Shade when you want it. Open sky when you don't.
A pergola with a retractable roof slides open for sun, closed for shade or rain — from compact 3m x 3m builds to wide spans, on weatherproof metal frames.
Prefer a fixed frame? Browse our metal & aluminium pergolas, or finish the space with patio furniture.
Adjust the retractable roof for shade or sun with this 3x3m metal pergola with curtains. This light grey garden pergola gives you flexible shelter ...
View full detailsEnjoy flexible shade in your garden with a 3x3m metal pergola featuring a retractable roof. This pergola gives you control over sun and shelter, ma...
View full detailsA pergola with a retractable roof is built for flexibility — slide the canopy open for sun, closed for shade or rain — ideal for everyday use in changing British conditions.
Many customers choose a pergola with a retractable roof when they want a space that adapts to how they use their garden, rather than staying fixed.
A retractable roof pergola is usually the better option if:
If you prefer consistent, full coverage, you may want to explore our Hard Top Pergolas.
The main difference comes down to how much control you want over your space.
Retractable Roof Pergolas
Fixed / Hard Top Pergolas
Frames come in powder-coated aluminium or steel — an aluminium pergola with a retractable roof is lighter and won’t corrode, which suits exposed or coastal gardens, while a steel metal pergola with a retractable roof is a sturdy all-rounder. For a specific frame, see our Metal Pergolas.
If you want a pergola that adapts throughout the day, retractable options are usually the more practical choice.
1. Consider how you’ll use the space
2. Think about positioning
Retractable pergolas work best in areas where sunlight changes throughout the day.
3. Check size and layout
Make sure the pergola provides enough coverage for your setup without overcrowding the space.
4. Match it with your setup
Works well alongside outdoor seating from our Rattan Patio Furniture or broader Garden Furniture & Outdoor Living ranges.
It's a freestanding, lean-to or wall-mounted garden structure with a canopy that slides open and shut along the frame. Open it for sun, close it for shade or to keep the rain off — so you can use the space whatever the weather. A lean-to pergola with a retractable roof sits against a house wall where ground space is tight; most are built on aluminium or steel frames.
A manual canopy is pulled open and closed by hand, usually with a pull-cord or crank — simple, with nothing to power. An electric pergola roof moves on a motor at the push of a button or remote, which suits larger spans or anyone who'd rather not adjust it by hand. Both give you the same sun-or-shade control.
Yes — the canopies are waterproof fabric or solid louvred panels that channel rainwater to the sides, away from your seating. Closed, they keep a patio dry in a shower; open, they let the sun straight through. Frames are rust-resistant for year-round outdoor use.
Sizes run from compact 3m x 3m models for a small patio up to wider spans that cover a full dining or lounge set. A 3m x 3m pergola with a retractable roof shades a four-seat table comfortably; a larger metal pergola with a retractable roof suits a six- or eight-seat setting or more standing room.
Many do. Drop-down or sliding sides add privacy, block low sun and cut wind, turning an open frame into a sheltered room. Run them on one side or all the way round, and draw them back when you want the space open again. This is the pergola with retractable roof and sides setup.
Frames are powder-coated aluminium or steel for strength and rust resistance, with canopies in UV- and water-resistant fabric or rigid louvred slats. An aluminium pergola with a retractable roof is lighter and won't corrode — good for exposed or coastal gardens. Many come as complete pergolas with retractable canopies; others as a retractable pergola canopy kit to fit a frame you already own.
Browse our retractable roof pergola range to compare sizes, styles, and features, and find a flexible outdoor solution that adapts to your space.
