Our experts spent around 25 hours building and testing pergolas kits (with a roof).
Eventually, we found the best retractable roof pergola.
They were selected in terms of quality, buyer rating and easy maintenance.
Any one of these will make a great addition to your garden.
Pergola Recommendations Comparison
Also, it’s worth noting that when talking about pergolas some people may be thinking of a retractable gazebo.
If you’re looking to learn more about this, we tackle this at the end of this post.
Let’s dive straight into the reviews.
1. Angel Living Retractable Canopy Pergola - Best Overall
Quality
High quality aluminium frame and water repellent polyester roof
Speed
2 individuals constructed this in 4 hours
Cost
Reasonable price for a 3 x 4 m retractable pergola
Overall rating : 4.6 / 5
This pergola looks impressive on a patio, it adds a Mediterranean vibe to your outdoor space without looking tacky. While we didn't secure ours to the ground, it seems easy to do using appropriate screws and anchoring. Also worth noting it can be screwed to decking or outdoor tiles.
Click below to explore some of the key features.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
This is a classy retractable pergola that you will get daily use out of. It has such an inviting and warm ambience. However, as with all pergolas, you run the risk of being exposed due to the sides being absent. Check out our gazebo heater guide for such product recommendations to keep you warm in the evenings.
All in all, this pick is our best overall in terms of sturdiness, appearance and value. It will make a great addition to your garden and a decent investment for years to come. We've seen some customers use these as a hot tub shelter and they look fantastic.
Quality
High quality aluminium components and highly waterproof polyester.
Speed
2 individuals constructed this in 3 hours.
Cost
Good value option. Extremely sturdy and nice finish.
Overall rating : 3.8 / 5
Glendale is a premium entry to outdoor garden furniture and structures like this beautiful pergola.
The proof is in the pudding for a product like this one, it was being well received when we first reviewed it. However, as of September 2020, it has been reviewed 15 times and has an average of 3.8 out of 5.
People are taking issue with the cross pieces being too weak. But this is a user related issue because it is a pergola and should not be treated like a retractable gazebo.
To extend the life of the product, the canopy should only be used in sun, and not rain and windy weather.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
All in all, with our team it took 2 people 3 hours to assemble.
We really liked this one, that’s why it’s our best newcomer choice. It’s great value, widely rated by the community and is a beautiful finish.
Pro tip: Contact Glendale’s technical support if the instructions are lacking. We reached out to their team and they were very helpful.
Quality
Decent steel construction and gunmetal grey powder coated finish.
Speed
2 individuals constructed this in 3 hours.
Cost
Reasonable price for a free standing model. Great for patios.
Overall rating : 3.5 / 5
Rowlinson are one of our favourite brands when it comes to garden products like gazebos and pergola kits (with roof) like this one.
With over 90 years of manufacturing knowledge and experience, Rowlinson know what they’re doing with a pergola.
Click below to explore some of the key features.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
We really liked this one, that’s why it’s our best wall-mounted pick. It’s great value, widely rated by the community and we assembled it in 3 hours (with a team of 2 people).
Rectractable Roof Pergola FAQs
Q: What is a Pergola?
A: In a nutshell, it’s a garden feature which gives a shaded sitting area or passageway. This involves vertical pillars with cross-beams and an open lattice.
A latin term, pergula means a projecting eave.
Let’s also clarify.
The pergola is a type of outdoor structure, like a gazebo. But versus your traditional gazebo, it usually acts as a cover for your terrace or a link between passageways.
Obviously, the focus of this post has been on selecting the best retractable roofed garden structure which is typically called a pergola but some interchange this with the term gazebo.
Q: How to Build a Pergola with Roof
A: The pergolas on this list have been chosen because our team found them relatively easy to build. The pergola kits themselves come with fantastic, easy to follow instructions and all of the necessary fixtures and fittings. What we recommend you bring to the table is a minimum of 2 people and the proper tools for assembly.
If you’re not choosing a kit from the list above. Not to worry. It is possible for you to build a pergola with a roof from scratch. See below.
What Tools Are Required?
- Large spirit level
- Hammer
- Cordless hammer drill
- Screwdriver
- Pens for marking (we used Sharpies)
- Electrical tape
- A varying selection of screws and nails (optional)
Installing the Posts
You’re going to need treated softwood for this. Also, please make sure to use a wood preservative on the end of the timber and feet of the posts 24 hours before building.
Last update on 2021-07-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
