The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Rain-Proof Pergola for Your Backyard

Enhancing Your Outdoor Space with a Rain Proof Pergola

Nobody wants to be rained out! Even in your own home, it'd be nice to be able to enjoy your yard and patio even in a heavy rain. Could a rain-proof pergola be the solution for you?

There are a lot of considerations when selecting a waterproof pergola! Here's what all we'll be going over in this post:

• Standards - First you need to figure out what you want to do with your outdoor space and why you want a rain-proof pergola in the first place. This is what we'll go over first.

• The roof - Obviously, if you want to keep out the rain, the first consideration is a roof!

• The materials - What materials stand up to moisture the best? Wood? Vinyl? Something else?

• Size and shape - Different sizes (and heights!) may effect how well your pergola keeps rain out! In this section, we'll give tips on optimizing the dimensions of your structure.

• The location - Where should you put the pergola to enhance its ability to protect your patio from rain?

• Installation and assembly - Tips and tricks to install and assemble your pergola to make it more waterproof.

• The weather - It's not just small-talk! Finally, we'll discuss expectations about the weather.

Defining your outdoor living space

Do you want to enjoy your coffee on the patio during a light rain? Or do you want to be able to host outdoor dinner parties without ever getting rained out? Or do you not care about sitting in the rain; maybe you only want peace of mind that your outdoor structure is going to withstand the elements over the years.

Whatever the case, outlining your expectations and goals for your patio pergola is an important first step to choosing a water resistant pergola that you can comfortably enjoy in both bright sun and heavy rain.

Types of Pergola Roofs

Traditional pergolas have a slatted roof; which looks amazing, and is great for shade and ventilation, but not so great for enjoying the outdoors on rainy days. So what pergola roof options are there to keep the rain off your patio?

Fixed roof pergolas are essentially square gazebos. The can work great for keeping the rain out, but they often don't have the distinct pergola look, and there's no customizability to choose between sun and shade.

Adjustable Canopies allow you to control the amount of sunlight and shade in your outdoor space, often using UV-resistant materials to ensure durability and effectiveness in various weather conditions. They're essentially giant awnings that built onto a pergola frame. These can usually handle a light rain, but won't always hold up when the water is really coming down; Another problem with this option is that the fabric eventually begins to deteriorate, developing leaks and tears, so you may have to replace the canopy from time to time.

Louvered Roof pergolas are our personal favorite - they are hassle free and look great on any patio.

What is an Outdoor Louvered Pergola?

An outdoor louvered roof pergola is distinctive among patio covers due to its adjustable louvers that allow it to close completely (keeping out even heavy rain) or open to allow the sun and breeze in. In this sense, it is the only roof option that maintains the pergola distinctiveness (the classic slatted roof) while actually being a waterproof pergola that can keep the rain from the covered area of the patio.

Many of these outdoor structures also have integrated gutter system, directing the water off of the roof, down a post, and away from your house, deck, and patio. This extra level of protection is the difference between a truly waterproof pergola and a pergola that barely manages to keep the rain off.

Materials Used in Rainproof Pergolas

It's one thing to know that your patio cover is going to keep rain off in the day to day; it's another thing to have confidence that the pergola itself is going to hold up to the weather over the year.

There are four main main materials that waterproof pergolas are typically constructed from. Let's go over how each of these holds up to inclement weather over longer spans of time.

• Waterproof Fabrics: Waterproof fabrics are made from materials like polyester or PVC. These fabrics are designed to withstand heavy rain and be UV resistant. They are also generally easy to clean. Ultimately, these are heavy duty flexible plastics, so they won't last forever; eventually they will fray, tear, and leak, even if they are properly taken care of.

• Wood: Wood is a natural and aesthetically pleasing option for building a pergola. It adds a warm, rustic charm to your outdoor living space. However, wood may require more maintenance than other materials and may not be as durable in harsh weather conditions. Treating the wood with sealants and stains can enhance its water resistance and prolong its life.

• Steel pergola frames: Steel by itself does not have weather protection capabilities. It requires a coating or finish to prevent it from rusting and corroding. Eventually, that coating may fade, leaving your pergola to deteriorate in the elements. If you live in a wet and humid environment, we do not recommend a steel frame pergola.

