Britain’s weather requires adaptability. One minute you need shade from the intense sun, the next you need protection from the rain. When investing in semi-permanent outdoor structures, the question is always the same: Awning or Pergola?
One or the other can’t be considered ‘better,’ as there are many variables between them both. It all comes down to what is most suitable for your outside space – these factors and variables come down to how you would like to use your space, the budget available, the weather conditions, or climate that the structure will be placed in, and also how permanent or flexible you would like the shading structure to be.
Keep on reading and our detailed comparison will assist you in confidently selecting the ideal one between awnings or pergolas for shaded outdoor relaxation.
What are the main differences between an awning and a pergola?
The shading experience
There are many reasons why both awnings and pergolas can create the perfect shading experience for your outdoor space:
- Awnings can create an instant temperature drop in your shaded area, meaning you’ll have less glare from the sunshine, a more comfortable and airy sitting area, but most importantly relief from the direct sun.
- From an indoor perspective, awnings can reduce indoor heat and the need for air conditioning because it minimises any heat gain through the glass panes. Overall, it dims the harsh sunbeams shining through and creates a more diffused and softer ambiance.
- With retractable or tilt-adjustable awnings, you can adapt your shading experience accordingly throughout the day, such as morning vs. afternoon sun, sun angles and any heat waves. You’ll have complete control over how much sun and shade you would like
- Overall, they provide a more calm, relaxed and inviting environment, with privacy from neighbouring properties and can bring the ‘indoors outside,’ with more lunch, pet, kid-friendly shaded areas
- Pergolas traditionally have an open-roof design with crossbeams, or a lattice, and this allows for sunlight to be filtered through, creating soft shadows with natural breezes flowing through. This can create a more open-air feel without direct and harsh sun rays.
- The rain protection is fantastic with pergolas, should you have louvred roofs or retractable canopies.
- There’s a big emphasis in UV and heat protection, and it’s been scientifically proven that UV resistant canopies/fabrics can block a significant portion of UV rays and reduce the temperature in the seating area and allows for an extended use of the area during hot weather.
- Pergolas can become your little private and ambient bubble, with side screens, curtains and other accessories.
- If you’re looking to create an outdoor area that has the ultimate style, then pergolas have the most aesthetic appeal. For an eco-friendly style, pergolas can house natural options, such as climbing plants, and provide a more natural look that changes season-to-season.
Durability
Durability can be tested in a variety of different ways; structural strength, weather resistance, and maintenance needs:
Structural Strength:
Weather Resistance:
Maintenance:
- For both awnings and pergolas, dependent on whether you also have a fabric roof with your pergola, they require a degree of maintenance to elongate their product life – fabric cleaning is required and water-repellant coatings may need to be reapplied.
- Awnings and pergolas do require cleaning and servicing of any motorised parts, and if your pergola has a rain gutter, that will need to be cleaned and cleared on a regular basis
Wind resistance
Depending on what type of awning you have, awnings will have varying wind resistance. For the most standard retractable awnings (class 1), they can withstand wind between 20-25mph. Higher wind-rated awnings (class 2 and 3) can handle stronger winds, up to 28mph. However, resistance can also be varied by how well they are installed, and whether there is the use of wind sensors or other protective measures.
Like awnings, the wind resistance of pergolas depends on what frame they have and also the quality of the install. If the frame is aluminium, they can typically withstand winds between 75-90mph. If the frame is steel, it’s 90-120mph and then for wooden frames it’ll be around 50-70mph.
All-in-all, pergolas have a higher wind resistance than awnings.
Waterproof resistance
What makes an awning water resistant is the type of fabric used, the structural design and any coatings and treatments added. Acrylic material is the most common, and this material is durable, UV-resistant and when this fabric is treated, it repels water excellently. However, with retractable awnings, the fabric needs to be tensioned tightly often so that water doesn’t pool on top.
For pergolas, a good model will have built-in guttering to help channel water away through the frame and away from the structure. It’ll also require a bit of maintenance to identify any faulty seals throughout the joints to prevent leakage when raining.
Installation
The complexity, time duration and DIY expertise all contribute to which is easier to install; awnings or pergolas:
- Awnings, in general, are much quicker to install. Looking at the main steps in installing an awning, suitable fixing points will need to be located carefully on the wall (if it’s wall mounted), mounting the awning brackets and then connecting the awning.
- Retractable awnings require more work if they’re motorised due to the wiring needs of the structure and if the awning is being placed on an un-even surface.
- The great part of installing an awning is that there’s zero or minimal ground works involved, as concrete footings don’t need to be prepared to hold the awning.
