pergola/ pergoda?!

[Lalaland50]

We are hoping to have a wooden pergola built at the back of our house, where the kitchen is. It would be attached to the back, where the french doors are and go out 3m and go the whole length of the house (4m).

We have a small Victorian terrace, SW-facing and in the summer the patio/ decking area gets so hot, we can't sit out there, and the kitchen does too. We are also still shielding, as my DH is waiting for a stem cell transplant, so we can't have anyone in our house, but if we had an outdoor area with nice furniture etc, that was sheltered, we could sit outside and not get rained on etc.

The carpenter that is going to do it for us, has suggested a clear plastic covering, to go on the wood, which in theory sounds good and would keep the rain off. However, we would also need another covering like some bamboo or something to actually shade us from the sun. Then, I'm worried that we will lose all the sun, and I do actually like having a bit of sun! Does anyone have any experience of this. I've looked at the retractable awnings, but my DH said that it wouldn't be practical to keep the rain off...he says that we would still have some sun coming in...I'm' just concerned I'm going to create a completely shaded area and never have the sun in my garden again!
Thanks.

Grow some nice plants up it to provide dappled shade?

Yes, I will do that. But we wanted good shelter from rain so we could still sit out if it's drizzling. We are fed up of not being able to do much socially and it's just going to get worse in the winter!

I am looking for a similar solution. Haven’t quite worked out the answer yet so interested to know if someone has done something that would work.

I think you’re moving into expensive territory.

We have a roofed gazebo, it protects us from rain and sun, and if we wish to sit in the sun we sit elsewhere in the garden.

You appear to wish something which provides protection when you wish it, and not when you don’t, which means it needs to be something moveable or retractable.

A pub near me has a pergola with all the wooden struts with a clear plastic either over it or under it -I can’t quite picture which it is. They grow a vine underneath the plastic, so the plastic is reasonably well hidden and the vine seems to grow ok.

If it goes the width of the house, could you cover some to sit under if it’s raining, and keep some open /just climbing plants for sun/dappled shade?

They make plastic roofing in colours other than clear/transparent. They are the cheapest option though. Usually a bit more expensive, but you can get them in white, blue tan, green or roof tile red. They will actually give you shade. Here is a picture of Lotus Roofing brand to give you idea, but many other brands are available.

Fit louvre roof blinds under the plastic

You could mix and match too. Put clear one between opaque one to create “skylights” or if on the side “windows”. We have an outbuilding done this way. Most of roof is dark red opaque, but we put a couple clear ones up to provide natural light inside.

thanks for the responses. Yes @Bluntness100 I do want the best of all worlds! it will be expensive, but if it creates usable area in our garden then it will be worth it for us. It will be nice for my DH to sit out when he is recovering (fingers crossed) from his transplant).
@daisypond, the pub thing sounds like what we want...does it block out all sun? and @Maflingo, that's not a bad idea - I wonder if that would work or look funny, only half covered.

@TellingBone - what are Louvre roof blinds - they sound expensive?!
And @PlanDeRaccordement, those look good, but then I'm worried it will more permanently block out the sun.

No, the pub pergola doesn’t block out all sun. The vine blocks out quite a bit but that’s in summer when it’s in leaf. Otherwise it just mutes the light a bit, though it can be hard to tell, as one long side is open to a courtyard garden.

Louvre roofs - there are specialist companies but could be expensive.

designershadesolutions.co.uk/retractable-and-tilting-louvre-roofs/

Normal blind supply companies would quote to fit roof blinds under the plastic roof.

Pergolas don't have a roof. They have a framework that you train plants over to provide the shade.

@starfishmummy - what is the correct term for what I'm after?
@TellingBone thanks for the link.

I've seen some that have retractable screens for the roof on a gardening programme. What about something like this? www.alicesgarden.co.uk/product/condate-aluminium-pergola-3x4m-with-retractable-canopy-off-white?gclid=Cj0KCQjwqKuKBhCxARIsACf4XuFyNMDQCjn7ScnmSqpS40-pGe7DRCEvILlJx32en8gD2kyDd_8JzQ8aAjm_EALw_wcB

@longtompot thank you. I was thinking something like that, but my DH was worried that when it rained, water just collects on the top?

@Lalaland50 if it has a roof it's it's gazebo (which may have sides but doesn't always!!) or maybe as this description I found mentions, you might have a Pavilion!! I rather like the idea of having a pavilion in my garden!!!!

The main difference between a pergola and a gazebo is the function of the roof. A gazebo and a pavilion provide full coverage from the sun, while a pergola allows for sunlight to shine through its slatted roof. Typically, a pergola provides partial shelter and shade over a garden, pathway, or patio. The criss-crossed wooden roof is an optimal space for plants and vines to climb. Meanwhile, a gazebo is a covered, designated for seating area in the yard that offers more protection from the elements.

We bought a house with one. The roof was corrugated plastic and it had guttering to direct the water flow into a waterbutt. Had patio and built in bbq under neath and climbers - clematis, honeysuckle, grapevine - which gave enough shade and interest, ds spent many a nap under it as a baby then had sandpit etc to play with as he grew, in all weathers.

@LIZS that sounds exactly what we want. was there permanent shade under it or did the sun creep in around the edges? I'm worried I'm going to plunge our entire patio into shade...

@starfishmummy thanks...sounds like I want a combination of all three...of course!

I have spent hours researching this over the last two years and what you want is going to be very difficult. You need to choose shade or rain proof. Unless your budget is huge.

The man in the house outside my back garden fitted what you are talking about, a clear plastic roof on a wooden frame. In the height of summer he had to cut squares into the polycarbonate as it was almost 60c under there..... basically a green house without sides. You wouldn't think it would collect heat like that with the sides being open but boy does it! Now the weather has cooled down he has replaced the polycarbonate panels for over winter while he finds a longer term solution.

I myself have a very strong aluminium frame gazebo that is 6x4 m in my garden. It has a white pvc cover on it. I got it for similar reasons to you.... we are being very careful as I am seriously immunosuppressed . We can't even consider putting the sides on it in the slightest Sunny day as it becomes tropical and the sweat drips out of me.

I will attach some photos of the neighbours and of mine. Mine is definitely the budget version but as it's apex the heat can escape at the open end where as with his being pent with the highest point against the house and the sides blocked in, the heat can't escape.

In your shoes as you are looking at a very specific size, it may be worth looking on Costco at their outdoor shelters. Alternatively eBay do some excellent car port style shelters that are very low maintenance. If you do go for a polycarbonate roof, look into the bronze or Opal colour as they filter some of the brightness out and hopefully would be slightly less of a magnifying glass for the sun.

I love having an outdoor space that is weather proof. In the winter I put the sides up and can still dry my washing. It's brilliant!

I think what you want is a PergoTex 2: www.rocheawnings.com/product/weinor-pergotex-2/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=awnings_branded&utm_source=weinor_pergotex&utm_term=weinor%20pergotex&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi9nApLiS8wIVCJ3VCh3xDgxpEAAYASAAEgLVQvD_BwE

At least that is what I want! Best win the lottery!

Plenty of light got through if slightly diffused. Main area of patio was covered, by the patio doors, but it was not full width of garden so one window looked out onto the garden.

[quote Lalaland50]@starfishmummy thanks...sounds like I want a combination of all three...of course![/quote]
The best thing is that it does what you want it to do so it gets used!

wanders off with thoughts of reproducing Brighton Pavilion in her garden