Creating some shading for your patio or deck will make the space a far more comfortable and usable living space. Especially here in Palm Beach County where the sun is blazing and the rain showers can put a quick end to an afternoon garden party, shade structures really need to be able to stand up to anything Mother Nature has in store. Here we’ll review some of the options for creating a patio or deck cover to create some shade and combat the rain. We’ll also look at the unique benefits of a motorized louvered pergola and how it will help you get the most enjoyment from your outdoor living space. Today’s motorized louvered-roof pergolas do way more than just block out some sun, they can turn your outdoor space into an all-weather, all-year relaxation space.
Umbrellas, sunshades and awnings are simple patio cover solutions. They can be convenient short-term options, but their limitations can put a real damper on your outdoor enjoyment.
We discussed some of the drawbacks of temporary shade options like umbrellas, sunshades and awnings. So, let’s explore the far more flexible, stylish and durable pergola options that you should consider.
Shade structures composed of a roof supported by columns and open on the sides, pergolas come in multiple styles. Generally, they can be outfitted with a fixed roof for full-time shade, or a roof made of adjustable louvers that can adjust to control the amount of shade and block out rain. Either roof style can be constructed as a standalone structure on a patio, deck or adjacent to a pool, or attached to the home to create a seamless indoor/outdoor space.
One great advantage of a pergola is it offers protection from the sun, but can also seal out the rain. If you live in an area that sees a lot of rain, like we do here in South Florida, it is important to choose a louvered roof pergola that features a gapless roof design that captures every drop of rain.
Your outdoor residential space can become a great outdoor dining space, simple relaxation zone or even feature a full-blown outdoor kitchen. Regardless of the way you expect to use your new outdoor space it's important that the pergola accents your home’s existing style. Our pergolas are all custom designed to complement your architecture. We can even exactly color match the existing color scheme of your home or create a customized wood-grain finish for a more traditional look. Two-tone color schemes, that match the pergola frame and columns to your home’s exterior and then incorporate white louvers, can allow the space to feel more expansive as well.
The key difference between a fixed roof pergola and an adjustable louvered roof is control over the sun/shade balance. Both roof styles will be able to seamlessly accent your existing architecture, and both are capable of completely blocking the rain, but a fixed roof pergola will impart full-time shade on your patio. If you want the ability to open the roof on nice days, close it partially to create shade, and then close the roof completely in the rain…then a motorized louvered roof pergola is for you.
Not all adjustable louvered roof pergolas are created the same. To the layman’s eye, different brands can look similar, but the Azenco line of custom-fabricated pergolas are built with a level of precision that is unseen in our industry. That precision craftsmanship brings you a pergola with clean exterior lines unencumbered by exterior hardware. It also means that your pergola roof is totally gapless. Azenco’s unique dual-walled louver design closes to completely block out the sun while other brands often leave noticeable gaps throughout. Their design is also the only adjustable roof pergola that can truly seal out all the rain, ensuring no drips ruin your afternoon cookout, and channel that rainwater through internal gutters and away from the outdoor living space below.
When adding a pergola to your outdoor space, you want it to be both an elegant addition to your home and one that is truly functional. The functionality that is built into your custom pergola will be determined by exactly how you plant to use your new outdoor space. For example, if you plan to barbecue under your pergola or install a gas fire pit, you’ll want to consider the height of the support columns. Some extra clearance for the roof will allow better ventilation of the heat and any ash. To ensure your outdoor space is suitable for evening entertaining, LED lights can be embedded in the support columns and infrared heaters can keep away the occasional seaside chill. If privacy is a priority for your outdoor space, then consider adding integrated screens or curtains that can close the space off or open to take in the sweeping views.
Another great reason we work with Azenco’s best-in-market adjustable louvered roof pergolas is because of their intuitive control options. All our pergolas are operated with a simple remote that controls the motorized louvers, screens, lights, etc. A popular upgrade that we offer is the integration of a dynamic sensor array that can monitor the weather and make adjustments to the louvered roof automatically. A rain sensor will watch for precipitation and automatically close the roof at the first sign of rain. Another sensor monitors wind conditions and can automatically open the roof if wind gusts reach potentially-damaging levels. These autonomous sensor capabilities are hugely popular with our customers in coastal Florida where daily rain and hurricane-force winds can pop up unexpectedly.
These intuitive smart features combine with the unrivaled build quality of our pergolas to make your daily outdoor living the most relaxing time possible. Just imagine…you start your day with the roof fully-open as you relax with a cup of coffee and the gentle morning sun. As the sun reaches its peak and temperatures climb, you click the remote to angle the louvers for some partial shade. As you lower the integrated sun screens for some privacy, an afternoon rain shower rumbles nearby, but you drift back into your afternoon nap as the rain sensor automatically closes the louvered roof. The rain water collects in the pergola’s hidden gutter system and drains into your adjoining flower beds. As the rain subsides and the sun descends, you hit the embedded LED lights and open the sun screens to enjoy the sunset. As you retire for the night a mobile alert pops up on your phone announcing an overnight wind storm, but you simply continue to make your way to bed knowing the embedded wind sensor will open the louvers to protect your investment. The next day, you get to do it all again…maybe this time with cocktails and friends…or maybe you’ll just keep this space to yourself.
As mentioned earlier, here at SYZYGY Global we’ve partnered with Azenco because the company simply manufactures the best pergolas we’ve found in this industry. With 20+ years of refined manufacturing expertise under its belt, the company has truly refined its products. Some of the features that make these pergolas standout from other alternatives include:
The best maintenance plan for any pergola with a motorized louvered roof is simply to use it regularly. The actuation of the motors will self-lubricate the pistons and keep it in great working order. A routine scheduled cleaning and inspection is also important, and is something that we provide to all of our clients.
The design, engineering and installation of a pergola requires some specialized expertise. From a design perspective, our team will work with you to create a structure that augments your existing home style and truly stands out as an artistic architectural addition to your home. We’ll also take care of the oft-overlooked details like ensuring the pergola is properly oriented so the louvers open to allow the best sunlight into your outdoor space. Our team will also conduct the site inspection necessary to properly engineer your pergola to meet your local building codes. We have intricate knowledge of the local building codes from Port St. Lucie to Boca Raton to Miami’s South Beach and will ensure your pergola project is finished as seamlessly as possible.
This article provides an overview of some different types of shade solutions for your outdoor deck or patio. Obviously, the unique benefits of an automatic adjustable louvered roof pergola will make your outdoor living space truly stand out as a luxurious amenity for your home. If you would like to explore how a motorized louvered roof pergola can revolutionize your outdoor lifestyle, please contact us today.
