Modern outdoor areas are a great place to entertain and host functions for family and friends. The design of these outdoor areas has evolved over the last few years with aluminium structures providing shade replacing timber gazebos in many Dubai villas. The reason for this is aluminium provides a much more durable material and looks more modern when compared with timber. Below we will discuss these designs in more detail.

Wooden Pergolas and Gazebos

Wooden or timber pergola designs in the UAE were once a common choice for many villa outdoor areas. Any outdoor structure that blocks the sun and provides shade is excellent addition to your villa. The use of a wooden or timber pergola was popular in walkways, car parking structures, villa gardens, and sitting areas. Wooden pergolas are still available in the Dubai market but can only have a fixed roof option. This means the louvers or cross beams are set in place and can’t be adjusted to match the angle of the sun once they are installed.

The main issue with timber or wooden pergolas is that they don’t last in the harsh UAE environment. They also need yearly maintenance including sanding and re-painting to ensure the timber doesn’t rot and warp. For this reason we normally don’t recommend timber pergolas.

Aluminium Fixed Pergolas

Aluminum fixed pergola structures are, we believe, the best option to provide a shaded structure to the outer area of your villa. Another interesting aspect of aluminium pergola designs found across Dubai is that they are available in a wide variety of colours and custom designs. Depending on your specific needs, the design of an aluminium pergola can be customised to fit your exact requirements and matched to your villa aesthetics. Aluminum is a relatively lightweight but strong material that when powder coated, is designed to last for many years. This is the reason it is the preferred options for most new villa doors and windows in Dubai.

Retractable Canvas Roof Pergolas

Retractable canvas roof pergolas are available in a variety of sizes in Dubai and other UAE cities. These retractable roof structures are perfect to protect yourself and others from UV rays and the rain. With the touch of a button you can retract the canvas roof material and allow direct sunlight to penetrate the structure. When the sun is too hot, or on the odd occasion it rains, you can close off the roof of the pergola and have a waterproof and sun protected outdoor area.

Motorised Louvered Pergolas  

The last main design option for pergolas in Dubai is the motorised adjustable louvered roof pergola. While these are a more expensive option, they provide the ability to adjust the angle of the louvered roof. The louvers rotate to either provide full sun and rain protection from the elements or open to allow a cool breeze and sun to pass through. These are a great option for those that want the flexibility to adjust the louvers throughout the day and throughout the year.

Overall, there are plenty of pergola design options currently available across Dubai. With many companies offering pergolas in the UAE, we recommend talking to a company that is not tied to a single overseas brand as they will commonly only recommend one type of pergola brand. And with overseas manufactured pergolas, you will need to wait a number of months for the pergola to be manufactured, shipped and then installed in your villa.

Many of us love the warm look of timber and the traditional outdoor structures that can be built from it. However as we all know, timber simply doesn’t last in the harsh UAE environment. When used outdoors for structures such as wood pergolas, gazebos, decking, and archways, timber quickly deteriorates in the sun. Timber needs constant maintenance to keep its looks and over time it will crack and warp. Timber structures can also become unsafe as they wear with age.

Now there is a modern, eco-friendly alternative to timber and wood. That is by using a composite material that looks like timber but is as strong as metal. Also known as wood plastic composite, or WPC, this material combines wood and plastic particles with a binding agent and is processed together to form strong timber like pieces. This composite is extremely hard wearing and many of the products that are built with WPC come with a 20 year warranty.

At Pergolas.ae we have rationally focused on aluminium when building outdoor structures such as pergolas, carports and gazebos. However, some clients tell us they still like the traditional look of wood. We were reluctant to build these outdoor items in timber as they become unsafe and don’t last. By using this composite material we now have the ability to build a timber like structure that requires very little maintenance and is designed to last for years. This is a much better solution than using timber or wood outdoors.

Please feel free to contact us to discuss your timber look requirements and we would be happy to design the perfect structure for you.

The sun here in Dubai is harsh and many residents are now installing pergolas and shade sails in their villas to enhance their outdoor living experience. Pergolas provide a shaded outdoor living area and add to the visual appeal of a villa.

Traditionally many villas across the UAE installed pergolas and structures made from timber, as known as wooden pergolas. The problem with timber is that it needs a large amount of maintenance to keep it looking good. The other issue is the wood will sage over time and can become structurally unsound.

Aluminium on the other hand requires little to no maintenance. It looks great for years and only requires a quick wash down to remove the dust. Aluminium will also last many years longer than timber, particularly in the harsh Dubai environment.

To enhance the lifespan of aluminium it is normally powder coated which adds a protective layer and stops it from rusting. Aluminium joints are also stronger to the pergola is much safer than a wooden pergola.

Aluminium pergolas also have a great modern look that is very popular at the moment. A white pergola takes us to thoughts of luxurious Mediterranean beach clubs!

The last area of difference is the cost. Generally, wood pergolas are cheaper than aluminium. However when you think of long term costs, aluminium is more cost effective over the long term as they don’t require painting every year and last years longer than a timber structure.

We may be biased as we love aluminium, but we feel the benefits of an aluminium pergola outweighs a timber pergola.

At Pergolas.ae we are staffed by a team of dedicated metalsmiths who pride themselves on being the best in the industry at metal fabrication. They build and install quality aluminium outdoor pergolas that look great and are designed to last.

Stay tuned as we offer function aluminium pergolas in areas such as Dubai Hills, Meadows Lakes Springs, Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah Islands and of course the sensational Palm Jumeirah.