Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company

What Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company does

Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company is a privately held, family-owned American manufacturer of aluminum outdoor structural products, founded in 1946 in Souderton, Pennsylvania by WWII veteran Bud Stone. The company engineers, extrudes, and assembles waterproof aluminum decking, aluminum railing systems (narrow picket, wide picket, framed glass, and frameless glass), retractable awnings, sunrooms, three-season rooms, patio covers, canopies, solar shades, and pergola canopy systems using high-strength 6063-T6 aluminum alloy. Its flagship decking technology uses pressure-locked interlocking boards forming a watertight surface with integrated continuous gutter drainage, engineered for spans up to 30 inches on center and 240 psf live-load performance under IRC and IBC code standards.

The company operates two parallel go-to-market motions. On the consumer side, it sells under the Betterliving Sunrooms & Awnings and Aristocrat Awnings, Shades & Sunrooms sub-brands through a nationwide network of authorized dealers that hold exclusive territories and install products for individual homeowners, with no franchise or royalty fees. On the commercial side, a dedicated business development function (led by Director of Business Development Ross Lederer, a nearly 30-year company veteran) engages directly with architects, property developers, and general contractors to specify Craft-Bilt waterproof decking, architectural railings, and shade structures into multifamily, senior living, hospitality, and entertainment projects. Named enterprise customers include Pulte Homes, Senior Star, Holland Partner Group, The Daimler Group, Ellis Island Hotel & Casino, Defiance House Lodge, and TIME Family of Wines; a Canadian sister-company, Craft-Bilt Materials (Ajax, Ontario), serves the Canadian market.

Craft-Bilt monetizes through wholesale hardware sales of manufactured aluminum products, with dealers earning margin on resale-and-install to end customers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is supported by 101-250 employees and competes on American-made manufacturing, tariff-free domestic supply, code-certified engineering, low-maintenance lifecycle performance, and an established dual-brand dealer distribution footprint.

Name

Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company

Legal name

Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company

Website

https://craftbilt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company is a family-owned American manufacturer (founded 1946, Souderton, PA) of aluminum waterproof decking, railing systems, retractable awnings, sunrooms, and shade structures sold through Betterliving and Aristocrat authorized dealers to homeowners and directly to commercial developers, architects, and hospitality operators across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aluminum Outdoor Building Products

NAICS

Ornamental and Architectural Metal Work Manufacturing (332323)

akta.pro primary industry

Decking & Outdoor Structural Materials Retail (Composite, Railings, Posts) (CRAIAEAH)

Keywords

• Aluminum decking systems
• Outdoor living products
• Aluminum railing systems
• Sunroom manufacturing
• Retractable awnings

Headquarters

HQ city

Souderton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Aluminum Decking and Railing Product Sales: Craft-Bilt manufactures and sells aluminum decking boards, railing systems (aluminum picket, glass panel, frameless glass), and related structural components to authorized dealers and commercial customers. Products are sold as one-time purchases with a limited lifetime warranty.
2. Sunrooms, Enclosures, and Patio Cover Sales: Craft-Bilt manufactures sunrooms, three-season rooms, enclosures, and patio covers sold under Betterliving and Aristocrat brands through authorized dealers. These products extend living space for homeowners and are installed by the dealer network.
3. Awning and Shade Product Sales: Retractable awnings, fixed awnings, solar shades, canopies, and pergola canopy systems sold through authorized dealers and directly to commercial customers. Available in residential and commercial configurations with fabric customization options.
4. Dealer Network Margin: Authorized dealers purchase Craft-Bilt products at wholesale/distributor pricing and resell and install them to end customers under Betterliving and Aristocrat brand names, earning margin on the difference.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company designs, engineers, and produces aluminum outdoor structural products — including waterproof interlocking decking boards, powder-coated aluminum railing systems, retractable awnings, sunrooms and enclosures, canopies, pergola canopies, and solar shades — at its Souderton, PA facility. The company sells its consumer-oriented products through a national network of authorized dealers operating under the Betterliving and Aristocrat brands, and sells commercial products directly to architects, developers, and general contractors for multifamily, hospitality, and senior living projects across North America.

