5 types of durable, weather-resistant awning panels

Awning panels are specialized construction materials with high weather resistance, helping to protect and increase the aesthetics of the exterior of the building. There are 5 popular types of panels: Composite wood (combining wood powder, HDPE plastic and additives), Polycarbonate plastic panels (light transmission up to 90%), PVDF coated Alu panels, Cemboard cement panels and Panel panels.

A survey from Kosmos in the first quarter of 2025 shows that each type of material is suitable for different projects: wood plastic is suitable for townhouses and luxury villas; Polycarbonate is ideal for skylights and balconies; PVDF-coated Alu is suitable for showrooms and building facades; Cemboard is suitable for civil works and insulated panels are suitable for factories and industrial parks.

The cost of materials ranges from 150.000 to 2.130.000 VND/m² depending on the type, with the longest lifespan belonging to cement boards (up to 50 years). When choosing materials, it is necessary to consider 5 important criteria: Durability and weather resistance, thermal and sound insulation efficiency, suitable aesthetics, ease of construction and maintenance, as well as investment budget.

Composite wood paneling

Wood plastic panels for awnings is an exterior decoration material mixed with wood powder, HDPE or PVC plastic and a small amount of additives to increase durability, moisture resistance and UV resistance. This product has two main lines on the market: the type without coating and the type with an additional Polymer or ASA layer to improve resistance to fading and scratches.

This type of panel is shaped by a mold, with many surface types such as: flat (smooth surface, 2D printed or 3D embossed, striped) and wave (4 waves, 8 waves, 5 double waves, ...). The product is considered an ideal solution for exterior awnings thanks to its real wood-like appearance, water resistance and effective termite prevention.

Detailed ingredients for each product line of composite wood include:

1. 1 layer wood plastic panel: Composed of about 55–60% wood pulp, 30–35% HDPE plastic and 10% additives.
2. 2-layer polymer-coated wood plastic panel (2-layer wood plastic): Composed of 60% wood pulp, 30% HDPE plastic, 10% additives and a surface protective polymer coating.
3. ASA coated 2-layer wood plastic panel: Composed of 20% wood powder, 60% PVC resin, 10% additives and 10% ASA coating.
   

Polycarbonate plastic sheet

Plastic panels, also known as polycarbonate panels, translucent roofing sheet or translucent plastic sheet, is a synthetic plastic material made from polymer chains linked by carbonate groups. This material has a light transmittance of 85-90%, weighs only half that of glass (1,7-2,4 kg/m² with a 6mm thick sheet) and is capable of filtering up to 99% of harmful UV rays.

In particular, Poly plastic panels are highly durable, 50% lighter than glass, and can operate stably in temperature environments ranging from -40°C to 120°. At the same time, this panel also has an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years, contributing to saving replacement and maintenance costs.

PVDF coated aluminum sheet

PVDF coated Alu panels are aluminum alloy panels coated with PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) paint — a high-quality paint that is resistant to corrosion, UV rays and long-lasting color. Specifically, this panel has 6 to 8 layers including core layers PE plastic tightly bonded with adhesive, with 2 surface aluminum plates with thickness from 0,21 to 0,5 mm coated with PVDF paint with thickness of about 26 micrometers.

In particular, this type of Alu panel has a thermal conductivity coefficient three times that of steel, helping to quickly disperse heat, avoiding local heat accumulation, and thanks to the special PVDF coating, it still operates stably in a wide temperature range from -50°C to 80°C. With the advantage of color durability of 5 - 10 years, PVDF coated Alu panels are often used for awnings, building facades, advertising signs and items requiring durable and beautiful materials.

Cement board (Cemboard)

Cemboard is a lightweight cement board used for outdoor awnings. with common size 1220 x 2440 x 6mm and weight only about 24kg per panel. The main components of cemboard include about 70% Portland white cement, 27% cellulose fiber or wood chip fiber, 3% silica sand and some inorganic compounds. Cemboard panels have good load-bearing capacity, are water-resistant, fire-resistant and heat-resistant.

Insulated Panel

Panel is a type of exterior building material, often used for awnings. with effective heat and sound insulation. The structure of this material consists of three layers: two layers of galvanized steel or cold-rolled steel covering the two outer surfaces and a core layer in the middle. The core layer can be made from many different materials such as EPS, PU, ​​rockwool, glasswool or XPS, of which EPS and PU are the most popular for civil works.

