Suggestions?

Hi, I am aware there has been threads about types/methods of pergola shade but I am still not sure what to do. We are in a ground floor apartment and need some shade:

The options I am looking at are:

1. Fitted cream blinds which look great but not sure how hardy they are... Have seen quite a few fallen down & already some are discolouring. I don't want to pay a small fortune and still have to spend alot of time maintaining them.

2. Shade sail - looks not as good and really does'nt provide too effective a shade.

3. (probably most controversial) reeds over the top of the pergola - nailed into wooden supports - we are not talking a cowshed here! Also we are not going to use flimsy stuff as we have seen that the wind tends to take these down. I like the fact these are more 'structural' and will give significant shade whilst still being natural.

What do you think and if you have any other suggestions please let me know cos I really need to get it sorted in time for this summer...

Thanks

Louise

Louise,

What about fitting a Gazebo within the Pergola?

Will provide the shade also can remove covers in winter.

Or

Very Large Umbrella?

Mick

As the owner of a Jardines 2 bed upper apartment I am really worried about possible falling-outs with my neighbour below should I ever deign to wash my terrace !  The first proper wash and sweep will, undoubtedly, land smack bang on top of their patio/ nice white canopy/ reeds/ pergola or whatever.  It would be naive of me to expect them to be happy about this but, similarly, naive of them to expect me to live with a filthy, unwashed terrace area.  What do we do???  I know that some people are forking out for guttering (and I really don't think they should ever have had to do this as PW should have taken care of it) but still, I will be on tenterhooks if even a few crumbs tumble down!!!  So, whatever you decide - be prepared for some unwelcome fallout from your upstairs neighbours - even if they are being cautious so white may be out????

I'm just as confused Louise - I was seriously considering the PW cream shade but have waited till the winter was over to see how the ones bought by others have fared.  When we go over at Easter we are going to have a wander around and see what other have used. 

I am also trying to get a price for a tinted toughened glass "wall" on the shorter side of the pergola (about four feet high) to give protection from wind when sitting up there.  Something like the glass you see on the side of modern staircases in large stores.  God knows where I'll start for that though - any suggestions anybody?

Tan