Snowden Designs recently installed two impressive insulated alumawood patio covers totaling 656 square feet for a Pahrump client, featuring a striking white and ebony color combination that enhances both aesthetics and durability. Insulated alumawood patio covers deliver substantial energy savings of 10 to 25 percent on cooling costs while reducing outdoor temperatures by 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, making them ideal for Pahrump’s extreme desert climate. These covers provide a remarkable 60 to 80 percent return on investment, can increase home value by 8 to 10 percent, and last 20 to 30 years with virtually no maintenance compared to wood covers that require frequent upkeep. Beyond financial benefits, insulated patio covers block up to 90 percent of harmful UV rays, encourage 43 percent greater happiness through increased outdoor time, and shield furniture and equipment from costly weather damage.
We just completed an exceptional dual patio cover installation for one of our valued Pahrump clients, and we couldn’t be more excited to share the details with you. This project perfectly demonstrates why insulated alumawood patio covers have become the premier choice for homeowners throughout Nevada’s desert climate.
The installation includes two stunning structures that seamlessly blend form with function. The first is an impressive 14-foot by 34-foot insulated roof alumawood patio cover, complemented by a second 10-foot by 18-foot insulated roof structure. Together, these covers provide roughly 656 square feet of comfortable, protected outdoor living space. We incorporated four fan beams across both structures and expertly plated seven posts to the existing flatwork, with both covers attached directly to the home for maximum stability and aesthetic appeal. The color combination speaks to both elegance and practicality: crisp white roofing, channels, and gutters beautifully contrasted with rich ebony beams, posts, trim, and downspouts. This striking two-tone design not only enhances curb appeal but also reflects the superior quality that has made the Snowden name synonymous with excellence throughout Pahrump.
When Pahrump temperatures soar to average summer highs of 102 degrees, your home’s cooling system works overtime. Insulated alumawood patio covers deliver measurable energy savings that directly impact your monthly utility bills. Research demonstrates that these structures can reduce cooling costs by 10 to 25 percent for adjacent indoor rooms. For the average household, this translates to annual cooling expense reductions ranging from 360 to 960 dollars. By shading windows and adjacent walls, patio covers help reduce indoor temperatures during hot months, decreasing reliance on air conditioning and providing year-round energy efficiency benefits.
The secret lies in the advanced thermal management technology built into every insulated panel. These specialized panels feature a foam core sandwiched between aluminum layers, creating an effective thermal barrier that prevents solar heat from transferring through the roof and radiating down onto your patio. Testing has consistently shown that insulated roof panels can decrease temperatures by 8 to 10 degrees Celsius compared to spaces under non-insulated roofs. In the most extreme conditions, this temperature difference can widen even further, with measurements showing drops of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius in peak heat.
The insulation values are equally impressive across different panel thicknesses. Three-inch panels provide R-12 insulation value, four-inch panels achieve R-16 thermal resistance, and six-inch panels reach R-24 insulation performance. According to a 2024 Department of Energy study on cool roofs, these insulated panels keep covered areas 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than uncovered spaces during peak summer conditions. The reflective properties of alumawood help direct heat away from your home, creating a cooler area underneath the patio cover and positively impacting your indoor climate.
Living in Pahrump means experiencing temperature extremes that test the limits of outdoor materials. With temperatures typically varying from 34 degrees Fahrenheit to 101 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, and rarely dipping below 27 degrees Fahrenheit or climbing above 107 degrees Fahrenheit, your outdoor structures need to perform flawlessly in challenging conditions. The dual-season functionality of insulated alumawood patio covers makes them invaluable investments. Throughout summer, the polystyrene core effectively prevents direct heat transfer, creating comfortable environments even during scorching desert heat. In winter months, the same insulation properties work in reverse, trapping warm air and preventing heat loss from below.
