You’ve decided a bioclimatic pergola is the right call for your property. Excellent! Now comes the next question – maybe just as important: where will you install it?
There are three main options: a pergola attached to your house, a freestanding pergola, or a pergola roof installed on an existing structure. Each has distinct advantages and suits different situations.
The choice between an attached and a freestanding pergola depends on your lot, your goals, and your intended use. In this article we’ll explore all three options in detail, with the technical and practical details you need to make the right decision.
Option 1: The attached pergola
This is the most popular option for homeowners looking to extend their living space naturally. An attached pergola backs directly onto your house, creating a genuine extension of your patio or deck.
Advantages of an attached pergola:
– Natural extension of your home: visually and functionally, it’s a direct prolongation of your interior space. You step out your patio door and you’re under your pergola.
– Easy access: no crossing the yard to enjoy it. It’s a natural transition from your kitchen or living room.
– Space efficiency: if you have a small lot, an attached pergola maximizes your use of the available space without monopolizing your yard.
– Improved home value: buyers see an attached pergola as a premium extension of the house.
Important technical details for an attached pergola:
Installing an attached pergola requires proper anchoring to your home’s wall. SunLouvre Pergolas recommends anchor points every 8 feet maximum. That means the wider the pergola, the more anchor points are needed to ensure stability and safety.
Most Quebec homes are built with various materials: brick, wood, vinyl, Maibec, fibre cement or Canexel. Each requires a slightly different installation approach. SunLouvre Pergolas certified installers know exactly how to anchor your pergola safely and permanently, regardless of your wall material.
One important consideration: the gutter between the pergola and your house. Since the pergola is attached to the wall, there’s a small gap that can collect water. A transition gutter must be installed to direct that water into your existing gutter system or onto the ground, depending on your roofline. It’s a technical detail a professional installer handles for you.
Option 2: The freestanding pergola
A freestanding pergola (also called standalone) doesn’t touch your house. It stands on its own foundations, typically installed in your garden, your yard, or near your pool.
Advantages of a freestanding pergola:
– Positioning freedom: you can place your pergola anywhere on your property. Ideal if you want shade near your pool, above your play area, or as a focal point in your garden.
– No wall constraints: you don’t have to worry about the composition of your home’s wall or building codes related to wall anchoring.
– Flexible use: a freestanding pergola can serve as a detached leisure structure, truly creating an outdoor room separate from your house.
– Expansion possible without modifying the house: you can install a freestanding pergola without affecting your main structure’s integrity or appearance.
Technical details for a freestanding pergola:
The key to a successful freestanding pergola is a proper foundation. SunLouvre Pergolas uses three common foundation types in Quebec and Ontario:
1. Sonotubes – holes dug about 4 feet deep, filled with concrete, with foundation bolts to secure the columns. This is the most common solution for residential installations.
2. Screw piles – steel helical screws driven deep into the ground. In Quebec the recommended depth is about 6 feet to clear the frost line. In Ontario 4 feet is usually enough. This option is excellent if you have difficult soil or want to avoid digging.
3. Concrete footings – 24 inches × 24 inches by 8 inches deep concrete bases. Less common but sometimes used for very secure installations.
Most freestanding pergolas use sonotubes. They offer an excellent balance of cost, reliability and installation.
An important detail: your columns must be 6 inches by 6 inches for any SunLouvre Pergolas, attached or freestanding. This size ensures structural stability and wind resistance (160 km/h for the Classic model, 200 km/h for the Integrated Louver model).
Option 3: Pergola roof on an existing structure
There’s a third option many homeowners don’t consider: installing a pergola roof on an existing structure.
You can turn an open deck, a porch, or even an aging wooden structure into a bioclimatic SunLouvre Pergolas roof. It’s particularly popular with homeowners who have a structure that needs an upgrade, or who want to add features to an existing area.
Technical considerations:
If your existing structure is wood, you need to make sure it’s structurally sound and capable of supporting the weight of a pergola. SunLouvre Pergolas works with professionals to assess that.
A 3% slope must be built into the installation to ensure water drains correctly. That means if your pergola is 20 feet long, it’ll drop about 0.6 feet (just under 8 inches) from one side to the other.
If your existing structure doesn’t have that natural slope, it can be added during installation.
Wall materials: attached-pergola compatibility
If you choose an attached pergola, it’s important to know that SunLouvre Pergolas can be installed on virtually any common residential wall material:
– Brick: excellent for anchoring. Pros drill into the mortar or the brick itself.
– Wood: very common. Direct anchoring into the wood framing offers maximum stability.
– Vinyl: requires anchoring into the wood structure behind the vinyl siding.
– Maibec (fibre cement): a premium material popular in Quebec. Offers an excellent anchoring surface.
– Fibre cement (HardiePlank): similar to Maibec. Very durable and provides excellent stability.
– Canexel: a polymer foam material. Requires a special approach to ensure secure anchoring.
SunLouvre Pergolas certified installers know the particularities of each material and will adapt their approach to guarantee a safe, durable installation.
How to choose between attached and freestanding
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
Choose an attached pergola if:
– You want a natural extension of your home
– You have limited lot space
– You access directly from your home to an existing patio
– You’re looking to maximize home value
Choose a freestanding pergola if:
– You want a standalone structure in your garden
– You need shade above a pool or play area
– You prefer positioning flexibility
– You want to create a distinct, separate outdoor room
– You have a large lot and want to use it fully
Choose a roof on an existing structure if:
– You already have a deck or porch you want to upgrade
– You’re looking to transform an aging structure
– You want to add bioclimatic features to an existing area
Ready to decide?
Choosing between an attached and a freestanding pergola isn’t hard once you understand the differences and advantages of each.
An attached pergola is perfect if you’re looking for a natural extension of your home – a timeless choice that immediately adds value and functionality.
A freestanding pergola offers maximum flexibility – ideal if you have a larger lot and clear ideas about where you want your structure.
Whichever option you choose, SunLouvre Pergolas is with you. Our certified teams will understand your lot, your home, your goals – and create the perfect solution for your unique property.
Ready to explore your options? Contact SunLouvre Pergolas today for a free consultation. We’ll talk through your property, your needs, and help you make the decision that will truly transform your outdoor space.