Outsunny Outdoor Retractable Pergola Garden Gazebo with Two Adjustable Side Canopy Overhead Sun Shade Backyard Canopy Cover, Steel Khaki 2.96x2.45x2.3m

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Powder-coated steel has the advantage of being lightweight and corrosion-resistant, although you will have to take care to avoid scratches. Steel can add a contemporary edge to the structure and your garden décor as a whole. Roof styles vary as well. For a good combination of affordability, versatility and shade, I recommend an adjustable fabric canopy . These are usually made from polyester. Adjustable fabric canopies can be used to create full or partial shade and are easy to alter. They are usually shower resistant, so should protect the interior from light rain. The aluminium frame is powder coated and resistant against rust. Each part is easy to lift, which makes assembly a reasonably straightforward task as long as you have a few extra pairs of hands. Assembly takes around five hours. All tools come included and there are four pre-drilled holes on the leg bases that allow you to secure it to the floor. The downside to a louvred roof is that you can’t accommodate different people’s preferences under the same roof. This is because all the louvre slats move together, creating the same level of shade for everyone sitting underneath. Adjustable fabric canopies, on the other hand, can be pulled part-way across (providing a small amount of shade at one end).

The freestanding and relatively compact design means this pergola can be installed almost anywhere. It measures 3 x 3 m so it’s perfect for standard gardens. It is 2.4 m tall which ensures there’s ample headroom underneath. The assembly process can be a little time consuming. One thing that can make it take longer than necessary is that the holes are not always the right size. In some instances, they need to be drilled again. Generally, assembly takes around three to four hours which still isn’t bad for a pergola of this size. Helpfully, the instructions are relatively easy to follow.

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There are many benefits of buying wooden garden pergolas, below we provide two sets of benefits – for with or without a roof. Benefits of garden pergolas without a roof Vinyl is another good option when it comes to pergola construction. It’s become very popular in recent years thanks to vinyl’s low-maintenance properties. The downside to vinyl is that it’s less sturdy than either aluminium or wood. If you live in an area with strong winds or a high chance of heavy snow, you may find that a vinyl pergola gets damaged. For classic, English country garden style choose a round or hexagonal pergola made of wrought iron. Don't forget a pergola can also be covered with climbing plants.

For flexibility, choose a freestanding pergola . You’ll have more choice when it comes to size, orientation and location as they can be installed anywhere in your garden. Freestanding pergolas are also a great choice if you want to use the pergola as a main focal point in the garden. A square or rectangular wooden pergola surrounded by exotic plants and bamboo is a perfect fit for a Japanese-inspired garden.

Why is a pergola with retractable roof the perfect investment for your garden? 

This moves us neatly to the next pergola roof type – an adjustable fabric canopy. These can look very modern and stylish, although don’t generally offer as much protection as louvres. This style of pergola has a canopy cover that can be pulled across or retracted depending on whether you’d like to sit in the shade or sun. Then, put your existing garden furniture into the space and see how it looks. The furniture should fit comfortably underneath. Choosing the Right Style Pergola Design One of the best things about this pergola is its wind resistance. The powder coated crossbeam is very stable and the posts have pre-drilled holes for securing them to the ground. It’s been reported to hold its own well in windy gardens. Whilst fabric canopies are often UV resistant and water resistant, they aren’t generally fully waterproof. This is important to bear in mind if you are planning on leaving your garden furniture underneath your pergola.

Pergolas, often confused with arbours, awnings and even gazebos, are outdoor structures consisting of vertical columns that support a ceiling grid. This grid can either be left open, or covered with a canopy. Whilst a canopy will provide full shade, leaving the ceiling grid open will offer more sun. When the sun comes out, the canopy can be retracted to one end using the pulley system. It can be either fully retracted or secured part-way, creating a smaller shaded area. Sun worshippers can get their daily dose of vitamin D, while those who prefer the shade can sit underneath the canopy. There is a little bit of ‘bounce’ to the canopy, so you may find that even when it’s fully retracted it still produces a bit of shade. Arbours are also built with posts that support an open roof of either beams or a lattice, so in this sense they are very similar to pergolas. However they are more like ‘bridges’ laid over a pathway. Finally, we come to aluminium pergolas. These are our top choice for garden pergolas, for good reason. Aluminium offers the stability of a wood coupled with far less maintenance. They are rust-resistant and are available in a range of colours to suit both traditional and contemporary gardens.

It’s important that you carefully measure the space you have available before investing in a pergola. If your pergola is too small, you’ll find it difficult to arrange your furniture in the shade. If it’s too large, the rest of your garden may look small. With a sturdy aluminium frame, this pergola is stable and feels secure in various weather. There are four holes drilled in each foot base, but no screws are provided for securing it. These will need to be acquired separately. Pergolas with louvred roofs (like tilting window blinds) are often more expensive but they are good if you want more rain protection . When tilted open, louvres allow sunshine and fresh air into the pergola. If you want more shade, they can be partially closed. Fully closing the louvres should protect you against rain showers. Open roofs keep a sense of open air, and pergolas with this style of roof can look very stylish. Whilst these pergolas are simple, easy to install and will be bright inside, they don’t offer you much shade. The only coverage offered is from the slatted beams.

Freestanding pergolas can be placed anywhere in your garden. In fact, having a pergola at the end of the garden is becoming a very popular garden feature. This pergola has a retractable canopy, made from 100% polyester that gives it good weather resistance. The polyamide coating is both water repellent and UV resistant – it won’t fade in sunlight and can protect from light showers (good news for UK summers!). Climbing plant support - grow climbing plants such as clematis, ivy, and wisteria, which will benefit from the support the pergola provides Wood is combustible so fires may be a risk – especially if you are using a fire pit or BBQ near the pergolaPergolas can be either freestanding or attached to the side of your home. A ‘lean-to’ pergola is one that attaches to the side of the house, using an existing wall for support. Our B300and Sunrain pergolas with retractable roofs are manufactured to handle the variable British weather. The sliding roof is made from high-quality, waterproof and fadeproof material, whilst rainwater is channelled harmlessly away through a concealed guttering system to avoid pooling on the canvas.