Glossary of Terms and Definitions

• Alumawood™

  Alumawood™ is the Official Brand name of the originator in aluminum "simulated wood covers", Alumawood™ is available in Solid Roof Newport Patio Covers and Open Roof Laguna Arbor Lattice Covers.

• Aluma Wood (Aluma "space" Wood)

  Knock off Imitation, not Alumawood™.
  Note: Please read our article on How To Identify Alumawood™.

• Aluma-Wood (Aluma "hyphon" Wood)

  Knock off Imitation, not Alumawood™.
  Note: Please read our article on How To Identify Alumawood™.

• A-Rail

  One part of a two piece hinge for attaching to fascia that is not plumb.

• Attached

  Awning attaches to house/structure either at the wall, eaves/fascia or roof top.
  Note: To attach to eaves/fascia your eaves must meet the engineering for your awning.

• Beam Overhang / Cantilever

  The distance a cover goes past a header/support beam, typically 1' to 2'.

• CBC

  California Building Code

• Clear Span

  The distance from the house to the beam supporting the posts.

• Decorative Columns

  • Columns(Fluted FRP Classic): Fiberglass Reinforced Classic Round Columns with vertical lines/grooves, used to support the patio cover.
  • Columns(FRP): Fiberglass Round Columns.
  • Columns (Non-Fluted FRP): Fiberglass Round Columns without vertical lines/grooves, used to support the patio cover.

• Downspouts

  From the Gutter the water runs through the downspout(s) to the ground usually the downspouts will be attached to a post and secured with a strap.

• Eaves

  The overhang that extends from most house roofs; an extension of the rafters or trusses.

• False Rafter Tails

  Decorative Rafters Ends on the Newport Alumawood™ Patio Cover.

• Foam Insert

  Styrofoam stuffed inside sideplates to provide additional structural support.

• Freestanding

  Freestanding Awnings use no other structure to help support the awning and relies solely on the posts. For this reason the posts must be poured into a concrete footings, footing size will be determined by the engineering but is generally between 18" x 18" x 18" to 27" x 27" x 27" and larger per engineering.

• Gutter

  Attaches to the end of the awning pans, water runs in and is diverted to the downspout.

• Hanger

  Wall or eave attachment applications, hanger holds the pans at the house.

• Header

  Load carrying beam with post connected under.

• IBC

  International Building Code

• ICBO

  International Conference of Building Officials (has been eliminated from use)

• IRP

  Insulated Roof Panels, 3" foam filled panels used in lieu of flat pans to make a solid cover. IRP's aren't a deck however can be walked on.

• J-Hanger

  One part of a two piece hinge for attaching to fascia that is not plumb.

• Laguna

  Trademark name of the Alumawood™ Arbor Lattice Pergola Patio Cover.

• Ledger Wrap Kit

  Optional wrap to cover 2" Douglas Fir Ledger Board for Alumawood™ covers.

• Live Load

  Term referring to an engineering requirement of most building municipalities whereby the patio cover can withhold a certain per square foot live load, usually measured in pounds.

• Mill Finish Aluminum

  Aluminum surface that is finished to a smooth surface brushed or rubbed with various papers by machine; some brackets and other materials will come with a Mill Finish.

• Newport

  Trademark name of the Alumawood™ Patio Cover.

• Overhang

  General term for one object such as a rafter to attach on top of another object such as a beam and part of the rafter to project beyond the beam; the amouunt of the rafter projecting beyond the beam is the overhang.

• Post

  Typical support structure for traditional aluminum patio covers.

• Projection

  The distance out from the attachment point to the outside face of the gutter for solid roof patio covers or the end of the rafter for arbor lattice pergolas.

• Rafter Tails

  Ends of the Rafters of the Laguna Arbor Lattice Cover.

• Roof Rise

  The amount the roof rises over its total projection or the amount of rise per foot also known as pitch or roof angle. Typically a roof rise is spoke in terms of how many inches per foot; an example of this would be displayed as 4/12 rise for a 4" rise per 12" distance.

• Side-Plates

  Side-Plates or Sideplates 'sandwich' the 3" x 3" Alumawood™ Post, the sideplates are 2" x 6 1/2" and run from the bottom of post to the top of the 3x8 header.

• Wind Load

  Term referring to an engineering requirement of most building municipalities whereby the patio structure can withstand a certain wind speed.