Studies have documented that properly designed patio covers with reflective coatings achieve solar reflectance index values exceeding 0.65, lowering roof temperatures by up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit compared to standard materials. The temperature difference between areas beneath insulated roofing panels and spaces under non-insulated roofs remains consistently remarkable, with areas staying 8 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler. Real-world applications confirm these findings: insulated patio covers can reduce heat transfer significantly, making covered outdoor spaces usable even during extreme weather conditions.
Home improvement decisions should always consider long-term financial benefits, and insulated alumawood patio covers deliver impressive returns. Industry research shows that outdoor living upgrades, particularly covered patios, can yield an ROI of 60 to 80 percent. When designed and built correctly, a patio can add approximately 8 to 10 percent value to your home. For a well-maintained home, this means a well-executed covered patio can substantially increase the final sale price.
The numbers become even more compelling when examining specific case studies. Based on findings from industry surveys, homeowners who spend approximately 3,269 dollars on a patio cover addition could witness an increase in their home’s value by about 3,563 dollars, indicating a remarkable 109 percent ROI. A well-designed patio not only increases home value by 8 to 10 percent but also earns an ROI of over 80 percent in many cases. In regions that encourage outdoor living year-round, like many areas throughout the Southwest, a well-designed patio space with a robust cover makes properties particularly enticing to potential buyers.
The cost-effectiveness extends beyond the initial investment. When factoring in durability, the annual cost calculation reveals the true value. A typical alumawood cover installation at 7,500 dollars lasting 25 years costs only 300 dollars per year. This annualized approach demonstrates that while insulated covers represent a higher upfront investment, the long-term value proposition remains compelling when considering reduced maintenance, enhanced durability, and sustained energy efficiency.
Alumawood patio covers are engineered for longevity, with average lifespans of 20 to 30 years. With proper care and maintenance, some installations can last even longer, making this durability one of the primary reasons homeowners choose aluminum over other materials. Traditional wood patio covers require replacement every 10 to 15 years due to rot and insect damage, while vinyl covers typically last 15 to 20 years before becoming brittle and prone to damage.
Over a 60-year period, alumawood requires only two installations versus six to ten for wood and three to four for vinyl, dramatically reducing material consumption and waste generation. The recycled aluminum used in alumawood production requires 95 percent less energy than primary aluminum production, with recycled aluminum generating approximately 0.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne compared to 14.8 tonnes for primary aluminum. This makes alumawood a recyclable material and an environmentally friendly choice.
The specialized Aluma-Shield paint system provides exceptional protection against UV damage through a multi-layer, factory-applied finish incorporating Teflon surface protector. This coating system meets AAMA 2604 standards, requiring resistance to 3,000 hours in salt spray testing and five years of South Florida outdoor exposure. Color change remains less than 5.0 Delta E units after five years of extreme UV exposure, well below the threshold where the average person notices any difference. Phoenix installations demonstrate 20 to 30 year lifespans even with UV index readings reaching 13.21 during peak summer months.
The health implications of quality shade structures extend far beyond simple comfort. Shade is one of the easiest ways to protect against UV radiation, with good-quality shade reducing UV exposure by up to 75 percent. High-quality shade fabrics can block up to 98 percent of UV rays, depending on the material used. Alumawood patio covers can block up to 90 percent of harmful UV rays, providing substantial protection for you and your family.
The health statistics underscore the importance of UV protection. Skin cancer represents one of the most prevalent yet preventable cancers in the United States, with over five million cases diagnosed each year. Just one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence doubles the chances of developing melanoma later in life. Reducing direct sun exposure through shade structures is highly effective for preventing skin cancer, making quality patio covers a simple natural way to protect your skin.
Beyond skin cancer prevention, exposure to outdoor green spaces has been linked with myriad physical and mental health benefits. Meta-analysis results have shown increased greenspace exposure was associated with decreased salivary cortisol, heart rate reductions of 2.57 beats per minute, and diastolic blood pressure reductions of 1.97 millimeters of mercury. Incidence of stroke, hypertension, dyslipidemia, asthma, and coronary heart disease were reduced among individuals with greater greenspace exposure. University of Michigan research found that participants’ memory improved by as much as 20 percent after walking in nature.
