Pergola side screens, heaters and lighting

Extras turn a pergola into somewhere you can sit in April and October. They also add wind load, heat near fabric and electrics outdoors. Each has a rule to follow.

Side screens and curtains

• Types. Zip-track or drop-down blinds made for the pergola, clip-on curtains on a rail, or freestanding privacy screens.
• Fit. Blinds made for a model fit its post spacing. Generic curtains need a rail and the right drop. Measure post-to-post and the clear height, not the nominal size.
• Wind. A lowered screen is a sail. Roll it up in strong wind unless the maker says otherwise. One pergola retailer we read advises rolling up blinds and opening louvres in strong winds. See wind and snow.
• Cost. Some kits include blinds. Others sell them per side. We did not find a standalone price we could cite for a typical model, so the planner asks you to get a quote.

Heaters

• Electric infrared heaters mounted on a wall or the frame are the usual choice under a roof. They need an outdoor-rated supply and fixing.
• Clearances. Follow the heater maker's minimum distances to the roof, louvres, screens, walls and people. Fabric screens and canopies are the risk. If the pergola maker also gives a rule for heaters, follow the stricter one.
• Gas heaters and open flames should not be used under a closed roof or canopy unless the appliance maker says the setting is suitable. Do not use a barbecue under a closed cover. Coalcrest covers outdoor cooking safely.

Lighting

• Plug-in festoons and solar lights are the simple route. Use plug-in lights rated for outdoor use, on an outdoor socket with RCD protection.
• Integrated LED in louvred pergolas is often included with motorised models. Check how it is powered.
• Fixed lighting wired into the house supply is electrical installation work. See below.

Electrics: when you need an electrician

Electrical Safety First's garden safety advice says to use an RCD with all outdoor electrical equipment, and to use only extension leads and connectors suitable for outdoor use. A new outdoor circuit for a heater, a motorised roof or fixed lighting is a job for a qualified electrician. In England that work falls under Part P of the Building Regulations. See electrics for motorised roofs and Part P.

Explainers

We haven't tested this. Figures are as the maker states them (checked 13 November 2026).

QUICK STAR curtains for a 3 × 4 m pergola, set of 3. Listed on Amazon UK in anthracite for a 3 × 4 m wall-tent or pergola frame. Check the rail or hook system matches your frame before you buy. Generic curtains do not always fit a louvred model's posts.

View the QUICK STAR curtains on Amazon UK

Pro Breeze 2000 W wall-mounted infrared patio heater. Listed on Amazon UK as a 2,000 W, IP65 halogen infrared heater with a remote and fittings. Read the manual's mounting height and clearances before deciding where it goes under a roof.

View the Pro Breeze heater on Amazon UK

Devola 2400 W wall-mounted infrared patio heater (DVPH2400B). Listed on Amazon UK as 2,400 W, IP65, with Wi-Fi, a 24-hour timer and a remote. Higher wattage means more heat and more load on the circuit. Ask your electrician whether the supply suits it.

View the Devola heater on Amazon UK

Torkase 36 m mains-powered festoon lights. Listed on Amazon UK as 36 m with 62 shatterproof LED bulbs, for outdoor use. Thirty-six metres is a lot for a 3 × 4 m pergola. Measure your runs first, and plug into an RCD-protected outdoor socket.

View the Torkase festoon lights on Amazon UK

Can I run a heater from an extension lead?

Follow the heater maker's instructions. Many say not to use one. A permanently mounted heater is better on a dedicated outdoor supply installed by an electrician.

Do side screens make a pergola warmer?

They stop the wind, which is most of the chill. They do not insulate. Pair them with a heater, keeping to its clearances.