Ergola — AKP Images

Thinking through a pergola for an Australian backyard

A pergola is an open-framed outdoor structure, usually made of posts and beams with cross rafters overhead, that defines a space without fully enclosing it. In Australian gardens it is often attached to the back of the house to extend a living area onto a deck or patio, or built freestanding over a barbecue, dining setting or pool edge. The appeal is simple: filtered shade, a sense of a room outdoors, and a frame for climbing plants or later additions.

Open, louvred or roofed

A traditional pergola leaves the top open or lightly slatted, so it gives dappled shade rather than rain protection. Many owners plant deciduous vines such as wisteria or ornamental grape, which shade the space in summer and let winter sun through. Others add shade cloth, polycarbonate sheeting or adjustable louvres. Once a solid roof goes on, the structure starts to behave more like a patio cover or verandah, which can change how it is treated for approval and drainage.

Materials and climate

Timber remains popular for its warmth, but it needs sealing or oiling and attention to termites in many regions. Powder-coated aluminium and steel are lower maintenance and suit coastal areas when finished for salt exposure. In bushfire-prone areas, material choice may be shaped by construction requirements, so it is worth checking early.

Approvals and planning

Rules vary between states and councils. Some small, low pergolas can fall under exempt or complying development, while larger, roofed or boundary-close structures may need approval. Before committing to a design, check with your local council or a qualified builder or certifier about height, setbacks, easements and any heritage controls.

For more ideas, browse the gallery or read answers to common questions in the FAQ.