Bioclimatic pergolas

An awning is a retractable fabric canopy that provides shade and rolls away when you don't need it; it protects you from the sun, but it can't be used in heavy rain or strong wind. A bioclimatic pergola is a fixed aluminium structure with a roof of adjustable louvres that rotate on their axis, letting you control ventilation and light and, with the louvres closed, keep the rain out too. It's designed so you can use your terrace practically all year round.

Bioclimatic pergolas are made to measure, so the dimensions adapt to the space available. As a guide, typical single modules are around 3 × 3, 3 × 4, 4 × 5 or 4 × 6 metres, and modules can be joined to cover larger areas in detached houses, penthouses or restaurant terraces. Typical clear height is between 2.3 and 2.8 metres, always checked during the site visit to allow for slopes and local regulations.

It depends on the municipality and on whether the pergola counts as minor works or as a structure attached to the façade. Most town councils in the Berguedà, Bages, Osona and the Cerdanya require at least a prior notification or a minor works licence, especially if it is anchored to a floor slab or a party wall. During our free, no-obligation consultation visit we'll point you to the usual paperwork, although the application itself is the responsibility of the owner or their architect.

On-site assembly of a standard pergola usually takes one or two days, provided the anchoring is ready and there is access to unload the aluminium. The overall lead time from accepting the quote includes made-to-measure manufacturing in our workshop, which normally takes several weeks depending on the RAL colour, finishes and accessories chosen. We confirm the exact date before placing the order.

Yes, as long as you choose a model sized for the real snow load of the area. At higher altitudes in the Cerdanya and parts of the Berguedà it's best to opt for reinforced profiles, thicker louvres and shorter spans between posts. During the site visit we assess orientation, wind exposure and expected snow build-up to recommend the right configuration, and we put the permissible loads in writing.

If it's well designed, it doesn't reduce it: it regulates it. With the louvres open, light passes through diffusely and reaches the interior without the direct glare of the midday sun. In winter, by setting the louvres almost parallel to the low sun, most of the natural daylight is kept. The difference compared with a fixed roof or an awning is that you decide, at any moment, how much light you want to let in.

Yes, and it's one of the most popular add-ons. Perimeter LED strips are housed inside the structure itself, with no visible cables, and the brightness can be adjusted from the same remote that controls the louvres. We recommend warm, low-intensity light that extends the outdoor feel without turning the terrace into a shop window. That way the pergola stays useful after the sun goes down.

For normal household use, we recommend a general clean twice a year: once in spring, before the busy season, and again in autumn, when leaves and resin start to fall. If the pergola is under pine trees, next to a road or near the sea, it's worth increasing this to three or four light cleans a year. Lukewarm water, pH-neutral soap and a soft sponge are all you need to keep the aluminium spotless.