What kinds of pergola can you fit?
Most kit pergolas, whether aluminium or timber, freestanding or fixed to the house. The kit's instructions and fixings decide much of how it goes up.
The main types we see in Leicester gardens are:
- Aluminium louvred pergolas
- Adjustable roof slats that open for sun or close against rain.
- Aluminium pergolas with fixed or fabric roofs
- Lighter kits, often with retractable canopies.
- Timber pergolas
- Classic open frames, good for climbing plants.
- Wall-mounted pergolas
- Fixed to the house on one side, posts on the other.
- Freestanding pergolas
- Four or more posts, placed anywhere in the garden.
Can a pergola be fixed to patio slabs?
Sometimes. It depends on how thick the slabs are and how they were laid. Slabs on a full bed of mortar over a solid base can often take the fixings. Slabs laid on sand or on spots of mortar usually cannot.
The posts carry the weight of the roof and, more importantly, resist wind pulling and pushing on the structure. If the slabs are not strong enough, the usual options are:
- Fixing through suitable slabs
- Heavy-duty anchors into a solid, well-laid patio.
- Concrete pads under the posts
- Slabs lifted, a pad poured, then relaid or trimmed around the post.
- Posts set in the ground
- Concreted in, or on post bases, where there is no patio.
Why do levels and measurements matter so much?
Because a pergola only works properly when it is square and level. Louvres, blinds and gutters are made to close tolerances, and a frame that is slightly out shows up as gaps, rubbing or water running the wrong way.
Patios are usually laid with a slight fall so rain runs off, which means the posts do not all start at the same height. We measure and set out the posts carefully before anything is fixed, then check level and square again as the frame goes together. Blinds in particular need the frame to be accurate, or they can bind or sit unevenly. It takes a little longer, and it makes a big difference to how the pergola works for years afterwards.
How is a pergola secured against wind?
By fixing every post to a solid base with fixings suited to that base, as the maker specifies. Wind is the main force a pergola has to resist, more than its own weight.
A closed louvred roof or a lowered blind acts like a sail, so the fixings have to handle strong gusts. Many aluminium kits state a wind rating, and some makers advise opening the louvres or raising blinds in high winds. Wall-mounted pergolas also need a secure fixing into sound masonry. If the base or wall is not strong enough for the kit, we will tell you before we start rather than fit it and hope.
Can you add blinds, lights and sockets to a pergola?
Yes. This is where having one person for the carpentry and the electrics helps: the frame, the blinds and the wiring can be planned together and done on one job.
Outdoor electrics need care. Cables must be protected, fittings must be rated for outdoor use, and circuits need RCD protection. A new outdoor circuit is notifiable under Part P, so it is notified to building control and you get a certificate. Typical additions include:
- Side or roller blinds
- Fitted to the frame for shade and privacy.
- LED strip or spot lighting
- Built into the frame, on a switch or remote.
- Outdoor sockets
- Weatherproof, for heaters, speakers or garden tools.
- Power for motorised louvres or blinds
- Some kits need a supply for their motor.
Do I need planning permission for a pergola?
Often not, because many pergolas fall under permitted development. But there are limits, and the rules can differ, so check with your council before you buy.
Permitted development usually depends on things like the overall height, how close the structure is to a boundary, whether it is in front of the house, and how much of the garden is covered. Lower limits often apply near boundaries. Listed buildings, conservation areas and some new-build estates may have extra restrictions. Leicester City Council and the district councils around it can advise, and the Planning Portal has guidance. We can give you the measurements of the kit to help.
Should I build the kit myself or have it fitted?
If you are confident with tools and have a solid base, small timber kits are a reasonable DIY job. Larger aluminium kits are heavy and need accurate levels and secure fixings, so many people prefer them fitted.
We fit kits you have already bought, and we can advise before you buy if you send a product link. We also assemble sheds and garden storage. If you are thinking about a garden room instead, note that ones used as offices or for sleeping may need Building Regulations approval depending on their size and use, so check before you order.