Are you looking for sun protection for your outdoor area and are hesitating between a pergola and blinds? It is true that there are numerous advantages to this type of equipment! However, there are certain differences that will help you decide. Regardless of the surface area, the place you wish to shade, your budget and the desired level of solar protection, there is certainly a shelter that corresponds to your needs!
What are the differences between pergolas and blinds?
Pergolas for lasting comfort
Pergolas are durable constructions. They have two or four posts and can be wall-mounted or freestanding. A classic pergola is resistant to the wind and will offer year-round sun protection. They are made of wood, wrought iron, or PVC, but the most commonly used material today, and by far the most durable, is aluminium.
Aluminium pergolas are topped by a fixed glazed roof or filled sandwich panels. Numerous options can be added, enabling you to use it as a real living space. There are two types of classic pergolas:
a wall-mounted pergola is adjacent to the home. Attached by a beam on the wall, they are held in place by two posts. They have the advantage of providing shade in the home and lower the temperature during the hot season. A pergola is a solid construction that also enables you to preserve indoor heat in winter. It is a long-term investment and will provide you with substantial energy savings.
A freestanding pergola is also called a self-supported pergola. They can be installed wherever you please because they are mounted on four legs and therefore do not need to be fixed to a building. They also benefit from numerous options that make them even more convivial and welcoming. You can close your pergola thanks to vertical blinds or by the addition of picture windows. Depending on the surface area of the pergola, administrative procedures must be fulfilled.
Awnings for outdoor protection on demand
An awning is a type of outdoor solar protection that is fixed to a wall. Larger and more effective than a garden umbrella, this type of canopy is removable thanks to its manual or motorised articulated arms. They are mainly used to shade a patio. These modern awnings enhance the appearance of the home and protect your privacy. They are also effective inside the home because they prevent the sun's rays from heating the home more than necessary. There are three models of awnings:
the open awning is the most classical model. They do not have cassettes to protect them from bad weather but they do have the advantage of being the least expensive. They are usually manually operated with a handle.
an awning with a full cassette is the most complete model. In addition to numerous advantages in terms of protection, the installation is entirely sheltered in a closed box. The fabric, articulated arms, roller tube and pelmet are protected from bad weather for optimum durability.
mid-way between the open awning and a full cassette awning, the semi-cassette awning is ideal for medium budgets. The fabric chosen offers the same degree of protection as for the previous models, but the difference is once again in the cassette. A semi-cassette protects the fabric and the motor but the arms remain folded on the exterior.
Awning fabric also comes in several models. The most frequent are micro-perforated, polyester and acrylic fabric. An exterior awning is perfect for small spaces. They can nevertheless cover a comfortable area and provide high-quality shade. No planning permission is required for the installation of an awning.
Why wait more? Choose a bioclimatic pergola!
If you are looking for long-lasting protection that can be used year-round and in any weather, let yourself be tempted by a bioclimatic pergola! Fitted with motorised adjustable louvres, this type of pergola protects you from the sun's rays and shelters you from inclement weather. The retractable slats enable you to gain daylight and naturally ventilate the exterior space.
With a remote control, a smartphone or simply with a handle, you can regulate the temperature to suit your needs. Of course, these latest-generation pergolas offer a wide range of optional equipment. You will have the pleasure of adding LED lights, rain sensors and even overhead heating. You will get the full benefit of this living space regardless of the weather and the season.
Pergolas or awnings: the advantages
To conclude this article, let's look at the advantages of each of these types of sun protection. The advantages of a pergola:
can be in a kit or made-to-measure
numerous options available, can be closed thanks to vertical blinds or picture windows
can later be transformed into a veranda
adaptation to weather conditions (bioclimatic pergolas)
added value and decorative exterior element
The advantages of an awning:
possibility of a bespoke order
suitable for small budgets
takes up little space while protecting a large surface
