Freestanding pergolas can be placed anywhere in your garden. In fact, having a pergola at the end of the garden is becoming a very popular garden feature. See a selection of our handy guides from creating a base area for your garden structure to everything you’d ever need to know about log cabins. If you’re planning to use your pergola year-round, a louvred roof is a good option. In the warmer months, the louvre system will protect against heat, but it can also help keep the rain at bay in cooler seasons. The Palram Canopia Sierra Aluminium Lean-To Pergola has a lean-to design instead of being free-standing. Lean-to pergolas make use of an existing wall and are a great option for putting near patio doors and extending your living space. This pergola projects 3 m outwards from the wall, with a width of 4 m. The roof is slanted, providing shade underneath even when the sun is low, while also allowing rain water to run off.

These easy-to-assemble, aesthetically-attractive garden structures can totally transform your outdoor space. Aluminium pergolas are loved for their ease of assembly and contemporary look. There’s a huge range on the market in various styles and designs. The difference is that arbours are freestanding structures that usually mark an entranceway. The roof is often arched, and they usually have plants climbing up and overhead. The sides can either be open or covered with lattice. Arbours are usually smaller than pergolas and not intended to offer much shelter. Your pergola should provide some protection against bad weather without altering your experience of your garden. The majority of fabric canopies will be shower resistant but won’t offer full protection from rain. Some louvred roofs can be fully waterproof – look out for a streamlined gutter system to allow rainwater to drain away.

This item is sold and dispatched by a Range Plus Partner

Your pergola will create a pleasant shaded area where you, your friends and family can relax away from the sun’s intense glare, instead, the dappled shade and a gentle breeze will create a thoroughly enjoyable ambiance. If there is a canvas roof, you will be fully protected from the sun and any summer showers. On the subject of weather, this pergola is also waterproof. There are integrated rain gutters and adjustable gutter heads, so you can still enjoy this pergola in very heavy rain. Plus, who doesn’t love the sound of rainfall on roof panels?! The only thing to note is that there will likely be a small gap between the frame and the wall of your home, so some rainwater may be able to get through. Some users have reported sealing this area with silicone. For more information read Martyn Loach's news blog here: Pergola Featured on 'Love Your Garden' TV Programme Why Buy From Us?

Form of extension - an attached pergola to the home could be bought instead of a permanent extension, this is ideal for dining and entertaining and Wrought iron can add an elegant touch to your outdoor space. These models must be anchored to both a wall and the ground. The aluminium frame is powder coated and resistant against rust. Each part is easy to lift, which makes assembly a reasonably straightforward task as long as you have a few extra pairs of hands. Assembly takes around five hours. All tools come included and there are four pre-drilled holes on the leg bases that allow you to secure it to the floor.

My Top Recommended Aluminium Pergolas

Wooden pergolas are usually made from pressure-treated wood to help resist rot, mould and bugs. Whilst they look beautiful, these garden pergolas still require a lot of maintenance. Even if the wood is pressure treated, it will need further treatments to prevent it rotting. With the right maintenance, wooden pergolas can last a long time. Pergolas with louvred roofs (like tilting window blinds) are often more expensive but they are good if you want more rain protection . When tilted open, louvres allow sunshine and fresh air into the pergola. If you want more shade, they can be partially closed. Fully closing the louvres should protect you against rain showers. For classic, English country garden style choose a round or hexagonal pergola made of wrought iron. Don't forget a pergola can also be covered with climbing plants. Thanks to this tilting louvred roof, this pergola can protect against a range of weather conditions. When the sun is shining, the louvres can be fully opened. If you’re after a bit more shade, the louvres can be partially closed. They can also be fully closed if the weather suddenly turns. Adjusting the aperture of the louvres is easy, using the twistable handle that hangs down (much like operating a window blind).

One of the key benefits of a pergola made from aluminium is that they tend to be relatively straightforward to construct. I hesitate to use the word ‘easy’, as these are still large structures that require a lot of care, but most come with pre-drilled holes and all the tools required for construction. For flexibility, choose a freestanding pergola . You’ll have more choice when it comes to size, orientation and location as they can be installed anywhere in your garden. Freestanding pergolas are also a great choice if you want to use the pergola as a main focal point in the garden. Bird droppings protection – in some gardens bird droppings create a lot of mess. A roof ensures the droppings remain on top of the roof and not on people, furnishings, etc., Aluminium pergolas usually have either an open roof, a louvred roof or an adjustable fabric canopy. Some pergolas can have a static fabric canopy which can’t be moved. When the sun comes out, the canopy can be retracted to one end using the pulley system. It can be either fully retracted or secured part-way, creating a smaller shaded area. Sun worshippers can get their daily dose of vitamin D, while those who prefer the shade can sit underneath the canopy. There is a little bit of ‘bounce’ to the canopy, so you may find that even when it’s fully retracted it still produces a bit of shade.For small and medium gardens, this 3 x 3 m Angel Living Aluminium Pergola is a great choice. It’s made from dark grey powder-coated aluminium that gives a modern, understated finish. The overall look is chic and smart, perfectly complementing contemporary garden furniture. If you’ve got the space for a large pergola, pergolas of around 5 x 5 m offer a bit more space for entertaining. These are more suitable for hosting a group of guests – you’ll be able to fit a larger dining table or furniture set underneath. Height of Pergola A pergola can be fitted with furniture, such as a garden dining set, for additional comfort and to transform your structure into an outdoor living space.

Whilst fabric canopies are often UV resistant and water resistant, they aren’t generally fully waterproof. This is important to bear in mind if you are planning on leaving your garden furniture underneath your pergola.If your pergola is near to your property boundary, you’ll need to ensure it doesn’t affect your neighbours. Oftentimes in the UK, structures that are within 2 m of the property line need to be under 2.5 m high. Otherwise, planning permission may be required. If you’re unsure, it’s worth reading the regulations for your local area. Measuring the Space The primary purpose of a pergola is to give character to the space surrounding your home. With this in mind, your choice of pergola will ultimately depend on the look you're hoping to create. However, another benefit of vinyl is that it’s generally very affordable. It can also be easily painted to match any colour schemes present in your garden. Arbours are also built with posts that support an open roof of either beams or a lattice, so in this sense they are very similar to pergolas. However they are more like ‘bridges’ laid over a pathway. Some adjustable canopies are motorised (which will cost more!), while others can be adjusted using a simple pull cord and secured in place. Weatherproofing