But one thing that a pergola does not provide is adequate shade.
But plants take time to train upward, and many homeowners don’t like the shedding leaves and debris.
Plus, some trailing plants may not cover the middle sections of the pergola.
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The low-cost solution for many homeowners is a retractable pergola canopy.
What Is a Retractable Canopy?
When retracted, this DIY pergola canopy tucks neatly away at one end of the structure.
When extended, the canopy shades the underlying area in graceful drapes.
This throw in of hardware is necessary since the wire ropes will be stretched between beams under tension.
A retractable awning is ideal for such multi-purpose spaces.
Heavier cloth such as sailcloth will sag more; muslin and linen will sag less.
Determine the look you wish to achieve when the canopy is extended.
Tighter cloth has a trim, finished look.
Cloth with deeper sags gives your pergola an airy, fanciful look.
Find the area of your pergola by multiplying its length by its width.
Sailcloth can normally be ordered from a sailmaker’s supply outlet in widths up to 60 inches.
For muslin or linen, a fabric store is your best bet.
For example, a 12-foot wide pergola would require two strips of fabric, each 6 feet wide.
it’s possible for you to use a sewing machine to sew the two runs of canopy fabric together.
Sailcloth is too thick to sew comfortably by hand, but muslin and linen can be manually sewn.
With a power miter saw or circular saw, cut 2x2 boards to the width of the canopy.
Increasing the number of boards creates a scalloped, ribbed look.
Fewer boards produce larger, lower drapes.
Let the stain dry fully before proceeding to the next step.
The support beams are the structural members that rest on (or are bolted to) the vertical posts.
Screw the three eye screws fully into place.
Repeat for the opposite side.
Cut the Wire Rope
Cut the wire rope into three lengths.
The canopy can be oriented so that the wooden support bars are either above or below the canopy fabric.
Installing the bars above the fabric gives the cover a clean look that emphasizes the draping.
Installing the bars below the fabric means that the bars will be visible from below.
This is a stronger attachment since the support bars, not just staples, are holding up the fabric.
Attach three of the #10 eye screws on top of every support bar.
Be sure to drill pilot holes to avoid cracking the wood.
Attach the three turnbuckles with the hook end to the three remaining eye screws on the pergola.
Add 4 inches to your measurement and cut there, using wire cutters.
Secure the hook ends of the turnbuckles to the pergola eye bolts.
Turn the turnbuckles clockwise to tighten the wire ropes.
Make them as taut as possible.
Lifting the canopy up as you secure the turnbuckles onto the eye bolts can be an awkward process.
Having a helper or two assisting will make this work considerably easier.
Tie each to the end support bar, one at each end.
Drape each drawstring over a horizontal support beam at the end of the pergola.
Pulling the drawstrings down will move the pergola canopy horizontally along the wire ropes to extend it.
Loop the drawstrings around the cleats to hold them in place.
