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.

There are a couple of different structural designs to choose from. You’ll need to decide between a lean-to or a freestanding pergola . If you want the pergola to act as an extension of your interior space, lean-to pergolas are a great choice. The downside is that you’re limited on where you can install these – they need to be erected against an existing wall. 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. Once you’ve got the potential dimensions in mind, use markers to work out where the corners of the pergola will go. 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. 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.

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. 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). 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. We are a leading supplier of pergolas with retractable roofs in the South. The pergolas we install arefrom renowned European manufacturer, Brustor, who specialise in metal, aluminium pergolas. Our domestic garden shading products are modern, durable and easy to operate at the touch of a button, making them an excellent fit for almost any home. 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.

Then, put your existing garden furniture into the space and see how it looks. The furniture should fit comfortably underneath. Choosing the Right Style Pergola Design 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. 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. Made from high-quality aluminium, this pergola is both lightweight and stable. According to SORARA, it is also resistant to a wind force of 120 km/h (75 mph). It’s supplied with expansion bolts to attach it to the ground, and assembly is relatively straight forward. It takes approximately three hours to put together. Wind protection is also very important. A high quality pergola that’s correctly put together should be stable and strong. Freestanding pergolas tend to be less wind resistant than lean-to pergolas, but unless you live in an extremely exposed area, both styles are considered appropriate.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. Maintenance-free - they are almost maintenance-free, once installed your pergola will require minimal care Value for money - pergolas are remarkably low priced and are a very cost-effective garden building investment that will add appeal when selling your home 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 It will only offer protection from light showers. There are drainage holes in the canopy to prevent it from getting weighed down and damaged if there is heavier rain. Just be warned that these drainage holes can drain onto you if you are trying to sit under the cover during a heavy rain shower!