- Awnings don’t typically require planning permission, as they’re considered an extension of the property’s wall and they’re light in comparison to pergolas, so the process is more simple and a lot quicker.
- If you did want to employ a local builder or handyman, the labour costs are lower than installing pergolas, because the structure is lighter and has minimal grounds work.
- Pergolas are large and complicated structures, which requires expertise, patience and a lot of time. Depending on the size of the structure, you may need planning permission, which can be a lengthy and stressful process
- Since pergolas are more substantial than awnings, installation is more specialised and takes a lot longer, due to the structural accuracy of the pergola and more than one person may be required to install effectively and safely. Because of the time and complexity of pergolas, labour will be more expensive than awnings and groundworks will need to be prepared, which is lengthy in itself
- DIY pergola projects are possible, but it does require a lot of knowledge about groundworks and landscaping.
Shade structure features (available accessories, structure coating, available types, etc.)
For both awnings and pergolas, there are standard structural features available to choose from, all from the frame materials to functional and and aesthetic options:
- The main materials used for awnings are between aluminium and steel – the aluminium is lightweight, low maintenance and rust-resistant and the steel frames are usually powder-coated or galvanised which have stronger frames, and are better for larger awnings.
- The most common fabric used for awnings is acrylic, which is UV and fade-resistant and a very breathable fabric, and also vinyl-coated material, which is waterproof and ideal for heavy rain protection.
- There are 3 ways to have your awnings mounted – wall-mounted (attached to the exterior walls of your property), roof-mounted (brackets installed to lift the awning above the roofline for better clearance) and free-standing (also known as ‘butterfly awnings’).
- The next feature to focus on will be the retractability – you can manually extend and retract your awning using a handle or hand crank, connecting a motor to a remote control or wall switch, so that the motor does all of the hard work for you, or using smart features as additional extras (e.g. controlled by a phone app and integrates with home automation systems).
- Design features include fabric colours that tie in with your current exterior décor theme, type of decorative valance (scalloped, straight etc), LED lighting strips in the arms or frame of the awning and also rain gutters for stationary awnings.
- The main materials used for pergola structures include aluminium (lightweight, low maintenance and rust-resistant), galvanised or powder-coated steel (stronger frame structure than other materials, better for larger pergolas, extremely hard-wearing) and wood (more of a decorative feature, especially if you’re looking for a more traditional look).
- There are a couple of general roof options to take into consideration – open rafters (ideal for partial shade and is considered a more classic pergola style) and louvred (manual or motorised) roofs (slats which are adjustable that can allow full shade, partial shade and also rain protection).
- Privacy and enclosure options to consider are side screens (usually made of mesh or fabric – can also include curtains), privacy walls (laticessed, wooden slats or metal panels), or glass/acrylic panels (enables you to use pergola comfortably during all four seasons).
- For aesthetic features that are most common, they include decorative end cuts on rafters, planters that are built-in for climbing plants (such as vines),colour customisation (whether powder-coated or wood stained) and LED strip lighting in the beams or posts.
- Many accessories are available to purchase to take your pergola to the next level – ceiling fans, patio heaters, audio systems and kitchen integration (such as barbeques, countertops or outdoor bars).
Planning permissions
Always check with your local council as rules can vary from country to country, but all-in-all, have a look below to see what’s covered by Permitted Development and when you might need planning permission:
- Awnings are considered less intrusive than pergolas, as they’re usually attached to a property.
- If the awning is being attached to a property, it’s more likely viewed as ‘alterations to the dwelling,’ rather than a garden outbuilding.
- Many councils may not ask for planning permission if it’s a simple structure, but please check with your council anyway.
- If the awning structure creates a full terrace, then this may trigger the Permitted Development limits and require a planning application.
- Many pergolas are covered under Permitted Development (PD), as garden structures or outbuildings. Permitted Development is a grant of planning permission that allows an individual to make minor property changes without a formal application.
- There are many height rules, including if a pergola is within 2m of a boundary, the height cannot exceed 2.5m and the pergola can’t cover more than 50% of your garden area.
- The structure must also be facing away from the street.
- If your property is a listed building or in a conservation area, then the Permitted Development status may be affected.
- In addition, the pergola must have a use that is incidental to the house, such as an area for seating and shade, and not to be lived in.
- If the pergola is fully-enclosed, with walls and a solid roof, this may require full planning permission.