• Aluminum pergola frames: Aluminum is durable, water resistant, doesn't rust or corrode, and can withstand harsh sun. With the right powder coating, it can offer great UV protection and match the color and style of your house. A high quality aluminum frame can last a lifetime, and requires minimal maintenance throughout the year (even in heavy rains). If you're not sure about the quality of powder coating on an aluminum pergola, call and ask the manufacturer what grade they us.

• Vinyl: Vinyl pergolas are usually made form wood or steel and then covered in vinyl - so while the vinyl facade will hold up to the rain quite well, the structural material beneath might not. As soon as water or moisture begins to get trapped beneath the wrapping, the wood will begin to rot or the metal will start to rust away. So if you experience a lot of rain, you'll either be chasing down every possible seam with a tube of caulk every year, or you expect to be replace your vinyl pergola on a regular basis.

Pergola Size and Shape

What's the size of the outdoor space in your backyard that you want to have protection from the rain? Do you just want a little patio cover so you can grab the mail, a small seating area for yourself and your spouse, or a space large enough to host people outdoors without getting rained out?

When considering a patio cover for rain protection, it's important to remember there will be a splash radius, especially in heavy rain. If someone is sitting right on the edge of the covered space, they may end up getting wet anyway, as splashes and wind blows a little rain into the unwalled area; So try to plan some extra margin around the edges.

Another thing to keep in mind is pergola height. A taller pergola will allow extra rain blowing in on the sides, while a shorter pergola may feel catastrophic (or cozy, depending on how you design the space!). It's all about balancing function and form, keeping the weather out while making the space comfortable and inviting.

For simple projects, a standard size pergola kit may be just fine. But ultimately, a custom pergola is going to give you the most flexibility and allow you to mold the patio cover to the unique needs of your space.

Choosing the Right Location for Your Patio Pergola

Where in your backyard you install your pergola also effects how waterproof it ends up being.

Putting your pergola right next to your house (or even attaching it the house) can help to decrease rain water getting in by having some extra walls and diminishing the cross breezes from blowing even more droplets under your patio cover.

Ensure that your pergola is installed in a location that provides adequate drainage and is not prone to water accumulation. With the Luxury Pergola, you can choose which post(s) the integrated gutter system directs the water out of, so keep that in mind as you plan and install your project.

Installation Process and Tips

Installing a pergola can be a complex process. Make sure to plan carefully before getting started, and follow manufacturer instructions for the pergola in order so that everything is safe and installed correctly.

To make everything more waterproof, seal edges, joints, and cracks in your pergola with a water resistant caulk. That way water isn't leaking through or getting trapped anywhere. The Luxury Pergola always ships our kits with a tube of caulk for exactly this purpose, so won't even need to make an extra trip to the hardware store!

If you're not confident in your ability, there's no shame in hiring a professional contractor or installer to do it for you. If you do, make sure to hire a reputable licensed contractor who will ensure that the pergola is compliant with local building codes and will acquire and necessary permits before getting started.

Weather and Expectations for your Outdoor Living Space

There's a lot of things you can do to make your yard an enjoyable place even in light of the werather; but something to keep in mind is that weather is changes like - well, the weather. It's unpredictable.

No matter how much you prepare, there's only so much a pergola can do to protect you from rain. A pergola doesn't have walls, it's meant to allow the fresh air in; and sometimes that means it allows some rain in too.

Set your expectations accordingly: When the weather is harsh and the winds are blowing the rain in sideways, there's not much a pergola can do. If you want to enjoy the outdoors in that weather, than you either have to be okay with getting a little wet, or invest in something like a sun or three season room, which can keep out the rain with glass walls and doors.

Conclusion

We went over a lot of information in this post, so let's wrap up with a quick summary of the key points:

• Understand and articulate the goals and expectations for your outdoor living space

• Choose a roof type for a waterproof pergola (life a louvered roof) that will protect you from the elements

• Select a pergola made from quality materials that will hold up over the years

• Measure and plan your space with the weather in mind

• Choose the optimum location for your backyard patio pergola

• Install everything correctly and up to manufacturer specifications

• Cultivate realistic expectations for your patio cover

If you keep these points in mind, you should be able to select a pergola that will offer good protection from the rain and help you to enjoy your patio for years to come - no matter the weather!