A pergola can be a pleasant addition to any suburban backyard. You can spend time in one in the spring, summer, or autumn. You might even like to sit in one in the winter if the weather is mild.
However, you need to think about things like wind gusts or whether you want your pergola to be louvered as well. You can always look for the best pergola for high winds in my area by consulting with any companies nearby that make them.
You should also know how a louvered pergola works from a structural and mechanical standpoint before you install one. We will talk about that a little bit right now.
What is a Louvered Pergola?
A louvered pergola is one that has an adjustable roof. It is typically made with louvers or metal slats that you can move onto different positions with very little effort. When you do so, you can adjust how much shade or sun you are getting when you are inside the structure.
The way you can control the sun and shade is usually what homeowners like best about this option. Now, let us talk about precisely how a louvered pergola works.
Manual Louvered Pergolas
One thing that’s vital to know about louvered pergolas is that they are not identical in terms of design and functionality. You might see one that looks and operates somewhat differently from another.
Many of the louvered pergolas you see can be controlled manually. That involves physically moving the louvers by standing on a ladder or a step stool.
As you might expect, this is the cheapest kind. However, some owners don’t like the idea of having to get up there and move the louvers around, even if they are not particularly heavy or cumbersome.
The Motorized Louvered Pergola
The motorized version of the louvered pergola is one that works with a remote control that is somewhat similar to a garage door opener. The technology is nearly identical in some cases.
Such a pergola’s louvered roof can be moved back and forth with electricity. The motor that you’ve installed is what moves the louvers into the position you want to get the ideal amount of sun or shade.
These ones will cost more than the manual kind, but the price point is seldom outrageous. These are still considered to be home add-ons that are pretty affordable for most homeowners.
The Smart Louvered Pergola
Usually, the smart louvered pergola will be as expensive as the motorized one, if not more so. As the name implies, this type of modern pergola can be maneuvered like any other smart device. You can adjust it with an app that you can easily install on your smartphone.
Some of these ones have a bespoke app, but you can also control many of them with technology like iPhone’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa. You can even set up a schedule if you want the roof to move into a certain position at the same time each day.
PHOTO: PAUL COSTELLO
No Comments