Guide

Bioclimatic pergola maintenance: wind, snow and winter

Maintaining a bioclimatic pergola comes down, as a rule, to two main checks a year, in spring and in autumn: wash the frame and louvres with lukewarm water and neutral soap (never with a pressure washer), clear gutters and downpipes, and test louvres and sensors. In strong wind the louvres are closed, snow must not be left to build up, and in winter zip screens or glass walls are used. Michelessi, in Aprilia, reports the figures declared by Gibus, KE Outdoor Design and Pratic and looks after the pergola after installation.

Bioclimatic pergola maintenance: what to do and when

A bioclimatic pergola (a louvred pergola, or louvered in American English) is an aluminium roof with adjustable or retractable louvres, and looking after it comes down to four jobs: washing the frame and louvres with lukewarm water and neutral soap (never with a high-pressure washer), clearing gutters and downpipes, testing louvres and sensors, and checking seals, screws and enclosures. As a rule, two main checks a year are enough, in spring and in autumn. Michelessi, which has worked stone in Aprilia since 1976, also sells and installs Gibus, KE Outdoor Design and Pratic pergolas; this guide explains what to do in strong wind, snow, hail and winter, too.

When	What to check	Why
Spring	Wash the frame and louvres; gutters and downpipes clear	Removes pollen, dust and winter residue
Early summer	Louvre movement, seals, screws and carriages	Shows friction and misplaced seals early
Summer	Sun, rain and wind sensors; remote control, app and lights	A clean, tested sensor acts when needed
Autumn	Leaves and drains; zip screens, fabrics, glass walls; a closed-louvre test	Prepares the pergola for storms and seasonal wind
Winter	A check after every strong wind, snowfall or hailstorm	Inspect straight after the event, not by the calendar

The manual of your model always takes precedence over these general indications. To tell a bioclimatic pergola from a pergotenda, canopy, gazebo or veranda, see the guide Bioclimatic pergola or pergotenda: differences, canopy, veranda.

How to clean a bioclimatic pergola without damaging the coating

Clean it with lukewarm water, neutral soap and a soft sponge or cloth, from the top downwards, rinsing with plenty of water. A high-pressure washer damages the coating; solvents, acids and abrasive sponges leave marks on the colour. Wash from the ground or from a stable ladder, never standing on the louvres.

Louvres and gutters: leaves, dust and pollen settle in the channels between louvres and in the gutter; wash with the louvres tilted so as to reach both faces.
Seals: damp cloth, without rubbing hard; they make the watertight joint between one louvre and the next and must stay clean and in place.
Zip screens, fabrics and glass walls: neutral detergent; dry fabrics completely before rolling them up, to avoid mould; keep tracks and drainage holes of glass walls free of sand and leaves.
Sensors: a soft cloth on the wind and rain sensor, as dust and cobwebs can distort the reading.

For lubricants only the manual of the model applies: the wrong product attracts dust and sand, so do not grease tracks and carriages on your own initiative.

When it rains, does water get in? Drainage and the noise of rain

With the louvres closed, a bioclimatic pergola shelters from rain and carries the water into the perimeter gutters and the downpipes built into the posts. If water gets in or overflows, check the drains blocked by leaves, the dirty or misplaced seals and the louvres not fully closed. With wind-driven rain, water can reach the pergola from the side: on the exposed side, zip screens or glass walls are added.

Gibus declares a multi-fin seal (Blade Seal) between louvres; KE Outdoor Design, for Kedry Neos, gutters with a high-tightness seal; Pratic, gutters and drainage built into the posts. At the start of the season, empty a bucket of water into the gutter with the louvres closed and check that it drains without pooling.

Rain can be heard on the louvres, as on any aluminium roof: how much depends on their shape and fixing, the height and what is underneath. The manufacturers publish no noise figure that can be quoted; Gibus's sound-reduction figure, up to 19 dB, refers to its sliding glass walls, not to the roof.

Bioclimatic pergola and strong wind: resistance class and sensors

The wind resistance of a pergola is read from the class declared by the manufacturer under the UNI EN 13561 standard. KE Outdoor Design declares class 6 for Kedry Skylife, Kedry Prime, Kedry Plus, Keplan, Isola 2, Gennius Vega and Xtesa, class 5 for Kedry Neos and class 3 for Hydra; Keplan, Isola 2, Gennius Vega, Xtesa and Hydra are fabric pergolas. In its own FAQ, class 6, the highest on the scale, corresponds to about 88 km/h. Gibus and Pratic do not publish it for their bioclimatic models on the pages we have read: we read it with you from the manufacturer's documentation before ordering.

