Seven Questions to Ask Before You Buy A Pergola

With the warmer days and longer evenings, you may be tempted to splash out on a pergola to relax in the garden or by the swimming pool.

Yet it’s important to create a checklist before you dive in headfirst and commit to a purchase, so that your pergola meets your exact needs and expectations.

1. Which direction does your garden face?

This may sound obvious but making sure you know how long you get the sunshine in your garden makes a huge difference to where the pergola is installed.

If you’re lucky enough to have a south-facing garden then you’ll enjoy sunshine for most of the day, unless there are structures like neighbouring buildings in the way.

In the summer, the sun can be relentless which is why pergolas are excellent for creating a shady relaxation area from mid to late afternoon.

North-facing gardens can feel shadowy and uninviting but pergolas are fantastic for framing the area where you receive the most sunshine, allowing you to enjoy the sun in comfort.

However, you will need to install the pergola away from your home so it doesn’t cast a shadow and block light during sunlight hours.

2. Will a pergola block light into your house?

Yes, if you install a pergola right next to main windows such as the sitting room and kitchen, then it will block light into the house.

It’s best to install the pergola at least 10 to 15ft away from the house so the light isn’t impacted at all – unless you want it to provide shade.

3. What will you use the pergola for?

This is important because its use will impact the dimensions and type of roof covering.

Do you want to use the pergola for morning coffee before starting the day or is it for evening entertaining? Or both?

The pergola may need to be big enough to accommodate a large dining table and several chairs as well as a sofa for after dinner relaxation.

If you’re planning on using the extra space for entertaining, then you’ll need to consider heating and lighting too.

4. Do you want to see the sky when it's fine or watch the stars at night?

If you love looking watching the clouds drifting above during the day and star gazing at night, then a glass roof pergola would suit you best.

Don’t worry about solar glare during the day. A glass roofed pergola can be fitted with external blinds which will block all solar glare but still allow you to look up at the sky and allow plenty of light into the structure.

Other people prefer to create a cosier vibe to their pagoda with the shade from a louvre (slatted) roof fostering a relaxed atmosphere during the day and snug one at night when the louvres are closed.

A fabric roof also creates a cosy feel at night though during the day, the view of the sky will be blocked.

5. What planning permission do you need?

Most pergolas are allowed to be installed under permitted development rights so you probably won’t need planning permission.

However, there are limits to height and how close they can be to a boundary wall. If they are 3 metres or more in height, they need to be at least 2.5 metres away from a neighbour’s wall.

If you plan to install one within 2 metres of a boundary wall, they can’t be any higher than 2.5m.

You can’t install one on a raised platform exceeding 30cms and they cannot be larger than 50 per cent of the garden.

Listed homes or those in a conservation area, national park or an area of outstanding natural beauty will need to get planning permission but this depends on your local council as each authority interprets rules slightly differently.

Lastly, if the pergola is attached to the house and extends more than 3 metres from a semi-detached or terraced house or 4 metres from a detached house, your council may classify it as a large extension, and you will need permission.

Our Calista experts can help you find out whether you will need planning permission.

6. What happens when something goes wrong?

Many cheaper pergolas only have a two-year warranty, but our pergolas are engineered for long-term outdoor use - with a 20 year warranty on the frame, long lasting materials, finishes and components.

The aluminium frames are very tough and the structure has integrated drainage, electrics. screens, glazing and lighting, making the technology invisible.

All these are selected for their durability as well as their aesthetic appeal, ensuring the structure performs as beautifully as it looks year after year with minimal maintenance

Our Calista pergolas are designed to be fit-and-forget, but if there are any problems, then our specialists will be here to resolve them. Our installation expertise and close working relationships with our suppliers means that you won’t be passed from person to person trying to find a solution to your problem.

7. Who installs it and what does that process look like?

Kensington Blinds will be with you from initial design to final installation, managing the entire process from groundworks, electrics and on-site coordination.

If you prefer, we can work closely with your architect, contractor or garden designer to ensure every detail is resolved as intended.

With over 40 years of experience and a long-established reputation for meticulous attention to detail, our role is to make the process straightforward, considered and precise, resulting in a perfectly finished outdoor living space which is built to last many years.

With wiring and connections pre-installed, installation is a smooth, rapid process.

If you’d like to talk to our experts about the Calista, please contact us.