Equinox Louvered Roof by Forever Pergola
vs.
Other Motorized Louvered Pergolas
Popular Louvered Roof Systems in this area are: Equinox, Struxure, and Hanso.
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Cost: - The Hanso Pergola is a much cheaper system upfront vs Equinox or Struxure, but the Hanso Pergola only comes in fixed sizes, cannot be customized, and should not be installed onto or close to the house for structural reasons. The Hanso Pergola is not even in the same class in quality of materials or durability, it is made out of material that is almost 1/4 the strength of Equinox. We call the Hanso Pergola a "Temporary Solution", not a "Forever Pergola" for other reasons I will get into.
Even though the Equinox Louvered Roof from Forever Pergola has a longer warranty, item by item than Struxure, we will typically be around 20%-40% or less than Struxure; and some of the same exact items can even be up to 50% the cost! Don't take my word for it, get a quote from both and you will have proof in your hands.
- One of the reasons for this may be that Forever Pergola orders their material direct from the manufacturer, eliminating the middleman and transferring those savings to our customers. Be sure to ask your Struxure dealer where they get their material from. Chances are they are a sub-dealer purchasing second hand from Struxure Ohio Dealer who charges them a premium and takes longer to deliver, not direct from the manufacturer).
- Another reason may be, unlike other dealers who install these systems occasionally between other work like awnings or sunrooms, Forever Pergola specializes in louvered roof installations and accessories ONLY. This makes our internal operational systems, crew training, and performance much more efficient. We have less call backs due to highly trained staff, and less overhead. We transfer those savings directly to the customer for a more fair and reasonable price.
Noise: You don't want to invest your money into a system that is more annoying than enjoyable. There are reviews online of noise complaints from Hanso and Struxure pergolas. The cheapness of the Hanso Pergola can make the entire system sway in the wind, creek, and rattle. Personally as a licensed builder, I would not recommend installing the Hanso anywhere near the home. The non aerodynamic "S" shape louver of the Struxure and the loose-fitting pin system for the other options is known to cause an annoying wind noise and possible rattling of the louvers on mildly windy days.
- With the Equinox, The solid commercial grade framing, thicker beams, smooth surface of the heavier dual wall & insulated louvers, along with the strong design of the well-engineered end caps eliminates this problem with Forever Pergola's installs.
Snow Loads: Buyer beware- the Hanso Pergola is only rated for 8.2 pounds per square foot snow load. According to your local building department, Mid-Michigan snow load ratings for new construction must be able to withstand 20-30lbs+ per square foot in lower/mid-Michigan (check your local code). Making the Hanso Pergola NOT suitable for Michigan weather per any building code up here.
-The Equinox pergola can be built to withstand Northern Michigan snow loads or higher, 80+ lb/sf ! You can be assured Each custom-built louvered roof by Forever Pergola will be engineered to exceed any local snow load requirements, with the louvers open or closed.
Wind Ratings: The Hanso pergola and other lower quality systems only have wind ratings of up to 62 MPH, max! One good storm and that "Temporary Solution" is now your neighbor's problem.
-The Equinox Louvered Roof system installed by Forever Pergola can be built to withstand up to 150 MPH winds!
Warranty: Hanso pergolas only have a 10 year warranty. Struxure Pergolas only offer a 15 year warranty on their structural systems and powder coating, less for their electrical components.
- Equinox systems built by Forever Pergola offers a 20 year warranty on all non-electrical parts and powder coating! And the structural components are built to last a lifetime. Forever Pergola will also extend any motor warranty to match all local pergolas on the market now with Equinox's upgraded "Somfy" motor system.
Project Timing: Other local louvered roof installers may want to try and give you a discount for a "flexible schedule". This might just mean they don't have a clue when you will be installed, and they want to get off the hook if it's 6 months later than expected.
-Here at Forever Pergola, we give you a firm installation window based on the order that you put your deposit down. Factors such as permit approval, and weather of course do play a roll in project timing.
- But we are so confident in our scheduling system here at Forever Pergola that we will discount your project if we are late on your install as long as all of the other conditions were met and permits are approved.
Dual walled louver VS Single wall Louver: Dual wall louver of the Equinox Louvered Roof provides:
- additional strength.
- more temperature control with its insulating factors
- and less moisture buildup underneath from condensation vs the single wall system from the other competitors.
-Equinox's smooth surface also allows better airflow through the system vs the non-aerodynamic s shape blades of the competition that can create noise in the wind.
Even though the Equinox Louvered Roof from Forever Pergola has a longer warranty, item by item than Struxure, we will typically be around 20%-40% or less than Struxure; and some of the same exact items can even be up to 50% the cost! Don't take my word for it, get a quote from both and you will have proof in your hands.
- One of the reasons for this may be that Forever Pergola orders their material direct from the manufacturer, eliminating the middleman and transferring those savings to our customers. Be sure to ask your Struxure dealer where they get their material from. Chances are they are a sub-dealer purchasing second hand from Struxure Ohio Dealer who charges them a premium and takes longer to deliver, not direct from the manufacturer).
- Another reason may be, unlike other dealers who install these systems occasionally between other work like awnings or sunrooms, Forever Pergola specializes in louvered roof installations and accessories ONLY. This makes our internal operational systems, crew training, and performance much more efficient. We have less call backs due to highly trained staff, and less overhead. We transfer those savings directly to the customer for a more fair and reasonable price.
Noise: You don't want to invest your money into a system that is more annoying than enjoyable. There are reviews online of noise complaints from Hanso and Struxure pergolas. The cheapness of the Hanso Pergola can make the entire system sway in the wind, creek, and rattle. Personally as a licensed builder, I would not recommend installing the Hanso anywhere near the home. The non aerodynamic "S" shape louver of the Struxure and the loose-fitting pin system for the other options is known to cause an annoying wind noise and possible rattling of the louvers on mildly windy days.
- With the Equinox, The solid commercial grade framing, thicker beams, smooth surface of the heavier dual wall & insulated louvers, along with the strong design of the well-engineered end caps eliminates this problem with Forever Pergola's installs.
Snow Loads: Buyer beware- the Hanso Pergola is only rated for 8.2 pounds per square foot snow load. According to your local building department, Mid-Michigan snow load ratings for new construction must be able to withstand 20-30lbs+ per square foot in lower/mid-Michigan (check your local code). Making the Hanso Pergola NOT suitable for Michigan weather per any building code up here.
-The Equinox pergola can be built to withstand Northern Michigan snow loads or higher, 80+ lb/sf ! You can be assured Each custom-built louvered roof by Forever Pergola will be engineered to exceed any local snow load requirements, with the louvers open or closed.
Wind Ratings: The Hanso pergola and other lower quality systems only have wind ratings of up to 62 MPH, max! One good storm and that "Temporary Solution" is now your neighbor's problem.
-The Equinox Louvered Roof system installed by Forever Pergola can be built to withstand up to 150 MPH winds!
Warranty: Hanso pergolas only have a 10 year warranty. Struxure Pergolas only offer a 15 year warranty on their structural systems and powder coating, less for their electrical components.
- Equinox systems built by Forever Pergola offers a 20 year warranty on all non-electrical parts and powder coating! And the structural components are built to last a lifetime. Forever Pergola will also extend any motor warranty to match all local pergolas on the market now with Equinox's upgraded "Somfy" motor system.
Project Timing: Other local louvered roof installers may want to try and give you a discount for a "flexible schedule". This might just mean they don't have a clue when you will be installed, and they want to get off the hook if it's 6 months later than expected.
-Here at Forever Pergola, we give you a firm installation window based on the order that you put your deposit down. Factors such as permit approval, and weather of course do play a roll in project timing.
- But we are so confident in our scheduling system here at Forever Pergola that we will discount your project if we are late on your install as long as all of the other conditions were met and permits are approved.
Dual walled louver VS Single wall Louver: Dual wall louver of the Equinox Louvered Roof provides:
- additional strength.
- more temperature control with its insulating factors
- and less moisture buildup underneath from condensation vs the single wall system from the other competitors.
-Equinox's smooth surface also allows better airflow through the system vs the non-aerodynamic s shape blades of the competition that can create noise in the wind.
Equinox Louvered Roof- Open and Closed
Gutter Systems: Hanso...Don't ask.. Luckily, both Equinox and Struxure have similar hidden water management systems. However, the cut off ends of the louver systems on the Hanso and Struxure often drip water back into your patio. And the raised height caused by the S shape single wall louvers of the Struxure can allow for more splash back into the patio. They also can potentially pour water onto your furniture or guests when the system is opened too soon after a rainstorm.
- Again, Equinox has an "edge", literally. The patented louver end plates from Equinox's dual wall louver provides a drip edge for water to drip down and flow effortlessly into the hidden gutters. So when shut, your patio will stay drier with the Equinox.
Aesthetic Appeal: In my opinion, the S shape louvers of the Struxure don't look like any standard ceiling, but rather more like cheep industrial corrugated sheet metal panels, and leaves large gaps for bugs or other things to come in.
- My Personal opinion is that Equinox Louvered Roofs are the best looking systems made today, hands down. And can be custom designed with other architectural details to look fantastic on any home.
- When closed, Equinox's smooth wall louvers looks like a finely crafted finished ceiling. When open, the flatter louver blades make it look more like a traditional stylish pergola with less shadow lines due to the 8" tall louvers vs 6" Struxure louvers. Allowing more light to pass through the Equinox system when you want the warmth of the sun.
