Bob's Blog

New lighting System

Here is a picture of a new “PermaTraxx” lighting system we will soon be offering at Alumawood.com. Actually it is just the track we are offering, you supply the lights. The lights for this system are standard outdoor “christmas” lights.

Product Features

• Alumawood’s “PermaTraxx” looks similar to crown moulding trim; very crisp, neat & clean with no twisted and unsightly exposed wires
• PermaTraxx comes in either a superior RPVC (Vinyl) with added uv for fade resistance or an unfinished 24 gage galvanized hemmed (to help prevent sharp edges) metal.
• Each product material is extremely weather tolerant and high impact resistant
• Each box contains 6 each, 7 foot PermaTraxx for a total coverage of 42 lineal feet
• Comes in attractive colors for instant enhancement or paint your metal PermaTraxx to exact color specifications for visual obscurity
• Requires little to no maintenance and will last many years
• Get perfectly snug, straight and uniform lights almost instantly every time
• Lights stay in place until you take them down
• Significantly reduces safety risks and/or hazards by eliminating the need for awkward hammering and stapling (no more unsightly staples sticking out all over the place)
• With our exclusive accessories (coming soon), the possibilities will be unlimited with what you will be able to do with this system; example: discreetly run water misters, hang icicle lights, hang accessories and decorations, hang potted plants, have the ability to place low voltage lighting where needed, etc.
• Product soon to be available in flexible vinyl for perfecting curved radius’s

Newport header and hanger size

Here is a great question and a brief answer

Alumawood.com, Good afternoon,
We received our patio cover (newport), and the roll formed hanger is 181.25 in, but the header measurement (between the decorative end caps) is 164.5 in. Do we need to cut the hanger to length, and if so, what length? If we cut it, can the roof panels extend past the header?
Jeff

Jeff,

That is a very good question. Please be sure to watch our video clips and read the instructions at Alumawood.com. Here is a bit of an explanation…………

The header is 6″ less than the width of the cover, it sits in 3″ on each side, so the roof pans hang out 3″ past the header on each side. This is to accommodate the side gutter. A 20′ wide cover will have a 19′-6″ header. When installing the first pan and having it “hang out” 3 inches past the header it will seem real flimsy, actually you can barely attach it if you have beveled end caps………..don’t worry once all is installed and connected it will be very strong!

The hanger comes a bit long because the cover may “grow” a bit if you do not get the pans tight to each other. On a 20′ wide cover the 40 – 6″ pans may “grow” to 20′-2″. I usually start at the end that is most critical as far as where the patio cover is attached, like the edge of the house, etc. Start the hanger in 3″ from the corner of the house (because after the side gutter and side wrap are added to the outside, it will be aprox. 3″ wider that the hanger) So the final, overall size of a 20′ cover may be around 20′-6″ to 20′-9″ from the farthest outside dimensions.

Once you are ready to install the last 2 roof pans you will need 12″ of hanger to complete it. Measure 12″, mark and cut the hanger while it is against the house. If you cut the top and bottom you should be able to bend it back and forth a few times and break it off. This way you can finish installing your roof pans and come out to the exact length with the roll formed hanger.

I hope this helps, please don’t hesitate to email or call if you have any other questions while installing your Alumawood patio cover.

Enjoy !! Bob