Electric pergola

An electric pergola puts the roof on a remote. Press a button and the louvres open to the sun; press it again and they close against the rain. Here is how an electric pergola roof works, what you need to run one, and how Pergola Classic does it.

What is an electric pergola?

An electric pergola, also called a motorised pergola, is a louvred pergola with an electric drive that opens and closes the roof louvres by remote control. Instead of turning a crank, you change the angle of the roof at the touch of a button. That makes it easy to follow the sun as it moves round, and to close up quickly when a shower comes in.

How an electric pergola roof works

The louvres are aluminium slats that rotate together. Open, they let light and air through. Closed, they form a roof that's waterproof when fully closed.
The motor drives the louvres. On Pergola Classic it's a quiet electric motor developed for pergola systems, for even louvre movement.
The remote controls the motor. Classic uses a wireless remote control.
The gutters catch the rain from the closed louvres and take it down through the posts.

Pergola Classic: our electric pergola

Pergola Classic is an electric aluminium louvre pergola with a wireless remote, from £7,550. Optional perimeter LED lighting around the frame is available on both Classic and Essential.

Drive	Quiet electric motor with wireless remote
Lighting	Optional perimeter LED lighting around the frame, warm white 3000K, not dimmable
Power	220 to 230V supply for the motor (and LED converter if you add perimeter LED)
Sizes	Nine sizes from 3 × 4 m to 4 × 6 m, including 3.5 m widths
Height	2,350 mm standard, or custom 2,100 to 2,800 mm
Wind and snow	110 km/h wind rating; 160 to 320 kg/m² snow load by size (depending on configuration)
Warranty	10 years structure; 2 years motor and electronics
Price	From £7,550 (3 × 4 m) to £11,899 (4 × 6 m)

What you need to run an electric pergola

A power supply

Classic needs a standard 230V supply for the motor. If you add perimeter LED lighting, it uses the same supply through a converter. The motor cable is about 3 m long and is routed inside a post. We recommend a qualified electrician for the wiring. Plan where the supply will come from before installation day.

A remote, not an app

The louvres are controlled with a wireless remote. App or smart home control is not included as standard.

A little care

Keep the remote dry, check the power supply first if the roof doesn't respond, and don't run the louvres if ice, packed snow or branches are in the way. Our Care and Maintenance Guide has more.

Electric or manual?

If you'd rather have nothing to wire, Pergola Essential has the same aluminium build with a hand crank roof, from £6,459, and no electrician is needed for the roof. Choose Classic if you want:

the roof on a remote, so you can change the angle without getting up;
larger sizes up to 4 × 6 m, including 3.5 m widths;
a custom height from 2,100 to 2,800 mm;
a higher snow load rating, 160 to 320 kg/m² by size.

Optional perimeter LED lighting around the frame is available on both Classic and Essential.

Compare both on our pergolas page, or read about bioclimatic pergolas and how louvred roofs work through the year.

Optional perimeter LED lighting

A pergola with LED lights means the garden doesn't end when the sun goes down. Both Classic and Essential can take optional perimeter LED lighting around the frame (warm white, 3000K, not dimmable), powered at 24V through a converter from the mains supply. The lights sit in the frame, not in the louvres. Add them on the product page.

Putting up an electric pergola

Classic is designed for DIY assembly with clear instructions and pre-assembled components. Typically three people can put it up in a day. If you'd rather not, we can introduce you to an independent installation partner, who quotes separately, typically from £660 inc VAT. The installer can connect the supplied motor where the electrical supply is already prepared; the supply itself is a job for an electrician. See pergola installation.

Every Classic is made to order and delivered in around 4 to 6 weeks. See both models in our louvred pergola range. Ring us free on 0808 168 3131 or book a free consultation.