What are the differences between a wooden pergola, an aluminium pergola and an arbour?
When summer arrives, many of you are looking for a solution to protect your terrace or garden. Between a pergola and an arbour, the pergola is the most versatile and durable shelter. Available in a range of materials, we help you choose the pergola that's right for you. Which do you prefer, wood or aluminum?
Between a pergola and an arbour, which is the best option for my garden?
Pergolas and arbors are popular with homeowners looking for a terrace shelter. Both are ideal for creating an outdoor space protected from the sun and bad weather.
Two must-haves for outdoor living
A pergola with fabric or adjustable slats is a permanent structure that can be leaned against a wall. In this case, it rests on your facade and is a true extension of your home. You can also install your pergola as an island. This self-supporting model consists of four posts topped by a slightly sloping roof.
An arbour is a small-scale shelter that's easy to set up in the garden. Also known as a barnum, it is ideal for summer use as a dining area. Arbors are also popular for entertaining guests at home. Most often, they consist of a rectangular frame covered with canvas.
Pergolas and arbors protect you from UV rays and bad weather, so you can enjoy your terrace even more. They create a particularly pleasant shaded area on hot summer days. They're also ideal for garden furniture or relaxation areas.
Arbors: affordable but temporary shelter
Arbors are a cost-effective solution for spending quality time outdoors with friends and family. They are generally made of polyester fabric stretched over steel legs.
That's why it's less expensive than a pergola, which requires more high-end materials.
The price difference is also due to its ease of installation. With an arbour, you don't need to plan any work. Usually delivered in kit form, it's easy to assemble, even for DIY enthusiasts.
Open at the sides, the arbour lets air circulate. For added protection against the wind, side panels can be added to the structure. They also offer greater privacy from prying eyes.
However, an arbour is more fragile than a pergola, and must be dismantled every mid-season. It's a lightweight structure that doesn't stand up well to the elements. It is therefore preferable to store it in winter, when the weather is less clement.
If seasonal use doesn't suit you, don't hesitate to turn to a pergola. This type of installation is strong enough to remain in place all year round. Biossun offers a wide range of bioclimatic aluminum solutions.
The pergola: an additional living space
Like an aluminum veranda, a pergola offers additional living space. Free-standing or lean-to, it becomes an extension of your home. It adapts to all architectural styles, creating a shady corner that's totally open to your surroundings.
Versatile, the pergola gives a convivial look to a roof terrace, swimming pool or outdoor dining area. It can also be used as a carport for your vehicle or as protection for a spa or jacuzzi.
A pergola is accessible all year round. This permanent installation withstands sun, rain and wind. It's completely waterproof thanks to its integrated roof. The most common types of covering are canvas and motorized parallel or perpendicular slats.
A pergola built with quality materials is more expensive than an arbour. But you won't need to replace it if it's properly maintained. At Biossun, we prefer aluminum for our top-of-the-range bioclimatic solutions.
A pergola does, however, involve some administrative formalities, depending on its size. Between 5 and 20m², all you need is a preliminary building declaration. If the surface area to be converted is larger, a building permit is required.
Which is better: a wooden pergola or an aluminium pergola?
If you opt for a pergola, there are several types to choose from. The most common are made of solid wood or aluminium. Find out more about their advantages and disadvantages.
Wooden pergola: a charming addition to your property
A wooden pergola is not suitable for every home. It's best suited to traditional or unusual buildings. A natural material like wood gives your terrace a warm feel. But it must be treated. Autoclave treatment is the most widely used to combat damp and insects.
More often than not, the posts are used to support climbing plants that cover the structure. A green roof provides effective protection from the sun and a picturesque atmosphere. But it also makes adjoining rooms considerably darker. What's more, it's not waterproof, making your pergola unusable outside the summer months.
The other disadvantage of a wooden pergola is its maintenance. As well as needing to be treated, wood requires more frequent cleaning than aluminium. Its paint needs to be brightened up regularly and the climbing plants need to be pruned and watered. All these factors add to the cost of a wooden pergola.
Aluminium pergola: extra living space
With its sleek, modern look, the aluminium pergola goes perfectly with contemporary homes. It also brings a designer look to more traditional homes. It can be completely customised, thanks to the range of colours available. You can even opt for a wood-effect colour to add a touch of character to your property.
An aluminium pergola with motorised slats guarantees thermal comfort. The opening and closing system regulates the temperature under the pergola and in the adjoining room. Depending on the orientation of the slats, you can let in light or, on the contrary, enjoy a little coolness.
Unlike a wooden pergola, an aluminium structure does not need to be treated to withstand the elements. Aluminium is less sensitive than wood and lighter than steel, so your pergola will last longer. What's more, it's very easy to maintain. Biossun recommends simply cleaning your aluminium pergola with clear water once or twice a year.
Discover Biossun bioclimatic pergolas
Would you like to enjoy your outdoors all year round? A pergola with awning or motorized slats is an excellent choice for a sheltered outdoor living space. At Biossun, you'll find a range of models made from premium-grade aluminum.
This material is renowned for its many qualities. Both light and strong, aluminum is also infinitely recyclable. We use it for frames and slats to ensure that your custom or standard pergola lasts over time.
For your future pergola, put your trust in Biossun partners. They'll come to you for a technical study of your project. Once the measurements have been taken, they will guide you in designing a structure that meets your needs.
They then install the pergola, which is covered by our ten-year warranty. Once the job is finished, we can be called in at any time to add accessories. For example, you can install LED lighting, sliding glass or a vertically lowering awning.
