Browse Forums Outdoor Living Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 21May 29, 2011 7:31 am I was thinking including a vergola in my house design, however due to cost we are thinking if its worth it in the end! Maybe some other options might be better, as building a veranda on 1st floor and thus creating a shade below! Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 22May 29, 2011 10:10 am Also very interested in this. Would luv to put a couple of panels over a pool area at back of the house (after build). I.e. Some extended colorbond with some vergola type inserts to make it a kind of indoor/ outdoor pool area. Depends on budget when this happens however! I don't know why they haven't come up with some kind of system for sliding steel panels (they'd have a market for sure I think). Did some googling on this a while ago but nothing (sliding) that I was thinking of. In Vic there is a place called 1800louvre for vergola type turning slats so might look at them later. Sounds like it's going to be a pricey bit of kit though! Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 24Jun 02, 2011 9:31 am jackye I've got a quote from stratco installer for $18000 covering a 6m x 4m area. Any one know if the price is reasonable? I'm doing a 7mx4m (roughly) area. Will be doing brick piers, blueboard boxing across top of piers, then get some quotes for the Vergola type roof. Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 25Jun 02, 2011 1:17 pm This is about the cheap end of the opening roof market for a full installation of an opening roof = $750 / m2. Vergola is steel so is cheaper than most other offerings. They run up to approx. $1200 / m2 for aluminium systems with all the extras, downlights. etc. The aluminium extrusion process also gives you more variety in blade design options to suit different architectural styles. Be careful if you are in a coastal area or chemical (pool surround?) as steel rusts! I've seen a couple in beachside suburbs that didn't last more than a few years. Also be aware you get a general "kettle" warranty on electrics, i.e. 12 months. Some of the top end offer up to a 5 year warranty on motors. Somfy is one motor supplier that offers 5 years, maybe check with them who they supply electrical components for this market. I think Louvretec & Louvrespan are a couple. http://www.louvretec.co.nz or http://louvrespan.com.au/ You can also reduce the cost if you build the structure andthey come in to "drop in" the opening roof or maybe buy the opening roof as a kit and employ a specialist contractor that these companies use. Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 26Jun 02, 2011 1:55 pm terrigalwoods You can also reduce the cost if you build the structure andthey come in to "drop in" the opening roof or maybe buy the opening roof as a kit and employ a specialist contractor that these companies use. Yep, that's what I'm doing. Brick piers (rendered or texture coated) Blueboard boxing across top of piers (texture coated) Company drop roof in/on What are the main vendors for this type of product? P.S > great analysis there terrigalwoods Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 27Jun 02, 2011 2:26 pm Found those rusty opening roof photos I was looking for! http://imageshack.us/g/26/rustyopeningroofpalmbea.jpg/ Major supplier of ali opening roofs previously mentioned, Louvretec & Louvrespan with projections out to 4.0m, pretty much national distribution. They can partial fab kits and do supply only. We used Louvrespan on a multi roof commercial job and they "loaned"us a contractor. (We paid him for the first job & he taught our guys how to do the rest!) Even our knuckle dragging roof monkeys could pick it up! Buying supply only (builders material price) halved the cost, no retail margin. Next tier probably, Louvre House and HV Aluminium (eclipse) can span maybe 3.5m. Louvre House is SA based and also Melb. HV Aluminium are Newcastle NSW based but could let you know if they have distributors elsewhere. Don't know their scope of supply. Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 28Jun 22, 2011 2:09 pm I have a vergola for sale, we have had it for 8 years and it is in excellent condition. It is primrose in colour and it is 6.7 metres long x 3.8 metres wide. It has 2 bays. We are selling only because we want to enclose the area. We are selling it for $6,200. We are located in Sydney and you would have to pick it up. Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 29Jul 10, 2011 12:14 am I have a vergola for sale in perth 3m wide and approx 10m long. has 2 motors, already dismantled. zincalume finish. open to reasonable offers can email me at miranda100@optusnet.com.au if intersted Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 31Dec 13, 2012 11:39 am Hi All, I work for Vergola and have had two at my last two homes, Yes, Vergolas cost more than a fixed roof but they solve two problems. Clear fixed roofs are too hot in summer. Steel roofs are too dark and cold in winter. Our last Vergola was outside the dining room window. In inter we let the sun stream in, and in summer we had shade just by touching the button. My wife had a retractable clothes line under it. If it rained while she was out shopping the Vergola closed automatically and the washing remained dry, she loved it. David Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 32Feb 09, 2013 11:44 pm So after many weeks of research, these are my conclusions about the Louvre Market.