Brand	Wind, as declared	Declared sensors
Gibus	Mag Lock for the wind tightness of zip screens; class 6 for the Nivo tension awning, class 3 for Nivo+	Sun, rain and wind; remote control and Gibus Connect app
KE Outdoor Design	Class 6 UNI EN 13561 for Kedry Skylife, Kedry Prime, Kedry Plus, Keplan, Isola 2, Gennius Vega and Xtesa; class 5 for Kedry Neos; class 3 for Hydra	Wind, snow and rain on Kedry Plus; sun and wind on awnings and Hydra; optional climate sensors on other models, such as Isola 2 and Xtesa
Pratic	Class not published for the pergolas; Slide Glass 60 glass wall tested by Istituto Giordano (wind resistance class A1)	Rain, snow and wind, which close the louvres automatically

Fabric pergolas have their own figures, on the page Retractable-fabric pergolas. In practice:

the class is a product figure: on site, fixings, substrate, size, exposure and side enclosures matter, and we check them at the survey;
sensors work only if powered, clean and in automatic mode: test them at the start of summer and of autumn;
when strong wind is forecast, close louvres, zip screens and curtains and put cushions and light furniture away; if you go away, leave the pergola closed with the sensors on.

Bioclimatic pergola and snow: load, sensors and the Snow melt system

In Lazio snow is an occasional event, more likely inland and on higher ground than on the coast, but it must not build up on louvres or fabric. The manufacturers point to three tools: the declared snow load, sensors and, for Gibus, the Snow melt system, which heats the louvres against the build-up of snow and is available for Varia and Twist.

Snow load: KE Outdoor Design declares ‘up to 350 kg/m²’ on some products, without tying it to a model; we read it on the data sheet of the chosen model before ordering. Gibus and Pratic do not publish one on the pages we have read.
Sensors: Kedry Plus by KE Outdoor Design has wind, snow and rain sensors; Pratic declares rain, snow and wind sensors.
Fabric: on fabric pergolas, when snow is forecast the cloth is retracted, unless the manual says otherwise.

If snow builds up, follow the clearing method in the manual; do not climb onto the roof or use metal or sharp objects; if louvres or zips are frozen, do not force them.

Hail and storms: what can be promised and what cannot

The manufacturers' documents we have read give no hail resistance class for bioclimatic pergolas, so we do not promise one. When hail is forecast, the louvres are closed, fabrics and awnings retracted and furniture and cars put under cover; after the event, louvres, seals, glass and fabrics are checked. Also check that the home insurance policy covers weather damage, pergola included.

Bioclimatic pergola in winter: enclosures, heating and condensation

In winter a bioclimatic pergola is used as a space sheltered from wind and rain, not as a heated room: with the louvres closed and the side enclosures in place, the terrace stays pleasant on mild days, and with a heater on cooler ones. Here is what the manufacturers declare.

Clear zip screens: Gibus Click Zip with the clear ‘Cristal’ fabric, designed for winter; KE Outdoor Design Vertika, in clear, filtering and blackout fabrics; Pratic Raso and the cassette screens with zip guides, also in clear PVC.
Sliding glass walls: 10 or 12 mm tempered glass for Gibus, for the Line Glass of KE Outdoor Design and for the Slide Glass 60 of Pratic.
Heating: Gibus lists heaters among its accessories; KE Outdoor Design has an electric radiant floor heating system, MORE FTA-e, with plates under a raised floor, for Kedry Skylife, Kedry Prime and Isola 3 in the free-standing version; Pratic lists none: heaters are third-party supplies. Keep appliances clear of fabrics and louvres as directed.
Condensation: in a very enclosed pergola it forms on glass and louvres; KE Outdoor Design lists controlled mechanical ventilation, MORE VMC, with a technical column, for Kedry Skylife, Kedry Prime and Isola 3.

As for permits, a bioclimatic pergola with movable louvres, attached or annexed to the building, falls in many cases under free building activity (edilizia libera), subject to the municipal rules, any landscape restrictions and, in a condominium, the condominium regulations. Permanently closed on all sides, it must be checked with the municipality: we tell you at design stage, before ordering. The full picture is in the guide Permits for pergolas in Italy; enclosures are on the page Pergola enclosures.

The sea and salt air: coating and washing on the coast

Near the sea, salt air attacks coating and fixings. Gibus declares aluminium painted in Qualicoat-certified plants and pre-treated Seaside; Pratic, the Qualicoat Seaside pre-treatment; KE Outdoor Design, on Isola 2, powder-coated profiles and concealed stainless-steel screws. The care: rinse with fresh water, without pressure, more often than in town, especially after sea storms, and check screws and tracks. For the coast, see the pages Pergolas in Anzio and Nettuno and Pergolas on the Lazio coast.

The roof will not move and the remote does not respond: first checks

Before calling for service, check power, obstructions, sensors and cleanliness. If the problem persists, do not force louvres, zips or glass. If the roof carries photovoltaic modules, such as Gibus's Energy Pergola, the manual of the photovoltaic system applies as well: what the manufacturers declare is on the page Photovoltaic pergolas.

