Smart Pergolas: What Are Their 5 Main Defining Features?

  • Author: Fazal Umer
  • Posted On: June 18, 2025
  • Updated On: June 18, 2025

Smart pergolas are not significantly different from traditional ones, yet the distinctions are crucial. They continue to provide shade and a playful element to your garden, but their capabilities extend beyond that. What sets them apart is, quite simply, their intelligence.

Intelligent pergolas can be controlled via a remote or smart speaker systems that can be used to control a variety of functions. So, what are some of the most common features that make them stand out from traditional pergolas?

How Does a Smart Pergola Work?

With a smart pergola, you have the ability to adjust just about every part of the pergola’s function, which can add to its cost. The cost of a smart pergola is influenced by its size, the materials used in its construction, and any additional features you decide to include.

Prices that are nearer to the lower end usually suggest a do-it-yourself method for installing a smart pergola. Nevertheless, we consistently advise having a professional handle the installation of your smart pergola.

Smart Feature #1: Controllable Slats

A sophisticated pergola enables you to modify the louvers with a remote control or, in certain instances, through an application on your smartphone. When it rains, a simple press of a button can channel the water into the integrated gutters of the pergola. Once the sun returns, another click allows you to bask in the warmth.

Smart Feature #2: Heaters

Pergola heaters are ideal for those who experience cold winter weather; the heaters in your smart pergola will ensure you stay warm and maintain your entertainment area throughout the year. You have the option to suspend your pergola heater using suspension poles from above, or you can attach it directly to your outdoor structure to provide on-demand heating for your upcoming gathering.

Smart Feature #3: Wind-resistant Screens

The majority of screens are constructed from weather-resistant fabric that allows for breathability, facilitating the circulation of cool air. Additionally, they can block as much as 89% of UV rays, helping to keep your area cool, lower your energy expenses, minimize blinding glare, and protect your furniture from fading.

Smart Feature #4: Sensors

Intelligent rain and sun sensors ensure that your pergola handles all the laborious tasks for you. By “laborious tasks,” we refer to the tedious job of pressing a button to either close or open the slats when rain arrives. The rain sensor automatically shuts the patio roof when it detects rain. Additionally, when paired with the built-in temperature sensor, it functions as a snow sensor as well.

Smart Feature #5: LED Lighting

Choosing between trendy multicolor LEDs or timeless warm white lights, illuminating your smart pergola will undoubtedly create a captivating atmosphere for your late-night gatherings. LED lights enable you to make the most of your pergola during the night, creating a perfect atmosphere for entertaining guests, engaging in outdoor games, barbecuing, or just enjoying precious moments with family and friends.

If you’re looking to add a smart pergola to your yard, be wary that the more features you add, the more it’s going to cost. Speak to a professional today to see what options might be best for you.

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Author: Fazal Umer

Fazal is a dedicated industry expert in the field of civil engineering. As an Editor at ConstructionHow, he leverages his experience as a civil engineer to enrich the readers looking to learn a thing or two in detail in the respective field. Over the years he has provided written verdicts to publications and exhibited a deep-seated value in providing informative pieces on infrastructure, construction, and design.

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