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What are The Best Roofs for Pergolas?
Sep
Which roof are more beautiful and durable?
When summer arrives and we have the opportunity to enjoy a garden or a terrace, on many occasions we do not take advantage of it as much as we could. One of the main causes of this happening is misinformation about what roof to put on a pergola. Although it is true that it is a fragile element that requires certain care, the benefits provided by this tone are completely unquestionable.
Neither in winter, nor in summer, do you put yourself in the sun outright
If you have a pergola and its roof has caused you problems, it is possible that the materials were not suitable or that the folding mechanisms, if any, were not adapted to the circumstances. However, knowing which roof is best for a pergola, making the right choice and maintaining the necessary care, you will find well-being insurance to spend the summer days lying in the shade.
In this article you will be able to know all the typologies that currently exist and learn how to choose the best roof for your pergola in particular. Because what is valid in some cases can be a real failure in others and vice versa. Therefore, we recommend you analyze your needs before making a decision in this regard.
Types of roofs according to their versatility
In this classification we can find only two options, fixed pergola roofs and mobile roofs. It is an issue that depends exclusively on the use that you are going to give it and the maintenance that you can carry out on the roof. For the rest, both possibilities can be perfectly exploitable.
Fixed pergola roofs
Fixed roofs for pergolas will always be made of rigid materials, usually wood or masonry and in some cases aluminum. The maintenance that they may require is something punctual, such as varnishing or painting the surface from time to time. They are used in many cases as a porch or as a carport and can be located anchored to the wall or completely separated.
Mobile roofs for pergolas
When choosing the shade for your garden and deciding which roof is best for a pergola that you are really going to take advantage of, it is important that you ask yourself some questions such as if you are going to use it throughout the year, if you have the possibility of remove the cover when you stop using it or whatever your budget.
Our recommendation, in the event that there are stages of disuse, is to resort to a material that allows the roof to be removed, such as canvas or fabric. If you have a bigger budget, the roofs for pergolas with retractable systems made of aluminum are more versatile, more resistant and require less maintenance.
What material is best for the roof of a pergola?
Although we have mentioned them before when talking about the possibilities of mobility, it is important to distinguish the different types of materials when we talk about what to put on the roof of a wooden, masonry or metal pergola. In this sense, each alternative has its particularities and is better adapted to one situation or another, which is why we emphasize the importance of analyzing each case.
Pergolas with wooden roofs
Wooden roofs for pergolas are usually fixed. There are certain retractable mechanisms in this material, but they are not highly recommended. In general, the most frequent is to cover the wood with some waterproof material on the external face -asphalt cloth, for example-. In addition, it is the most careful option, as long as the necessary maintenance is dedicated to it.
Canvas roofs for pergolas
One of the first materials that comes to mind when we think about which roof to put on a pergola is fabric, a very basic retractable system similar to that of awnings. However, the most common is to resort to canvases made from plastic fabrics that are waterproof. It is the cheapest option and can also be replaced without any problem; in return, it is the most fragile and the one that requires the most maintenance.
Metal roofs for pergolas
It is one of the latest advances regarding this product and, of course, aluminum is the absolute protagonist. It is the most appropriate metal for these purposes due to its lightness and because it is cheaper. Without a doubt, the best option when we talk about retractable roofs for pergolas, since it also requires minimal maintenance.
Masonry roofs for pergolas
When we talk about masonry ceilings, we get closer to the idea we have of a porch. Sometimes they are simple tiles and in other cases they are real constructions. Obviously it is a completely fixed structure and, in addition, it is always attached to a wall, so it is recommended for locations with a lot of use throughout the year.
What is the most important thing when choosing your new pergola?
Consideing all the typologies that we have mentioned throughout the article, our recommendations regarding the aspects to take into account when choosing which roof to put on a pergola are quite simple. In the first place, it is necessary to assess the location and the use that is going to be given to it, then set the budget and, finally, give aesthetics the place it deserves -any option can be configured to taste-.