How high should a pergola be? A practical guide to choosing the right height

Why pergola height matters

Us humans can instinctively tell when the proportion of things isn't quite right. And that includes pergolas that are built too high or too low to the ground. Getting your pergola height just right will make the difference between your outside space looking amazing or disappointing.

A too high pergola could overpower the look of your garden. You could find the roof gets in the way of your upstairs windows. 

Also, your pergola might not give you enough protection from the weather, with rain, wind and sun more easily able to get into the space under a roof that’s too high. 

Worse still, it’s likely you won’t be able to find side panels tall enough to enclose your pergola and provide the privacy you seek.

Build your pergola too low and it will be underwhelming, looking and feeling more like a Wendy house for kids than an outdoor shelter for all the family to enjoy. 

People may have to bend down to get under the pergola and risk bumping their heads. 

It will also be harder for sunlight to filter in, leaving you with a dark, uninviting space. And cool breezes won’t be able to penetrate as easily, which could lead to your pergola being hot and stuffy rather than cool and airy.

The Golden Ratio

To ensure you get the height of your pergola just right, there’s a mathematical ratio you can follow. Designers use what’s called ‘The Golden Ratio’ to ensure their creations have pleasing proportions. 

Applying this ratio to pergolas means that the height of your pergola should be approximately three-quarters of its length. So, if you have a 14 foot wide pergola, it should be around 10.5 feet high, which is a typical pergola height.

Using this formula ensures your pergola will look balanced and in proportion with your house and garden. It will also provide enough space underneath for people to comfortably move around and relax.

What is the standard height of a pergola?

Anything between 8 feet and 12 feet (2.4 to 3.6m) constitutes what is the normal height for a pergola. It allows for easy access without people having to stoop or bend.

The difference between low, standard, and tall pergolas

• Low height pergolas: The minimum height for a pergola is 8 feet (2.4 metres), and is recommended for smaller, wall-mounted structures. Such a pergola will create the ideal environment for cosy and intimate social gatherings.
• Standard height pergolas: The standard height for a pergola is 10 feet (3 metres). This creates room and ventilation underneath for all kinds of gatherings, with enough space for plants, lights and ceiling fans to hang from the roof. 
• Extra height pergolas: 12 feet (3.6m) is the maximum height you are likely to want to build a pergola. It will best suit a free standing pergola that is positioned next to or in the grounds of a large house or other building.

How high can a pergola be without planning permission UK?

How high can you have a pergola in your garden that won’t annoy the neighbours or break the law? Free standing pergolas can be up to 2.5 meters tall in the UK (just over 8ft) without planning permission being required. If you attach your pergola to an existing building, such as the side of your house, it can be up to 3 metres high (just under 10ft).

If you are positioning your pergola within 2 metres of the boundary of your property, it cannot be over 2.5m high whether it’s free standing or wall mounted. The rules may be even more restrictive if you are planning to build a pergola in a conservation area or close to a listed building, so it’s worth checking.

The answer to the question ‘How high can a pergola be UK-wide’ depends on where you live. Before assembling a pergola of any height, you should check your local authority’s regulations and planning rules. This will ensure you’re in compliance and can avoid disputes with neighbours and fines from your council.

How high should a pergola be?

The height of a pergola should be about 75 - 80% of its length to achieve the perfect proportions recommended by ‘The Golden Ratio’ used by architects and designers.

What to consider when choosing pergola height

Now that you know the recommended height of a pergola from an aesthetic and legal perspective, here’s some more guidance to help you achieve pergola perfection height-wise: 

Purpose of your pergola

• If you’re planning to use your pergola as an outdoor sitting or dining area, you’ll want to make sure it’s comfortably high enough for people to stand under to get to their chairs. 
• If you’re using it as a frame for plants to grow over, you may want to go higher still to create room for your flowers to flourish.

Location and surroundings

Ideally, you’ll want the height of your pergola to line up with features of your home – especially for a wall-mounted pergola. 

If you want to step straight under your pergola from your house, it will need to be higher than your patio doors and any windows on the ground floor of your property to avoid blocking the views. But you won’t want it too high that it affects the views from any upstairs windows.

Your climate and weather considerations

The height you build your pergola can make all the difference between getting too much or not enough sun in your pergola. Knowing the trajectory the sun takes across your garden at different times of year will help you work out not only the best height for your pergola, but also the best place to locate it.

If you live in a particularly windy location, you might want to consider restricting the height of your pergola to avoid gusts getting under the roof and potentially damaging the structure and perhaps even lifting the pergola off its anchors. 

Style and design preferences

The more outside space you have, the higher your pergola can be and still look pleasing to the eye. If you have plans to include decorative features in your pergola such as string lighting or plants, you may want to opt for a higher pergola to give you enough room for everything, without leaving the pergola looking and feeling claustrophobic. 

Building regulations

As mentioned earlier, there are height restrictions placed on pergolas, depending on their type and location.

How pergola height affects usability and comfort

How tall are pergolas that deliver the ultimate comfort? When it comes to pergola height, you’re looking for a Goldilocks solution – something that’s not too high or too low, but just right.

Pergolas that are too high may not offer you the protection from the elements and privacy from prying eyes you seek.

Build your pergola too low, and things can easily feel dark and overcrowded, not at all the bright, airy and relaxing environment you’re looking to create.

Step-by-step guide to measuring the right height for your pergola

First, pick the perfect location for your pergola. This will help you decide whether you need a free standing or wall mounted model.

Then measure the length of the space that can accommodate a pergola, taking into account existing structures and elements of your house and garden.

Follow this with a quick look at search engines, which will reveal various apps you can use to visualise how your garden will look with a pergola, enabling you to choose the perfect size and style.

Finally, know how high you want your pergola to be by applying ‘The Golden Ratio’ – ensuring the height is 75-80% of the length of your pergola.

Once you’ve decided how high to build a pergola, it’s time to visit the Close The Deal website to find the pergola that perfectly matches your needs. You can easily order online with free delivery across the UK, and we offer expert pergola assembly services too.