Hosting a lively weekend barbecue, enjoying a quiet evening with a book, or simply soaking in the outdoors with loved ones? A well-designed pergola can elevate every moment. A pergola brings in a refreshing breeze while shielding you from the harsh sun or those unexpected afternoon showers.
With countless materials, styles, and features to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to get started. Whether you’re building your pergola from the ground up, gathering inspiration for a new project, or looking to upgrade an existing structure, this guide walks you through every step of the process.
From layout and location to lighting and finishing touches, you’ll find everything you need to create a pergola that’s not only beautiful but built for years of memorable outdoor experiences.
Designing a Pergola Roof: Where To Begin?
Start with the materials for your pergola roof. What are they going to be? Think about potential materials to suit your space because it will save you a big headache later on.
When building a pergola, don’t just assume the roof will fit any size or shape of pergola structure: you have to weigh up the roofing materials to save time, money and disappointment. Planning the overall design and the finer details of the structure will complement your home in terms of look and feel. Again, this means picking the right materials from the beginning.
It is critical to work from the top down during this design stage.
How much will this cost you?
Without planning carefully, the cost of your pergola design might be more than you’d hoped. The product you like might not fit the structure you’ve built if you didn’t consider the roof material specs. You don’t want to be forced to make structural changes to accommodate your preferred roofing material and installation.
A roofing specialist supporting you early in the design stage means you can move forward in planning. You’ll have the product knowledge to pass on to your builder and they can build the pergola to support the polycarbonate system you like most.
What are some of the ideal roofing options?
Polycarbonate roofing sheets come in a number of styles, such as traditional profiled sheets, flat lightweight (but strong) twinned-wall, colours that control light and heat transmissions, and high-end glass panels without the weight or expense of glass.
For example, Sunpal multiwall gives you a modern, clean look with good thermal insulation and light diffusion. These systems have specific installation needs that influence the frame design. Some are simple to install, and some are more complex, requiring aluminium bars to piece them together.
Many come in different widths, thicknesses and lengths, which will inform the dimensions of your roof, such as spacing between rafters. Knowing how to navigate this means you can avoid additional timber or metal costs in the structure if it is a few centimetres too wide!
Where can you find inspiration for your pergola?
A pergola is a stylish, practical alternative to the temporary (and collapsible) gazebos and outdoor umbrellas that people put up in summer.
Over time, a pergola is a cheaper and more sustainable option and works out as an investment, so always take your time to plan. Search for images online that inspire you.
- Metal and black options for a contemporary feel
- Timber and white for a Mediterranean, beachy-like design
- Rustic options can include timber, with more natural lighting instead of a diffused, darker light
Do you want a pergola for relaxing times with family, or to shelter for laundry or pets from the weather? Write down what you think you’ll be using your new pergola for most of the time, and plan out this space with these activities in mind.
What are some design features?
Open vs covered structures
This design looks excellent in images, but it offers little privacy or protection. Roofing that protects you while still providing an “open” vibe includes SUNGLAZE polycarbonate roofing and EZ Glaze.
Polycarbonate comes in many colours, from clear (like glass) to tinted and translucent for a shadier look. How much light do you want? The more light you want, the more heat that will transfer; however, polycarbonate balances heat, light, and shade in your patio or pergola, stopping 99% of UV rays. Translucent sheets, for example, still allow light to come in, stop rain, and look pretty while doubling as a privacy screen.
Flat vs pitched roofing
A flat-topped roof isn’t a bad idea if you have an open structure, but if you’ve decided to cover your area, the pitch of your roof is important.
If a roof cover is something you might do, a flat roof causes major issues like leaking, as it won’t direct water away from the entry points, or work against council regulations on water collection. Some degree of fall on the roof is critical when planning any covered outdoor structure. Even a tiny 5-degree pitch puts it at risk.
What about rafters and purlins? What should you use?
Some designs only have rafters or mainly purlins (which are sometimes called battens). Pretty much all polycarbonate roofing products can be installed on purlins, although some need purlins closer together and some further apart, and some perform better on rafters than others.
Whether you’re using rafters or purlins, it may change which polycarbonate product you can use on your roof, so think about it first.
Here are some more things to ask yourself:
- Does it offer rain protection?
- Does the structure offer cooling from the afternoon summer sun on the big glass doors, or will it let heat straight into your home?
- Does it offer UV protection to people, plants, or furniture?
- Does the structure itself have protection? For example, timber weathers fast, and water can rot the joints and end grains.
- Is the structure completely flat? Will it cause issues when retrofitting a polycarbonate roof?
What should you decide on? It depends on your preferences for colour, light, and heat. If you live in Melbourne, you’ll want a polycarbonate sheet that bounces back sunlight in summer, but has good enough properties to insulate in winter.
A smoky grey polycarbonate sheet keeps the worst of heat and light out while still giving you enough light. White opaque can be too dark in the evenings, but it diffuses light well and brightens up spaces during the day. The opal tint from Solasafe gives you 55% light transmission but only 35% heat, which is the best of both worlds.
Choose Roofing Options for DIY Pergola Kits!
- Our pergola kits are suitable for outdoor living spaces across Australia.
- They are designed to be functional, durable, and visually appealing.
- Our DIY pergola kits are an economical choice.
- Whether you require installation guidance or help with kit selection, we’re just a phone call away.
- These pergola kits are designed for easy assembly. You can transform your patio into an outdoor paradise with a touch of DIY spirit, reducing the need for professional tradespeople.
The superior durability of our DIY patio covers is due to the use of high-quality materials. The roof panels are made of an incredibly resilient polycarbonate that provides up to 100% protection from harmful UV rays while transmitting natural sunlight, so you get to enjoy the sun while being protected from it.
You never have to worry about the panels fracturing or turning yellow over time, and the screw-free roofing system is specifically designed to prevent rain or dew leaks.
It is made of ultra-strong, rust-free aluminium structure, which is specially engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions all year-round.
What polycarbonate roof systems do we supply?
- Sunlite Twinwall, which has a cellular structural design, is ideal for roofing and glazing applications in and around the home, as well as commercial and industrial uses.
- Sunpal Multi incorporates standing seam joints, a timeless style profile featuring classic long and vertical lines that suit both modern and traditional architecture.
- Sunglaze offers the elegant appearance of glass without being fragile.
Whether you’re needing roofing supplies in Preston, Coburg, Thornbury, Reservoir, Lalor, or Broadmeadows, talk to an expert today at Roofing Options. We have a collection of DIY Kits!
Order Polycarbonate Roofing at Roofing Options!
Are you a builder, contractor, homeowner or a passionate DIY’er? Roofing Options has everything you need to transform your property’s exterior. As a leading source for roofing supplies in Melbourne, we have three walk-in locations and a convenient online store.
We supply reliable Colorbond roofing supplies, sheets, panels, custom flashing, downpipes, and a range of DIY kits, including pergola kits.
Contact us now to learn more about what we can do for your roofing plans. Check out our online catalogue for steel roof sheets, Palram Sunsky, Ampelite Solasafe, Suntuf Beehive, and more.
