The long awaited summer months are finally upon us, granting us the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors well into those long, warm evenings. Although we typically think of this time of year as being the best for enjoying our outdoor space, this needn’t be the case.

Whether your outdoor space is a modest patio, a large lush garden or a pub or café terrace, installing a retractable roof pergola could provide you with a versatile, weather-proof solution that would allow you to make use of your outdoor space all year round, regardless of the weather. 

Pergolas are available with a great number of design options and features. Shade Space can design and install a huge variety of bespoke solutions, allowing you to really bring out the features of your outdoor space and maximise your family’s or clientele’s enjoyment all year round.

In this blog we’ll break down the different types of pergola design available, helping you to visualise each possibility in your own space. Remember that if you’d like to speak to someone regarding the types of pergola suitable for your space, feel free to get in touch with us on 0203 924 0000.

Pergola by roof type

Depending on the nature of the space you have available, the design of surrounding buildings and other criteria or restrictions, your outdoor space may be suited to one type of pergola or another.

Pergolas are differentiated by their type of roof and by the material used for the frame. The pergola roof types available are:

Pitched Roof Pergolas 

Pitched roof pergola systems are a practical, unintrusive shading solution. These pergolas require minimal framing and can project out to 10 metres without the need for additional framing. Available with a selection of durable fabrics to suit any setting, these systems are designed to endure even harsh weather conditions and include discreet guttering to discreetly drain away rainwater, stopping it from gathering in the fabric overhead.

Pitched roof pergolas can be fully motorised, providing users with a versatile solution at the touch of a button and can be complemented with lighting, outdoor heating and side panels.

Roll Out Pergolas

Roller pergolas are one of the most discreet and minimalist systems available. These systems are designed to provide full protection from sun or rain when extended, yet to be compact and discreet when rolled back. Available in a range of colours, these systems require minimal maintenance while offering full sun and rain protection with minimal visual impact.

Flat Roof Pergolas

Flat roof pergolas incorporate a square pod design which can be installed on the side of an adjoining building or can stand alone, offering a sturdy frame to provide a sheltered area on terraces, patios or gardens. Flat roof pergolas feature discrete guttering circuits that channel away rainwater, stopping it from gathering above the sheltered area and allowing it to filter away without causing a nuisance.

Each individual cubic pergola unit can span up to 5.5m in width with an 8m projection, allowing for several units to be connected to create large, bespoke spaces.

Louvre Roof Pergolas

Louvre roof pergolas consist of a frame incorporating motorised tilting and retractable slats.

These slats can be adjusted to tilt open, allowing light to penetrate or for shading to be adjusted whilst still letting light through. The slats can also be closed completely, providing a weatherproof space beneath, or retracted entirely in fair weather leaving an unobstructed sky view.

Available in a range of colours, retractable Louvre roof systems can be adapted to any style of architecture, subtly blending into their surroundings or standing out as a bold and modern design feature. 

Each Louvre roof unit can span up to 4.5m and project out to 8m, allowing the possibility for units to be fitted side by side to offer shelter for large spaces.

Motorised Roof Pergolas

Shade Space’s range of retractable flat roof, pitched roof and roll-out pergolas can be provided as motorised units, providing the user with automated controls at the touch of a button. 

Additional options to enhance user comfort for all types of pergola design include lighting, heating and side panels. These options help create fully personalised spaces adapted to any setting, providing year-round utility and comfort for any outdoor space.

Pergola by material type

• Available in a range of colours, wooden frame pergolas are ideal for transmitting a natural aesthetic and can tie in with a number of settings and building types: from rustic or rural surroundings to clean minimalist design. These frames are both elegant and cost effective, however a downside is that they can require more maintenance than aluminium frames.

• Aluminium frame pergolas are light, durable and resistant. Available in a range of colours to suit any setting, these versatile frames are extremely hard-wearing and weather resistant. A more expensive option than wooden frames, aluminium frames require little to no maintenance and offer the benefit of resisting temperature changes and exposure to sun and rain.

Regardless of your choice of pergola material type, all frame options can be either wall-mounted or freestanding. 

Add Heating and Lighting

Shade Space can provide integrated heating and lighting systems for all types of pergolas as well as side panels, making our pergolas a truly weather-proof space suitable for year-round enjoyment. Shade space can help you design an outdoor area suitable for enjoying long summer days that is just as welcoming on a cold winter evening.

Shade Space are proud winners of the BBSA Excellence Awards ” Best External Shading Installation  2022″. Our design team are on hand to help you truly make the most of your outdoor space.

For more information on any of our products, get in touch today! Call: 0203 924 0000 or Email: sales@shade-space.co.uk, alternatively send a Message via our enquiry form.