’s resolution to better care for your patio, and if you need a new patio shade structure, visit Alumawood’s website for more information, or join the online community on Facebook and Twitter.

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Alumawood Presents: Holiday Myths

December 19, 2011 · 0 comments

holiday myths

What are your favorite holiday myths?

The holidays are full of traditions, but along with those traditions come holiday myths. Some are superstitions, some are believed as fact, and some are downright silly! Read on to see if the things you believe about the holiday season are true or false.

• May the Force re-gift you. There is a rumor floating around among Star Wars fans that a holiday special once appeared, based on the popular science-fiction films. This one happens to be true! It appeared on CBS around Thanksgiving of 1978, but was made without the full cooperation of George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars. Mr. Lucas reportedly hated the seasonal special so much that he bought the rights to it and would destroy every copy of it, if he could. Bootleg copies do exist, but they are extremely rare.

• Poinsettias are poisonous. This one is false! It has long been widely reported that poinsettias will kill pets or children who decide to sample them for a holiday treat. While it is not advisable to eat poinsettias, since they do contain toxins that will probably make you sick, there is no reason to avoid bringing their gorgeous blooms into your home.

• Christmas trees spark allergies. This is another persistent but false rumor. In fact, the Christmas tree industry runs a special campaign each year to dismiss this and other falsehoods about their cheery evergreens. Some people are allergic to tree pollens, but pine pollens are not a known allergen. Even if they were, Christmas trees are extremely unlikely to produce pollen during the month of December, so feel free to visit a tree farm for a fun outing with your family!

• There are many Christmas superstitions, of which you may not even be aware. Did you know that it used to be considered a bad omen to kiss under the mistletoe? Fortunately, we have not seen any evidence to back that up, so smooch away! Bringing greenery into the house was once thought to be a way of ensuring new growth the following year. There is no evidence to support that either, but it is still a nice tradition to bring the outdoors in for a while, so this is one of the holiday myths we do not mind believing.

Whatever your holiday traditions, we at Alumawood hope you have a warm and wonderful season. Once the weather warms up again, and your thoughts turn to lounging on your patio, check out our website to see how we can help! For a deeper connection, join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Happy holidays!

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