LOCATION
Laughton, EAST SUSSEX
THE BRIEF
Our client in Laughton, East Sussex, had created a beautiful outdoor entertaining area beneath a timber pergola and wanted to make the space more comfortable and usable throughout the warmer months.
While the pergola provided an attractive structure and defined the seating area perfectly, its open roof offered little protection from the strong summer sun. The client wanted an effective shading solution that would complement the existing timber structure without permanently covering the space or taking away from the open feel of the garden.
Flexibility was particularly important. On cooler days, the client wanted to enjoy the sunshine, while during the hottest parts of the day they needed reliable shade over the seating and entertaining area.
OUR SOLUTION
C&J Outdoors designed and manufactured bespoke retractable pergola awnings to fit neatly beneath the existing timber structure.
Suspended from tensioned marine-grade stainless-steel wires, the awnings can be easily extended when shade is required and retracted when the client wants to enjoy an open pergola and maximum natural light.
A high-performance mesh fabric was selected to provide effective solar protection while still allowing air and some natural light to pass through. Unlike a solid fabric canopy, the breathable mesh helps maintain the light, open character of the pergola while creating a noticeably more comfortable environment beneath it.
Each awning was made to measure to work with the proportions of the existing structure, ensuring the finished installation looked considered and integrated rather than like a later addition.
The retractable design also means the client has complete control over the space, providing shade during the heat of the day before drawing the awnings back as the sun moves or temperatures begin to cool.
A FLEXIBLE OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE
The finished installation transformed what was previously an exposed seating area into a much more versatile outdoor living space.
By combining adjustable solar protection with a discreet stainless-steel support system, the client can now make better use of their pergola throughout the summer while retaining the character and appearance of the original timber structure.
The result is a simple but highly effective solution: shade when it is needed, sunshine when it is wanted, and a more comfortable space for relaxing, dining and entertaining outdoors.
SPECIFICATION
Design: Bespoke made-to-measure retractable pergola awnings
Operation: Manual retractable system
Support System: Marine-grade stainless-steel tension wires
Fabric: High-performance outdoor solar control mesh
Installation: Bespoke installation to existing timber pergola
Location: Laughton, East Sussex
