Tips for using your pergola year round

Twinwall Polycarbonate Candidate (image) — Multiwall or Solid Polycarbonate Candidate

Renovating your back yard?

What about covering your pergola so you can use it year round?

Installing a retractable awning is a great option for creating shade in your back yard but windy conditions, common during Summer in Melbourne, often mean you have to retract the awning back into its cover leaving you in the warmth outside but with no shelter. The same applies in winter.

Benefits of covering your pergola with a multiwall or solid polycarbonate product

An alternative to a retractable awning is a pergola covered with polycarbonate. The benefits of a covered pergola are many. Certainly, a covered pergola taps into the huge trend for an outdoor living room. Furnishings can take on more permanency that then leads into the space being used year round particularly with the addition of heating and a cosy knee rug for winter. Of course, in summer especially, you can enjoy the space as a place to spend time outdoors with family and friends. Too hot to sit out you think? Not if you cover the pergola with a polycarbonate product with thermal properties.

There are many polycarbonate options for covering a pergola with thermally efficient products. Today, it’s all about twin wall or multi wall rather than straight polycarbonate profiles. The reason for this is that twinwall or multiwall products trap air between the layers of sheeting, hence the improved thermal insulation performance.

Until a year or two ago, Makrolon Twinwall was the leading polycarbonate multiwall product. Now that it is no longer being manufactured, installers are increasingly installing alternative polycarbonate options. Roofrite's preferred mid-price point multiwall option is Palram’s Sunpal Multi.

Alternatives to Makrolon multiwall

Palram Sunpal multiwall

Palram Sunpal Multi is an advanced mulitwall polycarbonate panel system that combines proven design, light transmission, thermal insulation and strength. If offers a lightweight, leak-proof design that can withstand very high loads and accommodates expansion and contraction. The system's distinct advantages make it an ideal long-term application on many types of projects. As with any true architectural glazing system Sunpal Multi is suitable for a variety of roofing and cladding designs, flat or curved.

Typical Sunpal multiwall applications

. Architectural roofing and glazing
. Commercial and retail roofing
. Verandahs and Carports
. Covered walkways, awnings and entrances
. Swimming pool covers

Palram Sunpal multiwall color range

Palram's Sunpal Multi range comes in both a Standard color range as well as a SolarSmart color range. The SolarSmart range is an energy efficient range that blocks infrared energy that causes heat buildup, and transmits "cool light" instead.

Solid Polycarbonate - the high end, low maintenance polycarbonate finish

An alternative to multiwall polycarbonate is a Palram's Sunglaze, an architectural system that offers smart design, elegant appearance, versatility, low maintenance and sustainable performance to various architectural projects. Being a solid polycarbonate, it has the look of glass but all the benefits of polycarbonate such as an ability to withstand high loads and an easy caulking and silicone free installation.

As with the Sunpal Multi, Sunglaze also comes in both a standard and SolarSmart color range.

If you're looking for a high-end glass-like finish for your pergola, this is the product of choice.

If you have any queries, or would like a quote on covering, repairing or replacing your polycarbonate roof, please call Roofrite on 03 9499 8059.

Palram Polycarbonate Sunglaze Installed - Ivanhoe (image)

Palram Sunglaze Twinwall Installed - Melbourne (image)

Sunglaze Polycarbonate installed - Rosanna (image)

Polycarbonate roof installed - Caulfield North (image)

Solasafe Clear Greca Polycarbonate - South Caulfield (image)

Lucy Parker

The team at Roofrite were fantastic and so professional, making sure the job was done properly. Very trust worthy and will use them again.

Damon

After spending ages sifting through reviews online as well as listing the job on a website, I finally found a decent business to replace rusted box guttering as well as repair a separate roof leak next to the Air conditioning unit. When it rained hard enough, water would pour into the ceiling and exit through the downlights. After dealing with some of the "cowboys"out there, (some even had good reviews), my opinion has been that if they can come around at short notice and want cash with no paperwork, then avoid at all costs. I'm a few hundred dollars lighter for this life experience. Some didn't even bother to call back. Fortunately I found Roofrite. The whole process was well managed from start to finish. Someone did the quote with an estimated start date as well as ensuring the dimensions of the new gutter would comply with building code. Then someone else came to measure up the job. The tradies arrived on the date they said they would and did the job, to a very high standard and took away the old Guttering. Finally the office sent me photos taken of the job and a VBA certificate. I can definitely recommend these people who were very professional and friendly. I no longer need to race for the buckets when there is a downpour! Update I was waiting for a really bad storm to hit before doing a follow up review to my original August 2022 post above. Well we got that recently. I am happy to report that after the morning storm that hit Melbourne last week there were no leaks. Excellent quality workmanship is all I can say. Damon

Cathy Harris

We had a large job to replace existing boxed in gutters, fix leaks and replace asbestos lining. The team at Roofrite did a great job to sorry out all the issues, even the ones found after starting the job. They kept us informed of start dates, progress and any issues found. Communication from all of the team was exceptional. We feel like we have had a very high quality job done and feel assured if we have any issues, we can call them to come back anytime. Would definetly use again and recommend for trustworthiness and good value.

Rosemary Jones

Excellent workmanship, communication and lovely people. Highly recommend every part of the organisation.

Bec Wood

Roofrite were great to deal with every step of the way, from the quote through to install. The admin team were equally lovely and responsive, our whole experience was extremely positive and we'd definitely recommend them and use them again in the future.

David Brown

Roofrite re-did the roof at the front of our house and installed 9 skylights. They are an extremely well run organisation who communicate very well. The workers are neat, tidy, polite and extremely high quality. We had no problems with anything they did and they took great pride in their craft. Absolutely love our seemingly leak proof and bright new home!

Tatiana Mauri

Jamie and the team did a wonderful job installing our skylight. We have used Roofrite a number of times and have been very happy with the outcome. They're very professional and we highly recommend them. Karen and Tatiana

Erin Paterson

2. Just wanted to provide some feedback -; From the outset I felt great confidence with Kym, he certainly knows his stuff and made me feel assured that what we wanted could be achieved and actually delivered. It wasn’t as simple as putting on the cladding but we had various issues with leakage and the lack of water proofing by the correct placement of flashing's etc. Then the day finally came were the boys showed up to do the job. The “boys” consisted of Jamie, Jermain, James and ( Chris on occasion). I have to say as a business owner, all of them are very impressive, punctual, hardworking and good at what they do… In particular Jamie is excellent as the leader of the gang and his knowledge and eye for detail is impeccable, he is an absolute asset to your business. I was so impressed by him and his ability to communicate with me what some of the issues were and how he was going to fix them. So overall I am beyond happy with the work and the outcome and it was my pleasure dealing with the boys. Kind regards, Erin.

Cover your pergola with multiwall or solid polycarbonate