Sun, Rain, Snow? We got you covered.
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Forever Pergola Customization Options
ACCESSORIES WE CAN INSTALL ON YOUR FOREVER PERGOLA
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Forever Pergola
vs.
StruXure & Other Motorized Louvered Pergolas
Popular Louvered Roof Systems in the Michigan area are: Forever Pergola, Struxure, and Hanso.
We only install our very own "Forever Pergola" Louvered Roof for many reasons. We encourage you to check the facts out for yourself. We are so confident you will be back and make the right decision that we'll provide you with our supplier's link and the competitor's links here:
Struxure.com
Hansohome.com
Protection from sun, rain, wind, snow at a fair and reasonable price.
COST:
STRUXURE X: Remarkably, the Struxure Pergola X can be up to 20%-40% more expensive than the Forever Pergola Motorized Louvered Roof - installed apples to apples. Don't take my word for it, get a quote from both and you will have proof in your hands.
THE FOREVER PERGOLA: is made out of a stronger grade extruded aluminum (6105 vs Struxure's 6063) Forever Pergola has a longer warranty on the marine grade powder coated finish, engineered to withstand up to 160 MPH winds, Northern Michigan Snow rated 80lbs/sf +, has a 100% guaranteed LEAK FREE water management gutter system (virtually identical leak points as Struxure), and uses the same Somfy Smart Control options, but we have a superior design in the dual wall louvers... So WHY IS STRUXURE SO EXPENSIVE??? GOOD QUESTION! Just because something is more expensive doesn't always mean it's better.
Be sure to ask your Struxure dealer where they get their material from. StruXure first has to ship their extruded parts from ASIA, then to their main dealers. Chances are your Michigan Struxure installer is just a sub-dealer purchasing second hand from the main Struxure Ohio Dealer "Altimate Outdoor" who charges them a SEPERATE MARKUP ON MATERIAL. Struxure and their dealers also spend Millions a year in advertisement, incur extravagant overhead costs, and pay separate sales people with usually little to no construction background who you will most likely never see again in the installation process. Then they transfer those unnecessary costs to the customer with inflated prices. SO, it's not that Struxure is better, it's just that more people are making more money off of you.
FOREVER PERGOLA: We are the Manufacturer and Installer. We are focused on producing a HIGH QUALITY, American Made product, not on advertising a chintzy overpriced asian made product like Struxure.
MASTERS OF A CRAFT: 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. So we have less call backs due to highly trained staff, and less overhead. The person who sells you this project will also be the crew leader and project manager- your point of contact on site throughout the build. Check out Forever Pergola's Design Process HERE:
Our unique approach to design/build lowers our costs and gives you a better experience and quality build. Plus, our marketing expense is very low, relying on word of mouth and customer referrals for our main source of marketing. We transfer those savings directly to the customer for a more fair and reasonable price.
HANSO PERGOLA or other internet DIY specials are a much cheaper system upfront vs Forever Pergola 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.
MADE IN THE USA?
StruXure websites may boast that their product is "assembled" in the USA, but not "Made". That's because StruXure Aluminum louvers, beams, columns and gutters are NOT "made" in the USA. If a Struxure salesman tells you otherwise, unfortunately they are not telling you the truth or they just didn't realize. Struxure material is extruded overseas in Asia from whatever particular factory is the cheapest at that time. Shipped and then "assembled" here in your back yard. Tricky word play to try and get you to purchase their expensive Asian made product.
Hanso and other online specials are also manufactured in Asia. Pretty much any louvered pergola available today was not "made in the USA".... With the PROUD exception of FOREVER PERGOLA!
Forever Pergola proudly Extrudes, Powder coats, and Manufactures our pergola parts right here in Michigan. Come visit the factory anytime! We are right down the road supporting our local economy.
STRUXURE X: Remarkably, the Struxure Pergola X can be up to 20%-40% more expensive than the Forever Pergola Motorized Louvered Roof - installed apples to apples. Don't take my word for it, get a quote from both and you will have proof in your hands.
THE FOREVER PERGOLA: is made out of a stronger grade extruded aluminum (6105 vs Struxure's 6063) Forever Pergola has a longer warranty on the marine grade powder coated finish, engineered to withstand up to 160 MPH winds, Northern Michigan Snow rated 80lbs/sf +, has a 100% guaranteed LEAK FREE water management gutter system (virtually identical leak points as Struxure), and uses the same Somfy Smart Control options, but we have a superior design in the dual wall louvers... So WHY IS STRUXURE SO EXPENSIVE??? GOOD QUESTION! Just because something is more expensive doesn't always mean it's better.
Be sure to ask your Struxure dealer where they get their material from. StruXure first has to ship their extruded parts from ASIA, then to their main dealers. Chances are your Michigan Struxure installer is just a sub-dealer purchasing second hand from the main Struxure Ohio Dealer "Altimate Outdoor" who charges them a SEPERATE MARKUP ON MATERIAL. Struxure and their dealers also spend Millions a year in advertisement, incur extravagant overhead costs, and pay separate sales people with usually little to no construction background who you will most likely never see again in the installation process. Then they transfer those unnecessary costs to the customer with inflated prices. SO, it's not that Struxure is better, it's just that more people are making more money off of you.
