Why an automated pergola might be right for you?

Between creating a cosy cocoon and making the most of your outside space, relaxing at home can be a real balancing act! A pergola might just be the perfect option to prolong your time outdoors. Halfway between a veranda and a patio awning, a retractable pergola can act as an extension or a transitional space between the interior and exterior of your home. You can protect yourself from bright sunlight or the evening chill and create your ideal relaxation area.

How to choose the right pergola for your backyard?

 
  • Step 1: choose the model and finish that best suit your needs
  • Step 2: take the correct measurements for your new pergola
  • Step 3: choose the right motorised system for your electric pergola
  • Step 4: customise your installation
  • Step 5: choose a control option that suits your lifestyle
  • Step 6:  install your pergola

 

Step 1: choose the model and finish that best suit your needs

Decide on the position of your future pergola


On the terrace, by the pool or in the middle of the garden, you can choose to install your pergola in a variety of different spots. However, bear in mind that installing a pergola requires level ground to ensure proper anchoring. Whether you're working on concrete, slabs or simple pads, the base must be able to support a year-round structure. Depending on your chosen location, there are several possible solutions.

Tip: There may be regulations in your area governing how far pergolas must be installed from your neighbours. We strongly recommended that you do the necessary research before embarking on a project.

Attached pergola

The horizontal structure (roof) is supported by the facade of your home using wall brackets and by two vertical posts at the front. This option is generally more affordable and creates a real link between your indoor and outdoor spaces. You can find differents styles of pergolas with fabrics or bioclimatic.

Freestanding pergola

Built on four vertical posts, these structures are completely independent and can be installed wherever you like, as long as the ground is flat. They therefore do not rely on any walls, offering a separate outdoor living space to suit every season.

 

What type of pergola would you like to install? 

 

Roll-up or retractable canvas pergola

The pergola is fitted with canvas to protect you from the sun. This option offers affordable solar protection, folding away completely to let more light into your home during the winter months. If you live in an area that is exposed to strong winds, you should always roll up the vertical exterior blinds to avoid damaging the structure.

There are many different roof models in this range:

Italian style

This premium pergola is finished with taut canvas. It provides optimal protection from the sun, rain and wind.

Spanish style

A standard pergola with folding canvas.

Guided system (rail)

Halfway between a veranda and a pergola, this roll-up taut canvas pergola has a solid freestanding structure and is more resistant to the wind than italian & spanish style pergolas.

Pergola with tilting slats or bioclimatic pergola

This model offers the perfect balance between comfort and style. It allows you to make the most of your terrace all year round, whatever the weather. By tilting the slats, you can adjust the light levels and protect yourself from the heat. When they are closed, you will be sheltered from the sun, rain and wind. Thanks to its air circulation, this design never becomes stuffy. They may be more expensive, but bioclimatic pergolas are particularly resistant to temperature variations and have an extremely long lifespan.

There are two roof options for your bioclimatic pergola:

With tilting slats

This premium pergola option lets you make the most of your terrace or patio all year round.

With tilting and retractable slats

This system allows you to open a section of the roof thanks to its retractable slats. The perfect design to let in more light: you can tilt the slats or retract them completely.

Select the right material to build your pergola

To choose the best structure for your pergola, the most important factors to bear in mind are your lifestyle and your desired aesthetic.

  •  Aluminium: aluminium is a very popular choice for more modern pergola designs. This material offers a wide range of colour and style options, and it is resistant to both bad weather and thermal shocks. Aluminium may be more expensive, but it does not require any specific maintenance and tends to be more durable over time.
  • Steel: this material offers good weather and UV resistance and is easy to maintain. It is particularly suitable for freestanding pergolas.
  • PVC: cheaper than steel or aluminium, this material is easy to maintain but its lifespan is more limited: between 5 and 10 years.
  • Glass: these pergolas consist of a metal structure with panes on the roof and sides; they are halfway between a pergola and a veranda, as you can choose to add external shutters or blinds. 

Step 2 : take the correct measurements for your new pergola

Although they are typically made-to-measure, the average pergola dimensions are 4 x 6 metres, but it all depends on your chosen location. We also recommend calling in a professional at this stage of the project.