Extruded Aluminum & Powder Coating: Equinox and Struxure both have high quality aircraft grade extruded aluminum and marine grade powder coated finishes with similar color options, but Equinox offers the 20 year warranty on their coating vs 15 year on Struxure and only 10 on Hanso. The Equinox Louvered Roofs also manufactures a heavy duty 4"x8" beam that is twice as thick (1/4") as the standard 1/8" thick Struxure beam, allowing for more custom configurations and longer beam spans with less vertical support posts and with less seams between sistering beams (leaks).
Technology Packages and Accessories: Hanso is limited to its accessories and technology packages. - Lighting and fans are also not easily integrated into the Hanso system or other cheaper models; and can look pieced together in my opinion. Not something I would want to put on a nice home. The heaters that they sell are only rated for around 5200 BTU- assuming it performs like the average 1500 watt heater.
-The Bromic 4000-6000 watt Electric heaters installed by Forever Pergola pump out over 13,700-20,500 BTU, meaning you would need around 3-4 Hanso heaters to compete with one of ours. Most commercial or residential pergola installers install the same heaters from Bromic because they are a high quality product. But most of them don't come with a temperature control dial as a standard option, just on and off. All of our heater installations come with the upgraded temperature control dials at no additional charge, and still at a lower cost. Most custom pergola dealers don't want to tell you that option will be an extra $1000 until you are roasting under 20,500 btu's of radiant heat.
- Equinox and Struxure both have similar tech packages including Somfy Motors. Both Equinox and Struxure also have rain sensors and wind sensors, and can easily be designed with lights and fans. But Equinox stands out with its solar charging, battery operated option. If the power goes out, you will still be able to operate an Equinox system.
- Forever Pergola installs also come with standard option of WIFI enabled LED lights and fan installs with the "Bond Bridge" connection hookup. Meaning all of your pergola accessories can be controlled with a single app. This is not even offered at any other pergola installation company, leaving you with multiple apps that can get confusing and less convenient.
- Again, Equinox has an "edge", literally. The patented louver end plates from Equinox's dual wall louver provides a drip edge for water to drip down and flow effortlessly into the hidden gutters. So when shut, your patio will stay drier with the Equinox.
Aesthetic Appeal: In my opinion, the S shape louvers of the Struxure don't look like any standard ceiling, but rather more like cheep industrial corrugated sheet metal panels, and leaves large gaps for bugs or other things to come in.
- My Personal opinion is that Equinox Louvered Roofs are the best looking systems made today, hands down. And can be custom designed with other architectural details to look fantastic on any home.
- When closed, Equinox's smooth wall louvers looks like a finely crafted finished ceiling. When open, the flatter louver blades make it look more like a traditional stylish pergola with less shadow lines due to the 8" tall louvers vs 6" Struxure louvers. Allowing more light to pass through the Equinox system when you want the warmth of the sun.
Extruded Aluminum & Powder Coating: Equinox and Struxure both have high quality aircraft grade extruded aluminum and marine grade powder coated finishes with similar color options, but Equinox offers the 20 year warranty on their coating vs 15 year on Struxure and only 10 on Hanso. The Equinox Louvered Roofs also manufactures a heavy duty 4"x8" beam that is twice as thick (1/4") as the standard 1/8" thick Struxure beam, allowing for more custom configurations and longer beam spans with less vertical support posts and with less seams between sistering beams (leaks).
Technology Packages and Accessories: Hanso is limited to its accessories and technology packages. - Lighting and fans are also not easily integrated into the Hanso system or other cheaper models; and can look pieced together in my opinion. Not something I would want to put on a nice home. The heaters that they sell are only rated for around 5200 BTU- assuming it performs like the average 1500 watt heater.
-The Bromic 4000-6000 watt Electric heaters installed by Forever Pergola pump out over 13,700-20,500 BTU, meaning you would need around 3-4 Hanso heaters to compete with one of ours. Most commercial or residential pergola installers install the same heaters from Bromic because they are a high quality product. But most of them don't come with a temperature control dial as a standard option, just on and off. All of our heater installations come with the upgraded temperature control dials at no additional charge, and still at a lower cost. Most custom pergola dealers don't want to tell you that option will be an extra $1000 until you are roasting under 20,500 btu's of radiant heat.
- Equinox and Struxure both have similar tech packages including Somfy Motors. Both Equinox and Struxure also have rain sensors and wind sensors, and can easily be designed with lights and fans. But Equinox stands out with its solar charging, battery operated option. If the power goes out, you will still be able to operate an Equinox system.
- Forever Pergola installs also come with standard option of WIFI enabled LED lights and fan installs with the "Bond Bridge" connection hookup. Meaning all of your pergola accessories can be controlled with a single app. This is not even offered at any other pergola installation company, leaving you with multiple apps that can get confusing and less convenient.
