Do Pergolas Provide Shade?

Do Pergolas Provide Shade?

Pergolas have been a popular outdoor structure for centuries, offering a stylish and functional space for outdoor living and entertainment. One of the key questions many homeowners have when considering a pergola is whether or not they provide shade and if so, how to cover a pergola for their own home. Let’s explore the role of pergolas and look at some of the different options that are available for creating shade with a pergola.

Long narrow pergola over a poolside seating area with 75% shade coverage.

Pool goers can get a break from the sun by resting under a pergola casting shade to the patio below.

First, a historical note, pergolas were not originally designed as a source of shade! Instead, they were created as a decorative element, providing a visually appealing structure for climbing plants to grow on and adding visual interest to garden or outdoor courtyards. The term pergola derives from the Latin word ‘pergula’ which refers to a ‘projecting eave’. However, over time, and as they grew in popularity, many homeowners started to incorporate shade options into their pergolas. Making their pergola both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Photo of a traditional aged garden pergola with vines wrapped around

Pergolas were historically found in elaborate gardens & courtyards as decorative elements. Often growing climbing plants or vines.

So, does a pergola provide shade? The answer is yes, but that answer also depends on the design and materials used. Pergolas are typically constructed with open sides and a slatted or lattice type roof. The open roof typically allows light to filter through. The more closely together the slats or lattice weave, the more a pergola can provide some level of shade, but traditionally, many pergolas do not offer great shade coverage. But there are many more options available now, either as the pergola kit itself being designed to create shade or additional items that can be added. The choice of the pergola by a homeowner will determine just how much, or how little shade is created.

How to Shade a Pergola – Pergola Covers

Retractable Canopies: Retractable canopies are a popular option for pergolas, as they provide flexible shade control. These canopies can be easily extended or retracted as needed, and are typically made from UV-resistant materials, such as aluminum or polycarbonate. Higher end pergolas have these as motorized options. Pergolas that have retractable canopies, particularly motorized options, will have the highest price tag of your pergola options.

A retractable slide pergola roof from above looking down at car below

This carport pergola features a Struxure high end sliding canopy roof which allows the owner to fully control light and rain control.

Shade Cloth: Shade cloth is another option to create more shade for your pergola, and it’s an easy and cost-effective way to add shade. This lightweight, breathable material can be easily attached to the roof of a pergola, and it’s available in a range of colors and transparencies, so you can choose the level of shade that works best for you. Shade cloth is most susceptible to the elements. Sun, rain and wind can all affect longevity, and you may need to purchase new shade cloths every year or every few years.

 

A sun shade is draped over and secured to the pergola to provide shade below.

Plant Cover: For a more natural shade option, consider adding climbing plants to your pergola. Vines and other climbing plants can provide a lush, green canopy that provides shade as it grows and visual interest. It does take a little more maintenance than other forms of shade. Caring for your growing plants, cutting back at the end of season and then starting new the next season will all take a little more time.

 

Black Eyed Susan vine climbs up the pergola posts and extends over the top canopy to create shade below.

Solar Panels: For those looking for an eco-friendly option, consider adding solar panels to your pergola roof. These panels can generate power for your home, while also providing a fully shaded area under your pergola!

 

Dual purpose – full shade plus energy creation when using solar panels on top of a pergola!

Louvres or angled slats: Several pergolas exist on the market that were designed to actually create shade! The have movable louvres allowing you to control the amount of shade created throughout the day or there are shade pergolas that have fixed angled slats or purlins creating shade by angling against the light coming from the sun. Reducing overhead rays anywhere from 50-90%.

 

It may go without saying, but you will want to keep in mind the overall size of your structure. A small, 8×10-foot pergola, for example, may not be large enough to provide shade for a large outdoor living area, as your shade profile may be smaller than your actual structure depending on the angle of the sun. A smaller size may be sufficient for a smaller patio seating area but if you are looking for coverage on a large outdoor living & dining area, the larger the structure, the better coverage you will get.


While there are plenty of options (and reasons) to look for an aesthetically pleasing pergola. You have options for pergolas that create both style and shade! From retractable canopies and shade cloths, to climbing plants, solar panels and louvred pergolas made for shade, there are a variety of ways a pergola can be a fantastic shade structure for your home!

