How high can a pergola be?
An essential feature of your garden, the pergola is an attractive, decorative structure. Above all, it provides protection from the sun and, with modern pergolas, from the elements. To ensure that your new shelter is as effective as possible, its dimensions need to be carefully thought through. In this article, we take a look at the ideal height for a pergola.
Choosing the height of the pergola according to its type
Dimensions vary according to the type of pergola
The dimensions of your pergola will vary depending on whether it is freestanding, lean-to or bioclimatic. Firstly, because conventional and bioclimatic pergolas don't serve quite the same purpose. Secondly, because a lean-to pergola will be protected on one side by the wall of the house, unlike a freestanding pergola.
In general, when it comes to a lean-to pergola, the height of the roof of the house is used as a basis. This creates a beautiful harmony, with a roof that is neither too high to prevent the rain from entering the pergola, nor too low to avoid having to bend over.
If you install an aluminium island pergola, i.e. a freestanding pergola, it will stand on its own four feet, without a front wall. It can be installed in the middle of the garden. Some strong winds could blow through and cause damage under the pergola. We recommend a height of 2 to 4 metres. Avoid a higher roof, as this will not provide optimum protection from the sun. It also makes sense to take into account criteria such as the size of the people living in the house. For example, if one member of the family is 2 metres tall, a minimum height of 2.50 m would be more appropriate.
For bioclimatic pergolas, you can keep to these dimensions. If the wind gusts, remember to open the adjustable slats to create a draught.
The dimensions of the pergola for the ideal height
The ideal dimensions for a pergola include not only its height, but also its floor area. Depending on the space you have available, it will be larger or smaller. But too much is better than too little.
To get the most out of your pergola, 1.20 m is the minimum length. If you're planning to install a lounge or table, make sure you can go all the way round.
Made-to-measure pergolas range from 3 to 6 metres in width and depth. This gives us an average surface area of 20 m². If you want to make the most of your pergola, try not to exceed ⅓ of the total surface area of your garden.
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