FOREVER PERGOLA: We are the Manufacturer and Installer. We are focused on producing a HIGH QUALITY, American Made product, not on advertising a chintzy overpriced asian made product like Struxure.
MASTERS OF A CRAFT: 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. So we have less call backs due to highly trained staff, and less overhead. The person who sells you this project will also be the crew leader and project manager- your point of contact on site throughout the build. Check out Forever Pergola's Design Process HERE:
Our unique approach to design/build lowers our costs and gives you a better experience and quality build. Plus, our marketing expense is very low, relying on word of mouth and customer referrals for our main source of marketing. We transfer those savings directly to the customer for a more fair and reasonable price.
HANSO PERGOLA or other internet DIY specials are a much cheaper system upfront vs Forever Pergola 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.
MADE IN THE USA?
StruXure websites may boast that their product is "assembled" in the USA, but not "Made". That's because StruXure Aluminum louvers, beams, columns and gutters are NOT "made" in the USA. If a Struxure salesman tells you otherwise, unfortunately they are not telling you the truth or they just didn't realize. Struxure material is extruded overseas in Asia from whatever particular factory is the cheapest at that time. Shipped and then "assembled" here in your back yard. Tricky word play to try and get you to purchase their expensive Asian made product.
Hanso and other online specials are also manufactured in Asia. Pretty much any louvered pergola available today was not "made in the USA".... With the PROUD exception of FOREVER PERGOLA!
Forever Pergola proudly Extrudes, Powder coats, and Manufactures our pergola parts right here in Michigan. Come visit the factory anytime! We are right down the road supporting our local economy.
WARRANTY:
-Hanso and other DIY Online 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. (They say "Lifetime" but in the fine print the expected "Lifetime" of their system is only 15 years)
-Forever Pergola offers a 25 year warranty on all structural, 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" control system.
LEAKS?
If you take a close look at StruXure and Forever Pergola louvered roofs, They both have virtually the same exact leak potential along the gutters/beams/posts, and the louvers both interlock (not possible to leak from either louver). Both Forever Pergola and StruXure have Solid Rigid gutter corners and we both use the same style caulking at the same leak points. However, our 4x8 beams reduces a major leak point by not having to sandwich multiple smaller beams together (very high probability leak point) like Struxure. But either way, the similarities of these systems is almost 99% identical and so are their leak points. It is all about the quality of the build and we specialize in these systems, never cutting corners here at Forever Pergola, guaranteeing a leak free system for the lifetime of the pergola.
-Hanso and other DIY Online 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. (They say "Lifetime" but in the fine print the expected "Lifetime" of their system is only 15 years)
-Forever Pergola offers a 25 year warranty on all structural, 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" control system.
LEAKS?
If you take a close look at StruXure and Forever Pergola louvered roofs, They both have virtually the same exact leak potential along the gutters/beams/posts, and the louvers both interlock (not possible to leak from either louver). Both Forever Pergola and StruXure have Solid Rigid gutter corners and we both use the same style caulking at the same leak points. However, our 4x8 beams reduces a major leak point by not having to sandwich multiple smaller beams together (very high probability leak point) like Struxure. But either way, the similarities of these systems is almost 99% identical and so are their leak points. It is all about the quality of the build and we specialize in these systems, never cutting corners here at Forever Pergola, guaranteeing a leak free system for the lifetime of the pergola.
STRENGTH:
SNOW LOADS: Buyer beware- some Hanso Pergolas are 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). 60-70 lbs/sf in northern Michigan. Making the Hanso Pergola NOT suitable for Michigan weather per any building code up here.
- Some Engineers do not approve StruXure pergola for any snow loads over 10lbs/sf because of lack of strength of their single wall louver design on longer spans. Most Struxure dealers will recommend you keep them open for the winter.
-Since Forever Pergola uses the stronger 6105 aluminum alloy vs Struxure's 6063, The Forever 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: 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. Struxure has been known to make rattling noises in mild winds.
-The Forever Pergola Louvered Roof system installed by our trained staff can be built to withstand up to 160 MPH+ winds!
SPAN: We can easily span 24' between vertical support columns with our 1/4" thick beams with virtually no deflection. Our standard 4x8 beam is twice as thick as struXure's 2x8 beam and 3x as strong. Struxure's 2x8 has a limited span capability of under 16' on it's own before needing additional beams or vertical support columns. What would you rather have holding up your roof?
SNOW LOADS: Buyer beware- some Hanso Pergolas are 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). 60-70 lbs/sf in northern Michigan. Making the Hanso Pergola NOT suitable for Michigan weather per any building code up here.
