How to Choose a Pergola Manufacturer: A 10-Question Checklist
A pergola is not a catalogue product but a structure made to measure, so choosing the company comes before choosing the product. The difference between two systems that look identical lies in profile wall thickness, structural calculation and installation quality — and those only surface when you ask.
Why the Company Comes Before the Product
In pergola systems the visible surface looks similar; the difference is inside the structure. Profile wall thickness, alloy grade, whether a structural calculation was made and the quality of installation are all invisible from outside. They surface only when asked, and they explain the real reason for a price difference.
Once a system is installed the profile section cannot be changed. An incorrectly sized system causes problems in the first strong wind, and at that point finding someone accountable depends on who built it.
For that reason, starting the evaluation with "who should I buy from" rather than "which product should I buy" gives a more accurate result.
Questions About Materials
The first three questions concern materials and the answers should be concrete figures. A vague reply such as "quality aluminium" is not really an answer. Ask about alloy grade, wall thickness and coating thickness, and ask for them to be written into the quote.
Having these values written into the quote matters. A verbal commitment provides no basis in a dispute after delivery.
- What is the alloy grade of the structural profile? (6063-T6 is standard)
- What is the profile wall thickness in mm? (2-2.5 mm standard, 3-4 mm heavy duty)
- How many microns is the surface coating? (electrostatic powder, 80-100 microns expected)
- What materials are used in the moving parts? (stainless steel and maintenance-free bearings)
Engineering and Documentation
A pergola is a structure carrying wind and snow loads. A system sized without a project-specific structural calculation has been built on guesswork. Ask for a CE certificate and a structural report, and have their provision written into the quote.
Local wind and snow data must be taken into account. These values differ between the Antalya coast and inland areas; installing the same system everywhere with the same section is not engineering but template work.
- Is a project-specific structural report provided?
- Is the system CE certified?
- What is the wind resistance in closed and open positions?
- What is the snow load capacity?
Manufacturing and Installation Structure
Whether the same company manufactures and installs determines who you deal with if a problem appears later. Where subcontractors are used, responsibility often ends up between the parties and the customer is passed back and forth.
Is Manufacturing In-House?
A company that manufactures its own systems can retrieve dimensions and model details from its records years later. That noticeably shortens spare parts and motor replacement processes.
Is Installation by Their Own Team?
Installation quality affects long-term performance as much as manufacturing does. A rail that is out of level or badly planned drainage makes even the best system problematic.
Who Handles After-Sales?
Ask whether service is provided outside the guarantee period. A pergola is used for ten years; needing service at least once in that time is normal.
Break Down the Guarantee
A guarantee is not a single period; structure, motor, coating and workmanship are covered for different lengths. "Ten-year guarantee" is misleading on its own because it usually covers only the structure. Each item must be asked about separately.
| Item | Typical period | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Structure and profiles | 10 years | What situations fall outside? |
| Motor and electronics | 5 years | Which motor brand and who provides the guarantee? |
| Surface coating | 3 years | Is fading covered? |
| Installation workmanship | Varies | Is workmanship covered? |
| Glass | 2 years | Is breakage covered or only manufacturing defects? |
Verifying References and Experience
The number of completed projects and years in business are not enough on their own; what matters is being able to see a project of similar scale to yours. That is the most direct way to understand the real size of a system and the quality of installation.
References matter even more in commercial work: a restaurant terrace failing mid-season means direct lost revenue.
- Can I see a similar project you have done in my area?
- How many years have you been doing this and how many projects have you completed?
- Have you built a span of this size before?
Warning Signs
Some answers are enough on their own to set a company aside. The five signs below deserve careful attention when they appear during quoting; none is conclusive, but each calls for a follow-up question.
None of these proves a company is bad. But all of them are points at which you should ask for written clarity before proceeding.
- Giving a firm square metre price over the phone — impossible without seeing the site
- Answering material questions with vague phrases like "quality aluminium"
- Saying a structural report is not necessary
- Avoiding a written contract or insisting on verbal commitments
- Requesting payment in full up front or before installation
What the Contract Should Contain
Verbal commitments provide no basis in a dispute. A thorough contract is a sign of professionalism rather than distrust, and it protects both parties.
Technical Specification
Profile alloy and wall thickness, coating thickness, motor brand, glass thickness and type should be written down and verifiable on delivery.
Dimensions and Scope
Exact dimensions, column count and positions, whether ground preparation is included and who is responsible for electrical supply should all be clear.
Timing and Payment
Delivery date, what happens in case of delay and the payment schedule should be stated. The usual arrangement is a deposit before production and the balance after installation.
How to Read a Quote
A good quote is itemised: materials, automation, side enclosure and installation appear separately. A quote giving a single total means you cannot see how much you would save by dropping any one item.
A quote should include: profile section and alloy, coating thickness, motor brand, sensor list, guarantee periods, installation scope and whether ground preparation is included.
Every item left vague returns as extra cost on installation day. Ground preparation is the item most often left vague.
Conclusion
The right company answers questions with concrete figures, provides structural calculations and certificates, manufactures and installs itself, and sets out the guarantee item by item in writing. When those four hold, the reason for a price difference also becomes clear.
The lowest quote has usually been cut from profile wall thickness, motor quality or installation workmanship. Those three determine the ten-year performance of the system.