Me and my wife wanted an outdoor entertaining are on the outside of our living room, as previously we have tried shade sails, awnings (Very expensive) and also a Laser light and colour bonded roof. Too our dismay, they are all a waste of money quite frankly as it never really improved the usability of the space. So we set about investigating other options in the market place. Things we wanted: - Light into home - Heat control - Airflow on Hot days - Something which added value to our home - Sealed out from the rain (Melbourne - 4 Seasons in 1 day) - Let winter sun in Things we didnt want: - Dark Living Area - Over budget The Louvres turned out to be perfect. Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 33Mar 10, 2013 11:16 am Hi James, thanks for the detailed analysis... Much appreciated. I do have one question in relation to Vergola Vs Retractable Roof. Like you I have listed my functional/operational requirements. From these requirements I have limited my design options between these two systems. However I am thinking now that I may have missed something in my own analysis because I was leaning towards a retractable awning roof system instead of the vergola due to the following reasons: 1) Retractable roof system allows maximum light in Winter. The vergola system is good but I dont think it is better than no covering at all. 2) Most times at night (Summer) I simply don't need a roof and prefer no physical obstruction to the sky 3) Sometimes winter nights are nice and I like to burn a fire and therefore think that the vergola would get dirty with the smoke from the fire. Is cost the reason why you do not favour the retractable roof system (awning) over the vergola, or is the reason technical in nature, or something else? Would appreciate to hear your thoughts on why the retractable roof option was not progressed. Thanks, Conan Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 34Mar 10, 2013 2:50 pm Hi Conan,
Let me share with you my personal insights into awnings. In a nut shell - a big waste of $$$. We've had two types before. The folding arm style and also retractable on posts style. One for my holiday house, and one for my place. In my opinion, ultimately, it comes down to what your want to achieve with your money. We found that the awnings were particularly vulnerable to wind. Even on a slightly breezy day, we weren't able to get it out before it would simply be flapping around. We just found that we couldn't have it out. Especially those days that you wanted it out to protect the house from being heated up. Or whenever it was convenient for us to use it. When our design consultant came over, he mentioned that there were plenty of people who made the same mistake as us when he saw our awning. The other perspective that we get from our Louvre System above the awnings, is that we get the choice of environment underneath. Because you can stop the Louvres at whatever angle you like. If its too hot we can just slightly tilt the Louvres, which offer us more shade than sun, and the airflow right through it, making it delightful, even in the 30 degree heat waves we've had in Melbourne. Or if there was too much shade, we can let more sun in. Whereas the canvas awnings, when we would have it out only gave us two choices - having it out, or not out. It was never comfortable. So the comfort level and usability is definitely what impresses us the most about the louvres. The other concern we used to have was that we have outdoor furniture out, and because we couldn't leave the awning out, it didn't serve as protection for our space. It was simply just a blind. And when it rained, as it does from time to time, everything would get wet. So when we got home from work, with my grand kids and their parents coming over, sometimes the space would be completely wet. Even if at 6pm it was a really nice day. We were forced to have to try and dry everything, or in some situations, have everyone indoors. I think from this perspective, the Louvre system forms more of a permanent structure which shuts itself when it rains. So over all, we find that we are using our space roughly 90% of the time, we are constantly out there, it has become our living area. We definitely feel that our louvre system is better value for money, because for a bit more, we got a permanent usable living area. Rather than the awning system that sounded good as a concept, but didn't really generate much of a result for us. During the cooler days of that we've had it, we the Louvres actually reflect natural light into our home. We found that it doesn't darken our house at all during cold days, and because we are able to open them toward the sun, they help to warm the house up. We had ours powder coated in a white colour so as to match ceiling and to maximise light reflection. On the same point, even on hot days, what we're finding is that we don't have to shut our blinds and curtains. We leave the Louvre system ajar, they deflect the heat from the house, but as a result of the reflection, we get a light filled home from them. And touching the brickwork along the house is no longer warm bricks, they are actually stone cold. You are right about having nothing there is better than something there during winter. However, to get something thats usable i would strongly warn you against something that is not permanent in nature. (We learned that lesson the expensive way). In regard to you question about the visual of the sky. It feels light an airey underneath. That was one of my wife's biggest concerns. She didn't want it to feel pent in. And we feel for the awning salesman's trap who told us that we'd be able to retract it right back and see everything. If you really think about it, when the awning is out, you've got a big piece of canvas above your head. No view. In this situation, you can see the stars and sky and clouds right through the Louvre blades. It feels like theres not much there. From a conceptual perspective you'd conclude that the louvres would be in the way. But practically, you don't feel enclosed at all. As to your fire