The louvred pergola roofing for all-day outdoor entertaining

Outdoor living is part of the Australian lifestyle, but it’s important to prepare alfresco spaces for unpredictable weather and, in hospitality and commercial settings, keep customers comfortable. The key to achieving this is designing open-air rooms that can be easily sheltered while adding style and flexibility. 

Umbra Outdoor Living specialises in creating customisable outdoor solutions for both residential and commercial purposes. Whether it be pergolas, blinds, awnings or glass closure systems, Umbra’s range facilitates temperature and lighting control alongside an elevated aesthetic.

Two of the most popular hospitality pergola solutions currently are the Axis Max tilting and the Exxen retractable pergola systems.

With up to 12 metres of projection and a maximum width of 13.5 metres, the Axis Max is ideal for large commercial areas where lengthwise coverage is needed. Its modular design also means it can be configured to fit numerous applications.

“You can add more and more systems,” says Dejan Pandovski, managing director at Umbra Outdoor Living. 

The aerofoil aluminium louvres can be tilted up to 85 degrees with a smooth and silent rotating movement by an internal motor. This makes it possible to achieve the desired angle for optimal ventilation and shade.

Another flexible and modular outdoor pergola that can be custom-built to suit terraces and balconies in both private and commercial settings is Umbra Outdoor Living’s Exxen pergola. A high-end scissors bioclimatic aluminium pergola system with complete retraction capability, the Exxen allows spaces to be completely opened to the sky, welcoming in the sun. 

“The other advantage of this model is that we can cover areas with one single retractable module,” says Pandovski.

Available in two different maximum size options, the Exxen system can be extended up to 9 metres projection and 4 metres of width, or 8 metres projection and 4.5 metres of width in one module, one section – a practical solution for lengthwise applications.

“At a maximum width of 7 metres, the projection will be up to 6 metres and that’s an efficient solution for covering large commercial areas.”

Insulation is infused inside the louvres, improving thermal performance, and impressive strength is provided thanks to the 3.5mm-thick aluminium wall, and up to 4mm in certain parts of the structure.

“At the moment on the Australian market, most products are up to 2mm in thickness for the walls; the aluminium we're using is double the thickness to achieve a heavy-duty structure.”

Read more: How to extend your living space into the outdoors

“All our products have optional integrated lighting systems and you can choose to have perimeter lighting around the whole system,” says Pandovski. 

• LED Strip Dimmer Lighting illuminates all around the system and creates a warm atmosphere. Dimmable soft LED strip lighting on the sides within the structure provides the intensity of daylight or cool white options.
• RGB LED-hidden Strip Lighting provides the ultimate luxury by creating a distinctive atmosphere in outdoor living.

Other accessories like heaters and speaker systems can also be integrated to provide a complete experience.

The Heatech infrared heater is designed with technology and luxury to maximise the benefits of any area with functionality. The system is especially recommended with insulated closures like Wallfix, Framee and Sapphire to stabilise the temperature inside the living areas. With a heating power of 3,000W and a 170-degree wide-angle perspective, this system provides powerful heating in open areas up to 6sqm and when installed in enclosed and well-insulated areas, Heatech can heat up to 30sqm. The black ceramic glass of the heater creates a clean aesthetic.

The Audium sound system can match outdoor environments to the mood. Sound waves can be heard with clarity in usage areas and Bluetooth connectivity means the sound system can be protected with a password – providing added security, especially for commercial settings. Audium has 120W audio power and sound quality is up to 90Hz-22kHz.

“When you choose this product, you will get a quality product because of the weight of the system and the thickness of the system’s structure. It also offers rain and all weather production – all systems have seals around the edges of the rafters and gutters that are touching the louvres underneath, so they are 100 per cent waterproof,” says Pandovski. 

Side closure systems are also available. “This is a practical option for hospitality venues; we can enclose a whole bar or restaurant with this system without using any additional building materials.”

Explore the range of louvred pergola systems available from Umbra Outdoor Living on ArchiPro.