The thickness of the outer corrugated iron layer usually ranges from 0,3 to 0,5mm, the core layer can range from 50 to 200mm depending on the purpose of use. In general, this is a popular construction solution in modern works thanks to its good sound and heat insulation and quick construction.

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of 5 types of awning panels

5 types of awning materials including wood plastic, Poly plastic sheet, Alu sheet, Cemboard sheet and Panel sheet all bring distinct benefits, serving different needs in terms of aesthetics and functionality. However, along with the advantages, they also have weaknesses that users need to consider to choose the most suitable solution such as high cost, complicated construction...

How to apply awning panels to each project?

According to Kosmos' survey based on many actual projects, the application of awnings suitable for each type of roofing material is as follows:

Copper Brown wood grain panel for awning application

Op148 wood plastic panel for awning

Application of flat profile wood grain panels for awnings

Porch ceiling covered with flat profile Light Wood plastic panels

Fluted wood panel 8S169X14 Golden Teak color

Beautiful and impressive faux wood plastic porch ceiling

>>> See more 9+ beautiful, durable outdoor wood plastic awning models and detailed price quotes

Frequently asked questions about awning materials

How to install porch cladding?

According to Kosmos's research from construction agents, The awning installation process generally has 5 main steps.:

1. Step 1: Prepare all necessary materials and equipment.
2. Step 2: Attach the frame to the ceiling with iron plugs.
3. Step 3: Arrange and install the load-bearing frame.
   
4. Step 4: Measure, cut and secure the panel to the frame.
5. Step 5: Use wood plastic V-shaped strips to cover the outer edges.

>>> See more about the process of constructing a porch ceiling using ASA-coated wood plastic panels: 

What criteria should be used to choose awning materials?

When choosing awning materials, customers need to rely on 5 important criteria to ensure the project is both durable and beautiful, including:

1. Durability and weather resistance.
2. Effective insulation and soundproofing.
3. Aesthetics that match the overall style of the project.
4. Ease of construction and maintenance.
5. Investment budget for materials and construction.
   

>>> See more How to choose durable and beautiful awning panels for balcony areas:

Should I choose solid or hollow polycarbonate panels for my awning?

If you need a canopy high durability, good bearing capacity, Please choose solid poly sheet. If you want Better insulation, effective heat reduction, hollow panels are the right choice. Both types have a light transmittance of 80–90% and a lifespan of 15–20 years. Article about plastic skylights There are detailed instructions on how to distinguish these two lines to choose the right one for each project.

Which unit specializes in providing quality, durable awning panels?

The unit specializing in providing quality, durable awning panels today must mention Kosmos Vietnam. Kosmos warehouse is one of the prestigious distributors of outdoor wood plastic and awning decoration materials with a warehouse area of ​​up to 10.000m², serving more than 500 agents and contractors nationwide.

Kosmos currently distributes two main lines of outdoor wood plastic for awnings: Kosmos wood plastic (launched in 2) and Galawood wood plastic (launched in 2019).

1. Kosmos Wood-plastic : This is a high-end imported product line, with a 5-year quality warranty. With the ability to resist water, termites, warping, shrinkage and withstand harsh weather, the product has a lifespan of up to 15 years.
2. Galawood Wood-plastic: A mid-range choice, made from 55% wood pulp, 35% HDPE plastic and 10% additives, providing a natural beauty like real wood. Kosmos guarantees the quality of this product for 1 years, with a lifespan of about 10 years and the ability to withstand outdoor weather conditions.

At the same time, Kosmos also provides products PU core insulation panel Specialized for wall and partition cladding for exterior areas such as factories, prefabricated buildings, cold storage, freezers, etc.

Kosmos warehouse distributes top quality, durable and beautiful wood plastic panels

Project applying Kosmos wood plastic panels to cover the actual porch roof

Choosing the right awning material plays an important role in ensuring the aesthetics and durability of the project. Each type of material has its own advantages and disadvantages, suitable for specific conditions and requirements. By carefully studying the characteristics of each type of material, comparing them with actual needs and budget, homeowners can make the most optimal decision for their project.

If you still have questions about wood plastic awning materials, please contact Kosmos at 0932 067 388 for detailed advice and best support.