Louvred · Retractable Awning · Fixed Glass
Aluminium Pergolas for UK Gardens
An aluminium pergola does what timber cannot: spans wide without a forest of posts, carries a real roof, and looks the same in ten years as it does on the day it goes up. We make three kinds, each built around a different roof.
Why aluminium
Timber pergolas need staining, move with the seasons and eventually rot at the base. Steel is strong but heavy and rusts wherever the coating is damaged. Aluminium is light, stiff and does not corrode, so it can carry glass or motorised louvres over wide spans with slim sections. Our frames are powder-coated in RAL colours or woodgrain finishes, and every fixing is stainless steel.
Three roofs, three ways to use the space
Louvred roof — control light and air
Motorised aluminium louvres rotate to let light and air through, or close to form a watertight roof. Rainwater runs through the louvres into the frame gutter and down the posts. A single module spans up to 7,000 mm, louvre shafts are 304-grade stainless steel, and the Italian-made motor carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty. Integrated LED lighting is optional. See our bioclimatic louvred roof pergola.
Retractable awning roof — full shade, fully open
A waterproof fabric roof that runs out for shade and rain cover and retracts completely for open sky. Two rail sizes: the standard 150 series for most homes, and the heavy-duty 170 series for larger spans and commercial use. Rated for Beaufort 6 wind and a 15 cm snow load. Typically from around £3,900 installed, excluding VAT. See our retractable awning pergola.
Fixed glass roof — permanent, bright cover
A glass roof on aluminium posts that keeps the rain off and the light in. Choose single glass, insulated double glass, sandwich panel or polycarbonate on the same frame, and add sliding or guillotine glass to the sides whenever you like to turn it into a winter garden. Typically from around £5,500 installed, excluding VAT. See our fixed glass roof pergola.
Which one should you choose?
- You want to sit outside in changeable weather — louvred roof. It adjusts through the day.
- You want maximum shade in summer and open sky the rest of the time — retractable awning.
- You want a bright, dry space you can eventually enclose — fixed glass roof.
All three can be wall-mounted or free-standing, and all three can take zip screens on the sides for privacy and wind.
Corner, lean-to and free-standing pergolas
A lean-to pergola fixes to the house wall on one side — the most common layout, with the cleanest drainage. A free-standing pergola sits on its own posts anywhere in the garden. A corner pergola wraps an L-shaped terrace using two modules that share a post. Wider areas are covered by joining modules side by side.
Built for UK weather
Every frame is sized for the wind and snow loads at your location. Stainless-steel mechanical parts reduce corrosion in coastal and damp climates, and powder-coat finishes are designed for outdoor exposure.
Planning permission
Most garden pergolas fall within permitted development, particularly when they are open-sided. Height, position and whether the structure is enclosed all affect this. Our planning guide explains the limits.
Compare all our pergolas with roofs, see what a pergola costs, or book a free survey.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is an aluminium pergola better than wood?
For durability and span, yes. Aluminium does not rot, warp or need staining, and it can carry glass or motorised louvres over much wider spans than timber.
How much does an aluminium pergola cost in the UK?
Retractable awning pergolas typically start from around £3,900 installed and fixed glass roof pergolas from around £5,500, both excluding VAT. Louvred roof pergolas are quoted after survey.
Are aluminium pergolas waterproof?
With a louvred, awning or glass roof, yes. Rain is collected in the frame gutter and drained down the posts.
Can an aluminium pergola withstand wind?
Yes, when it is sized for the site. Our retractable awning pergolas are rated to Beaufort 6, and every frame is calculated for local wind and snow loads.
Do I need planning permission for an aluminium pergola?
Usually not for an open-sided garden pergola within permitted development limits. Enclosed structures and listed properties are treated differently.
Free, No-Obligation Quote
Get your free design and quote
Tell us about your project and we will send a free design and quote. Manufacture usually takes up to 6–8 weeks, and a standard house installation 1–3 days.
- Choose the roof and walls you are interested in.
- Add approximate sizes in millimetres.
- Leave your details — we prepare a design and quote.