Choices for Covering Patio Shelter Confuse Homeowner
Question: This spring I will have to replace a 20-by-16-foot patio roof. Visiting the various home improvement centers, I came across two products that appear to be suitable: Filon panels and Alumax. The latter appears to be mainly for commercial, residential or farm use. However, the salesman assured me that it is frequently used for residential patio covers. I have just retired and my wife and I plan to spend many hours on the patio. I’ve had cataract surgery and my eyes are sensitive to ultraviolet light. What’s your suggestion?
Answer: Filon is the brand name of a widely used fiberglass panel for carports and patio roofs. It’s so widely used that many contractors use it as the generic term for all such panels. I have a patio cover roofed with Filon panels. It’s stayed in place under very windy conditions, thanks to care in fastening the panels to the patio cover structure. I’d recommend this product without reservation.
Alumax Building Products manufactures the Alutwin aluminum and painted aluminum roofing and siding panels. You enclosed a photocopy of the brochure for this product with your letter. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Alutwin panels on a patio cover on aesthetic grounds: the panels are attractive and are available in many colors. My main objection is the lack of light transmission. You might end up with a too-dark patio. Using fiberglass panels like Filon allows you to control the light and solar energy transmission levels.
IN THE MAIL: Mike Parsons of Roof’N-It, P. O. Box 931, Phelan, Calif. 92371, takes me to task for my advice on roofing materials (Dear Dale March 3, 1985). “The homeowner needed your advice on a replacement for wood shakes and you recommended three different materials.” He recommends Duralite concrete roof tiles by Celotex-Marley Inc., Hollister and San Bernardino. The brochure he enclosed describes the tiles as 40% lighter than most other concrete tiles. I’d appreciate it if any other readers can write me about their experiences with any of these products, especially their ability to stand up under the normal amount of walking that roofs must undergo.
Dale Baldwin will answer remodeling questions of general interest on this page. Send your questions to Home Improvement, Real Estate Department, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053. Baldwin cannot answer questions individually. Snapshots of successful do-it-yourself projects may be submitted but cannot be returned.
