Pergola kits, or any other outdoor self-assembly solution, have sometimes been seen as more trouble than they’re worth. The time and effort to build and install, questionable material quality, and the lack of support from suppliers are just some of the issues people have faced in the past.
However, pergola kits have come a long way in recent years, with many of these challenges having been addressed by motivated, reputable suppliers. We spoke with Michelle Sha from Living Culture, to understand exactly what features and traits make a pergola kit really worthwhile for homeowners in New Zealand.
The ease of installation
Without a doubt, the installation process is a pain point that can intimidate many who are considering different outdoor shade solutions. Ironically, it is also one of the characteristics that attracts a lot of people to pergola kits in the first place, as you can save a decent amount of money by doing the job yourself, compared to hiring professional tradespeople.
While your personal experience in general DIY will definitely be a factor in how easy the installation will be for you, the product’s design and guidance also play a part, as Michelle Sha explains.
“Our pergolas are designed for easy installation, and we provide a very detailed installation guide for people to follow. The time it takes is based a bit on the customer’s DIY experience, but we get a lot of great reviews saying how easy they are to install.”
Michelle goes on to explain that there is a fallback option for those who are worried about taking this on themselves, and for customised solutions, it’s often recommended.
“Most people can definitely follow the instructions and assemble it themselves, but we do have an installation team and service if required. Customised pergolas can be quite complex, so we do recommend you use our team for that.”
Quality materials and construction
As an outdoor structure that’s constantly exposed to the elements, the construction and quality of materials used are key to its longevity. These aspects also need to be considered in the context of the local environment and the weather conditions you experience around your home.
Michelle speaks to these traits, highlighting examples from their pergolas that are incorporated with our conditions in mind.
“We use powder-coated 6063-T6/T5 aluminium, which has a great lifespan and protection from rust and warping. We also have extra support inside the framing, which makes the structure much stronger.”
One of the most important factors to consider in New Zealand, as part of this conversation, is the wind, which can be extremely fierce in some parts of the country. Pergolas from respected suppliers have a clearly stated wind rating that illustrates the wind strength the structure can withstand, typically between 100 - 220 km/h.
Understanding your local wind conditions is crucial, not just for structural integrity and safety, but for cost too. As Michelle describes, pergolas built for greater wind resistance will invariably cost more, so buying for your specific conditions can stop you from overspending too.
“Pergolas are designed for different wind resistance and ratings, which means the structure and aluminium thickness are different, which is also reflected in the pricing. We have very detailed information on our website for wind resistance to help our customers decide, but if they are unsure, our structural engineers can offer advice to help customers choose the right pergola for their needs.”
Customisation opportunities
One of the more recent changes that has added more value to the best pergola kits in the market is the ability to tailor a solution to meet your specific needs. This allows you to get and pay for exactly what you want and need.
Michelle says the customisation options are vast, presenting a lot of opportunities for a wide variety of homeowners.
“You can have manual pergolas or motorised models with LED lights. You can have shutter or glass walls for more privacy. You can have sliding doors, bifold doors, or a combination of both. There are rain sensors, different types of wall brackets for wall-mounted pergolas — so there are lots of options.”
This customisation isn’t just with features like the above, but in the design stage too. This service is particularly helpful for those who want to install a pergola in a slightly unusual or challenging outdoor space.
“Buildings and homes are all different, as well as the layout of your backyard and where you want to install it. Some situations can get really complicated, and we can do designs to make it work. In some areas, like Auckland and the Waikato, we also provide free site visits.”
Making the right choice for you
While the customisation options are great for some, the standard offerings are generally more affordable and do meet the needs of many. Michelle explains that the wide variety of standard pergola kits in their range is a strong point of differentiation that allows their customers to find cost-effective solutions, quickly and easily.
“Other companies only provide a few standard options, but we have a great range, including freestanding, wall mounted, manual and motorised. We also have sizes ranging from 2 x 2m to 8 x 4m, so there’s something for everyone.”
As you can see, modern pergola kits can absolutely be worth the investment, something that many can already attest to. As parting advice, Michelle stresses the importance of good warranties along with diligent maintenance as part of the pergola’s ongoing care.
“We offer a 10-year warranty for the structure, and a 3-year warranty for the motor, but if you follow our care and maintenance instructions, the product lifespan will be a lot longer. It only requires very basic cleaning of the structure and moving parts.”