Under Cover: Which Pergola Is Right for You?
A covered pergola can double the time you spend in your outdoor living room, but what coverings are there to choose from?
Joanna Tovia
29 February 2016
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
Whether you’re planning an outdoor entertaining area, or want to improve the one you already have, a covered pergola could be the missing ingredient that creates a versatile space you can use no matter what the weather’s doing. These inspiring options will have you transforming your own outdoor room before you know it.
TYPES OF COVERINGS
Transparent
Indoor-outdoor living is what most of us aspire to, but it pays to consider how the weather can change through the seasons when you’re designing a covered outdoor area. This glass-covered pergola attached to a stunning home in Perth lets the sunshine flood in when needed, but it also gives homeowners the chance to keep sweltering temperatures at bay. Remote-controlled retractable awnings above the glass are the solution to the intense heat, and overhead fans keep the air moving.
Learn more about this house
Transparent
Indoor-outdoor living is what most of us aspire to, but it pays to consider how the weather can change through the seasons when you’re designing a covered outdoor area. This glass-covered pergola attached to a stunning home in Perth lets the sunshine flood in when needed, but it also gives homeowners the chance to keep sweltering temperatures at bay. Remote-controlled retractable awnings above the glass are the solution to the intense heat, and overhead fans keep the air moving.
Learn more about this house
A simple and relatively inexpensive roofing option is transparent Colorbond. Pair it with a black timber frame for a contemporary look, or opt for a tinted version if you want to keep out those harsh summer rays.
Timber panelling
If shade is what you need to make your outdoor zone more useable, a timber-lined pergola could be the way to go. Consider incorporating a couple of panels of clear, corrugated roofing to still let the sunlight in though.
If shade is what you need to make your outdoor zone more useable, a timber-lined pergola could be the way to go. Consider incorporating a couple of panels of clear, corrugated roofing to still let the sunlight in though.
Plant cover
If you’re looking for shade but aren’t too worried about protecting your outdoor area from the rain, covering your pergola with vegetation could be an appealing option. In cool climates, The Drafting Studio building designer Paul Caracoglia suggests growing deciduous vines on a timber pergola – wisteria, for example, opens the area to the sun in winter but keeps it cool and shady in summer.
“Fruitless grape vines are great too,” Caracoglia says. “A fruitless variety means there’s no mess from fruit dropping or from birds feeding on the fruit.”
TIP: If protecting your outdoor furniture from the rain is a consideration, outdoor furniture covers are a budget-friendly alternative.
Gardens that bring Europe home
If you’re looking for shade but aren’t too worried about protecting your outdoor area from the rain, covering your pergola with vegetation could be an appealing option. In cool climates, The Drafting Studio building designer Paul Caracoglia suggests growing deciduous vines on a timber pergola – wisteria, for example, opens the area to the sun in winter but keeps it cool and shady in summer.
“Fruitless grape vines are great too,” Caracoglia says. “A fruitless variety means there’s no mess from fruit dropping or from birds feeding on the fruit.”
TIP: If protecting your outdoor furniture from the rain is a consideration, outdoor furniture covers are a budget-friendly alternative.
Gardens that bring Europe home
Alternatively, bamboo shading adds a textural element to a casual outdoor living area and can deliver the shade you’re looking for without busting the budget.
Battens
Timber battens won’t keep out the rain, but if shade is your goal, this is a stylish material to consider. The timber dining table and planter boxes in this Melbourne home’s outdoor entertaining area bring the look together.
Timber battens won’t keep out the rain, but if shade is your goal, this is a stylish material to consider. The timber dining table and planter boxes in this Melbourne home’s outdoor entertaining area bring the look together.
Timber battens can add a decorative element to a covered pergola, particularly useful if you’re trying to disguise a cheap and cheerful roofing material. The architects of this beachside home designed a series of interconnected decks, terraces and gardens to provide a variety of outdoor spaces for the homeowners to enjoy, and all have access to sweeping ocean and lagoon vistas.
TIP: Think outside the square when it comes to the design of your pergola. This one follows the line of the home’s roof to help it fit in. Unlike extensions, which can be successfully designed to contrast dramatically to the original house, Caracoglia suggests matching a pergola to the style of your house.
“I would try to match the pergola to the theme of the house; I’d look at what’s already there so it doesn’t stand out,” he says.
