It wasn’t until recently that I found out about modern pergolas. I’ve always been doubtful of the practicality of traditional pergolas, at least for homes in the UK. It rains most of the time… why would I want an outdoor structure with a lattice roof that doesn’t give me protection from the rain? Yes, I could use it during the two days of summer but is it really worth it?

You might already know which one I like most, which makes this blog post a bit biased but I’m going to do my best to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of both. Who knows? You might be thinking of getting a pergola for your garden and you’d like someone else’s view on the matter. Don’t get me wrong, pergolas, in general, are stunning and can make any outdoor space look incredible and luxurious but what is the difference between traditional and modern pergolas?

Modern pergolas

To talk about modern pergolas, I’ve partnered up with Designer Shade Solutions, retractable roofs in Ireland, who’ve been creating modern pergolas for homes and commercial spaces all across the country. These pergolas feature a retractable and tilting louvred roof that will open, close or simply tilt depending on your preference. So, if it is raining, you can easily close the roof, if the weather is nice, you can open the roof of your pergola or if it’s too much sun, you have the possibility of tilting it for some shade.

In a recent blog post about top outdoor trends, Mummy Vs Work shares that modern pergolas are a popular trend for a stunning garden. She comments that these pergolas can be “customised with side glass screens, heating and lighting to create the ultimate indoor/outdoor room.” Imagine being able to enjoy your garden, patio or terrace no matter the weather, sounds great, doesn’t it?

Modern pergolas are also fully customisable. As Sims Life comments, “these modern pergolas can be made to your specifications. Do you have a design requirement? Do you have a style requirement? Just speak to the team at Designer Shade Solutions to create the perfect pergola for your outdoor space!”

Traditional pergolas

Traditional wooden pergolas can make any outdoor space stand out. These are beautiful, will offer shade during the warm days of summer and provide your climbing plants with the perfect space to bloom. However, traditional pergolas lack weather protection. As You Have To Laugh puts it, “We don’t want just something that looks pretty in our gardens, we want something practical that will actually allow us to enjoy our gardens, even if it rains, right?”

Traditional pergolas and modern pergolas can define outdoor spaces, such as outdoor dining areas or entertainment corners, and will both give you privacy from nosy neighbours but it’s clear that modern pergolas trump traditional pergolas – modern pergolas protect against any weather and can create a comfortable indoor space with the perks of being outside. What do you think of modern pergolas?