For most UK gardens, yes. An aluminium pergola costs more than a timber one to buy, but it needs almost no maintenance, lasts far longer and can do things timber can’t, like a louvred roof that opens and closes. Whether it’s worth it for you depends on how you’ll use the space and which type you choose. Here’s an honest look at both.
Aluminium vs timber pergolas
- Maintenance. Timber needs treating or staining every year or two, and still weathers. Powder-coated aluminium needs little more than a wash down and clearing the gutters.
- Lifespan. Timber can rot, warp and split, especially where posts meet damp ground. Aluminium won’t rot or rust, and the frame keeps its shape.
- What the roof can do. Most timber pergolas have an open top or a fixed roof. Aluminium makes a louvred roof possible: blades that tilt open for sun and air, or close to keep off the rain, with the water draining down the posts.
- Extras. Aluminium pergolas are designed to take LED lighting, heaters, blinds, glass doors and side panels, so you can build up to a sheltered outdoor room.
- Upfront cost. Timber is cheaper to buy. Over ten years or more, the lack of maintenance and replacement closes much of that gap.
When an aluminium pergola might not be worth it
- You want a traditional, planted look. If the plan is climbing roses and wisteria over an open frame, timber suits that better.
- You’ll rarely use the space. The value comes from using it more often. If the patio only gets used a few days a year, a simpler cover may be enough.
- You want a room you can use every day of the year. Even with glass doors, a pergola isn’t insulated. For a home office, gym or studio, an insulated garden room is the better investment.
How much does an aluminium pergola cost?
Prices vary with the size, how the roof works and what comes as standard. As a guide, here’s what a 3m x 3m costs in each of the three ranges we supply and install, including VAT:
- Titan, from £2,199. A louvred roof you adjust by hand. It comes in 19 sizes and three colours, with lighting, screens, glass doors and walls as extras. Best if budget matters most.
- Remanso, £5,995. An electric roof on a remote control, with LED lighting built in. An optional sensor closes the roof when it rains. Best if you want push-button convenience.
- Morvelle Custom, £12,514. Made in Hampshire to your exact size and in any colour, with an electric roof, LED lighting and a 10-year structural warranty. Best for awkward spaces or matching your home.
On top of the pergola, allow for sides and extras, delivery and installation. Installation depends mostly on the ground: a sound concrete base or well-laid patio is simplest, while lawn, gravel or decking usually needs concrete pads or extra support first.
Manual or electric?
A manual louvred roof does the same job for much less money, and it’s the right choice if you’re happy to get up and turn the louvres. An electric roof costs more but gets used more, because it’s so easy: you can close it from your seat when a shower comes over, and with a rain sensor it closes itself when you’re out. Built-in lighting also makes an electric pergola more usable in the evenings.
How to get the most value from one
- Choose the right size. Measure your table or hot tub, then allow room to walk around it. A pergola that’s too small gets used less.
- Add sides only where you need them. One or two sides facing the wind or the neighbours usually make the biggest difference for the money.
- Plan the base and power early. Lighting, motors and heaters need power from a qualified electrician, so plan them with the base.
- Check planning. Most pergolas don’t need permission, but height near boundaries matters. See our guide on whether pergolas need planning permission.
The verdict
If you’ll use your patio or hot tub area regularly, an aluminium pergola is worth it. It turns an exposed space into one you can use in sun, showers and on cool evenings, and it will look the same in ten years with very little effort. The best value comes from choosing the right type for how you’ll use it, rather than the cheapest or the most expensive.
Compare our three pergola ranges side by side, build yours online for a guide price, or call Kieron on 020 3818 5911 to talk it through.