Your project
When summer arrives, many of you are looking for a solution to protect your terrace or garden. Between a pergola and an arbour, the pergola is the most versatile and durable shelter. Available in a range of materials, we help you choose the pergola that's right for you. Which do you prefer, wood or aluminum?
Between a pergola and an arbour, which is the best option for my garden?
Pergolas and arbors are popular with homeowners looking for a terrace shelter. Both are ideal for creating an outdoor space protected from the sun and bad weather.
Two must-haves for outdoor living
A pergola with fabric or adjustable slats is a permanent structure that can be leaned against a wall. In this case, it rests on your facade and is a true extension of your home. You can also install your pergola as an island. This self-supporting model consists of four posts topped by a slightly sloping roof.
An arbour is a small-scale shelter that's easy to set up in the garden. Also known as a barnum, it is ideal for summer use as a dining area. Arbors are also popular for entertaining guests at home. Most often, they consist of a rectangular frame covered with canvas.
Pergolas and arbors protect you from UV rays and bad weather, so you can enjoy your terrace even more. They create a particularly pleasant shaded area on hot summer days. They're also ideal for garden furniture or relaxation areas.
Arbors: affordable but temporary shelter
Arbors are a cost-effective solution for spending quality time outdoors with friends and family. They are generally made of polyester fabric stretched over steel legs.
That's why it's less expensive than a pergola, which requires more high-end materials.
The price difference is also due to its ease of installation. With an arbour, you don't need to plan any work. Usually delivered in kit form, it's easy to assemble, even for DIY enthusiasts.
Open at the sides, the arbour lets air circulate. For added protection against the wind, side panels can be added to the structure. They also offer greater privacy from prying eyes.
However, an arbour is more fragile than a pergola, and must be dismantled every mid-season. It's a lightweight structure that doesn't stand up well to the elements. It is therefore preferable to store it in winter, when the weather is less clement.
If seasonal use doesn't suit you, don't hesitate to turn to a pergola. This type of installation is strong enough to remain in place all year round. Biossun offers a wide range of bioclimatic aluminum solutions.
The pergola: an additional living space
Like an aluminum veranda, a pergola offers additional living space. Free-standing or lean-to, it becomes an extension of your home. It adapts to all architectural styles, creating a shady corner that's totally open to your surroundings.
Versatile, the pergola gives a convivial look to a roof terrace, swimming pool or outdoor dining area. It can also be used as a carport for your vehicle or as protection for a spa or jacuzzi.
A pergola is accessible all year round. This permanent installation withstands sun, rain and wind. It's completely waterproof thanks to its integrated roof. The most common types of covering are canvas and motorized parallel or perpendicular slats.
A pergola built with quality materials is more expensive than an arbour. But you won't need to replace it if it's properly maintained. At Biossun, we prefer aluminum for our top-of-the-range bioclimatic solutions.
A pergola does, however, involve some administrative formalities, depending on its size. Between 5 and 20m², all you need is a preliminary building declaration. If the surface area to be converted is larger, a building permit is required.
Which is better: a wooden pergola or an aluminium pergola?
If you opt for a pergola, there are several types to choose from. The most common are made of solid wood or aluminium. Find out more about their advantages and disadvantages.
Wooden pergola: a charming addition to your property
A wooden pergola is not suitable for every home. It's best suited to traditional or unusual buildings. A natural material like wood gives your terrace a warm feel. But it must be treated. Autoclave treatment is the most widely used to combat damp and insects.
More often than not, the posts are used to support climbing plants that cover the structure. A green roof provides effective protection from the sun and a picturesque atmosphere. But it also makes adjoining rooms considerably darker. What's more, it's not waterproof, making your pergola unusable outside the summer months.
The other disadvantage of a wooden pergola is its maintenance. As well as needing to be treated, wood requires more frequent cleaning than aluminium. Its paint needs to be brightened up regularly and the climbing plants need to be pruned and watered. All these factors add to the cost of a wooden pergola.
Aluminium pergola: extra living space
With its sleek, modern look, the aluminium pergola goes perfectly with contemporary homes. It also brings a designer look to more traditional homes. It can be completely customised, thanks to the range of colours available. You can even opt for a wood-effect colour to add a touch of character to your property.
An aluminium pergola with motorised slats guarantees thermal comfort. The opening and closing system regulates the temperature under the pergola and in the adjoining room. Depending on the orientation of the slats, you can let in light or, on the contrary, enjoy a little coolness.
Unlike a wooden pergola, an aluminium structure does not need to be treated to withstand the elements. Aluminium is less sensitive than wood and lighter than steel, so your pergola will last longer. What's more, it's very easy to maintain. Biossun recommends simply cleaning your aluminium pergola with clear water once or twice a year.
Discover Biossun bioclimatic pergolas
Would you like to enjoy your outdoors all year round? A pergola with awning or motorized slats is an excellent choice for a sheltered outdoor living space. At Biossun, you'll find a range of models made from premium-grade aluminum.
This material is renowned for its many qualities. Both light and strong, aluminum is also infinitely recyclable. We use it for frames and slats to ensure that your custom or standard pergola lasts over time.
For your future pergola, put your trust in Biossun partners. They'll come to you for a technical study of your project. Once the measurements have been taken, they will guide you in designing a structure that meets your needs.
They then install the pergola, which is covered by our ten-year warranty. Once the job is finished, we can be called in at any time to add accessories. For example, you can install LED lighting, sliding glass or a vertically lowering awning.