Product overview

Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company is a family-owned manufacturer (since 1946) of outdoor living products headquartered in Souderton, PA. The company operates two distinct go-to-market architectures: (1) Consumer brands—Betterliving Sunrooms & Awnings and Aristocrat Awnings & Shades/Sunrooms—sold through independent authorized dealers under long-term brand agreements; and (2) Commercial product lines targeting architects, builders, and developers, comprising Aluminum Waterproof Decking, Commercial Railing Systems (picket, glass panel, and frameless glass options), Retractable Awnings, Canopies, and Solar Shades. The portfolio is unified by aluminum construction, weather resistance, and low-maintenance performance across both residential and commercial segments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Betterliving Sunrooms & Awnings: Expand living space and enjoy the outdoors year round with beautifully-crafted sunrooms and shade solutions. Designed for lasting performance and everyday enjoyment, Betterliving products help homeowners make the most of every season.
• Aristocrat Awnings & Shades
• Aristocrat Sunrooms

Products and services

• Betterliving Sunrooms & Awnings Consumer sub-brand sold through authorized dealers, providing sunrooms, enclosures, patio covers, and shade solutions that expand living space and enable year-round outdoor enjoyment for homeowners.
• Aristocrat Awnings & Shades Consumer sub-brand sold through authorized dealers, providing retractable awnings, shades, and canopies engineered for outdoor comfort, style, and durability for homeowners.
• Aristocrat Sunrooms Sunrooms combining elegant design with low-maintenance aluminum construction, sold through authorized Aristocrat dealers for homeowners seeking to expand living space.
• Aluminum Waterproof Decking Residential and commercial aluminum decking featuring pressure-locked waterproof seals, built-in continuous gutter drainage, hidden fasteners, non-skid textured finish, and 6-inch-wide boards engineered for spans up to 30 inches on center. Cool to the touch compared to wood and composites and available in designer colors including Ivory, Gray, and Antique Bronze.
• Commercial Aluminum Decking Waterproof aluminum decking systems for balconies, rooftop decks, walkways, and outdoor common areas in multifamily, hospitality, and senior living projects. Supports 240 psf live loads on 30-inch centers and meets IRC and IBC building codes.
• Aluminum Railing Systems Powder-coated aluminum railings available in narrow picket, wide picket, framed glass, and frameless glass configurations, with continuous handrail crossover design, snap-in spacers, concealed hardware, and no wood backing required.
• Commercial Aluminum Railing Systems Aluminum railing systems for commercial environments available in aluminum picket, aluminum with glass panels, and frameless glass configurations, with factory-applied powder-coated finishes that resist rust, corrosion, and weather damage.
• Retractable Awnings Retractable awnings for residential and commercial applications, customizable with over 100 designer fabrics in the Craft-Bilt Northport Fabric Collection, providing adjustable shade for patios, decks, storefronts, and outdoor dining areas.
• Commercial Canopies Aluminum-framed canopies providing overhead protection for entrances, walkways, outdoor seating areas, and waterfront spaces in commercial environments.
• Commercial Solar Shades Solar shades with durable fabrics and smooth operation that control heat, glare, and UV exposure in outdoor commercial environments, extending usability of outdoor seating areas and gathering spaces.
• Retractable Pergola Canopy System Retractable canopy system that provides adjustable shade and sun control for outdoor hospitality and residential spaces, allowing users to manage sun, comfort, and ambiance while preserving openness and architectural character.

