TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Outdoor living is a five billion-dollar industry that figures to only get bigger as more and more people outfit their backyard decks and patios with indoor conveniences like ovens and refrigerators. And now comes the latest trend in outdoor living: smart pergolas. What makes a pergola “smart” and why are they so hot? We find out in today’s Angie’s List report.
Ginger Darrough doesn’t spend much time inside her house any more. She’s usually enjoying her back patio under her new smart pergola, "I’ve had work parties out here. I’ve even had employees come and work here for the day, so it’s just been a hit. Everybody loves it. Very few people have ever seen it, but they love it.”
Regular pergolas have been around since ancient Rome, but only recently did they become “smart”… equipped with movable louvers that allow you to control the amount of sunlight filtering through.
Keeping the louvers open allows the heat of the day to escape instead of being trapped underneath. And if the weather turns wet, the adjustable aluminum slats can close completely. Built-in sensors can do this automatically, even when you’re not home.
Ginger’s 800-foot structure took over a week to install – longer than expected, but she says it was still well worth the wait, "It looks good, it feels good. It’s still very open. I just love it.”
The cost to cover an average-sized deck is 17-thousand dollars installed. If you have a unique space you’re trying to fit, Angie says to request a free on-site estimate and make sure any adjustments to the standard unit won’t affect the warranty.