- Some Engineers do not approve StruXure pergola for any snow loads over 10lbs/sf because of lack of strength of their single wall louver design on longer spans. Most Struxure dealers will recommend you keep them open for the winter.
-Since Forever Pergola uses the stronger 6105 aluminum alloy vs Struxure's 6063, The Forever 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: 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. Struxure has been known to make rattling noises in mild winds.
-The Forever Pergola Louvered Roof system installed by our trained staff can be built to withstand up to 160 MPH+ winds!
SPAN: We can easily span 24' between vertical support columns with our 1/4" thick beams with virtually no deflection. Our standard 4x8 beam is twice as thick as struXure's 2x8 beam and 3x as strong. Struxure's 2x8 has a limited span capability of under 16' on it's own before needing additional beams or vertical support columns. What would you rather have holding up your roof?
Left: Forever Pergola Beam..... Right: Struxure Beam
NOISE COMPLAINTS: 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 over complicated pivot and link bar assembly from struxure, and non aerodynamic "S" shape louver of the Struxure and the loose-fitting pin system for the other options may be the cause of the annoying wind noise and possible rattling of the louvers on mildly windy days.
- With the FOREVER PERGOLA LOUVERED ROOF, The solid commercial grade framing, thicker beams, smooth surface of the heavier dual wall & insulated louvers, along with the simple design of the pivot system solves that problem with Forever Pergola's installs.
The over complicated pivot and link bar assembly from struxure, and non aerodynamic "S" shape louver of the Struxure and the loose-fitting pin system for the other options may be the cause of the annoying wind noise and possible rattling of the louvers on mildly windy days.
- With the FOREVER PERGOLA LOUVERED ROOF, The solid commercial grade framing, thicker beams, smooth surface of the heavier dual wall & insulated louvers, along with the simple design of the pivot system solves that problem with Forever Pergola's installs.
Equinox Roof's unmatched beauty for outdoor living.
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 FOREVER PERGOLA 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, our 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 9" tall louvers vs 6" Struxure louvers. Allowing more light to pass through the Equinox system when you want the warmth of the sun.
DUAL WALL LOUVER VS. SINGLE WALL:
Dual wall louver of the FOREVER PERGOLA Louvered Roof provides:
- Additional strength. Less sag to eliminate the "water dump" common with Struxure's system when you open it after a rain. And longer spans to hold snow loads.
- more temperature control with its insulating factors
- less moisture buildup underneath from condensation vs the single wall system from the other competitors.
-FOREVER PERGOLA'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.
- larger louvers of the FOREVER PERGOLA system also allow more sunlight to enter when opened, but same protection against the rain when closed.
- LOOKS: In my opinion, the Struxure pergola x louvers look almost like an industrial shipping container or cheap corrugated sheet metal when they are shut, not a typical patio ceiling.
- My Personal opinion is that FOREVER PERGOLA 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, our 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 9" tall louvers vs 6" Struxure louvers. Allowing more light to pass through the Equinox system when you want the warmth of the sun.
DUAL WALL LOUVER VS. SINGLE WALL:
Dual wall louver of the FOREVER PERGOLA Louvered Roof provides:
- Additional strength. Less sag to eliminate the "water dump" common with Struxure's system when you open it after a rain. And longer spans to hold snow loads.
- more temperature control with its insulating factors
- less moisture buildup underneath from condensation vs the single wall system from the other competitors.
-FOREVER PERGOLA'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.
- larger louvers of the FOREVER PERGOLA system also allow more sunlight to enter when opened, but same protection against the rain when closed.
- LOOKS: In my opinion, the Struxure pergola x louvers look almost like an industrial shipping container or cheap corrugated sheet metal when they are shut, not a typical patio ceiling.
Left: Forever Pergola......
Right: Struxure
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STRUXURE LOUVERS (SINGLE WALL)
FOREVER PERGOLA LOUVERS (DUAL WALL)
Forever Pergola Louvered Roof- Open and Closed
Keep your family or customers dry when you need it most.
GUTTER SYSTEM: Luckily, both Forever Pergola and Struxure have similar hidden water management systems great for commercial or residential applications. However, the cut off ends of the louver systems on the Hanso and Struxure often drip water back into your patio. They also can potentially pour water onto your furniture or guests when the system is opened too soon after a rainstorm because of the deep gully and week single wall louver design.
But Forever Pergola Louvered Roof has an "edge", literally. The louver end plates from our 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.
TECHNOLOGY 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.
- Forever Pergola and Struxure both have similar tech packages including Somfy Controls AND SMART WIFI. Both Equinox and Struxure also have the same rain sensors and wind sensors from Somfy, 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.
But Forever Pergola Louvered Roof has an "edge", literally. The louver end plates from our 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.
TECHNOLOGY 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.
- Forever Pergola and Struxure both have similar tech packages including Somfy Controls AND SMART WIFI. Both Equinox and Struxure also have the same rain sensors and wind sensors from Somfy, 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.
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