ᐅ Cost of a patio roof / terrace covering

Hello everyone,

There is a thread about the company KD Canopies. In that thread, the low costs are often praised. On their website, you can see indicative prices of several thousand euros, for example, just under 3,000 EUR for a 300 x 400 cm (10 x 13 ft) canopy.

Now I noticed on a well-known coupon site that has also been selling all kinds of miscellaneous items for some time, a terrace canopy "Melanie" for 800 EUR.

You don’t need to talk me out of it right now, since a terrace canopy won’t be an issue for me until at least next year. But could you please tell me what the disadvantages are and calmly explain with facts the differences that lead to such a significant price gap?

By the way, they also offer an aluminum carport for 880 EUR...

Thanks and regards

Tolentino

Objectively, it could be,

- lower-quality components
- leaking roof joints
- no installation hardware
- no rainwater drainage
- no structural calculation of the framework
- no consultation
- an additional rafter placed crosswise
- T-beams used as rafters
- no product description
- etc.

Lower quality material (thinner)
Poorer powder coating
Delivery only, no installation service
No custom fitting to the house wall
Cannot be extended with side panels
No gutter system
No option for wall or floor mounting, resulting in no wind resistance
Your Melanie has plastic panels
Hardly any value
No increase in property value

It is simply a freestanding 3 x 4 meter (10 x 13 feet) unit.

ypg schrieb:

Delivery only, no installation offer
No custom adjustments to the house wall

But aren’t these additional services also available with KD? Yes, it says installation from 600 EUR. So with everything included, it could be significantly more expensive.

ypg schrieb:

Your Melanie has plastic panels

At the price I found for a 3x4m (10x13 ft) size, it’s the same with KD.

So yes, the quality will definitely be lower. But if I hire craftsmen for the installation and therefore leave installation out of the comparison…
Is this price difference fully justified by the materials alone?
I mean, it’s almost just a quarter of the price…

Tolentino schrieb:

But with KD these are additional services, right? It says installation starting at 600 EUR (about 640 USD). So with everything included, it might be significantly more expensive.

However, you have the option to have it done all by one provider.

Tolentino schrieb:

But if I arrange craftsmen for the installation myself, so let’s leave the installation out of the comparison for now...

Which installation? Your Melanie is freestanding. When a storm hits, it will break off.
That happened to us with a garden center pavilion.
I’m wondering what you want: if you just want an inexpensive sunshade, then go for that or an umbrella, whichever you prefer.
But others who have built a high-quality house want an extension that matches the quality. And they then choose a frame that is durable, looks solid, and is firmly attached to the building.

ypg schrieb:

But you do have the option to have it done as a turnkey solution

Okay, but how much more is a turnkey solution actually worth? And why?

ypg schrieb:

What installation? Your Melanie is freestanding. When a hurricane comes, it’ll just blow away.

The structure is made of aluminum and steel tubes, which a skilled tradesperson can properly attach to the house.

ypg schrieb:

I’m wondering what you actually want: if you want an affordable sunshade, then take that one or an umbrella, whichever you prefer.
But others who have built a quality house want an extension that matches that quality. And they choose a frame that is durable, looks solid, and is firmly connected to the building.

I’m not trying to save money at all costs. But I want to understand what I’m paying several thousand euros for when I could get something that serves its purpose for a fraction of the price.

Durability is relative. How much longer does a product that costs three times as much have to last? I don’t think lasting three times as long justifies the price difference (for example, due to inflation).
And a solid appearance isn’t always a sign of quality either.
I want to know if such a price difference makes a real difference in everyday use.
One actual difference I have noticed is that the polycarbonate panels on Melanie’s model are 7mm (3/10 inch) thick versus 16mm (5/8 inch) on KD’s. But what practical difference does that make? Do the panels rattle in the wind?

I’m not really an expert.
But if I compare this, for example, to audio electronics (which I know a bit about), I know that you can’t hear an acoustic difference between an $800 and a $3,000 amplifier. Still, people buy the $3,000 amplifier for reasons similar to the ones you mentioned above and are fully convinced it’s necessary and worth it (for acoustic reasons). Ultimately, though, you don’t hear a difference.

Or to use another analogy:
Am I comparing a DACIA to a BMW here, or to a Maserati?

Best regards and stay healthy!

Tolentino