A pergola changes how your garden looks for years, so it's worth thinking it through before building. These are the main points we go over with clients before we start.
1. Start with how you'll use it
Family seating? Hosting guests? Shading part of the yard? The use decides the size, the seating and where the lighting goes.
2. Watch the sun
Kuwait's sun is strong, and the direction of the roof slats makes a big difference to the shade you get. Oriented correctly, they give more shade at the times you actually sit out.
3. Choose the material
- Aluminium: light, rust-free and low maintenance.
- Steel: stronger and allows wider spans, but needs rust treatment and paint.
- Wood and wood alternatives: warm and refined; best treated for sun and water, or an outdoor wood alternative.
4. Height and space
Too low feels cramped and hot; too high gives less shade. We balance the two based on yard size and the height of surrounding walls.
5. Plan lighting from day one
The easiest time to run lighting cables is during construction. Roof lights, a strip under the seating and wall lights behind turn a pergola into an evening space.
6. Treat the pergola as part of the garden
The best results come when the pergola, seating, flooring, grass and lighting are designed together. That's why we build it as one project rather than separate pieces.