In your search for the perfect shade pergola, check out these louvred options made for low maintenance, shade, high winds and comes with a lifetime warranty!

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Installation Videos

Videos showing our installation process, from beginning to end.

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  • Installing post mounts
  • Installing columns

CAD Drawings

How the blueprints for our pergolas get made.

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Frequently asked questions

Over the years, it's common to find some questions that come up again and again. Scroll through the question and answer bank on the right, and if your questions aren't answered by the end, you can get in touch using the phone number below!

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The dimensions of a Heartland Pergola refer to the width and depth of the pergola's roof. The pergola roof will include the beams and rafters, and on a traditional style pergola, will extend past the posts of your pergola.

For an example, a 14' x 14' pergola means that the overhead roof dimensions are 14' x 14'.

To figure out post spacing you will want to look at the specific CAD drawing for the pergola size you are looking for. Noting that a typical traditional style pergola will be built with the posts inset one foot from the end of your beams. Modern pergolas will NOT have an overhang.

Tip while planning - if your patio space is 14' x 14', most homeowners will opt to go a size larger on a Traditional Style Pergola so that the overhang of the pergola roof extends past the edge of your patio, rather than stopping even with it. A 14' x 14' patio would benefit from installing a 16' x 16' pergola (or greater) for optimum sun coverage.

We have the best of both worlds!

Aluminum base structure for extreme durability and strength paired with a vinyl exterior that makes your pergola maintenance super easy!

Many vinyl pergolas on the market are going to have no reinforcement or internal reinforcement by wood. Over time, that wood will rot, warp and sag. The aluminum inserts of Heartland Pergolas ensure that is never an issue for your pergola. It's a solid structure, easy to maintain and will last you for decades! We are so confidant in that fact that we offer a Lifetime Warranty.

You can purchase any of our pergola kits or eyebrow pergolas online through our website or order by calling in (563-345-6745) and talking to our sales team. If you are ordering a pergola with customizations outside of our pergola design tool, custom sizes or configurations, you will want to purchase by speaking with our team over the phone/email.

Upon ordering, either via our website or through our sales staff you will receive a docusign document emailed to you detailing all your options and pergola specs to sign off on before we send your pergola to fabrication.

Due to the custom nature of our product, we cannot accept returns. All pergola kits are made to order specifically for your space and requirements. We recommend you work directly with our team to discuss all potential site, climate, and installation requirements before you make your purchase to ensure that you get exactly the materials that you need.

We want you to be happy with your purchase, if there is a problem just reach out and we will work with you to make it right.

It doesn’t happen often but if you do find something missing or damaged, we will replace it immediately.

For all orders in the continental US, shipping is already included!

If you live outside of the continental US and would like a quote on shipping, please contact Elizabeth for a shipping quote!

Each kit will come with the corresponding instruction manual for that pergola. It will list step-by-step how to install, what tools are needed and show diagrams for the installation. You will also get your related CAD drawing for your pergola as well.

You are welcome to download the digital version of our instruction manuals ahead of time if you want to take a look at the process first!

We also have installation videos available 24/7 playable from YouTube Play List. Our Video Installation series will break down each step into a short video so you can see exactly how each step is completed.

VINYL AND ALUMINUM STRUCTURES LIMITED WARRANTY

Subject to the conditions and limitations listed herein, Heartland Pergolas warrants its vinyl structures to be free from defective workmanship and materials and, when subject to normal and proper use, against surface peeling, rot, structural damage from termites, splitting, flaking, rusting, and blistering, abnormal weathering or abnormal discoloration.

We have many customers who go the DIY route to install their pergola! If you have some basic building experience and knowledge with some simple tools, you can build a pergola.

We provide you with written installation instructions, video tutorials online, and the best customer service you can get!

You can watch our videos ahead of time to see if you feel comfortable working with the tools and materials needed to build your pergola. Our Installation Videos are divided up into short step-by-step clips that are to the point and show you exactly how each part is completed.

General guidelines for DIYers:

  • Be able to lift 80lbs
  • Be able to use a tape measure and level
  • Be able to use a circular saw or miter saw
  • Be able to use a drill
  • Be able to level and align your columns and beams
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