Are there eco-friendly materials available for pergolas?

Some pergola materials are 'greener' than others. And by choosing those that are more environmentally friendly, you can help to reduce the impact of your new construction on the nature that it will allow you to enjoy.

Benefits of eco-friendly pergolas

Eco-friendly pergolas offer benefits that span your lifestyle, your property and the environment.

• Reduce demand for raw materials: By using recycled, recyclable, sustainably farmed or living materials, you help to conserve nature.
• Reduce your carbon footprint: When your materials are locally sourced and sustainably produced, you can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your pergola construction.
• Add aesthetic appeal: Modern sustainable materials look stunning, while natural and organic designs can make your pergola or patio feel like an extension of your backyard.
• Increase the value of your property: It is estimated that the construction of a beautiful, functional outdoor area can increase the resale value of a property by up to 20-30%, and when it's also sustainable, you'll turn it into an even more tempting purchase for environmentally aware buyers.
• Enjoy health benefits: Spending more time outdoors is proven to be good for you, so crafting a beautiful, sustainable pergola can be great for your health and wellness. And you'll be safe in the knowledge that you're doing your bit to keep the air fresh and clean.
• Maximise durability: Many sustainable materials, from recycled plastic lumber to treated bamboo, are very weather resistant, durable and low maintenance. This can extend the lifespan of your pergola and reduce the need for replacements or repairs.

What are eco-friendly pergola materials?

What exactly is an eco-friendly pergola made from? There are four main categories of sustainable pergola material:

• Recycled: Materials that have been given a second (or third, or fourth) life as pergola materials, such as reclaimed wood or recycled plastic lumber.
• Recyclable: Raw materials that are easy and efficient to recycle, such as aluminium.
• Sustainbly sourced: Materials like timber that are farmed with sustainability and environmental impact in mind - when one tree is felled, another is planted.
• Living: Plants that form a living part of your pergola construction.

Which of these is the most eco-friendly option? It's a bit like comparing apples and oranges - all of these sustainable materials have a part to play in making our world more sustainable and renewable. Many eco-friendly pergolas will feature more than one of the above.

Eco-friendly pergola materials also tend to be free from harmful chemicals, and can be designed to harness the power of Mother Nature, to provide shade, offer access to sun, or let a gentle breeze flow through on a warm day.

Types of eco-friendly pergola materials

What exactly should you be building with if you're looking for a more eco-friendly option for your outdoor space? Let's take a look at a few of the main green pergola materials.

Recycled and reclaimed materials

True sustainability is about keeping raw materials in the ground or on the land, and doing whatever we can to recycle and reuse what we already have. The good news? Recycled and reclaimed materials can be stylish, strong and durable. Examples include:

• Recycled plastic lumber: All those difficult-to-recycle plastic materials, like soft plastics, are converted into strong, durable and low maintenance timber-looking planks.
• Reclaimed timber: This salvaged wood has been used in construction before. Let it live another life as a pergola! 

Bamboo

A staple of construction in the tropics, particularly Southeast Asia, the perks of bamboo are beginning to be recognised in New Zealand too. You can either use bamboo to construct the frame or to decorate your outdoor living space. A plant that grows exceptionally fast, it can form a living part of your outdoor structure.

Aluminium

Aluminium is the champion of recyclability. It is 100% and infinitely recyclable, and recycling the material uses just 5% of the energy of extracting it from the ground. Aluminium also offers durability and longevity, unmatched beauty, energy efficiency, and requires little to no maintenance. In short, it's the ultimate pergola material, which is why we exclusively use it in our range of high-end, bespoke pergolas at Johnson & Couzins.

Composite materials

Composites combine recycled substances with other materials. The most common example is composite wood, which weaves plastics in with timber fibres to create planks that are far lower maintenance than traditional lumber, and can also last longer.

Certified sustainable wood

Green-washing is a very real problem, so if you choose to use wood to construct your sustainable outdoor area, you need to check that it is actually sustainable. Look for New Zealand Forest Certification Association (NZFCA), FSC® or PEFC™ certifications.

Tips for choosing the right materials

Which of the materials listed above is right for you? The following considerations can help you to hone in on the best and most eco-conscious choice.

• Aesthetics: Some people want the organic look of timber or composite wood, while others prefer the modern minimalism of a material like aluminium.
• Maintenance: It's important to consider how much upkeep your chosen material will need. Using the examples above, timber requires a lot of checking, treating and cleaning, while aluminium can simply be sprayed or wiped down.
• Durability: To some degree maintenance and durability go hand-in-hand. You shouldn't expect high maintenance organic options like timber or bamboo to last as long as low maintenance aluminium or steel.
• Functionality: Another benefit of aluminium is that this lightweight yet super strong material can offer unmatched functionality, like the retractable roofs and walls of our SkyLouvre systems, which turn an outdoor room into an indoor room with the press of a button.
• Budget: How much are you willing to spend on your pergola? Your budget may narrow your material options.

Design options for eco-friendly pergolas

Building an eco-friendly pergola isn't just about choosing the right materials - the design of the structure is also important if you are to increase energy efficiency and minimise its environmental impact.

• Consider location and orientation: Try to position your pergola in a way that plays to the conditions of your area and backyard, like pointing it towards the sunset or away from the prevailing wind.
• Add solar panels: Enjoy free energy by adding a solar setup to the roof of your structure.
• Create a living space: Use lattice to grow climbing plants on the walls and roof of your pergola.
• Inject air and light: Aim to maximise sunlight and ventilation, while also offering protection from wind and rain.

Johnson & Couzins: NZ’s ultimate pergolas

If you're looking for a sustainable pergola material that does it all - that's 100% recyclable, built to last, easy to install, offers incredible functionality and looks stunning - aluminium is the obvious choice.

Which is why we only use high quality aluminium at Johnson & Couzins.

Our SkyLouvre System grants you unmatched levels of control over your outdoor space, while adding serious style and value to your home. Open your roof and walls up on good days, and close them when you want extra privacy or if the weather turns wet or chilly.

Interested in enhancing your home with a retractable aluminium pergola? Get in touch with our friendly team today.

FAQs

What are eco-friendly materials for pergolas?

Common eco-friendly pergola materials include recycled and reclaimed materials, composite materials, sustainably sourced wood, living plants and aluminium. 

How do eco-friendly pergolas compare in durability and cost?

The cost and durability of your eco-friendly pergola will come down to the materials you choose. Bamboo and timber are relatively cheap in terms of upfront cost, but don't last particularly long. Aluminium, meanwhile, has a higher upfront cost, but is an investment that pays itself back over time through durability and low maintenance needs. 

How can I source eco-friendly pergola materials in New Zealand?

Truly sustainable materials will usually be certified by a trustworthy organisation, so it's important that you do your research on where the materials are sourced, and who exactly has verified their sustainability. Another positive of aluminium is that all of it is 100% recyclable, so there isn't really anything to check.