Symptom	First checks
The louvres will not move	Power; obstructions on louvres or tracks (some models, such as Gibus with Safe Blade, stop on contact with an object and reverse); a wind, rain or snow sensor may have stopped them on purpose
Remote or app do not respond	Remote batteries, distance, network for the app; if one control works and the other does not, re-pairing is needed
The wind sensor does not act	Automatic mode on; power; sensor clean and not covered by leaves, fabric or cobwebs. If the manual control works and the automatic one does not, call for service; meanwhile, when strong wind is forecast, close louvres and awnings yourself and do not switch the sensor off
The lights do not come on	Power; dimmable light turned down to the minimum; the button or channel of the remote reserved for the lights, if the model has one. If only some stretches of LED go out, do not open profiles or cable channels and call for service
Noises and friction	Sand or leaves in tracks and carriages, loose screws, misaligned louvres

Installation: wind tightness starts with the fitting

The wind class declared by the manufacturer applies to the product; on site, tightness depends on anchoring, substrate (floor, slab or roof deck), module size and configuration, wall-mounted or free-standing. This is why the survey comes before the quote and our own team, the one that lays the stone, does the installation. On a terrace we check how the posts are fixed while protecting waterproofing membranes; downpipes go to a drain, never onto the balcony below; motors, lights and sensors need a protected power line. The configurations are compared on the page Wall-mounted and free-standing pergolas.

If there is an outdoor stone kitchen under the pergola

Under the pergola the outdoor kitchen is sheltered from direct rain and sun, but it has its own upkeep: a body in refractory stone, steel or treated timber, a worktop in granite, quartzite, sintered stone or marble. Grease and barbecue smoke soil the louvres and fabrics above it, which need cleaning more often, like the stone floor (Floors).

The worktop: neutral detergent and a soft cloth; on marble, avoid acids (lemon, vinegar, limescale remover) and abrasives. Care depends on the stone chosen and we explain it at handover.
Fire: barbecue and oven are placed relative to roof, fabrics and enclosures at the manufacturers' distances; never an open flame under a fabric or awning.

Where all sides are to be enclosed and services fixed, we recommend the opinion of the municipal technical office. The single design is on the page Outdoor kitchen under a pergola.

Manual, warranty and service after installation

Keep the use and maintenance manual, which for Gibus sets out the warranty conditions: the product's hologram code is used to request the Manufacturer's Declaration from Gibus or the Declaration of Performance (DoP) from KE Outdoor Design, useful also for tax deductions (see the guide Tax deductions for awnings and pergolas). With Pratic, registering the product on the Customer Care portal activates the warranty and gives access to the manuals.

We state the manufacturer's warranty in the quote, model by model; warranty and service are the fifth item explained in the guide How much does a bioclimatic pergola cost. After installation, on-site service is provided by our own team: louvres that will not move, remote control, sensors, adjustment of the enclosures; for original spare parts we go to the manufacturer. The three brands are compared in the guide Gibus, KE or Pratic: how to choose, and each has its own page: Gibus, KE Outdoor Design and Pratic.

How Michelessi works: from installation to long-term care

Michelessi has worked stone since 1976 in Aprilia, between Rome and Latina. For maintenance, at the survey we look at exposure, wind, distance from the sea, substrate and drains, and after installation the pergola stays in the care of our own team. The full method, from survey to 3D design to installation, is on the page Bespoke pergolas: survey, design, installation. The rest of the department is on the pages Pergolas and Bioclimatic pergola: what it is and how it works; by area, Frosinone and the Castelli Romani, where snow is more likely.

The survey and the quote are free of charge in Rome, Latina and throughout Lazio: request them here, or write or call us: Michelessi SRL, Via Pontina km 45.350, Aprilia (Latina); phone and WhatsApp +39 06 9275383.

Bioclimatic pergola maintenance in six seasonal steps

Spring: wash the frame and louvres
Lukewarm water, neutral soap and a soft sponge, from the top downwards; never a high-pressure washer, solvents or abrasive sponges. Wash from the ground or a stable ladder, never standing on the louvres.
Spring: clear gutters and downpipes
Remove leaves and dust, then empty a bucket of water into the gutter with the louvres closed: it must leave through the downpipe without pooling.
Early summer: test movement and seals
Open and close the louvres, and check seals, screws, carriages and tracks. Report noises and friction; lubricate only as the manual of the model directs.
Summer: test sensors, remote and lights
Clean the wind and rain sensor, check that automatic mode is on, change the remote batteries and test the app and the lights.
Autumn: prepare the pergola for storms
Clear the drains of leaves again, wash and dry zip screens, fabrics and glass walls, rinse with fresh water if you are on the coast, and test the closing of the louvres.
Winter: inspect after wind, snow or hail
After every strong event check louvres, seals, glass and fabrics; do not let snow build up, do not climb onto the roof and, if louvres or zips are frozen, do not force them.

