Asked on May 22, 2016

Hanging lights, decorations or chandelier on a patio cover

V Valencia
by V Valencia
I have an insulated Alumawood patio cover where I would like to hang plants, lights, or other decorations from the ceiling or header beams. I am concerned that if I make holes in the ceiling, it will damage the material and make any warranty nil and void. Does anyone have any ideas for hanging items on this type of ceiling???
There is a manufactured hook for the non-insulated cover that slips in between the header and cover. The non-insulated cover has ridges where the top of the hook can fit. (Kind of like the over the door hangers/hooks.) But the company that makes these says they are working on a hook for insulated covers. So who knows when/if that will become available.
  8 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on May 22, 2016
    For the plants you can simp;y use shepherd hooks next to your patio. For light weight objects such as lights you can use command hooks for outdoor use. They just stick on your surface.
    • V Valencia V Valencia on May 23, 2016
      @Thank You Janet Pizaro I had thought about Command hooks, but I was wondering if they would adhere to the Alumawood surface. it has a bit of a texture. I am not familiar with Shepard hooks, I wll have to look into those. Thank you!
  • Jean Myles Jean Myles on May 22, 2016
    There are all sizes of 3M command hooks you can find them at big box stores and most hardware. They tell you on the package how much weight they can take. They are great I use them all-over .Good Luck
  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on May 22, 2016
    Hang them from your beams not the ceiling.
  • Cindy Cindy on May 23, 2016
    Shepard hooks are wrought iron hooks you put in the ground that you can hang you plants on. They come single and double hooked. I think the Command hooks will work on a light texture plus, they make hooks to hold different weights.
  • Bobbie Littlefield Bobbie Littlefield on May 23, 2016
    You could probably zip tie Shepard hooks to the columns- they come in extra long lengths. Command hooks coupled with smaller zip ties for lights and lighter things across the ceiling. Call the company and ask for an email from them regarding weight and command hooks/zip tie use on the ceiling etc. PRIOR to doing it. The email can serve as evidence of compliance and you won't be liable for warranty void. You could also "build" a 2X4 inner support structure with 1X1's for overhead and hanging plants. If it is a box it will hold weight-ramp up the lumber for more than 50# weight tho..ask your local lumber store ...
  • William William on May 23, 2016
    3M Command hooks won't work. They make ceiling hooks for smooth surfaces and only carry a light load. The Alumawood warranty allows for only one ceiling fan and nothing to pierce the material. You can build or buy fake beams and attach them to the ceiling by nailing or screwing them to the side walls across the ceiling, paint them the same color as the ceiling.
  • V Valencia V Valencia on May 24, 2016
    Thank you all for your input. All comments were very helpful!
  • Julies1949 Julies1949 on May 24, 2016
    You could place a tension curtain rod across from the outside wall trailer to the beam on the left. Use that to hang lights or plants.