Top five things to consider when buying a pergola….
- How much do you want to spend? You can pick up a fabric shade pergola at your local DIY centre for under £500 if you’re looking for some temporary shade. We offer solid aluminium pergolas, starting from £1,500. Our ‘base’ model features louvres so you can choose from sun or shade and has the option to add blinds to the sides later. Our premium model, the Whichford Luxe, starts at £4,950 and is an all-round larger model with wider posts and louvres as well as being taller overall. It also comes with blinds on all sides so is ideal if being position away from a house.
- How will you be using your pergola? Depending on how you will be using your pergola affects which time of day you might be most likely to spend time under it, which brings me nicely on to...
- Which direction is your garden facing? It might seem a little obvious, but the sun isn't always high in the sky. Depending on which way your garden faces and where your pergola is will impact how much the pergola can be shaded by louvres alone. For example, in my west-facing garden the seating under half of the pergola is in the sun from 3pm and with a little one I would rather have shade, so I chose blinds to ensure I have the option for shade all day if needed.
- Which way the louvres face – most pergolas can be turned to be positioned for optimal sun or shade. The louvres will let more or less light in depending on their direction. Be sure to check this works for you and that when it is in position that you can reach the handle to also turn the louvres.
- What surface you are securing to - pergolas need to be built on a flat surface, very flat if you’re installing blinds to ensure they can pull down square to the posts. Each leg of the pergola will need to be secured to the ground using bolts and this can be done on decking, natural stone, or porcelain, using the right equipment.