underneath, i don't see how that would harm them. I bbq underneath ours all the time. Lots of smoke. All we do is get the hose out and rinse the blades. They are marine grade aluminium which have been powder coated, so its just like washing a car. Its safe to say that we have similar concerns before our questions were answered by our consultant. We definitely do not regret our decision, its been money well spent. At the end of the day, we got something made of aluminium, permanent structure, 90% usable. Vs something made from fabric that cost an arm and a leg, that we couldn't use. And on another point, we actually think the louvre system would add more value to the house than what we paid for it, because its actually a really attractive structure with downlights and bulkhead beams, its a feature of our house. Where as if you went to a house with a canvas awning for an open for inspection, you'd probably wouldn't even notice it, let alone pay more for it. I know i wouldn't. I hope I've been helpful. Good luck with your solution. Best Regards, Jim Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 35Mar 11, 2013 11:07 am Hi Jim, I can't thank you enough!! The area I am looking at developing is surrounded by three walls. The concept was to simply place a retractable awning roof system (Corradi system most likely) from one wall to the other (no posts). In your opinion would the wind still be an issue noting that it is almost a fully enclosed area? The Corradi system I was looking at looks like it would be water tight as it also comes with gutters and down pipes (see link below). I get your point about it being either open or closed... That did not even cross my mind... I thought that I would have been able to control the level of retraction, but I can't read anywhere that this is possible. http://www.corradi.com.au/#!commercial_ ... roofs/cpxt Once again appreciate your posts, you have saved me weeks of studying! One last thing... Off the top of your head, you wouldn't happen to know the cost difference between louvres and the retractable roof system? Conan Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 36May 16, 2013 11:39 pm Hi Everyone, My name is Tuo, I am a Senior Design Consultant for a Louvre Company in Melbourne who specialises in designing and constructing Louvre Systems for clients. I am not here to spruke my own interests or to promote our business that is why i am not stating who i actually work for. My intention here is to answer any questions for anyone who may be considering a louvre system, and to help them with any question what to look for when buying or the benefits of such a system. Hopefully it will generate some lively discussion and allow people more information on whether a louvered roof is right for them. So if anyone has any questions, fire them away on this platform and ill be sure to reply as soon as it gets emailed to me. Tuo Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 38May 24, 2013 10:56 pm Hi CC101, Generally, Louvred Roofs can range from 10k-40k - Inc plans, permits, power, etc Don't let that scare you, as i've had clients tell me that they got more for their house, because the people who bought it, bought the house because, among other things, because of the Louvred roof. There is no real square meter rate because its made from components. For example if you take 1 x 10m which equals 10m squared it will be $x price, a 3.3m x 3.3m, which is also 10m square will cost 30-40% less So to answer your question, it depends. My best advice is to ring some companies and find out. Generally, those who are serious about it will ask for an onsite quote. Theres a million and 1 ways to design a Louvre system. If you do it cleverly, it will achieve the result, but for less money. If you get someone who's not switched on, you'll end up with a higher cost. There is a big difference in quality and longevity between the suppliers. There is also a major difference in price between them. I happen to work for the louvre company who hold the majority of the marketshare in the industry. The reason why we have the industry covered is because we are able to offer top quality (Aluminium/Double Skinned/Interlocking), but for very fair prices. And the service and professionalism to back it up. The nearest competitor to us in quality is often 40-50% more in price. Big difference. We are well respected in the industry. - we know this because the some opposition design consultants keep on calling us wanting to work for us. Be very wary of the 'Fly-by-night' or the backyard-er/one man band who doesn't have an office or showroom. Pick someone who specialises in Louvres and not just getting in on the action just because its popular. In my experience customers are all looking for great value for money. A real balance between Quality/Service/Price. Not just the cheapest thing. Life generally has probably taught us all that the cheapest thing probably isn't whats going to be what gives us the result we want. Eg. Great Wall of China Ute Vs Toyota Hilux - Does the job, but not very nice. - or replace the cheap and nasty in any industry with a good quality one. Regards, Tuo Re: Anyone got a Vergola - a couple of questions 40Jun 03, 2013 11:17 am Hi CC101, The best person to speak to is Chris Wild (Director) from Relax Outdoors. http://www.relaxoutdoors.net/openinglouvreroof.html Chris Wild is the bloke you need to have a chat to. They do a good job. I am not affiliated with them, however, they do a very similar Louvre System to what ive described at a very good cost. Regards, Tuo If so what were the "special circumstances" under which it was granted? "Note: If the development consent is for 'dual occupancy' an owner-builder permit can only be… 0 14053 Personally, considering your layout (study/work desks in bedrooms), I don't think you have any other option but to leave NW windows and make them as big as possible e.g.… 7 10455 We had this happen to us last year and got charged a variation. Try and give away as much as you can that is usable to charity otherwise if you are in Sydney I have a… 1 4477 |