Our custom-made pergolas

Creating an outdoor living space that reflects your style is possible with a custom-made pergola. Unlike standard models, it adapts perfectly to the layout of your patio, your usage habits, and your aesthetic preferences. At AKENA, each aluminum structure is designed in our workshops in the Vendée region of France, with precise dimensions, a suitable roof, and accessories designed for your comfort.

Choosing a custom-made pergola means opting for a durable, aesthetically pleasing solution that integrates seamlessly with your home. Whether you want to create a relaxation area, protect your patio furniture, or enjoy a family meal sheltered from the sun, we have the perfect pergola for you.

At AKENA, the design of your custom pergola unfolds in several key stages to ensure a result that meets your expectations.

1. Initial contact and needs assessment: A technical consultant will visit your home (Monday to Friday) to evaluate your project, take the necessary measurements, and provide you with an initial 3D model.
2. Model and options selection: You choose the type of pergola (bioclimatic, fixed roof, etc.), its structure (attached or freestanding), its panels, the orientation of the louvers, and even the integration of fabric blinds, LEDs, or sunshades.
3. 100% French manufacturing: Your pergola is then manufactured in our factory in the Vendée region, using high-quality aluminum to guarantee a flawless finish and weather resistance.
4. Delivery and installation: Installation is carried out by our in-house teams, trained in best practices. Delivery is fast and careful throughout France.

Throughout the project, you will benefit from personalized support, with a single point of contact to answer your questions.

Several custom pergola models are available from AKENA, catering to all configurations:

• The bioclimatic pergola: equipped with adjustable aluminum louvers, it allows you to naturally manage sunlight and ventilation. A must for fully enjoying your patio year-round.
• The fixed-roof pergola: ideal if you're looking for permanent protection from the rain, it can be fitted with glass or polycarbonate panels depending on your home's orientation.
• The flat-roof pergola: its solid roof provides optimal protection against the elements while maintaining beautiful light if you opt for a glass or translucent version.
• The freestanding pergola: perfect for creating a new space in the heart of the garden, it is installed without wall mounting.
• The attached pergola: integrated into the facade of your house, it naturally extends your living spaces outdoors.

Thanks to our custom-made service, you can choose the structure, accessories, colors (including the very trendy anthracite gray), and motorization options with remote control.

At AKENA, we have chosen aluminum for the manufacture of all our pergolas. This durable and resistant material offers numerous advantages:

• It is lightweight and robust, ideal for outdoor structures.
• It does not rust and is highly weather-resistant.
• It requires very little maintenance.
• It allows for great freedom in design and dimensions.
• It is compatible with many accessories: awnings, LED lighting, glass panels, etc.

Some still opt for a wooden pergola, but this product requires regular maintenance (staining, treatment) and is less durable. Custom-made aluminum provides a more modern look, especially in anthracite gray, while ensuring superior longevity.

A custom-made pergola can be personalized down to its dimensions, aesthetics, and features. The first decision concerns its placement: attached to the house to extend the patio or freestanding to create an independent space in the garden.

You can then customize:

• the width, depth, and height;

• the number and position of the posts;

• the type of roof: fixed, retractable, flat, or with adjustable louvers;

• the direction of the louvers for a bioclimatic pergola;

• the roofing material: aluminum, polycarbonate, or glass, depending on the model;

• the color and finish of the structure;

• the style of the cornices;

• the motorization and controls;

• vertical blinds and privacy screens;

• sliding glass panels;

• integrated LED lighting; and

• compatible weather sensors.

These choices should serve a specific purpose: controlling the sun, protecting yourself from the wind, preserving your privacy, or extending the use of your patio. Not all options are compatible with every model. A personalized consultation will therefore allow you to design a pergola that perfectly complements your home, your lifestyle, and the site's technical constraints.

A standard pergola has predefined dimensions, colors, and features. It can fit a rectangular patio without any particular constraints. Its main advantage is generally a more affordable price and a simplified design. However, it offers fewer options for working around an opening, adapting to an irregular facade, or precisely covering a large area.

A custom-made pergola is designed based on the actual dimensions of your outdoor space. Its width, depth, height, and the position of its posts can be adjusted to preserve circulation, views, or access to the house. The choice of roofing, color, and side panels also reflects your needs rather than a predetermined configuration.

Custom-made pergolas are particularly relevant when the patio has:

• atypical dimensions;

• an angle or recess;

• a difference in level;

• exterior insulation;

• openings that need to be retained;

• or significant exposure to sun or wind.

The choice should not be based solely on the purchase price. Also compare the quality of the materials, the preparatory work, the installation, the warranties, and the potential for future modifications. A custom-made solution represents a larger investment, but it guarantees more precise integration and comfort truly tailored to the home.

A custom-designed pergola allows for the creation of a wide variety of outdoor spaces. On a terrace adjoining the house, an attached pergola creates a seamless flow with the living room or kitchen. In a garden, near a pool or above a dining area, a freestanding pergola provides an independent shelter.