1. A minimum height of 2.20 metres facilitates air circulation and lets you enjoy your pergola without feeling cramped. Avoid building over 3 metres to ensure a good level of protection, and always ensure that there are no obstacles (e.g., swinging shutters, openings on the upper floor, etc.).

2. Then measure out your desired length, being careful not to overfill your garden: leave yourself some free space. Plan for a minimum of 1.20 metres to make the most of your pergola.

3. Finally, the average width of a pergola is around 3 metres. This measurement is important because it will ensure the stability of the structure.

If you opt for tilting slats, there are a range of standard widths to give you a clear point of reference. Made-to-measure options are also available.

Step 3: choose the right motorised system for your electric pergola

Automated pergolas' benefits

Somfy motorisations for your pergola's roof

ALT
OREA 60 RTS

Protect your patio and interior all day. Automatic management possible with a sun sensor or a remote control.

ALT
EOLIS 3D WIREFREE RTS

The most sold radio wind sensor for awning. Smart WireFreeTM product: efficient where it’s needed on the awning load bar.

ALT
Smoove origin RTS

With Smoove, Somfy provides new functionalities adapted to everyone's needs and makes it possible to control all the openings in the home and control most applications 

Would you like to add screens on the sides of your pergola?
Choose among our motorisations!

Step 4: customise your installation

With the addition of weather and temperature sensors, you can sit back and really enjoy the moment. The sensors are used to automatically open the canvas, adjust the slats, or roll up the canvas of your pergola. Even if you are not at home, they will ensure that your garden furniture stays dry and the pergola is protected from strong gusts.

And to prolong your al fresco evenings and personalise the ambiance, you can install LED lights on the slats of your pergola and connect them to a centralised TaHoma switch box. The Somfy lighting control systems are compatible with most LED lights.

You can even connect a Sonos speaker to create a warm and welcoming world all your own!

Step 5: choose a control type that suits your lifestyle

How would you like to operate your pergola?

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TaHoma switch

Upgrade your house to a smart home thanks to the TaHoma switch smart control. All you need is your smartphone to enjoy perfect control over your pergola. By connecting to the other devices in your house, you can check their position (open/closed) and adjust them. You don't even need to leave your deckchair anymore thanks to the automatic scenarios.

For example, you can automatically open the slats or canvas of your pergola at the same time as closing your roller shutters. And even pretend that you are still at home when you go on holiday.
Discover TaHoma® switch
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TaHoma app

Manage all your pergola and other Somfy smart products (lights, security system, sensors...) thanks to the TaHoma® app, whether you are at home or away.
 
Find out more TaHoma® app
somfy-woman-relaxing-on-terrace-outdoor

Voice assistant

If you like the idea of talking to your house, the TaHoma switch box is here to make your wishes come true! It is compatible with voice assistants, so all you need to do is say the magic word. From the comfort of your garden chair, you can activate the "Relaxation" scenario to close the adjustable slats or the upper canvas of the pergola to protect you from the sun.
Find out more about voice control
somfy-man-holding-remote-control-terrace

Controls

The Situo variation io remote control is ideal for pergola with tilting slats. The central thumb-wheel of the control is used to adjust the slats or the canvas to modulate the brightness. Allowing you to regulate a range of exterior equipment from the same control point, including pergolas, lighting and sensors. The "My" position on both remote controls allows you to access your favourite settings in a single click.
More about our Situo remote control range
somfy-hand-on-wall-switch-home

Wall mounted switches

You can control your pergola with the Smoove or Wall switch wall-mounted switches. The first one enables you to control one installation. Whereas the Wall switch io, which can be installed indoors or outdoors, allows you to manage up to three connected devices at the same time, such as your patio awning, your pergola, and your rolling shutters, reducing the number of switches clogging up your walls.
Discover our wall switches for pergolas

Step 6: call on a professional for the  installation of your pergola

 Do not hesitate to contact one of them for advice and to find out which interior blind to choose according to your needs and the configuration of your openings.

For attached or freestanding pergolas, we recommend calling in a professional to motorise and install your pergola. We have a large network of professional installers who can help you.

To request a quotation, fill in the form below and an adviser will call you back as soon as possible. These professionals will also guide you on the best solution to motorise your installation if you would like to know more before you buy.

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