A buyer’s guide to pergolas - everything you need to know

Pergolas are an increasingly popular addition to outdoor spaces, offering style, functionality, and a touch of luxury to gardens, patios, and deckings. Whether you’re looking to create a shaded retreat, define an outdoor dining area, or simply enhance the aesthetic of your home’s exterior, this guide will help you navigate the decision-making process to find the perfect pergola for you.

In this guide, we uncover what a pergola is and what it can be used for, the different types of pergolas you can buy, the benefits of including one in your outdoor space, as well as some key FAQs that we get from our customers to make sure you have all the information you need.

What is a pergola?

A pergola is an outdoor structure that consists of vertical posts supporting a roof framework of beams and rafters. While traditional pergolas are typically open-roofed, some modern designs often incorporate a range of roofing options so that you can use your pergola in all weathers for a variety of uses. Pergolas are versatile and can be freestanding within your garden, or attached directly to your property to create an indoor-outdoor appeal with many practical benefits too.

A pergola in your garden offers the combined benefits of a patio awning and a veranda when attached to your property. If freestanding, it creates a separate, dedicated space within your garden, perfect for relaxation and entertaining.

An elevated garden space, hassle-free

A pergola creates a defined area in your outdoor space for you to relax, dine and entertain, without the need for intensive building works and maintenance. This means you can elevate your garden without the cost, mess and inconvenience that may come with other build types. You can create a further cohesive look to the space by adding complementary or matching furniture to make a luxurious space you’ll love to dwell in.

Additional shade and shelter

They provide relief from direct sunlight and can be customised with screens, and louvred and retractable roofs. Hanging plants from your structure can also provide added shade while still bringing the beauty of nature right to your doorstep.

Increased property value

A well-designed and properly-installed pergola can help to boost your home’s appeal to potential buyers. It is an additional attractive feature that would otherwise have to be installed by prospective buyers and therefore has the potential to increase your home’s market value.

Unique garden feature

Available in a variety of materials, sizes, and styles (all of which we’ll get into later in this guide), pergolas can complement any outdoor aesthetic and create a unique design feature themselves.

Ease of installation

A pergola can be installed in just a matter of hours. This means you can quickly create an addition to your space that will have a big impact on its look and feel without the need for time-consuming renovation works.

Improved privacy

With the addition of curtains or screens, pergolas can offer a more secluded outdoor space. This is particularly beneficial for those who have a garden that is overlooked by neighbouring properties, providing an additional layer of privacy in addition to your fencing.

What are the different uses for a pergola?

Pergolas are a really versatile structure for you to build around and create exactly the kind of outdoor space you desire. Here are just some of ideas for how you can use a pergola:

As a summer house or outdoor living room

Add comfortable sofas, or weather-proof bean bags, as well as an outdoor rug and tables to create a unique area to relax in while reading or chatting with friends and family.

For outdoor dining and entertaining

Create a sheltered haven in your garden with a big dining table and chairs set so you can enjoy alfresco dining with a purpose-built, dedicated space.

Housing an outdoor kitchen

From barbecues to pizza ovens and firepits, you can create a whole outdoor kitchen from which to prepare meals for your friends and family with the shelter of a pergola. 

To create a poolside lounge

If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor pool, you can use a pergola to create a unique lounge, adding space to dry off and sunbathe.

Create a cosy fire pit setup

Add a firepit within your pergola to create a warm, inviting space to sit out in long after the sun has gone down and keep nice and warm. These are just a few of the many uses, but get creative with it to design a space that is truly unique to you.

Where to put a pergola?

As mentioned above, you can choose a wall-mounted pergola to create an extension of your home. This is great if you want to create an outdoor living space that is easily accessible directly from your patio doors. You can also create a freestanding structure in the centre of your garden or tucked into a corner depending on your preference.

Where you place your pergola will depend on its intended use, for example if you’re creating a luxurious retreat to enjoy sunny weather solo, then placing it in a corner will add an extra sense of privacy and cosiness. However, if you wish to create a big space to entertain a large volume of guests, then placing it next to your entryway for easy access to the indoor kitchen is a good idea, or perhaps having it standing in the centre of your garden to ensure ample space around it for guests to mingle.

Does it matter which way a pergola faces?

Again, this depends on the intended use and the direction in which your property faces. If you’re looking to soak up sun with your pergola space, then you’ll want to consider which parts of your garden get the most light. The same can be said if you intend for your pergola to be a shaded seclusion, consider areas you know are in direct sunlight and avoid these.

What to look for when buying a pergolas: Compare pergola options at ATM Living

In this section, we detail all the factors and features for you to take into consideration when looking for a pergola. We also compare and explain the ins and outs of the pergolas for sale at ATM Living; the Hemera, Neptune, Galaxy, Zeus, Athena and Artemis.

Material: What kind of pergolas lasts the longest?

All of our pergolas are constructed from high-grade powder-coated aluminium. This material is perfect for outdoor furniture because of its weatherproof qualities. Come rain or shine, your aluminium pergola will be able to withstand the elements and won’t become subject to rotting or damp like some wood structures may experience.

Aluminium is a strong, durable material designed to last for years to come. The appearance of aluminium pergolas is sleek and stylish and will add a modern flair. One of the main reasons that an aluminium pergola makes a great addition to outdoor spaces is that it can complement rattan, aluminium and fabric furniture sets, so you can ensure your outdoor space is cohesively designed for a refined look. Another standout quality of aluminium pergolas is that they require minimum maintenance.

Pergola roofing options

As we all know, British weather can be highly unpredictable. We can experience bright blue skies and sunshine, and then within minutes, grey clouds loom with unexpected rain spells. A great solution to make the most of your outdoor space all year-round is an aluminium pergola with a louvred roof.

At ATM Living, we offer two different types of louvred roofs - manual and motorised. We have listed each of our pergolas below and the type of louvred roof it features: