Vinyl Pergolas

Why Are Vinyl Pergolas Better Than the Rest?

Reason #1: Pergolas with an all-vinyl exterior will last 5-10x longer than wood pergolas or aluminum pergolas with a powder-coated finish. Vinyl is much more durable than most materials (more resistant to chipping and scratching) and is also resistant to pests like termites.

Reason #2: Vinyl-made pergolas are virtually maintenance-free. No re-staining, re-painting, re-sealing, reinforcing, sanding, etc. With nothing more than a Magic Eraser (included with every kit) and good ol' soap and water, your pergola will look as beautiful in 30 years as it looks on day 1.

Reason #3: Vinyl pergolas are more cost-effective in the long run. Sure, the upfront cost of a vinyl pergola is quite a bit higher than wood or powder-coated metal pergolas. But if you buy one of them, you'll be replacing it in 3-5 years. On the other hand, purchasing a Sunset pergola is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase that is really more of an investment in your home's value than a one-off purchase.

Vinyl Pergolas vs. Powder-Coated Aluminum Pergolas

Powder-coated metal pergolas almost universally start showing signs of weathering and corrosion after just 2-3 years (sometimes sooner if you live in an area with lots of moisture/humidity or extremely hot/cold temperatures). Similarly, the initial luster (or shine) of a powder-coated pergola will quickly fade, and the once-beautiful pergola will become discolored. (Purple-hued pergola, anyone?)

Rather than simply adding a powder coating finish, we encase our aluminum-frame pergolas in "sleeves" made of premium extruded vinyl. These vinyl sleeves are ultra-thick (see below for more info) and are colored white or tan throughout the entire wall (not just the outer surface). Our all-vinyl pergolas are guaranteed to never chalk, pit, discolor or become brittle, even in extreme weather conditions.

Bottom line: If you buy a powder-coated aluminum pergola, expect to replace it in 3-5 years. If you buy a Sunset Pergola, it will last a lifetime.

How Thick are Sunset Pergolas Vinyl Sleeves?

The thickness of the vinyl varies by pergola component:

• 5" Square Posts - Vinyl post sleeve is ~3.2mm thick (0.125").
• 7" Square Posts - Vinyl post sleeve is ~9.5mm thick (0.375").
• Beams & Rafters - Vinyl sleeve is ~2.4mm thick (0.095").
  
• Purlin Holders & Shade Purlins - Vinyl is ~2.0mm thick (0.080").

Not all vinyl pergolas are created equal. As they say, the devil is in the details. If you're comparing Sunset Pergolas to other vinyl pergolas on the market, pay close attention to the thickness of the vinyl walls, whether the vinyl tubing is colored throughout or only on the surface, and where the vinyl is made. Our vinyl (and aluminum, for that matter) is made right here in America.