More from the pergolas department

Frequently asked questions

How do you clean a bioclimatic pergola?

With lukewarm water, neutral soap and a soft sponge or cloth, from the top downwards, rinsing well. No high-pressure washer, which damages the coating, and no solvents, acids or abrasive sponges. Gutters, downpipes, seals and tracks are cleaned too. The use and maintenance manual of your model always takes precedence over the general indications.

How often does a bioclimatic pergola need maintenance?

As a rule, two main checks a year are enough, in spring and in autumn: washing, clear drains, a test of louvres and sensors, a check of seals and screws; the frequency given in the manual of your model takes precedence. On the coast, because of salt air, rinse with fresh water more often; after strong wind, snow or hail an inspection is needed. After installation, on-site service is provided by our own team.

Does a bioclimatic pergola withstand strong wind?

It depends on the model and the installation. The manufacturer declares a class under the UNI EN 13561 standard: KE Outdoor Design gives class 6 for Kedry Skylife, Kedry Prime, Kedry Plus, Keplan, Isola 2, Gennius Vega and Xtesa, class 5 for Kedry Neos and class 3 for Hydra; in its FAQ, class 6, the highest on the scale, corresponds to about 88 km/h. Gibus and Pratic do not publish it for their bioclimatic models on the pages we have read: we read it with you before ordering.

Do the sensors close the pergola by themselves in wind or rain?

On models with sensors, yes: Gibus declares sun, rain and wind sensors, KE Outdoor Design wind, snow and rain sensors on Kedry Plus (and optional climate sensors on other models), Pratic rain, snow and wind sensors that close the louvres. They must be powered, clean and in automatic mode. If you go away for a few days, leave the pergola closed and the sensors on.

Does a bioclimatic pergola withstand snow?

The snow load must be read on the data sheet of the model: KE Outdoor Design declares ‘up to 350 kg/m²’ on some products, without tying it to a model. For Varia and Twist, Gibus offers the Snow melt system, which heats the louvres against snow build-up. Do not climb onto the roof, and do not let snow build up on louvres or fabric.

Does a bioclimatic pergola withstand hail?

The manufacturers' documents we have read give no hail resistance class for bioclimatic pergolas, so we do not promise one. When hail is forecast, the louvres are closed and fabrics and awnings retracted; after the event, louvres, seals, glass and fabrics are checked. Check that your home insurance policy covers weather damage.

Does water get in when it rains?

With the louvres closed, water runs into the gutters and the downpipes built into the posts. If it gets in or overflows, first check the drains blocked by leaves, then dirty seals and louvres not fully closed. With wind-driven rain, water can arrive from the side: on the exposed side, zip screens or glass walls are added.

Is the rain noisy on the louvres?

Yes, as on any aluminium roof; how much depends on the shape and fixing of the louvres, the height and what is underneath. The manufacturers publish no noise figure that can be quoted: Gibus's sound-reduction figure, up to 19 dB, refers to its sliding glass walls, not to the roof. If it matters to you, we assess it at the survey.

Can a bioclimatic pergola be used in winter?

Yes, as a space sheltered from wind and rain: louvres closed and clear zip screens or sliding glass walls on the exposed sides. For heat, Gibus lists heaters among its accessories and KE Outdoor Design offers MORE FTA-e floor heating on some models; Pratic lists none: heaters are third-party supplies. Permanently closed on all sides, the pergola must be checked with the municipality.

The roof will not move or the remote does not respond: what should I check?

Check the power supply, the remote batteries, any obstructions on the louvres and whether a wind, rain or snow sensor has stopped them on purpose: some models, such as Gibus with Safe Blade, stop on contact with an object. If the wind sensor does not act, check automatic mode, power and the cleanliness of the sensor, and in strong wind close louvres and awnings yourself; if the lights do not come on, check the power and the dimmer. If the problem persists, do not force the louvres and call for service.

Does salt air damage a pergola near the sea?

It attacks coating and fixings. Gibus declares aluminium painted in Qualicoat-certified plants and pre-treated Seaside, Pratic the Qualicoat Seaside pre-treatment, KE Outdoor Design, on Isola 2, powder-coated profiles and concealed stainless-steel screws. On the coast, rinse with fresh water, without pressure, more often, especially after sea storms.

Who handles warranty and service after installation?

The warranty is the manufacturer's and we state it in the quote, model by model. After installation, on-site service (louvres that will not move, remote control, sensors, adjustment of the enclosures) is provided by our own team; for original spare parts we go to the manufacturer. Keep the manual and the hologram code.