Exterior & Garden
Aluminium pergolas
Louvred, glass-roofed and fixed-roof pergolas built for Irish weather, so the patio gets used in more than the three good weeks of summer.
A pergola that earns its keep in Ireland
In a sunnier country a pergola is mostly about shade. Here it’s about shelter. A good pergola means you can sit out through a passing shower, eat outside on a bright evening in April, and leave the cushions on the chairs. That’s why every pergola we fit has a proper roof option, whether it’s louvres that close against rain, a glass roof or a solid one, and why we build them in powder-coated aluminium that won’t rot, rust or need painting.
Motorised louvred pergolas
Roof louvres that tilt open for sun and close tight for rain, at the touch of a button.
Freestanding or wall-mounted?
A wall-mounted pergola fixes to the back of the house along one side and stands on posts on the other. It’s the natural choice over a patio outside kitchen or living-room doors. The wall has to be solid enough to take the fixings, and houses with external insulation need special brackets that pass through it.
A freestanding pergola stands on four or more posts and can go anywhere: the sunny corner of the garden, over a hot tub, beside an outdoor kitchen. Each post sits on a concrete pad or is anchored to an existing slab.
How big should it be?
Start with what you’ll put underneath. A six-seater dining table with chairs pulled out needs roughly 3 × 3 metres. Add a sofa set or a barbecue and you’re quickly at 3 × 5 metres or more. Larger areas are built as several bays sharing posts. When we survey we mark out the footprint on the ground so you can see it before anything is ordered.
Open, screened or glazed
Most louvred pergolas start with the same frame and roof. What you add to the sides decides how and when you’ll use it, and the sides can be added later.
| Set-up | What it adds | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Motorised louvres that tilt open for air and close against rain, with gutters draining through the posts | Eating and sitting outside on dry or showery days |
| With zip screens | Fabric screens that drop down the sides in their own guides, from light shade to near blackout | Low afternoon sun, privacy and wind on one or two sides |
| With sliding glass | Toughened glass panels on multi-track rails that slide and stack to one side | Using the space from spring to late autumn |
Do you need planning permission?
Most back-garden pergolas in Ireland are exempted development under the rules for garden structures, as long as they stay within the limits. Since 27 July 2026, those limits allow up to 30 m² of garden structures in total. That figure includes any shed you already have. The structure can’t be in front of the house, and it can be no more than 3 metres high (4 metres with a tiled or slated pitched roof). It also has to leave at least 25 m² of private garden. Once a pergola is attached to the house and closed in with glass, a council may treat it as an extension instead. Our planning permission guide explains the rules in plain English. If you’re unsure, ask your council for a declaration before you build.
Foundations, fixings and drainage
Rain landing on a pergola roof has to go somewhere. On louvred and solid roofs, it runs into gutters built into the frame and down through the posts. We plan where that water goes: a drain, a gully or a soakaway. Post foundations are sized for the structure and your ground. Wall fixings go into solid masonry or through purpose-made brackets, and wind loads are allowed for in the design.
Pergola FAQs
Do I need planning permission for a pergola in Ireland?
Usually not, if it’s in the back garden and within the garden-structure limits. Since 27 July 2026, that means no more than 30 m² of such structures in total, no more than 3 m high (4 m with a tiled or slated pitched roof), not in front of the house, and leaving at least 25 m² of garden. Check with your council if you’re near any limit or the house is a protected structure.
How much does an aluminium pergola cost?
It depends mostly on size, roof type and options. A fixed-roof pergola costs less than a motorised louvred one, and glass sides, lighting, heaters and screens all add to the price. We give a fixed, itemised quote after a site survey, so you know exactly what’s included.
Will a pergola stand up to Irish wind?
A properly designed and anchored aluminium pergola will. We allow for wind loads when choosing the structure and fixings. Motorised louvred roofs can also take a wind sensor that moves the louvres to their safe position automatically.
How long does it take to install a pergola?
Most pergolas are installed in one to two days once the foundations are ready. Larger or enclosed pergolas, or ones with lighting and heaters, can take a little longer. Electrical connections are made by a registered electrician.
Can I add lighting and heating to a pergola?
Yes. LED lighting, infrared heaters and zip screens can be built in from the start or added later. It’s easiest to plan the cabling at the beginning. See our pergola lighting, heaters and screens.