Pergola or awning
what suits your patio
Pergola or awning? The question is usually settled by the patio itself: is there a roof or a pergola where you can fix shade, or only the house wall, or nothing overhead at all? Here we compare the three options by location, weather, operation and installation, and tell you what we recommend when we advise customers.
The difference between a pergola and an awning: the pergola is the structure, the awning is the shade. A pergola with shading combines both. This is how we sort enquiries when we advise customers:
- Pergola or patio roof in place: A rope tension awning runs between or under the beams and, when retracted, is parked sheltered under the roof.
- Only the house wall, no roof above: A folding arm awning is typically fitted here. We do not make them, so it appears here only for comparison.
- No roof and no wall nearby: A fixed, tensioned shade sail between fixed points, or a rope tension shade sail, which is lighter and less exposed to wind.
- For all three: fabric is shade, not a rain roof. In rain, strong wind and storms, you retract it or take it down.
Pergola, awning and sail compared
The details on the rope tension awning and the shade sail come from our own manufacturing and advice. The awning on the house wall appears in the table as a general comparison, as we do not make folding arm awnings.
| Feature | Pergola with rope tension awning | Awning on the house wall | Shade sail without a roof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | between or under the beams of a pergola, patio roof or glass roof | on the facade, with the fabric projecting freely over the patio | freely between fixed fixing points, even on a steep slope |
| Weather | shade only, retract in rain, strong wind and storms, the bundle parks under the roof | shade, retract in wind and rain | weatherproof when fixed taut, take down in storms and before winter |
| Operation | by hand with an operating pole up to about 3 m high, above that with a pull cord, no motor | crank or motor, depending on the model | stays tensioned, you push the rope tension shade sail together |
| Installation | on the beams, panels of around 150 cm, between rafters under 145 cm | on the house wall, which must carry the load permanently | on a wall, posts or masts, made to your drawing |
| Who makes it | shading made to measure by us, you provide the pergola | not a product of ours | made to measure by us |
When a pergola with shading suits
If a pergola or patio roof is already in place, the question of pergola or awning is really answered: you use the beams to hold the fabric. We do not make the pergola itself, but we do make the shading for it.
Between or under the beams
Between the rafters, the rope tension awning is barely visible when retracted, and LEDs in the beams remain usable. Under the rafters it needs fewer drill holes. How to fix the awning to the pergola is explained under fixing an awning to roof rafters.
Dividing the area into panels
A single panel over the whole area is not technically possible. We divide the area into parallel panels with sewn-in aluminium tubes, which you operate individually. Rectangular bays get rope tension awnings, and an angled remaining area gets a rope tension shade sail in the same fabric.
Pergola fully open to the wind
The rope tension awning needs a sheltered spot where the retracted bundle of fabric is parked. If the pergola stands fully open to the wind, the rope tension shade sail is lighter and less exposed to wind.
Fabric by lightfastness
For the rope tension awning, you choose between Dralon made of acrylic, Olefin, Polysun and Agora. Polysun is a solution-dyed polyester fabric with a 2-year guarantee on colour fastness, Agora has 5 years. We are happy to send you fabric samples.
More ideas for the pergola
The pergola guide shows the ways of shading a pergola with fabric.
When an awning on the house wall suits
If there is no roof over the patio but there is a load-bearing house wall, many people first think of a folding arm awning. It appears here only as a comparison, as we do not make it.
Open space without supports
A folding arm awning sits on the facade, and its arms hold the fabric over the patio without posts. The area underneath stays free. It is not a rain roof either and is retracted in wind and rain.
The wall must carry the load
Every awning on the house wall needs a facade that holds the screws permanently. With insulated facades and in rented flats, clarify the fixing beforehand, as a tenant with the landlord's written consent.
Other options without a folding arm
Alternatives to an awning compares the solutions that come into question instead of a classic awning.
When a sail without a roof suits
With no roof over the area, an awning is often not the right choice, because the retracted bundle of fabric has no sheltered place. A sail then suits better.
Fixed shade sail
It is tensioned once between fixed points and stays that way. It also covers steep slopes, uneven areas and exposed positions. We make it to your drawing, more under made-to-measure shade sails.
Rope tension shade sail
A continuous sail on ropes that you push together. It also suits triangles and trapezoids, more under made-to-measure rope tension shade sails.
Awning or sail
If you are only undecided between an awning and a sail, the comparison awning or shade sail helps. What a sail withstands in wind is explained in shade sails in wind.
Patio roof or awning
These two do not replace each other, they complement each other. A fixed roof keeps the rain out, and the awning underneath provides the shade.
Shade under the glass roof
Heat builds up under a glass roof in summer. The rope tension awning then runs between or under the rafters. Whether the shade belongs above or below the roof is explained in shade above or below the patio roof.
Fit it yourself
You can measure and fit it yourself, and we take care of the sewing and making up. How it works is explained under patio roof shading: do it yourself.
More ideas
Shade for the patio: ideas collects what else there is for your patio, with and without a roof.
Costs, permission and weather
A pergola with shading consists of two parts: the structure and the fabric. If the pergola is already in place, you pay only for the shading. You can see the price of your rope tension awning in the configurator, depending on size and fabric.
Whether a pergola, roof or awning needs permission varies from place to place. Ask the building authority of your local council before you build.
The rope tension awning and the rope tension shade sail are shade only. In rain, strong wind and storms, you push them together. Agora is water-repellent but not waterproof, more under leaving an awning out in the rain?
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Last reviewed: 09.11.2026 · Reviewer: Germes-Team
Not sure what suits your patio?
Send us a photo and the dimensions of your area, and tell us whether there is a pergola or a roof above it. We will tell you which solution suits and, if you wish, send fabric samples.