Energy efficiency
In general, awnings provide better energy-efficiency benefits to your property, in particular when installed over patio doors and windows. You can see below the benefits it may bring you:
- Sunlight is blocked before it reaches the glass – the main source of heat gain in the UK, in particular the summer, is glass and so having an awning over your windows can reduce any solar heat entering the property, therefore reducing room temperature, and it can reduce the need further to use air conditioning or fans.
- Retractable awnings offer adjustable efficiency – awnings can be used in winter, as well as summer, and the benefits can be earned in all seasons.
- In winter, you can retract the awning to gain passive heat from the low-positioned sun. In turn, it means you can let in natural daylight and experience the benefits of seasonal energy optimisation.
- Pergolas provide indirect shading – which means they can shade your patio areas but not the glass itself.
- If pergolas are to be more energy-efficient, they would need to be attached directly to your property, have a solid roof or have a projection that is long enough to block the angle of the sun.
- Morning and evening sun can slip under pergola roofs, which means that heat gain in the windows cannot be avoided.
- Pergolas don’t allow winter solar gain, like awnings, and so this can actually increase the need of heating in winter furthermore.
If you are still set on purchasing a pergola, they would need to be a motorised louvred pergola, as these can close to block heat and light, open to let in winter light, and provide flexible shading similar to awnings.
Which shade system works even during power outages?
The winner in this debate is the pergola – this is because they are structural and mostly not mechanical, so they are able to provide shade at all times and not having to rely on motors, wiring or electrics. They also remain fully usable and stable in a blackout. Most modern awnings are retractable and motorised, and so they rely on electrics. During a power cut, they can’t extend or retract, either leaving you with an awning fully extended when it’s not needed, and fully retracted when it’s needed. Some awnings provide battery backup motors, but these are quite rare and, of course, optional.
Awning vs Pergolas - which one adds value to your house?
Awnings and pergolas can add value to your home, or property, in several ways, including financially and day-to-day comfort.
Awnings block direct sunlight from your windows which reduces heat gain in the summer, therefore reducing the need for air conditioning or fans. They also increase your outdoor living space, enhance your kerb appeal and in particular could boost your property value, as retractable awnings are seen as ‘premium features.’
With pergolas, they can add value in similar ways – they offer increased privacy of your property, improve energy efficiency, expand your usable outdoor living space, and mainly they offer support for landscaping and greenery on your property, as they’re great for flowering climbing plants and can add a rustic and natural beauty to your property. Because of this, pergolas have a really good return on investment, and they can be the difference between your property selling and not selling.
Can awnings handle heavy rain?
Most materials used for awnings are water resistant, but it depends on the level of rain, ranging from light rain to heavy rain.
Fixed awnings are the best for heavy rain, because it means they have a steep slope that helps water to run off quickly, and a durable fabric such as acrylic, vinyl or even metal.Â
Retractable awnings can handle light rain, but not as heavy as fixed awnings – this is because there’s a risk of pooling water on the awning.Â
Sensors are now readily available, such as rain and wind sensors to automatically retract in trying weather conditions.
How much wind can an awning withstand?
Wind resistance of awnings vary from type to type, all depending on what class they are (levels of wind resistance according to the Beaufort scale), what type of awning they are (fixed vs. retractable, manual vs. motorised) and also what other protective measures are taken with them (e.g. wind sensors).
The better quality the awning is (class 2 or 3), the more wind they can withstand. But, we ask that our customers are sensible with their use – if they can sense that the wind is starting to pick up more than usual, then to close the awning for everybody’s safety and to avoid any damage.
Can a neighbour complain about a pergola?
A neighbour may have growing concerns about a pergola on your property, but if you’ve had planning permission and installed the pergola safely and legally, then the complaint usually won’t go any further. Reasons for concern include:
- Nuisance concerns – such as construction of the structure during non-sociable hours and excessive noise coming from the owners
- Draining or structural issues that can affect their property, such as rain water running off onto their property, and a structure that has been made safe or unstable, perhaps in terrible weather conditions
- Blocks their view or sunlight, if the structure is too large
Our Final Verdict
As we’ve detailed, the choice between an awning and a pergola isn’t about finding a “better” product – it’s about finding the shade system that goes along with your specific needs.
If your primary goal is maximum energy efficiency and flexibility, and you need to control heat gain through windows, a high-quality retractable awning is the clear winner. If you prioritise a permanent structure, architectural statement, and a shade system that remains fully functional during a power outage, the pergola is your best bet.Â
Keep in mind to consider your local council regulations, the size of your space, and the level of maintenance you are willing to commit, and you will find the perfect outdoor solution to extend your living space, whatever the British weather decides to do.