Quantifiable outcome

• Aluminum deck surfaces stay at approximately 98°F on an 86°F day in direct sunlight, compared to 106°F for untreated wood, 114–116°F for composites, and up to 124°F for stained pressure-treated wood
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Modern MetalscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerModern Metals of Everett, WA served as general contractor, designer, and installer for multiple Craft-Bilt aluminum decking projects including The Ballard Independent in Seattle (by Holland Partner Group) and 25 Degrees by Pulte Homes in Kenmore, WA. Described as one of Craft-Bilt's premier aluminum decking partners, having collaborated on numerous projects.
• Steelman PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteelman Partners, a Las Vegas-based entertainment architecture firm, designed The Deck Rooftop Bar at Ellis Island Hotel & Casino. Craft-Bilt supplied commercial awnings for the rooftop venue. Steelman Partners is described as the premier touchstone in entertainment architecture.
• ECL DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECL Development helped bring The Deck Rooftop Bar project to life at Ellis Island Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Collaborated with Steelman Partners and Bentar Development on the commercial hospitality project.
• Bentar DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBentar Development collaborated with ECL Development and Steelman Partners on The Deck Rooftop Bar project at Ellis Island Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, a high-profile commercial hospitality installation.
• The Daimler GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Daimler Group, a Columbus-based commercial real estate developer founded in 1983, specified Craft-Bilt waterproof aluminum decking for balconies at Harrison on 5th by Senior Star, a senior living community in Columbus, Ohio. Described as the developer with the most square footage developed in Central Ohio.
• Craft-Bilt MaterialscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCraft-Bilt Materials, based in Ajax, Ontario, is the Canadian sister-company of Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company. It supplied multiple retractable pergola canopy systems for Evolve Sparkling House winery in Penticton, British Columbia, serving the Canadian market with Craft-Bilt's product line.
• Modern Roofing & ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerModern Roofing & Construction of South Jordan, UT served as general contractor for the Defiance House Lodge hotel railing project at Lake Powell. Praised Craft-Bilt's responsiveness in supplying precision-cut aluminum to exact specifications and highlighted straightforward installation and superior material quality.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Trex Company: Trex is the largest composite decking and railing manufacturer in North America, with national retail distribution through Home Depot and Lowes. It competes head-on with Craft-Bilts aluminum decking offering (composite versus aluminum substrate) across residential and commercial outdoor living applications.
• The AZEK Company: AZEK is a leading manufacturer of composite decking (TimberTech), exterior trim, mouldings, and railing serving residential and commercial building markets. Its broad outdoor living portfolio overlaps directly with Craft-Bilts decking, railing, and adjacent product categories.
• TimberTech: TimberTech, an AZEK-owned brand, manufactures composite and PVC decking plus railing systems for residential and commercial projects. It is a directly overlapping competitor in the decking and railing category where Craft-Bilt competes with its aluminum alternative.
• Fiberon (Fortune Brands Innovations): Fiberon, part of Fortune Brands Innovations, produces composite decking, railing, and cladding for residential and commercial outdoor living. It competes in the same specification-driven decking and railing segments as Craft-Bilt, but with composite/PVC materials rather than aluminum.
• Deckorators: Deckorators manufactures composite and aluminum decking, railing, lighting, and accessories sold through lumberyards and pro dealers. Its aluminum railing offering in particular is a direct material-alternative peer to Craft-Bilts aluminum railing systems.

Direct peers

• Renson: Renson is a Belgian manufacturer of aluminum outdoor living products including louvered pergolas, sun protection screens, and ventilation. It is one of the closest international peers to Craft-Bilt in terms of aluminum-based outdoor structures and shade products.
• Sunair Awnings: Sunair manufactures retractable awnings and exterior solar screens for residential and commercial customers in North America. It competes directly with Craft-Bilts Aristocrat-branded retractable awning and solar shade product lines.
• Sunesta: Sunesta is a US manufacturer of retractable awnings, motorized screens, and patio covers for residential and light commercial applications. Its product overlap with Craft-Bilts Aristocrat retractable awnings makes it a focused peer for the shade category.
• Four Seasons Sunrooms: Four Seasons Sunrooms designs and manufactures sunroom and conservatory systems distributed through authorized dealers. Its dealer-based residential sunroom distribution model mirrors Craft-Bilts Betterliving and Aristocrat sunroom dealer channel.
• Feeney Inc. Feeney manufactures cable and aluminum railing systems, architectural products, and outdoor living solutions sold through dealer and commercial channels. Its aluminum and cable railing product lines overlap directly with Craft-Bilts commercial railing category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Craft-Bilt Manufacturing Company