The exteriors of 21st-century family houses have one common feature – large glass surfaces. Often, panoramic walls or large windows are designed so that the living space almost entirely opens onto the terrace. While this design brings many advantages, from allowing more natural light into the interior to offering pleasant views of the surroundings, the excessive solar heat through glass in summer can make indoor spaces uncomfortably hot.

In this article, we share an example of a new build with a panoramic glass wall before and after covering the terrace with a bioclimatic pergola and explain how such coverage affects not only the terrace but also the indoor living space.

Before installing the bioclimatic pergola

Solar heating of indoor spaces through large glass surfaces is an advantage in winter but often a drawback in summer.

When the sun hits large windows or panoramic walls, the interior heats up. The new build shown in the photo has an open-plan living space combining the living room, kitchen, and dining area with access to the terrace. This connects the indoor and outdoor spaces, where most daily activities take place – cooking, dining, household chores, and leisure time.

In summer, large glass surfaces contribute to significant indoor heating, so shading is worth considering. Covering the terrace significantly affects the indoor temperature, whether through a fixed-roof canopy or a pergola.

After installing the bioclimatic pergola

In this example, we installed a Bellavie bioclimatic pergola over the terrace. The bioclimatic pergola has a roof made of rotating aluminum slats, which adjust shading intensity by changing the angle via remote control.

In summer, the pergola provides shading by opening the slats at the desired angle. Open slats allow air circulation, ensuring comfortable use under the pergola even on hot summer days. By adjusting the slat angle, direct solar heat through the glass is reduced.

In winter, open slats allow sunlight to warm and illuminate both the terrace and the indoor spaces, which would be impossible with a fixed roof.

Thus, the bioclimatic pergola not only visually extends your home and enhances the outdoor space, offering shelter from summer rain and shade for relaxing with a book, but it also plays an important role in regulating indoor temperatures.

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