Frequently Asked Questions

A pergola with an adjustable slatted roof. Rotate the aluminum louvers to let in sunlight and fresh air, or close them completely for shade and shelter, so one structure works for every kind of weather.

An aluminum pergola is a permanent outdoor structure made from powder-coated aluminum. Unlike wood it does not rot, warp, crack or attract termites, and unlike steel it does not rust. In Orange County it is the preferred material because it stands up to UV exposure, coastal salt air and temperature swings with nothing more than an occasional rinse.

A bioclimatic pergola manages the climate underneath it mechanically, without using any energy for heating or cooling. Tilting the louvers opens a controlled air gap that lets warm air escape upward instead of pooling under the roof. Close the louvers and they form a solid roof surface that keeps out rain and wind. Depending on the model you switch between the two in seconds with the remote or a few turns of the crank.

A conventional patio cover has a fixed roof, usually solid aluminum, glass or polycarbonate. It keeps rain off but does nothing to control sunlight, which is why many fixed covers end up needing a shade or awning underneath. A louvered roof is adjustable on its own: full sun, filtered light, ventilation or a closed, watertight roof, with no second shading layer.

Yes. When the louvers close fully they interlock and form a continuous roof surface. Rainwater is not shed over the roof edge; it is collected in the louvers, carried along the perimeter frame and drained through concealed downpipes inside the posts. On a wall-mounted pergola the seal between the house wall and the pergola frame is finished on site by the customer or installer.

Yes. On the motorized Venta the louvers, the integrated LED lighting, the solar side screens and the radiant heater can all be operated from a single remote, so you do not need a separate handset for every accessory.

Aluminum outperforms wood in durability, maintenance and long-term cost. Wood may cost less up front, but it needs refinishing every few years and is vulnerable to rot, termites and weather damage. A powder-coated aluminum pergola keeps its architectural look for 30 years or more with almost no upkeep. Read the full aluminum vs wood comparison.

Because you are buying from the company that stocks, installs and supports the product in Orange County. Rinova Pergola is a licensed and bonded California contractor (CSLB #1116353); pricing is direct, technical questions are answered by the people who install these pergolas every week, and spare parts and warranty service come from one place. You can see and operate the roofs yourself at our Santa Ana showroom. If you are a contractor or reseller, see our dealer program.

Both models share the same powder-coated aluminum frame and 5.3" × 5.3" (135 mm) posts and are waterproof with the louvers closed. The Terra and Venta each have a stated wind rating of 110 mph. Site-specific engineering still governs anchoring and foundation requirements. The differences are in the roof and the equipment:

• Terra — manual crank roof, louvers rotate up to 135°, three sizes from 10' × 10' to 10' × 16', LED lighting optional. The most affordable way into a louvered roof and fully independent of any power supply. From $4,549.
• Venta — motorized roof with remote and wall-switch control, integrated warm-white LED lighting, six sizes up to 13' × 19' including the 13' widths, wall-mountable, higher load ratings. From $5,949.

A manual roof (Terra) is completely independent of any power source: no wiring, nothing to install electrically, and the optimised crank system opens and closes the louvers smoothly with minimal effort. It is the most cost-efficient route to the same sun and rain protection.

A motorized roof (Venta) adjusts at the touch of a button on the remote or wall switch, and can be app-controlled. It is the better choice if you fine-tune the louvers often, want integrated LED lighting for the evenings, or want the roof, screens, lights and heater on one remote.

Yes. If the standard kit sizes do not fit your project, request a free custom pergola quote and we will plan a pergola around your dimensions, including joined modules and commercial layouts.

Yes. Retractable screens (manual or solar-powered), the radiant heater and LED lighting are available and can also be added later. Every model is compatible with the full accessory range.

Plan around your furniture, not just the patio footprint. A dining table for four with the chairs pulled out needs roughly 10' × 13' to actually be under cover. A lounge set with a sofa and coffee table works from about 10' × 16', and for a dining area plus a lounge you will usually want 13' × 16' or larger. Also think about the sun: an extra 18–20 inches of depth on the west or south side makes a real difference late in the afternoon. Not sure? Take the two-minute pergola quiz.