“I would try to match the pergola to the theme of the house; I’d look at what’s already there so it doesn’t stand out,” he says.
Metal
Laser-cut screens are a contemporary addition to outdoor areas, and they are favoured by architect Dominic Bagnato because they provide shade and privacy without blocking the light. Metal cladding is another option, Bagnato says. “Copper or zinc is the way to go if you are trying to show it off,” he adds.
Laser-cut screens are a contemporary addition to outdoor areas, and they are favoured by architect Dominic Bagnato because they provide shade and privacy without blocking the light. Metal cladding is another option, Bagnato says. “Copper or zinc is the way to go if you are trying to show it off,” he adds.
Carefully angled metal louvres can be a smart addition to an outdoor dining area, if keeping the western sun at bay in the afternoons is a priority.
Awnings and sails
A waterproof awning by Outrigger Awnings and Sails makes this outdoor area cool and comfortable, without blocking all the light.
A waterproof awning by Outrigger Awnings and Sails makes this outdoor area cool and comfortable, without blocking all the light.
The rainproof straight-batten sail protecting this home on Sydney’s northern beaches gives the area an upmarket look while helping to keep the house cool inside too. Well-designed, sturdily built sails and awnings can be just as durable as other pergola materials.
A sturdy awning like this one can cope with all kinds of weather, so you don’t have to panic if a breeze blows in and you’ve forgotten to retract the awning.
Lined
Insulated roofing can create a seamless effect between indoor and outdoor areas and can keep a deck or pergola far cooler than other covering materials. Lined ceilings can also be handy when it comes to installing lighting and overhead fans – there will be no electrical wires in sight!
Insulated roofing can create a seamless effect between indoor and outdoor areas and can keep a deck or pergola far cooler than other covering materials. Lined ceilings can also be handy when it comes to installing lighting and overhead fans – there will be no electrical wires in sight!
Lining pergolas with unpainted timber can add beauty along with protection from the elements. A lofty pergola that allows plenty of airflow and light will prevent it from feeling too dark or enclosed.
Louvres
Louvred pergolas, also known as Vergolas, allow you to control the light at will. At the flick of a switch you can close the louvres completely if you and your guests are caught in a downpour in the middle of lunch.
View more stylish patios
Louvred pergolas, also known as Vergolas, allow you to control the light at will. At the flick of a switch you can close the louvres completely if you and your guests are caught in a downpour in the middle of lunch.
View more stylish patios
Louvred pergolas can work just as well on traditional-style houses as they do on other styles of home.
See more of this entertaining area
See more of this entertaining area
Louvres can also be handy when it comes to the crossflow of air. Open them up to cool things down, and close them when you need a protected area away from the wind.
TELL US
How protected is your pergola? Tell us about it and share your photos in the Comments section below.
MORE
17 Outstanding Outdoor Rooms
Give Me Shelter: 10 Ways to Take Cover Outdoors
Outdoor Living Rooms Come of Age
TELL US
How protected is your pergola? Tell us about it and share your photos in the Comments section below.
MORE
17 Outstanding Outdoor Rooms
Give Me Shelter: 10 Ways to Take Cover Outdoors
Outdoor Living Rooms Come of Age
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We are adding a steel and glass roofed pergola to the south side of our Puget Sound home. We are designing for earthquakes and wind shear so the structure will be engineered (and costs to match) to withstand both. One item to consider is Pilkington self cleaning glass. It doesn’t stop debris from collecting but does help in the breakdown and rinsing of the glass with natural rainwater and regular cleaning. We selected tempered e glass vs polycarbonate to preserve and harvest the light without overly heating the space in the summer. The glass is used commercially here in the States but hasn’t caught on residentially unlike the UK where it’s been used for years. Our space will be 16’x24’ and include track lighting, infrared space heaters and a fire/fountain feature. We plan to use it at least 4 months of the year extending our outdoor season in rainy Seattle.
I live in southwest Florida and would love some suggestions for increasing the undercover space in my screened in lanai space. The existing space does not provide enough room for a table and chairs and conversation seating. Can I put a pergola or other hardtop structure under the screened in lanai?
A pergola is a popular outdoor structure that adds style and functionality to any backyard or garden. It is essentially an outdoor living space with an open roof supported by columns or posts. Pergolas can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, vinyl, and aluminum. In recent years, aluminum pergolas have become increasingly popular due to their durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal.