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Pergola Ideas With a Roof and Sides: Options That Hold Up

Adding a roof and sides turns a pergola into a structure that collects wind and snow. The roofing and screening options, with what each one needs.

By Zakaria 3 min read Save to Pinterest — opens Pinterest in a new tab
A roofed public garden pavilion with open sides and a bench running round it
Photo: scholty1970, Pixabay Content License, via Pixabay
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Adding a roof changes the engineering, not just the look. An open pergola sheds snow and wind; a covered one collects both.

Roofing options

rooflightrain noiseweightnotes
Clear polycarbonateHighLoudLightNeeds slope; yellows slowly
Opal polycarbonateDiffuseLoudLightBest balance for most
Metal panelNoneLoudestLight–mediumVery durable
Shingles on solid deckNoneQuietHeavyFull weather protection; heaviest
Retractable fabric canopyAdjustableModerateLightMust be retracted in wind
Louvred systemAdjustableModerateMediumMost control, highest cost

What a roof does to the structure

  • Snow load now sits on it, where an open pergola shed it
  • Wind uplift acts on a solid surface, so footings resist lift as well as weight
  • Rafter and beam spans shorten for the same timber size
  • Drainage has to go somewhere — gutter and downpipe, away from the house
  • Posts usually go up a size, and footings get deeper

This is a new structure, not an upgrade

Sheets added to a pergola designed as open is the commonest cause of a sagging or lifted roof. Design the covered version from the footings up, and get spans checked beyond about 14 feet or in any snow region.

Side options

sideprivacyairflowflexibility
Fixed slatted screenGoodGoodNone
Lattice / trellis with climbersSeasonal to goodGoodNone
Outdoor roller blindsGood when downGood when upHigh
Canvas curtains on wireModerateGoodHigh
Glazed panelsNoneNoneNone — and needs engineering

Keep at least one side fully open. Two or three enclosed sides plus a roof produces both a wind sail and a dark room.

Keeping it light inside

  • Opal or clear polycarbonate rather than solid roofing
  • Pale paint on the underside of the roof and the screens
  • Low-level post lighting instead of one central fitting
  • One or two open sides, which does more than any lighting

Common questions

What are the options for roofing a pergola?

Polycarbonate sheet, metal panel, shingles on a solid deck, a retractable fabric canopy, or a louvred adjustable system. Polycarbonate is the most common retrofit: it is light, passes daylight, and sheds rain, though it is noisy in heavy rain and needs enough slope to drain. Metal panels are durable and louder still. A solid shingled roof gives the best weather protection and the most complete loss of light. Louvred systems cost the most and give the most control.

Does adding a roof mean the pergola needs rebuilding?

Often, yes, and this is the part people discover too late. An open pergola sheds snow and lets wind through, so it is sized for very little load. Add a solid roof and it collects snow weight and takes real wind uplift, which changes rafter and beam sizing, post dimensions and especially the footings, since those now have to resist being lifted as well as carrying weight. Treat a roofed pergola as a different structure designed from the ground up, not an open one with sheets added.

Do I need a permit for a covered pergola?

Usually, and almost always when it attaches to the house. A roof typically moves a structure from a landscape feature into a building in the eyes of a local code, which brings footing, span and sometimes setback requirements. Attached structures are also part of the house's load path and drainage. Check before buying materials — retro-permitting is far more expensive than permitting, and an unpermitted covered structure can complicate a house sale.

What are the best options for pergola sides?

Fixed slatted screens, lattice or trellis for planting, outdoor roller blinds, or canvas curtains on a wire. Slats give permanent privacy and wind reduction while still passing air, which is important — fully enclosing two or more sides creates a sail. Roller blinds and curtains give flexibility and should be retractable so they are not loaded in wind. Plan at least one fully open side for airflow, and more if you cook under it.

How do I keep a covered pergola from feeling dark?

Light the inside and keep one or two sides open. Polycarbonate in a clear or opal finish passes useful daylight where shingles pass none, a louvred system opens, and painting the underside of the roof and any screens in a pale colour makes a large difference. Low-level lighting on the posts rather than a single central fitting also helps. The common mistake is a solid roof plus three enclosed sides, which produces a dark box against the house.

Can I run heating or cooking under a covered pergola?

With care and with specific clearances. Gas patio heaters and grills both have minimum overhead clearances in their instructions, and a timber roof is combustible — many manufacturers prohibit use under any cover. Infrared electric heaters mounted to the structure are generally the safer option for a roofed space. Never use a charcoal grill or a wood fire pit under a roof: the carbon monoxide risk in a part-enclosed space is real and has killed people.

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