The listed size is the covered roof area, and the kit delivers slightly more than the nominal figure. A freestanding 10' × 13' Venta, for example, measures about 10'2" × 13'2" overall, with a clear span of about 9'3" × 12'4" between the posts. The posts sit inside the roof line, which is why we quote the clear span alongside the covered area so you can plan furniture and walkways correctly.

The standard clear height under the beam is about 7'8½" (2,350 mm). The overall structure height is about 8'3" (2,520 mm), and the highest point with the louvers fully open is about 8'10" on the Venta or 8'6" on the Terra. Before ordering, check door and window openings, roof overhangs and any height limits in your city's zoning code, because the height cannot be changed after assembly.

Yes, through our custom program. Clear heights between roughly 6'7" and 9'0" are possible; the posts are cut to length in production, so the height must be specified when you order and cannot be altered afterwards. Request a quote with your required height and we will confirm price and lead time.

The freestanding version stands on four posts and can be placed anywhere on the patio, independent of the house. With the wall-mounted version, wall brackets replace the two rear posts, so the pergola sits directly against the building and takes up less patio space. Both versions are priced the same. Wall mounting needs a structurally sound wall, and the seal between the wall and the pergola is finished on site.

Every 13' × 19' configuration has a center post along the 19' side. By default it sits in the middle and divides the side into two equal bays, but it can be offset; just tell us the position you want when you order. With an offset post the two bays are different widths, so in that case order side screens only after assembly, once you can measure the actual bay widths.

Yes. Two Venta or two Terra modules can be installed side by side. This layout cannot be ordered straight from the product page, because the junction, shared posts and drainage have to be planned around your site. Send us the area dimensions, the mounting situation and a photo or sketch through the custom quote form and we will work out a layout and price.

No. The louver profile on the motorized Venta is different from the Terra's: it is thicker and spaced further apart, so the Terra roof cannot be retrofitted with a motor. If you think you may want motorized operation later, choose the Venta from the start.

The retractable screens (manual and solar), the radiant heater and the custom-height option fit both louvered models. The LED kit is the add-on lighting for the Terra; the Venta ships with LED lighting integrated. Screens are ordered by opening width, 10', 13' or 16', so check the side lengths of your configuration when you order.

The crank mechanism sits on one of the two main beams. Which side ends up accessible is decided during assembly by the orientation of that beam, and the same choice also sets the direction the louvers open. Plan the crank position and the louver direction together so the crank stays easy to reach and the roof opens the right way for the sun. The handle is removed after use so nothing hangs down from the roof; a wall bracket for storing it is included.

The Terra and Venta each have a stated wind rating of 110 mph. Site-specific building-code design wind speed, anchoring and foundation requirements are determined separately by the project engineer. Follow the operating instructions for each model before high-wind events.

Yes, for mountain and inland areas that see snow. The Terra roof carries roughly 13–25 lb/sq ft (65–120 kg/m²) depending on size, and the Venta carries roughly 33–66 lb/sq ft (160–320 kg/m²). If heavy snowfall is expected, tilt the louvers to the vertical position so snow falls through instead of resting on the roof.

The structure is aluminum alloy 6063-T6, the standard choice in architectural work for its combination of strength, corrosion resistance and clean extrusion. The profiles were engineered specifically for this system rather than bought as off-the-shelf sections. Every profile is powder-coated to 70–100 µm with TIGER architectural powder in a Qualicoat-certified facility. Qualicoat is an independent quality standard for powder-coated architectural aluminum covering pre-treatment, coating thickness, adhesion, impact resistance and accelerated weathering.

Aluminum does not rust the way steel does; it forms a stable oxide layer instead. Whether the colour changes over the years depends almost entirely on the coating, which is why the coating standard matters so much. No repainting, oiling or annual surface treatment is needed; an occasional wash is enough. The finish is covered by a lifetime warranty on the aluminum structure and paint.

Yes, they are ideal for coastal environments. Powder-coated aluminum resists corrosion, salt air and moisture far better than wood or steel. In coastal cities like Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach the structure keeps its integrity and appearance without repainting or sealing; a periodic rinse to remove salt residue is all we recommend.

The posts on all models measure 5.3" × 5.3" (135 × 135 mm) with a 2.0 mm wall. The Venta uses 1.7 mm louvers spaced about 6¾" (17 cm) apart; the Terra uses 1.5 mm louvers spaced about 5" (13 cm) apart. We publish these figures deliberately, because material thickness has a major effect on the stiffness and service life of an aluminum structure.

A freestanding Venta weighs roughly 770 lb (348 kg) at 10' × 13' up to 1,300 lb (591 kg) at 13' × 19'. A freestanding Terra ranges from about 455 lb (207 kg) at 10' × 10' to 680 lb (309 kg) at 10' × 16'. Wall-mounted versions are lighter because one row of posts is omitted. Around 95% of the total weight is aluminum, so weight and wall thickness are two of the most telling numbers when you compare pergola systems structurally.

Frame and louvers can be chosen together or in combination. Both models come in Anthracite (RAL 7016), White (RAL 9010) or a two-tone Anthracite frame with White louvers, all at the same price. All finishes are TIGER powder coat applied in a Qualicoat-certified facility, and the screens, heater and LED housings are offered in matching colours.

Open. In high winds the louvers should be in the open position so the wind passes through rather than pushing against a closed roof surface. On the Venta, set this position before the weather arrives, because it has no manual override; on the Terra the crank works at any time, including during a power outage.

Both. Rinova Pergola is a licensed California contractor (CSLB #1116353) and installs throughout Orange County, LA County and Riverside County with our own crew, not subcontractors; we prepare the permit submittal, supply PE-stamped engineered drawings and manage the build from start to finish. If you prefer to build it yourself, every kit ships with everything needed for self-assembly. Request a quote to see installed pricing for your address.

Yes. The system is designed as a kit for self-assembly: the connections are CNC-machined and pre-prepared, and no special tools are needed. You do need basic handyman skills, a level and load-bearing base prepared in advance, and enough helpers. Remember this is a load-bearing outdoor structure, not a piece of furniture, so take the assembly seriously. The Terra is a little simpler to build than the Venta because there is no motor position or wiring to consider, and any local contractor can assemble it from the instructions.

Plan on three people. Sizes with a projection up to 13' take about one day; the 16' and 19' projections take about a day and a half because the longer beams are harder to position. The smaller sizes can in principle be built by two people, but assembling the roof frame is noticeably more awkward. Prepare the base separately, before the delivery date. A professional Rinova installation typically takes one to three days once the permit is approved.

Every delivery includes an illustrated assembly manual, and step-by-step videos are in our installation guide hub. The instructions are organised by model, size, mounting type and base surface, so make sure you follow the version that matches your exact configuration.

You will need a drill with masonry bits, a ratchet and socket set, hex keys, a level (ideally 5 ft or longer), a tape measure, a rubber mallet, ladders, safety glasses and gloves. For concrete or pavers you will also need a hammer drill. The exact tool list for your configuration is at the front of the assembly manual.

The base must be level, load-bearing and permanently stable. Suitable surfaces include a sufficiently thick concrete slab, properly laid pavers on a compacted sub-base, tile or porcelain over concrete, and wood or composite decks with a structural substructure. Loose gravel, freshly placed fill and deck boards without a load-bearing substructure are not suitable. Full base and footing requirements are in the assembly manual; installed projects get engineered footing details for your site.

Water runs down through the posts and exits at ground level at the base of the post. We do not supply a connection to an existing drainage system, so plan a gravel bed, a drainage channel or a tie-in to a downspout at those points if you need one. On the 19'-deep Venta with a center post, the water at that position drains freely to the ground.

In most Orange County cities, yes. Patio covers over 120 square feet, structures attached to the house and structures over 12 feet in height typically require a building permit, and setbacks from the property line are set by each city's zoning code. Requirements vary between Irvine, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo and the other cities, so confirm with your local building department before you order, because the size cannot be changed once the pergola is in production. For installed projects Rinova prepares the permit submittal and supplies PE-stamped engineered drawings. Read the Orange County permit guide.

For kit buyers we can provide dimensioned technical drawings of your chosen configuration and a product data sheet listing materials, dimensions and the coating specification. For installed projects we supply site-specific, PE-stamped structural calculations and foundation details prepared by a California licensed engineer. Request them through the contact page, quoting your order number or the size you are planning.

Most Rinova installations take one to three days once permits are approved and materials are on site. Site preparation, concrete curing and city inspections can extend the overall timeline. Aluminum pergolas install faster than wood because they are pre-engineered and nothing is cut or finished on site, and Southern California weather rarely causes delays.

Whisper-quiet. The premium motors are optimised for silent operation, so opening or closing the louvers will not disturb the atmosphere on your patio. Everything is controlled with the included remote or the wall switch.

The motor and LED lighting on the Venta run from a standard household circuit. The pergola's internal wiring is pre-installed with plug connectors, and the motor comes with a 23 ft (7 m) lead so the connection point can be planned flexibly. The final connection to your home's electrical system should be made by a licensed electrician on a circuit as required by code; our installation crew coordinates this on installed projects. The manual Terra needs no power at all unless you add the LED kit.

The 23 ft motor lead gives you flexibility on where the supply comes in, and the motor position itself can be decided on site to suit the louver direction you want. Plan the connection point together with the pergola layout, run the supply before assembly and leave it accessible; getting into a post afterwards is much more work.

On the Venta the louvers simply stay where they are. There is no manual override, so the roof can only be moved when power is present and the remote works. Before a forecast storm or a long absence, open the louvers in advance, and keep a spare CR2032 battery for the remote. The Terra is unaffected: it has no motor, the crank works at any time, and a power cut only affects the optional LED lighting if fitted.

The integrated LED strip is 3000 K warm white and is built into the profile; RGB colour changing is not offered. The lighting is dimmable and switchable from the same remote that operates the louvers.

The Venta supports app control from a smartphone in addition to the remote and wall switch. Ask our team to confirm app and smart-home support for your specific order; the fastest way is to call (949) 805-2233.

The remote uses a single 3 V CR2032 coin cell. With normal use it lasts around two to three years. Swapping it at the start of each season is a sensible precaution, because a dead remote leaves the louvers wherever they are and the motorized roof has no manual override.

Yes. The LED kit is available for the Terra in all three sizes ($350 for 10' × 10', $420 for 10' × 13', $490 for 10' × 16') and can also be added later. Because the Terra has no motor, the lighting is its only electrical component; power draw is low, but you still need a supply run to the post, with the final connection made by a licensed electrician.

Kit prices are shown live on each product page: the Terra runs from $4,549 (10' × 10') to $6,999 (10' × 16'), the Venta from $5,949 (10' × 10') to $12,249 (13' × 19'). Fully installed with permits in Orange County, most Terra projects run $8,000–$16,000 and most Venta projects $10,000–$25,000 depending on size, accessories and site conditions. Read the Orange County pergola cost guide.

No. Choose the model, size, mounting type and colour on the product page and the price for that configuration is shown immediately; you can order the kit online. If you would like to talk it through first, or want installed pricing, request a free quote and a pergola specialist will contact you. A quote is essential only for non-standard projects such as custom sizes, joined modules or commercial orders.

Fill in the short quote form; approximate sizes are enough. A pergola expert will contact you to discuss the right model, size, configuration and, if you want it, installation and permits. You can also call (949) 805-2233.

Yes. Visit our Santa Ana showroom at 1503 E McFadden Ave to operate both the manual Terra and the motorized Venta, judge the coating quality and check the profile sizes for yourself before you decide. Call ahead so a specialist is available for you.

Yes. Financing is offered through HFS Financial with fixed rates from 7.80%, terms up to 30 years and a soft credit check that does not affect your score; no home equity is required. That works out to roughly $37/month for a Terra or $49/month for a Venta. Use the financing link on the product page to check your rate in about 60 seconds.

The accepted payment methods are shown at checkout, including major credit cards and Shop Pay. For installed projects we can arrange a deposit at the time of ordering with the balance due before installation; contact our team to set this up.

Yes, as long as the order has not gone into production or shipped. Orders cancelled or changed within 24 hours are free of charge; after 24 hours a 10% cancellation fee applies. Once a pergola is in transit, a $1,000 recall and restocking fee applies to cancellations and change orders (the 10% fee is waived if a new pergola order of equal or greater value is placed). Contact us as early as possible with your order number.

The 100-day return period begins on the date of delivery, provided the pergola is unassembled and undamaged and you repackage and palletize it for transport. You can arrange your own carrier or use ours; with our carrier a $1,000 return shipping fee and a $500 restocking fee are deducted from the refund, together with the 10% cancellation fee. Accessories can be returned subject to inspection with their own return fees. Full details are in our Return Policy.

Yes. For orders of five or more units, such as restaurant patios, developments or larger installations, we price the project individually rather than at the regular list price. We also have a partner program for resellers and installers. Send us the planned scope and we will prepare a project price.

Lead times depend on the configuration and current stock; the typical lead time is confirmed when you order, and we agree the actual delivery date with you before the shipment leaves. Installed projects also depend on the city's permit turnaround, which we manage for you.

We deliver kits throughout the contiguous United States; Alaska and Hawaii only by separate agreement. Shipping for your address and configuration is shown at checkout before you confirm the order. Accessories ordered separately later ship on their own and may carry their own shipping charge, so it is usually cheaper to order screens, heaters and lighting together with the pergola. Professional installation is offered in Orange County, LA County and Riverside County.

Standard freight delivery includes unloading the cartons from the truck (with a liftgate or forklift for heavy orders), removing them from the pallets and placing them in a reasonably accessible, dry area such as a driveway, garage or accessible yard. Delivery to rooftop terraces or locations needing special equipment or long carrying distances may cost extra. The carrier contacts you before dispatch to agree a delivery window, so make sure the phone number on your order is one you answer. The packages are long and heavy: a 13' × 19' Venta weighs about 1,300 lb in total, split across several packages.

Inspect the packages together with the driver before you sign for them. Note any visible damage on the delivery slip and photograph it before the driver leaves. All items must be inspected within 7 days of receipt, and any damage, missing items or incorrect products reported to us within that period with your order number and photos. Keep the original packaging until assembly is complete.

Document the damage to both the part and its packaging, and make sure visible transport damage was noted on the delivery slip. Then contact us within 7 days with your order number and photos and we will arrange replacement of the affected components. Do not install a damaged part: even a slightly bent profile can throw off the alignment of the whole structure.

Call (949) 805-2233, use the form on the contact page, or visit the Santa Ana showroom. For questions about an existing order, include your order number and photos where relevant so we can help without a round of back-and-forth.

Terra, Venta and Lumera pergolas carry a lifetime warranty on the aluminum structure and paint, a 10-year warranty on moving parts, and a 5-year warranty on motors and electrical components. Coverage is subject to the written warranty conditions and exclusions.

A properly installed aluminum pergola lasts 30 years or more with minimal maintenance. Aluminum does not rot, crack or suffer insect damage, and the powder-coated finish is designed to resist fading and corrosion for decades, which is why we can back it with a lifetime finish warranty.

Wash the surfaces once or twice a year with clean water, a mild detergent and a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse with clear water. Near the coast, rinse more often to remove salt residue. In the fall clear leaves out of the drainage channels so rainwater can run off freely. No painting, oiling or annual sealing is required.

Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, solvents and strongly alkaline or acidic products, all of which can attack the powder coating. Do not aim a pressure washer at coated surfaces, the LED profile, the motor housing, the crank mechanism or directly into the drainage channels.

