The trouble with the British weather is that you can set up your patio for al fresco dining only to have to bring everything back inside because a rainstorm rolls through. A retractable pergola is one of the best solutions to this problem. The roof can be closed to provide full coverage and opened for an unobstructed view of the sky.
Louvres or fabric?
Louvered aluminum pergolas and retractable fabric pergolas are the two options you can choose from.
The roof of a louvered pergola consists of slats that tilt. When opened, they can provide dappled shade and airflow. If the slats are closed, they fully overlap and the roof becomes watertight. The better louvered pergolas have integrated drainage systems to keep water from cascading off the edge of the roof. Most of the louvered pergolas you will see are motorized. Some louvered pergolas have integrated rain sensors that will automatically close the roof if it is left open.
The second type is of retractable canopy systems, in which a fabric roof folds back along a track on the frame. Because of the design, they tend to be lighter, cheaper, and more aesthetically pleasing. However, due to the fabric, they tend to be less wind resistant. So, they must be fully closed when the wind picks up.
If it were my garden, and I could afford it, I would pick a louvered system. The fabric systems look nice, but you will be thankful for an aluminum slat roof on all the days you would have spent in the house.
Design a pergola to the span that you are planning to build. Don’t be surprised by the extra load bearing requirements of a system that is much wider than what you planned for, simply because that width looked good from the pictures.
Where it is going is also important. Wall mounted systems usually have an opening that is in line with a back door, while free standing systems can be put anywhere. Make sure older brick systems can still support a newer pergola.
Usually, the features are not built in. For evening use, the integrated LED strips are also an attractive design feature. Screens, either glass or fabric, can be used to create a fully enclosed system to withstand winter weather. The pergola is designed for winter use, in the end.
What about planning permission?
Usually, you won’t need to apply for planning permission for a pergola because they are considered a part of permitted development. However, the location of your property, a pergola’s height, and its proximity to your property’s boundary can impact this rule. It’s smart to give your local planning office a quick call to double check, as this only takes about 5 minutes.
These structures are expensive, especially high-quality, fully louvered models. Unlike a patio umbrella, which you only use a couple times a year, your outdoor pergola will expand your outdoor usability. This will likely determine how often your outdoor space gets used during the more unpredictable months of the year, like April or the autumn months as well.