Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 Jul 12, 2011 3:58 pm Hello everyone I'm not very handy, we're getting quotes to have a small roofed pergola built but I thought people on this forum would be able to help me make sense of the different roofing options out there. We're hoping to get just a small (2m by 3.5m) free-standing pergola over a bit of patio with open sides and a steel frame. We were hoping for a gabled roof but are a bit shocked at how much more expensive it is compared to a flat roof. Mostly we want to make sure we can enjoy the space in summer - currently our little sun umbrella just doesn't cut it in a Melbourne summer! But we'd also like to have some light come through in winter, if possible. The thing is we've gotten similar quotes from two builders who use very different materials and are happy to rubbish the materials they don't use. So how do I know what's the truth? Some of the materials we were considering were: Laserlite, will it really keep it cool enough to enjoy the space in the summer? And one builder says it looks scratched and ugly after a few years, is that true or is he just trying to scare us away from it? Designerlite, dual-layered polycarbonate that's meant to give extra insulation, but I've heard that water gets into it and makes it go moldy inside. Standard colorbond steel, I thought this was the simple default choice but one salesman said it was poorer quality than his brand. Unfortunately I can't remember what his brand was, but it's got shiny glaze on both sides instead of mat glaze on top like Colorbond. I appreciate any advice! Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 2Jul 12, 2011 8:01 pm We had a large laserlight pergola for around 10 years (demolished as part of our renno) it was ok but it is true they do scratch up over time. Ours had a tint in it ...but that was useless, in summer you would cook under it in direct sunlight. We used shade cloth on top of it in summer that was very effective but didnt look real pretty. Friends of ours are going with an opening roof louver system...but it is very expensive. I had a look at this site http://www.aaltascreens.com.au/ they have a melbourne rep but again im not sure what you budget is. Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 3Jul 12, 2011 10:15 pm oh and this is what our friends are doing...a little more expensive http://www.louvretecmelbourne.com.au/Pr ... stems.html Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 4Jul 13, 2011 8:48 am Yes we were considering a louvre system but they're just too expensive! The more research I do the more I think that even tinted laserlite isn't going to cut it in a Melbourne summer... Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 5Jul 13, 2011 11:13 am sceen7 We had a large laserlight pergola for around 10 years (demolished as part of our renno) it was ok but it is true they do scratch up over time. Ours had a tint in it ...but that was useless, in summer you would cook under it in direct sunlight. We used shade cloth on top of it in summer that was very effective but didnt look real pretty. Friends of ours are going with an opening roof louver system...but it is very expensive. I had a look at this site http://www.aaltascreens.com.au/ they have a melbourne rep but again im not sure what you budget is. Did you use the laserlite 2000 or 3000? Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 6Jul 13, 2011 11:16 am Hi, we are using polycarbonate on the roof, under that as a ceiling we are using merbau slats, spaced about 40mm apart, we will still get light in. The pergola has been built with a flat roof, very high and it comes back and attaches to the roof. As it is high at the back, lots of light will still come through from the back of the house, which is north facing. We saw this at the display home of our house, and we just loved the look of it. Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 7Jul 13, 2011 5:27 pm Quote: Did you use the laserlite 2000 or 3000? Sorry dont know it was there when we bought the place Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 9Jul 13, 2011 7:48 pm How about "Suntuf" in Diffused Ice or Diffused Grey? That's what we were suggested. http://www.palram.com.au/brochures/residential/suntuf_standard/Suntuf_Brochure.pdf It supposedly allows only 18% of heat, but also only 20% of light transmission. My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 10Jul 13, 2011 8:51 pm I was having a think about this today then it struck me.... the fact we had a clear roof outdoor area on our house (now demolished) drove the design of our new place. Here in Melbourne the sun travels such a huge arc between summer and winter. Depending on your orientation you might do what we are doing. Similar to deb17 we are building a merbau lined roof over our deck. its a flat roof design but pitched to the north at about 35deg, in winter it casts almost no shaddow as the sun is so low in the north sky, in summer it totally shades the area. Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 11Jul 14, 2011 9:23 am I bought the laserlite 3000 and I am still waiting for our first summer to be able to tell whether it gets too hot underneath or not. But back then when I went tried all the samples at Stratco. You can definitely tell that the difference between the 2000 and 3000. For a few dollars extra per meter, I would say it is worth the extra money you gotta pay. Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 12Jul 14, 2011 10:19 am Looks like Laserlite 3000 is not as good as Suntuf in terms of heat transmission?? Compare the characteristics: http://www.laserlite.com.au/sheetingproducts/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Laserlite_brochure.pdf and http://www.palram.com.au/brochures/residential/suntuf_standard/Suntuf_Brochure.pdf Suntuf supposedly allows only 18% of heat, while - according to the Laserlite brochure - Laserlite allows 31%. BUT, of course, they had to base their claims in a way that we can't really compare these two products . We'd firstly have to know how does Suntuf compare to a "sheet vs 3mm float glass (300-2500nm)" and then compare the two My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 13Jul 24, 2011 11:04 am http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z411/bail2000/007.jpg http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z411/bail2000/009-1.jpg http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z411/bail2000/006.jpg With the polycarbonate and the Merbau, the Merbau still has to be oiled next week Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 14Jul 24, 2011 12:14 pm http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z411/bail2000/028.jpg This is a clearer photo Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 15Aug 02, 2011 7:43 am Hi littlegarden, I am in the process of getting some quotes for a multicell product called Danpalon which is a flat profile roofing option. I'll be getting an opaque sheeting for the back (there the sun is) and clear sheeting for the side (the shaded side. This product seems to be tough against hail storms and has really good thermal properties. Hard to find companies that specialise in this because its not manufactured in Melbourne, so finding people to get quotes has been nighmarish . Its best getting a pro that can seal the ends properly so that moisture or condensation doesn't get in between the cells. Theres companies out there that will do it, but don't specialize in it so have given them a miss. It's a pricey product but will be worth it in the end IMO. http://www.danpalon.net.au/ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ All new built homes look like display homes... until the furniture goes in. Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 16Oct 14, 2011 7:46 am Deb, your pergola looks awesome!! I was thinking of doing the same thing but with hardwood battens. I wanted to know whether you still get sufficient light underneath? I was abit hesitant to do this as I was afraid the pergola might be too dark. Thanks Idiots are fun, that's why there is one in every village! - Dr. House - Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 17Oct 22, 2011 10:19 pm Well, unless you get someone (or DIY) who has no associations/contracts with certain manufacturers, your pergola builder will try to sell you one product, and not even be able to justify why. Just recently we were hard pressed to get a "multiwall" type of roofing. I've heard pretty bad reviews about it, apparently it gets dirty inside the walls. My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Making sense out of pergola roofing options 18Oct 23, 2011 9:24 am wonderland Deb, your pergola looks awesome!! I was thinking of doing the same thing but with hardwood battens. I wanted to know whether you still get sufficient light underneath? I was abit hesitant to do this as I was afraid the pergola might be too dark. Thanks hi, we still get allot of light underneath. It's not dark at all, the roof is very high and it's north facing. We have both ends without any merbau, we didn't want to cover the whole ceiling. Our family room, still fills with lots of light, it's nice to sit out there and look at the ceiling, I love it. if i have understood your dimensions correctly my suggestions include using the smallest toilet and wall hung handbasin eg Caroma Urbane with in wall cistern, small wall… 1 8168 I plan on installing an undercover walkway (awning ??) from my carport to the back door as shown in sketch. I will be using Boxspan Beams and have no concerns regarding… 0 761 Is there a building permit? RU in Victoria? What is the value of the building contract? 1 6822 |