Types
Louvred, fixed or retractable pergola roof?
Bioclimatic louvres, solid and polycarbonate roofs, fabric canopies and open timber: what each does in British rain, wind and winter.
The roof decides whether a pergola is shade, shelter or an outdoor room. In the UK, the questions are how it handles rain, wind and a wet winter.
Open timber or slatted
Beams and rafters with nothing on top. It frames the space, gives some dappled shade, and carries climbing plants or a shade sail. It does not keep rain off. Cheapest to buy, and the easiest to live with under the 2.5 m limit near a boundary.
Fixed roof: solid or polycarbonate
A fixed aluminium or polycarbonate roof keeps the rain off all year. Clear or tinted polycarbonate lets light through. It needs a fall to shed water, and a gutter and downpipe to take it somewhere. Things to ask:
- Which way the roof falls, and where the downpipe goes.
- What the maker says about snow load.
- Whether the sheet tints or loses clarity over time, from the maker's warranty terms.
Retractable fabric canopy
A fabric roof on runners that slides open or closed. It gives shade in summer and some shelter from a shower. Fabric holds water and catches wind. The B&Q listing for an Outsunny retractable-roof pergola, read on 13 November 2026, says it is not recommended for extreme weather. Retract or remove the canopy in strong wind and for winter if the maker says so. Some makers say the canopy is removable for winter storage.
Louvred, sometimes called bioclimatic
Aluminium blades that rotate. Open them for sun and air, close them for rain. Water runs along the blades into a channel in the frame and down through a post or a downpipe. Manual versions use a crank handle. Motorised versions use a motor and remote, sometimes with a rain sensor that closes the roof.
What to know for UK weather:
- Closed is not sealed. Louvres shed rain through the gutters. They are not usually sold as a watertight room, and wind-driven rain can come in the sides. Side screens help.
- Drainage must go somewhere. Plan for where the water leaves the post: a drain, a soakaway or a gravel strip, not your back door.
- Snow. Makers state a snow load and often say how the louvres should be set in snow. One maker's page we read gives a range by size. Follow the maker's instructions, including clearing heavy snow. See wind and snow.
- Power. A motorised roof needs a supply. See electrics and Part P.
Side by side
| Roof | Rain | Wind | Upkeep | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open timber | None | Low catch | Timber treatment | Lowest |
| Retractable fabric | Light showers | Retract in wind | Canopy cleaning and storage | Low to mid |
| Fixed polycarbonate or solid | Yes, all year | Follow the maker's rating | Gutter clearing | Mid |
| Louvred manual | Yes, through gutters | Follow the maker's rating | Gutter and blade cleaning | Mid to high |
| Louvred motorised | Yes, through gutters | Follow the maker's rating | As manual, plus the motor | Highest |
Listed prices are in louvred pergola cost.
Can I cook under a louvred roof?
Do not use a barbecue, fire pit or any open flame under a closed roof or canopy. Follow the appliance maker's clearances. Coalcrest covers outdoor kitchens and barbecue placement.
Will a louvred roof make the patio usable all year?
Drier, yes. Warm, no. A closed roof plus screens and a heater gets closer, with the heater maker's clearances respected. See side screens, heaters and lighting.