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Vinyl is another good option when it comes to pergola construction. It’s become very popular in recent years thanks to vinyl’s low-maintenance properties. The downside to vinyl is that it’s less sturdy than either aluminium or wood. If you live in an area with strong winds or a high chance of heavy snow, you may find that a vinyl pergola gets damaged. 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. The freestanding and relatively compact design means this pergola can be installed almost anywhere. It measures 3 x 3 m so it’s perfect for standard gardens. It is 2.4 m tall which ensures there’s ample headroom underneath.
Pergolas help you make the most of your garden, providing light shade in the hotter months whilst also creating an inviting focal point – an area perfect for socialising and relaxing. Some pergolas will even protect you and your garden furniture in a rain shower, meaning you can enjoy your outdoor space even when the weather turns! If you’ve got a little more space, 3 x 3 m pergolas can also be suitable for small and medium gardens. As a rough guide, you can probably seat four to six people under a 3 x 3 m pergola. 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.Finally, we come to aluminium pergolas. These are our top choice for garden pergolas, for good reason. Aluminium offers the stability of a wood coupled with far less maintenance. They are rust-resistant and are available in a range of colours to suit both traditional and contemporary gardens. 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. 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.
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. 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. 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. This moves us neatly to the next pergola roof type – an adjustable fabric canopy. These can look very modern and stylish, although don’t generally offer as much protection as louvres. This style of pergola has a canopy cover that can be pulled across or retracted depending on whether you’d like to sit in the shade or sun.
My Top Recommended Aluminium Pergolas
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. 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. 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. Some adjustable canopies are motorised (which will cost more!), while others can be adjusted using a simple pull cord and secured in place. Weatherproofing
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. Wooden pergolas look beautiful decorated with climbing plants or festoon lights. Aluminium frame pergolas are typically more minimalist in design, but can come with the addition of a roof or side panels, ideal for when the sun starts to dip. Roofs and side curtains can be used to shelter from light rain but, primarily, pergolas act as a sun shade. Unlike a parasol they are permanently fixed in one position. This lets you create a dedicated shaded area where you can eat, drink, lounge or entertain, extending the time you can use your 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., Most louvred pergolas can be opened or closed by the simple press of a button or by turning a handle. Therefore, you can adjust the amount of shade you receive in seconds. The most advanced louvre systems have built in sensors that close the shutters when rain is sensed. 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.As mentioned, pergolas consist of vertical columns and a roofing grid. They are usually relatively large with flat tops. 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. Pergolas can either be freestanding or attached to a house. These create a shaded or semi-shaded space. The roof is traditionally flat, and they tend to have more vertical posts than arbours. The roof of a pergola can be left open or covered with a waterproof fabric. They are intended to offer some shelter, particularly from the sun.
With a sturdy aluminium frame, this pergola is stable and feels secure in various weather. There are four holes drilled in each foot base, but no screws are provided for securing it. These will need to be acquired separately. Pergolas can be either freestanding or attached to the side of your home. A ‘lean-to’ pergola is one that attaches to the side of the house, using an existing wall for support. 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 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. 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.
Pergolas are usually made from either wood, vinyl or aluminium, and there are pros and cons to each of these materials. Wooden Pergolas
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