No. The structure stays up year-round. In Southern California the only seasonal habit worth keeping is to set the louvers to the open position before a forecast windstorm. In mountain areas with snow, open the louvers whenever a build-up beyond the rated load for your size is expected, and clear heavy snow only with plastic or wooden tools.

The crank turns easily. The effort rises slightly with size because more louvers are being moved, but every available size is designed to be operated comfortably by one adult. There is no regular maintenance or lubrication schedule; just keep the mechanism clear of leaves and debris. If the crank ever feels unusually rough or stiff, do not force it; contact our support team instead.

Yes. The retractable screens carry a 5-year warranty on defects in material and workmanship, with Serge Ferrari providing 5 years on the fabric and Plastex 10 years on the CLIPzip retention system. Motors, LED lighting and solar drives are covered by the 5-year electrical term. Coverage starts automatically on delivery; no registration is needed. A damaged screen fabric can be replaced on its own.

Yes. Because the profiles are made specifically for this system rather than bought in as a generic kit, spare parts remain available long-term and can be ordered by the part number in the assembly manual, even after the warranty period. Touch-up paint in the matching colour code is also available on request.

A ZIP screen closes an open side of the pergola with a tensioned technical fabric. The fabric drops from an aluminum cassette and is held in guide rails on both sides by a zip welded along each edge, so it stays flat and quiet in wind and cannot be pulled out of the guides, unlike a cable-guided or open-hem patio shade that billows or blows free. It gives protection from low sun, cuts wind, keeps insects out, adds privacy and makes a patio heater noticeably more effective. Available in manual and solar-powered versions for 10', 13' and 16' openings.

All the external components are identical: aluminum cassette, guide rails, Serge Ferrari fabric, the CLIPzip retention system and the wind rating. The only difference is the drive. The manual version uses a spring mechanism in the cassette and is moved directly by hand, with no crank, pole or cord, so it needs no battery or remote and costs less. The solar version uses a 45 mm tubular motor and an internal 5,200 mAh battery charged by an 18 V / 5 W solar module, so there is no wiring at the screen, and it is operated from the remote. Choose solar where the screen is hard to reach, where you move it daily (usually the west or south side), or where you want screens, louvers and lighting on one remote.

CLIPzip is the Plastex retention system used to hold the fabric. A continuous profile is welded along both edges of the fabric and runs inside the guide rails, which keeps the fabric taut over its full height and stops it being pulled out of the guides by wind, the most common form of damage on retractable screens. When closed, the screen behaves like a tensioned panel rather than a loose curtain. The tracks are pre-drilled on a 100 mm grid, so the clip position can be readjusted at any time without new parts.

Operating force stays low across the whole range. The 10' and 13' screens use one spring; the 16' screen uses two, one at each end, so movement stays even and light, and all three sizes are designed to be operated comfortably with one hand. The screen stays wherever you leave it: lower it part-way to block low afternoon sun, or close it fully for more wind protection and privacy.

The fabric is Serge Ferrari Soltis 7635, a technical composite made in France from 42% glass fibre and 58% PVC, 515 g/m² and 0.73 mm thick, used on both the manual and solar versions. Polyester stretches under sustained tension and in damp conditions, so it starts to ripple after a few seasons; the glass-fibre core neither elongates nor shrinks, so the screen never needs re-tensioning. It is also non-combustible, with B1 (DIN 4102), M1 and Euroclass C-s3,d0 fire classifications.

A 5% openness factor means only a small fraction of the fabric is actually open. From inside, you can still see out during the day. From outside, the view in is heavily reduced in daylight because it is brighter outside the pergola than inside. In the evening this reverses: with the pergola lit, silhouettes can become visible from outside.

Two standard fabric colours: Grigio (RAL 7037 grey) and Bianco (RAL 9003 white). Grey transmits only about 7% of solar energy, blocks around 96% of heat gain and gives the clearest view through with minimal glare; white reflects more energy and lets in more daylight for a brighter space. The cassette and guide rails are powder-coated in the same Qualicoat process and colours as the pergola (Anthracite RAL 7016 or White RAL 9010). The fabric colour is part of the composite, not a surface print, and Soltis 7635 is also used on building facades, so it is designed for long-term colour stability outdoors.

