When the weather allows, there’s nothing better than relaxing under a pretty vine-covered pergola and putting your feet up, so it’s no wonder searches for ‘pergola roof ideas’ spiked during lockdown.
But we haven’t reached peak pergola just yet. Furniture brand Harbour Lifestyle said their pergola sales increased by 195% this year… and for good reason. Installing a pergola adds an instant wow factor to your garden and provides an extra structure for your plants to climb up. Handy if, like us, you’ve run out of space on the ground.
The main purpose of a pergola (really just a fancy word for a roof patio), is to provide shelter from the elements while elevating your seating area. Pergolas are incredibly versatile. They can be a stylish way to create privacy as well as a functional focal point. Whether your garden design is traditional and relaxed or sleek and modern or somewhere in between, there’s a pergola roof for you. But before we get to our favourite pergola roof ideas, here are some top tips for building your perfect pergola.
Pergola roof ideas: Building tips
1. Nail the construction
Sitting Spiritually handcraft RHS-approved pergolas in Lyme Regis. Founder Martin Young has some pointers on getting the joints right: “Traditionally, pergolas are built using mortise and tenon joints, which are ‘pegged’. However, with the changing UK seasons, the wooden pegs can shrink and drop out, thus weakening the structure. We recommend using concealed stainless bolts to combat this. In addition, a curved brace on each corner adds strength as well as looking fantastic.”
If buying a pergola kit, make sure you have accurate measurements and consider whether you want a wall mounted or free standing structure. There are a few cases where you’ll need planning permission for