Patio Cover/Pergola Kits - Suggestions

• 

  kiwijunglist on 01/02/2024 - 16:15

  +2

  If getting one done on a wooden frame then suntuff panels are recommended by a lot of people. Don't go fully clear BC it will be too hot. Can consider alternating between semi clear and opaque panels.

  If doing zipped up blinds to enclose, then ziptrack seem to be the best, but is expensive at over $1000 per blind.

  I'm in the progress of exploring option of building a deck with pergola roof +- sides.

  • 

    kiwical on 02/02/2024 - 07:36

    +1

    Yes I've used suntuff panels on another project. A firewood cover. 10 years and they're still mint. I've wondered if engaging a builder to make a cover would be better than the premade or kit versions.

• 

  DeonC on 31/01/2024 - 13:46

  +1

  I bought the one from Deal Mart, but wont recommend it. There is a joining strip midway through the poly panels, so when it rains, the water comes through.

  https://dealmart.co.nz/products/patio-cover-carport-4-9m

  Those pictured on the websites you listed, don't seem to have the strip, so might not have the same issue.

  • 

    victor47 on 01/02/2024 - 08:32

    Thanks. The issue of the joint between the polycarbonate panels were highlighted by the installer and hence I skipped the dealmart option. Did you seal the ends of the polycarbonate sheets with aluminum tape/fabric tape?

    • 

      DeonC on 01/02/2024 - 12:08

      +1

      Yes. I squeezed some clear sealant (see link below), to stop bugs from making nests inside the panels. It has stop the bugs, but now the panels have filled up with water, which struggles to drain out. Funny how water will find the smallest gap in, but not out :(

      https://www.bunnings.co.nz/selleys-250g-all-clear-mulitpurpo…

      You cant see the sealant, as the ends of the panels are hidden by the frame and gutter.

• 

  kiwical on 01/02/2024 - 07:24

  +1

  To be honest if you planned on staying at the location where you are installing it for a decent amount of time I'd go for a quality one. It's one of those things you won't regret making a real investment rather than cheaping out. While I haven't got one I did purchase a garden shed at the same time as my friend. He bought a cheapie, I bought a NZ made Duratuff. His dents when you look sideways at it, rusted at the base and around the rivet holes, paint has faded. Mine still looks new.

  I'd probably install something like an archgola. It's a long running tried and tested NZ company.

  https://www.archgola.co.nz/

  • 

    DeonC on 01/02/2024 - 12:13

    +1

    Agree, The Archgola is probably better long term, Although we had very high winds last year (cyclone Gabrielle?) and my cheapie is still standing. Its all aluminum, so wont rust, but they cheapen out on the fasteners, which is zinc planted and will rust.

  • 

    victor47 on 01/02/2024 - 08:34

    Very valid though. My first impression was that the custom ones cost about 3x these ones and since the budget allocation is limited, need to be frugal. :-) Thanks again.

• 

  Happydays on 01/02/2024 - 08:27

  +1

  Bought one of these just before xmas from Tradetested
  https://www.tradetested.co.nz/p/home-outdoor-living/awnings-…
  Took 2 of us less than 4 hours to erect. Very pleased with the quality.

  • 

    victor47 on 01/02/2024 - 11:11

    Thanks for the info!

• 

  Everettpsycho on 07/09/2025 - 20:28

  Curious to know how this went and if you went with anything in the end?

  We are tossing and turning between fixed roof poly, louvers or shade sail to make out outside more usable this year. I like the idea of being water proof so I don't need to cover the bbq up anymore but mounting to the house is proving a challenge that, ill be honest, I don't fully know what to do with.

  • 

    kiwijunglist on 08/09/2025 - 21:26

    I got a wooden freestanding pergola over the deck. Sunroof roof alternating with corrugated iron. Flashing on edge of roof tucked into house spouting on the side against the house. The other side against the house was the high edge of the roof which overlapped the house spouting with The lower side having it's own spouting.

    Deck enclosed in 3 sides, two of the sides are the house and the 3rd side we did a slatted wall.

    Decided against getting blinds.

    It's a very windy area. Engineered design wind zone.

  • 

    victor47 on 09/09/2025 - 09:08

    I did get the Tradested kit. 1 out of 2 boxes arrived damaged exteriorly. Told them and they send a new one within days. Installation went ok, the guy turned out to be more of a cowboy than a proper handyman. It has stood well through 2 winters.

    The part that joins onto the house panels (mine is vertically grooved Hardieboard. Loads of silicone, flashing tape etc and still some water drips down along the panels. Apart from that solid frame and polycarbonate panels too.

    • 

      Everettpsycho on 09/09/2025 - 11:59

      Thanks for coming back with this, our big problem with the trade tested one is the legs have to be at the end. I've got the manuals for steelmates and bargain backyard options and the legs can be moved slightly closer to the wall which means we don't need to put a concrete pad in the grass.

      Feels like whatever way we spin this there's some sort of pain involved to get around either sizing, placement or mounting. No off the shelf solution seems to fit nice. The mounting is the big I'm wrestling with most though, that 10cm of vertical space below the spouting doesn't feel like the right place to mount something and the holes won't align with the timber inside.

      • 

        kiwijunglist on 10/09/2025 - 07:20

        Have a look at Universal glazing systems they do custom fabricated ones. I didn't use them myself (went with wood).