Creating comfortable outdoor spaces encourages greater utilization of these health-promoting environments. Research shows that 96 percent of US adults spend time outdoors daily, with more than half spending more than 30 minutes and one-third spending more than one hour outdoors daily. Americans who visit local outdoor spaces daily are 60 percent happier than those who never go, and spending at least five more hours outdoors each month can significantly impact well-being by boosting happiness by as much as 43 percent.
Modern homeowners increasingly recognize that outdoor spaces function as extensions of their interior living areas. Surveys reveal that 75 percent of homebuyers prioritize homes with outdoor living spaces over those lacking this feature. The top three reasons homeowners renovate their outdoor living spaces include improving aesthetics at 51 percent, enhancing entertainment space at 37 percent, and extending the living space of their homes at 33 percent. Nearly two-thirds, or 63 percent, of homeowners admit they would prioritize outdoor living spaces if they were to remodel.
An outdoor patio represents an easy way to increase the square footage of your home, and additional square footage generally means your house is worth more money. While a patio enclosure may not add official square footage to your home from an appraisal perspective, it adds livable space for you to enjoy for entertaining guests, as a playroom for children, or for any other purpose. Research indicates that 90 percent of homeowners use their outdoor living space at least once per week, with 22 percent using it daily and another 24 percent using it four to six times per week.
The most common uses for outdoor spaces include relaxation at 44 percent, gardening at 15 percent, and entertaining friends and family at 14 percent. After making updates to outdoor spaces they use for personal time, people do more relaxing at 72 percent, spend more time with family and friends at 60 percent, eat outdoors at 55 percent, socialize at 48 percent, and entertain at 44 percent. Creating these functional outdoor rooms with proper shade protection maximizes the usability and enjoyment of every square foot of your property throughout the year.
Quality patio covers deliver additional financial benefits through furniture and equipment protection. Outdoor furniture and accessories represent significant investments, and covers help preserve their structure and fabric, saving homeowners from costly mid-season touch-ups and premature replacements. UV exposure fades colors and weakens material fibers, winter moisture encourages mildew, and consistent cycles of rain, dirt, and debris accelerate cracking and corrosion.
Studies demonstrate that outdoor furniture protection through shade structures saves homeowners 1,000 to 2,000 dollars over five years by reducing replacement needs. A well-designed cover shields surfaces from moisture, blocks UV rays, and prevents snow and rain from settling into seams where hidden damage tends to form. Many homeowners fail to realize that shade protection is far more cost-effective than buying new patio furniture every few seasons or constantly repairing cushions, refinishing wood, or replacing entire sets because of preventable damage.
The protection extends beyond furniture to include outdoor equipment, grills, and heating elements. Covering these items helps preserve mechanical components from rust, fading, and unnecessary wear caused by continuous weather exposure. For homeowners in desert climates like Pahrump, where dust and intense UV radiation create particularly challenging conditions, this protection becomes even more critical.
One of the most compelling advantages of alumawood patio covers is their remarkably low maintenance requirements compared to traditional materials. Alumawood covers are virtually maintenance-free, requiring no painting, staining, or sealing, with only occasional washing needed. Organic materials such as wood offer aesthetic appeal but are more susceptible to damage and lack durability, often requiring costly replacements every few years and frequent cleaning due to their sensitivity to powerful UV rays, mold, and mildew.
Estimated maintenance costs for different materials tell the story clearly. Do-it-yourself maintenance costs for alumawood remain minimal, limited primarily to cleaning supplies, while professional cleaning services typically charge 150 to 300 dollars annually if desired. Traditional wood patio covers require regular painting, staining, and sealing, with high maintenance demands and lifespans of only 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. The powder-coated aluminum construction resists rust, warping, and cracking over time.
