Aluminum vs Glass Patio Covers: Which One’s Right for You?

We install both aluminum and glass patio covers, so we don’t have a horse in this race. Here’s an honest breakdown of how they compare — cost, durability, maintenance, and which one actually makes sense for your situation.

Quick Comparison

Durability & Maintenance

Aluminum covers are about as close to zero-maintenance as you can get. Hose it down once or twice a year, clear the gutters in fall, and you’re done. We’ve got covers we installed a decade ago that still look like new.

Glass covers are durable too — tempered safety glass can take a beating — but they need regular cleaning. In the Okanagan, pine pollen, dust, and wildfire smoke build up fast. You’re looking at cleaning every few weeks in summer to keep it looking clear, or paying for professional cleaning twice a year. For the full rundown, see our glass cover pros and cons guide.

Light vs Shade: The Biggest Difference

This is really what it comes down to for most people.

Aluminum blocks the sun completely. On a 38°C Okanagan afternoon, that’s exactly what you want. An insulated aluminum cover drops the temperature underneath by 15-20 degrees. Your patio becomes the coolest spot on the property.

Glass lets natural light pour through. Your patio feels open, bright, and connected to the sky. It still blocks rain and wind, but the sun comes through. UV-treated glass reduces heat, but it won’t keep things as cool as a solid aluminum cover.

Think about how you use your patio. If you’re out there for dinner parties and evening hangouts, glass is beautiful — you get the sunset and the stars. If you’re out there at 2 PM in July with kids, you want aluminum shade.

How They Handle Okanagan Weather

Both materials work well in our climate, but they have different strengths:

Snow

Aluminum handles heavier snow loads — 40-60 lbs per square foot vs 30-40 for glass. Both exceed what we get in the valley, but if you’re up near Big White or Silver Star, aluminum gives you a bigger safety margin. We break down the exact numbers in our snow load requirements guide.

Hail

Aluminum dents but keeps working. Glass can crack or shatter in a serious hailstorm. Tempered glass is tough, but it’s not invincible. We’ve replaced a handful of glass panels after bad storms over the years.

Heat

Non-insulated aluminum gets hot in direct sun. Insulated aluminum stays much cooler. Glass with UV coating blocks some heat but still transmits more warmth than a solid cover.

Wind

Both handle Okanagan wind just fine when properly installed and fastened. No difference here.

Cost Breakdown

Glass costs roughly 2-3x more than aluminum. Here’s what a typical 200 sq ft patio looks like:

The price gap is real. For the cost of one glass cover, you could do aluminum and still have budget left for outdoor furniture, lighting, or a heater. Check our cost breakdown for more detailed numbers.

Which Adds More Home Value?

Both add value. Aluminum typically returns 50-70% of its cost at resale — buyers see it as practical and low-maintenance. Glass can return 60-80% because of the premium look, especially in higher-end neighbourhoods around Kelowna and the lakefront areas.

Real estate agents here tell us covered outdoor spaces are in the top 5 most-requested features. Either material gets you that benefit. Read more in our home value guide.

So Which Should You Pick?

Go with aluminum if:

• You want full shade and the coolest possible patio
• Low maintenance is a priority
• You’re working within a tighter budget
• You use your patio mostly during the hot afternoon hours
• You live at higher elevation with heavier snow

Go with glass if:

• You want natural light and an open feel
• Your patio faces north or east (less direct heat)
• Aesthetics are a top priority and your budget allows it
• You use the space mostly for evenings and entertaining
• You have a modern home where glass fits the look