Five Reasons Why Your Next Project Needs a Glass Pergola

We are, of course, talking about the installation of a glass pergola, allowing you to have a glass roof over your head when the heavens open. Furthermore, with highly energy-efficient modern glazing, you and your guests can stay warm even when the cold winds blow and there is a chill in the air.

In this article we hope to convince you that a glass pergola makes a smart and stylish addition to any property – old or new. If by the end of it you’re still not convinced, we’ll assume you have shares in an umbrella company.

A glass pergola is an outdoor structure consisting of a glazed roof supported by a metal or wooden frame with the option of also having glazed sides. Whereas a traditional pergola would typically have open or slatted roofs, the glass roof of our pergolas ensure that you keep the rain out when sat beneath it.

While that is the basic principle of a glass pergola, they can be designed in whatever way you would like. For example, you might have an entirely open framework below, or you might install complementary glazed panels to block incoming winds. In our opinion, glass pergolas have remained rather fashionable over the past few years because – when designed and installed by qualified, experienced specialists – they can be entirely customisable, created with care to meet your specific needs.

Having defined exactly what we mean by a glass pergola, and showed you how good they can look when contrasted with a heritage property or added to something a little more modern, we now want to highlight the biggest benefits of installing one.

Reason #1: Year-Round Outdoor Enjoyment

In 2024 the UK saw 164 days of rainfall, out of a possible 365. That means that for almost half of our year 1mm of rain or more fell from the heavens – often a lot more. For walkers, that precipitation does not present a problem – especially when attired in suitable waterproofs. But for most of us who enjoy a simple sit down and relax outside, the rain can prove quite inconvenient.

Inside your glass pergola, however, with a good book in your hands or surrounded by good company, the rain simply doesn’t matter. In fact, it can add a natural ambiance to the mood that you are trying to create. Come wind, rain or shine, you can get the maximum enjoyment out of your outside space whatever time of year it happens to be.

Reason #2: Maximises Natural Light

We have written at length about the many benefits of natural light. It makes us happier, healthier, and can even make us more productive at work. For example, did you know that workers without access to natural light take 6.5% more sick days than those who are exposed to it regularly? It’s true. Furthermore, those same workers who enjoy natural light (through a window, for example) enjoy an average of 43 minutes more sleep each night. In our humble opinion – and it might be a little bit biased – you can never get enough natural light in your space. 

By its very definition, a glass pergola enjoys the maximum amount of sunlight possible. Whether you opt for a bare frame structure on the sides, or glazed panels, there is very little stopping the light from penetrating your space. If you believe that there is too much of a good thing, you might like to limit the natural light using trailing plants or some stylish blinds that complement your chosen aesthetic.

Reason #3: Increases Property Value

Home is where the heart is, but it’s also where you’ve invested a lot of time and money, so would like to see suitable, even substantial returns. The good news is that with a glass pergola – classed as a single-storey extension – you can boost your property’s pricetag by as much as 8%! To us, that makes perfect sense; you are, after all, extending the footprint of your house and increasing the amount of useable space. But even more than the simple addition of space, glass structures create a sense of luxury and modernity that is hard to match. Furthermore, entrusting the design process to an experienced company will hopefully demonstrate to potential buyers that you are committed to high-quality features.

Reason #4: Adds Versatile Functionality

A glass pergola is a blank canvas. What we mean by that is that you can use it for a variety of purposes – a solo escape just for you; a gathering spot for your family; or an area where guests will flock throughout your parties. Maybe you will follow the traditional aesthetic and cover it in plants (making the space feel part of the garden, not just like something that happens to be located in it), or you will make it cosy with a log-burning chiminea and several old Turkish rugs. Whatever you choose to do, remember that it is your space and should fit in with your lifestyle – whatever that looks like throughout the year. As well as looking great – and glass pergolas do indeed look great – yours should be functional and somewhere that you can actively enjoy using.

Reason #5: Provides a Sleek, Modern Aesthetic

Let’s say that you have a newly-built house, furnished with all of the design choices that you would expect from such a construction: clean lines, open-plan spaces, and a minimalist yet sophisticated finish. The addition of a glass pergola is the perfect continuation of that aesthetic, allowing the eye (whether outside or in) to drift across the space and out into the garden beyond – where your plants will be beautifully floriferous, of course. 

But now let’s imagine that you have something with a bit more heritage, exuding tradition with every dark timber beam or rough stone wall. You might think that something as shiny and new as a glass pergola would be unsuitable; you couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, by designing and installing a pergola, you are, in fact, providing your property with a complementing counterpoint that only heightens the existing, time-blessed features.

A glass pergola isn’t just an additional structure bolted onto your property or placed in your garden; it’s an investment in both your home and its aesthetics. Far from being a one-trick-pony seating area that you might use at the height of summer, the pergola can be a multi-functional feature that satisfies your connection with the outdoor world whilst also delighting guests. In our opinion, the only question you have to ask yourself now is: who’s going to design yours?