Property owners appreciate that aluminum patio covers do not need to be taken down during colder months due to their durability to withstand any weather condition without visible damage. If cleaning becomes necessary, using clear water with a hose removes dirt effectively, and more severe accumulations can be addressed with a brush and mild soap solution. The integrity and color of aluminum patio covers remain long-lasting and do not easily fade due to rain or sunshine.
Pahrump’s desert location means occasional strong winds that demand robust construction. Professional patio cover installations must account for wind load specifications to ensure long-term performance and safety. The average wind rating for patio covers in the United States is 90 miles per hour, establishing the minimum standard for residential installations. High-quality aluminum patio covers are engineered to withstand wind speeds of 110 to 120 miles per hour, providing exceptional protection even in high wind areas.
Professional installation with proper footings ensures wind resistance that protects your investment during extreme weather events. Areas with 110 miles per hour wind ratings are considered high wind areas, typically coastal regions prone to harsh winds, though desert locations can experience powerful wind events during monsoon seasons.
The structural calculations take into account the local wind speed, the shape and size of the patio cover, and the materials used. The American Society of Civil Engineers provides guidelines in ASCE 7, the standard used for wind load calculations. At Snowden Designs, we determine the basic wind speed for Pahrump based on historical weather data, then factor in the importance category of the structure to ensure every installation meets rigorous safety standards.
The environmental advantages compound over the product’s lifespan. Alumawood maintains its appearance without repainting or refinishing, allowing homeowners to avoid the ongoing resource consumption associated with maintenance supplies, tools, and disposal of used materials throughout the product’s 30 plus year lifespan. The elimination of chemical runoff from wood sealants and paints prevents water contamination, supporting healthier ecosystems.
Choosing aluminum over wood helps reduce the demand for timber, contributing to the preservation of forests and helping prevent deforestation, habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions. The resistance to mold and mildew means alumawood does not require the use of toxic cleaning agents, further reducing environmental impact.
At Snowden Designs, we understand the unique needs and values of local Pahrump families. We know that patio covers need to be built to withstand extreme desert heat and winds. Drawing upon our extensive experience, we expertly navigate the challenging terrain and leverage our comprehensive knowledge of Pahrump’s climate and homeowner requirements. The Snowden name is well-known around Pahrump and is associated with quality work that lasts, with the Snowden family having been in Pahrump for decades and countless installations still standing strong to this day.
This recent dual patio cover installation exemplifies our commitment to excellence and attention to detail. The combination of substantial coverage area, advanced insulation technology, expertly executed structural integration, and sophisticated color design creates an outdoor living space that will serve this family for decades to come. The 656 square feet of protected area transforms previously underutilized outdoor space into comfortable, functional living area that can be enjoyed throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.
The science is clear, the statistics are compelling, and the benefits are undeniable. Insulated alumawood patio covers represent one of the smartest investments homeowners can make, delivering energy savings, property value enhancement, health benefits, furniture protection, and decades of low-maintenance enjoyment. Whether you are looking to create a comfortable entertainment area, extend your living space, reduce energy costs, or simply enjoy your backyard without the harsh desert sun, an insulated alumawood patio cover from Snowden Designs delivers exceptional value.
Contact Snowden Designs today at 775-537-8070 to schedule your free consultation. Let us show you how we can transform your outdoor space with the same quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that has made Snowden Designs Pahrump’s trusted name in patio covers, fences, and custom gates. Your dream outdoor living space is just a phone call away, and our team is ready to bring your vision to life with the durability, beauty, and performance that only insulated alumawood can provide.
Discover why homeowners throughout Pahrump choose Snowden Designs for patio covers that combine stunning aesthetics with unmatched functionality. From initial consultation through final installation, we are dedicated to exceeding your expectations and creating outdoor spaces that enhance your home’s value, comfort, and livability for generations to come.