What aluminium buys over steel
Aluminium does not rust, ever, which is its real advantage in the Midlands mist belt — the persistent damp and morning mist that streak a painted steel frame leave aluminium untouched. It comes powder-coated in a factory finish that holds its colour without repainting, and it is lighter than steel, so the posts and beams look slimmer for the same span. That is why the upmarket, mistier Hilton and Howick homes specify it. The trade-off is price and, on very wide spans, a slightly heavier section to match steel's stiffness.
| Aluminium | Steel | |
|---|---|---|
| Rust in the damp | Never | Galvanise/coat to prevent |
| Finish | Factory powder-coat | Chromadek / powder-coat |
| Look | Slim, modern | Sturdy, traditional |
| Single price | R12,000 – R22,000 | R6,500 – R14,000 |
Aluminium and the Midlands rain
An aluminium carport still needs the right roof to keep the rain off — the frame is rust-proof, but a shade net or thin sheet on an aluminium frame will not keep a car dry. Pair the aluminium structure with a pitched, guttered IBR-profile aluminium or thick polycarbonate roof; the drainage reasoning is the same as for steel carports and is set out in carports for Midlands rain and mist.
Where aluminium makes sense
Aluminium earns its premium in Hilton, Howick and the Midlands — the wetter, mistier belt, estates with strict design codes, and homes where the carport is on show. On a value city stand, a hot-dip galvanised steel carport gives the same dry cover for less. Compare both on the carport prices in Pietermaritzburg page.
Common questions
How much is an aluminium carport in Pietermaritzburg?
An aluminium carport in Pietermaritzburg costs from R12,000 for a single and R22,000–R40,000 for a double, supplied and installed — about one and a half times an equivalent steel carport.
Is an aluminium carport better than steel in the mist belt?
Aluminium never rusts, which is its edge in the damp Hilton and Howick mist belt where humidity is hardest on steel. A hot-dip galvanised steel carport is stronger for the price and also lasts decades. Both need a pitched, guttered roof to keep the rain off.
Does aluminium keep the rain off?
The aluminium frame is rust-proof, but keeping the rain off comes from the roof. An aluminium carport must be fitted with a pitched, guttered IBR-profile aluminium or thick polycarbonate roof to shed the Midlands rain — a shade net roof only shades.