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 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., Pergolas, often confused with arbours, awnings and even gazebos, are outdoor structures consisting of vertical columns that support a ceiling grid. This grid can either be left open, or covered with a canopy. Whilst a canopy will provide full shade, leaving the ceiling grid open will offer more sun. 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. It’s important that you carefully measure the space you have available before investing in a pergola. If your pergola is too small, you’ll find it difficult to arrange your furniture in the shade. If it’s too large, the rest of your garden may look small.

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. 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 What’s more, all Broadview pergolas come with a 5-year guarantee. So, in the unlikely circumstance that something is wrong with your product or installation, our team will resolve the issue for you, free of charge! Add retractable sides to your pergola Louvred roofs are made up of individual slats laid a small space apart. They work in a similar way to slatted window blinds. They can be tilted open or closed, depending on whether you want shade or sun. When the louvres are tilted open, you can enjoy fresh air and sunshine underneath the pergola. If you’re after full shade, the louvres can be tilted shut. Closing the louvres should also protect the inside of your pergola from rain. Some designs are completely waterproof.Pergolas are usually made from either wood, vinyl or aluminium, and there are pros and cons to each of these materials. Wooden Pergolas The canopy is made from polyester which is durable, UV resistant, fade resistant and water repellent. Light rain showers are no problem – the canopy can simply be pulled across if you’re determined to stay outside whilst the rain passes! The canopy can also be completely removed and stored when required. 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. 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. Roof styles vary as well. For a good combination of affordability, versatility and shade, I recommend an adjustable fabric canopy . These are usually made from polyester. Adjustable fabric canopies can be used to create full or partial shade and are easy to alter. They are usually shower resistant, so should protect the interior from light rain.

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. 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). Our B300and Sunrain pergolas with retractable roofs are manufactured to handle the variable British weather. The sliding roof is made from high-quality, waterproof and fadeproof material, whilst rainwater is channelled harmlessly away through a concealed guttering system to avoid pooling on the canvas.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. One of the best things about this pergola is its wind resistance. The powder coated crossbeam is very stable and the posts have pre-drilled holes for securing them to the ground. It’s been reported to hold its own well in windy gardens. 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. Once you’ve got the potential dimensions in mind, use markers to work out where the corners of the pergola will go. The PURPLE LEAF Aluminium Pergola is the best aluminium pergola overall, capable of totally transforming your outdoor space. It has a contemporary grey finish, retractable canopy, and stable freestanding design so you aren’t limited when it comes to placement.

They often house seating areas or hot tubs, and have a fully waterproof roof so that you can shelter from bad weather. Getting the Right Pergola Construction Material The assembly process can be a little time consuming. One thing that can make it take longer than necessary is that the holes are not always the right size. In some instances, they need to be drilled again. Generally, assembly takes around three to four hours which still isn’t bad for a pergola of this size. Helpfully, the instructions are relatively easy to follow. This pergola is capable of offering protection even in rainy weather. When the louvres are closed, the roof doesn’t let water through – likely to be a useful feature during our variable UK summer weather! This pergola has an integrated water drainage system on its flat roof that gently directs the water off the sides as opposed to down on top of you. For even more control, you can add integrated roller screens to the sides to create a new enclosed living space to entertain guests or relax. Choosing to add integrated LED lighting and outdoor heaters will ensure that you are able to use your pergola all year round, and not just during the warm summer months. 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

As mentioned, pergolas consist of vertical columns and a roofing grid. They are usually relatively large with flat tops.