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.