The pergola department
Bioclimatic pergolas, awnings and bespoke covers
Why pergolas sit next to outdoor kitchens
An outdoor kitchen is only truly used when it has a roof: against the July sun, against the August downpour, against the dew that wets the worktop in the evening. That is why the pergola department works in the same technical office that designs our stone outdoor kitchens: the structure, the shade, the worktop and the paving are born from one drawing, with the same dimensions, and are installed by the same team. No more three suppliers blaming each other for a post in the wrong place.
What we install
- Bioclimatic pergolas: an aluminium structure with motorised rotating louvres; open, they let air and light through, closed, they become a watertight roof that drains the rain through the posts. Completed with LED lighting in the profiles, rain and wind sensors, heaters.
- Wall-mounted and free-standing pergolas: attached to the house or standing free in the garden, with louvred or retractable fabric roofs.
- Folding-arm and drop awnings: for the balcony and the façade, with cassette, motor and automation.
- Side closures: zip screens in filtering or blackout fabric, full-height sliding glass panels, to use the pergola in winter too.
The brands we carry
We are dealers and installers for three Italian manufacturers, chosen because they have been building structures that withstand the sun and wind of the Lazio coast for decades.
| Brand | What they make | When we recommend it |
|---|---|---|
| Gibus | Bioclimatic pergolas and awnings, a Padua company known for louvred pergolas and large folding-arm awnings. | For a clean-lined bioclimatic pergola next to the house, with integrated zip screens. |
| KE Outdoor Design | Pergolas, bioclimatic pergolas and awnings, a Verona company with a wide range of wall-mounted and free-standing structures. | For large garden covers and for terraces where a free-standing structure is needed. |
| Pratic | Bioclimatic pergolas and awnings, a Friuli company with rotating louvres and minimal profiles. | For those who want the slimmest structure and the quietest louvre, paired with the marble kitchen. |
We bring profile and fabric samples to the Aprilia showroom: the colour of the structure, the zip fabric and the louvre finish are chosen in front of the stone slabs of the kitchen, not from a catalogue.
Bespoke work and design
Not every terrace fits catalogue sizes. That is why, alongside the brands, there is the bespoke department: our technical office surveys the space, draws the pergola in three dimensions together with the kitchen, the stone paving and the pool, and solves the points where problems usually arise.
- Site survey and measurements
We measure the terrace or garden, the exposure to sun and wind, the water drains, the anchoring points to the house and the load capacity of the slab if the pergola goes on a terrace. In Lazio the survey is free. - Three-dimensional design
We draw the pergola with the outdoor kitchen in place: the height of the louvres above the barbecue hood, posts that do not interrupt the worktop, lights above the preparation area, power and water brought where they are needed. - Structure and stone together
Bases and stone paving are prepared before the pergola; the posts are fixed to footings or plates hidden in the floor, so the structure looks set down rather than bolted on. - Closures and comfort
Zip screens, glass panels, infrared heaters and lights are chosen according to how you will use the space: summer dinners, winter lunches, an outdoor office. - Installation by our own team
The same team that fits the stone kitchen installs the pergola and connects motors and automation; on handover we set louvres, sensors and remote controls with you.
If the pergola requires a notice or a permit from your municipality, we tell you at the design stage, before ordering: the rules change from town to town and between terrace, garden and shared condominium areas.
Bioclimatic pergola, awning or fabric pergola: how to choose
| Solution | Pros | Limits | With the outdoor kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louvred bioclimatic pergola | Adjustable shade, watertight roof, wind resistant, lasts for decades, integrated lights and closures | The most demanding in cost and structure; needs water drainage through the posts | The right choice: it protects the barbecue and the stone worktop all year round |
| Pergola with retractable fabric roof | Lighter, fabric retracts in winter, good against light rain | The fabric must be closed in strong wind; less insulation | Good above the dining area, less so above the fire |
| Folding-arm awning | Affordable, retracts completely, perfect on a balcony | Shade only: no rain, no strong wind, no closures | Not above the barbecue: heat and smoke ruin the fabric |
How to begin
Send us a photograph of the terrace or garden and a couple of hand-taken measurements, or visit the Aprilia showroom on the Via Pontina, where you can see the pergola next to the marble slabs and the outdoor kitchens. The quotation is free and itemises structure, closures, automation, stone and installation. From here you can continue with the outdoor kitchen, the refractory stone barbecue and the advice on the right stone for the open air.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Does a bioclimatic pergola really keep the rain out?
Yes: with the louvres closed it becomes a watertight roof and the water runs into the gutters of the beams and down inside the posts. In heavy rain and wind the side zip screens are added, which also stop driving rain.
Can I put the barbecue under the pergola?
Yes, which is why pergolas belong to the outdoor kitchen department: aluminium louvres and structure do not fear the heat. The barbecue is placed with the louvres open above the hood, and in the design we leave the right height between fire and cover; under a fabric awning, on the other hand, the barbecue should not go.
Do I need a permit from the municipality to install a pergola?
It depends on the municipality, on the type of structure and on the location (garden, terrace, condominium): often a notice is enough, sometimes more is needed. We tell you at the design stage, before the order, so there are no surprises.
Gibus, KE or Pratic: which is best?
They are three quality Italian manufacturers with different ranges: the choice depends on the dimensions, the design you want and the budget, not on the brand itself. In the Aprilia showroom we compare profiles and fabrics in front of the stone slabs and recommend the one that integrates best with your outdoor kitchen.
How much does a bioclimatic pergola cost?
It depends on the dimensions, the brand, the closures and the automation, so we only say it in the quotation, which is free and itemised line by line. A bioclimatic pergola costs more than a folding-arm awning or a fabric pergola, because it is a structure that lasts for decades and is used all year round.
Do you also install a pergola without the stone kitchen?
Yes: we install pergolas and awnings on their own too, on terraces and gardens that are already finished. The advantage of doing it with us stays the same: one technical office, the free survey in Lazio and the team that installs.