One screen per side or opening you want to close. On 10', 13' and 16' sides a single screen covers the whole side. On a 13' × 19' Venta the center post splits the 19' side into two bays, so you need two screens there. If the center post is installed offset, measure the actual bay widths after assembly and order the screens to suit.

Yes. The cassette and guide rails are identical on both versions, so the screens sit flush next to each other and look the same from outside. A common setup is a solar screen on the hard-to-reach or daily-use sides and manual screens where they are easy to grab. Many Orange County projects mix both.

The Plastex CLIPzip guide system is tested for gusts up to 81 mph (130 km/h), and the clips engage behind the zip inside the track so the fabric cannot be pulled out. As with every fabric sun-shading system, retract the screen when a storm is forecast. The screens can otherwise stay installed year-round; with the manual version you can push the screen up by hand at any time, since it needs no battery.

No water passes through the fabric itself when the screen is fully closed, but the screen is not a sealed wall. In driving rain, some moisture can get in at the sides or at the bottom where the screen meets the patio. The space under the pergola is much better protected, but not hermetically closed.

Yes. A full charge of the integrated 5,200 mAh battery lasts roughly 40 open and close cycles. At two to four cycles a day, the 18 V / 5 W solar panel keeps the battery permanently topped up; charging from empty takes about eight sunny days. For long shaded periods there is an optional plug-in charger. The screen stays ready to use year-round.

No. Solar screens have no line-voltage connection and no cabling to lay, so no electrician is required and typically no electrical permit is needed in Orange County. Installation is: set the cassette, screw on the side tracks, aim the solar panel. End stops and the handheld remote are paired at the factory.

The drive is a 12 V DC tubular motor rather than a line-voltage drive, so it is considerably quieter, and the thermoplastic CLIPzip guide damps sliding noise. The motor has obstacle detection: if the bottom bar meets resistance it stops automatically, protecting the fabric and mechanism as well as people, pets and furniture. Electronic end stops mean it lands in the same position on every run.

Yes on both counts. The mounting points are already built into the pergola profiles, so you can install the pergola without screens and add them later. The screen arrives assembled and the installation is far smaller than the pergola build; the solar version needs no cabling. The one exception is a 19' side with an offset center post, where the bay widths need to be measured after the pergola is up before ordering.

The PVC surface barely picks up dirt. Clean it with a soft cloth or sponge and a mild household cleaner, then rinse with clean water; it is easiest with the screen fully lowered. Keep the guide rails free of grit and leaves. The spring mechanism needs no servicing, adjustment or lubrication. If the fabric is damaged it can be replaced on its own without changing the whole screen unit, and you can fit it yourself. Read the retractable screen component guide.

One radiant heater covers a seating area of roughly 150–160 sq ft, assuming the sides are closed with retractable screens. With a fully open pergola a large share of the heat escapes sideways. If you want to use the patio on cool evenings, plan the heater and the side screening together. Mount the heater high on the pergola frame and angle it inward toward the seating area; on the Venta it can be operated from the same remote as the louvers.

In practice, yes, if you want the space to feel noticeably warmer on a cool evening. Radiant heat warms people and objects directly rather than the air, so it works better outdoors than a blower heater, but on a completely open pergola much of the effect is still lost to the sides. One or two screens on the windward sides make the biggest difference.

The Venta comes with LED lighting integrated into the profile, in 3000 K warm white, dimmable from the same remote as the louvers. The Terra has no lighting as standard; the LED kit for Terra ($350–$490 depending on size) is available as an option and can be added later, with the final electrical connection made by a licensed electrician.

Yes. Heaters, lighting and screens are all available with professional installation throughout Orange County, LA County and Riverside County, and on installed pergola projects we plan the electrical runs with the structure. Visit the Santa Ana showroom to see integrated lighting and heating in action.