Custom designs also accommodate more complex configurations: narrow terraces, wide terraces, facades with multiple openings, changes in level, or spaces partially occupied by stairs. The position of the posts can be carefully considered to maintain easy access and avoid obstructing a door, a bay window, or the view of the garden.

Several solutions are possible depending on your needs:

• a compact module for a small outdoor living room;

• a deep pergola to cover a family table;

• a double module to separate dining and relaxation areas;

• offset posts to create a clear passageway;

• blinds on the most exposed sides;

• or a modular roof to control the light.

Each project must, however, remain compatible with the soil bearing capacity, the facade's resistance, urban planning regulations, and climatic constraints. The technical study thus transforms the unique characteristics of your outdoor space into a functional, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable design.

The dimensions of a custom-made pergola should be determined by its intended use. A small garden lounge area can fit under a 3 x 3 m structure, while a dining area generally requires more width. To accommodate a table, lounge area, and walkway, sizes such as 5 x 3 m or 6 x 4 m can be considered.

Allow sufficient space around the furniture and carefully consider the placement of windows, shutters, lighting, and drainage. A roof that is too shallow offers little protection from the low sun. Conversely, a very deep pergola can reduce the light in adjoining rooms.

The pergola's orientation should follow the sun's path:

• to the south, opt for a retractable roof that provides effective shade;

• to the west, plan for protection against the late afternoon sun;

• to the east, the terrace will be primarily sunny in the morning;

• and to the north, ensure that natural light is preserved.

Prevailing winds, trees, and neighboring buildings must also be considered. On a bioclimatic pergola, the direction of the louvers influences light entry and ventilation. A precise assessment of the surrounding environment allows for the selection of balanced dimensions and an orientation suited to each season.

Before installing a custom-made pergola, several technical constraints must be checked. For an attached model, the wall must be able to accommodate the fixings. The presence of exterior thermal insulation, cladding, or a fragile support requires a suitable anchoring solution.

On the ground, an existing terrace is not automatically capable of supporting the structure. Its composition, level, and load-bearing capacity must be verified. A properly sized concrete slab or concrete pads may be necessary to secure the posts and withstand the wind.

The study must also take into account:

• exposure to prevailing winds;

• snow loads specific to the region;

• the slope and rainwater drainage;

• the location of underground utilities;

• cables and pipes present in the facade;

• the passage of shutters and openings;

• the electrical supply for equipment;

• site accessibility;

• property boundaries; and the local urban development plan (PLU).

The final dimensions are validated during the technical survey. After this stage, the supports must not be modified without prior agreement, as the pergola is manufactured based on the measurements taken. Thorough preparation prevents last-minute adjustments and ensures a safe installation.

The lead time for a custom-made pergola isn't just about manufacturing. It includes project planning, any necessary administrative procedures, preparatory work, measurements, production, delivery, and installation.

At AKENA, the contractual schedule is triggered by the receipt of the measurement order. The measurement technician typically arrives within three to six weeks of receiving this document. They verify the supports, masonry work, and final dimensions before manufacturing begins.

Once the measurements are approved, the design office draws up the plans, and the components are manufactured or assembled in the Vendée region of France. AKENA indicates that delivery generally occurs two to four weeks before the scheduled installation date. The installation itself usually takes one to three days, depending on the configuration.

The overall lead time may be extended by:

• processing a planning permission application;

• the construction of a concrete slab or concrete blocks;

• the complexity and options of the project;

• component availability;

• the season and team workload;

• and weather conditions.

The precise schedule is outlined in the contract documents. It is therefore advisable to plan the project several months in advance of the desired usage period.

An AKENA custom-made pergola benefits from several warranties, the duration of which depends on the components covered. The structure is protected by a ten-year warranty covering damage that could compromise its solidity or normal use.

The aluminum structure is also covered by a ten-year warranty. Other components may be covered for a period of two to ten years, depending on the model and options chosen. Motorization, blinds, lighting, and roofing equipment may therefore be subject to different conditions.

Keep the invoice, instructions, acceptance report, and equipment references. In case of a problem, take photographs and contact the installer immediately without dismantling the affected components yourself.

Following the operating instructions and regularly maintaining the pergola will help preserve its performance and prevent damage not covered by the warranties.

A custom-made, adaptable pergola can accommodate new equipment after its installation, provided that its design and the chosen model allow it. It may be possible to add vertical blinds, privacy screens, sliding glass doors or certain electrical equipment.

AKENA pergolas with flat or fixed roofs are offered as scalable solutions. Depending on their configuration, a pergola with a fixed roof can be progressively closed to become a winter garden, or even evolve into a veranda after a complete study.

It is best to anticipate changes from the design stage. Planning for the right profiles, cable passages or necessary reservations simplifies future work and limits visible modifications.

Any extension or closure must be validated by a professional. Drilling into the structure or installing incompatible equipment may compromise the pergola's watertightness, stability, and warranties.