Relaxing outdoor gatherings with friends and family have become easier and more comfortable with the bioclimatic pergola. It enables year-round enjoyment of the garden and terrace, as it offers shelter from adverse weather conditions and sunlight. With regular cleaning and maintenance, its lifespan can be extended. Here we give you some tips and tricks on how to maintain a bioclimatic pergola, which will ensure optimal performance of your pergola throughout the year, regardless of the season.



Cleaning the structure and slats

The structure of the pergola and slats must be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year, depending on the environment in which you live. We advise you to clean any coatings, spider webs and other dust particles with a wet sponge at least once a month, as pergola maintenance will be simpler and shorter this way.

For faster and easier cleaning, you can use a hose to rinse with clean water. Gently wash the structure and slats with clean water or water with a neutral detergent. When using water with detergent, it is necessary to rinse the structure and the slats again with clean water to remove all remaining detergent residues and bubbles, especially where gaps are present.



In addition to cleaning with water spray, it is also possible to use black soap, which is applied to the structure and slats with a soft damp cloth and then rinsed with clean water. This will dilute and remove chemical deposits and other residues that have settled on them. In the case of more stubborn stains, white vinegar can be used, but the structure and slats must always be washed with clean water.

Avoid the use of abrasive cleaners, acids, alkalis, solvents, thinners (acetone, trichloroethylene), bleaches and abrasive powder products. It is also not recommended to use sandpaper, steel wool and other abrasive materials, abrasive brushes and high-pressure cleaners, as these can damage the powder coating of the structure and thus shorten the life of your pergola. Likewise, avoid detergents that recommend the use of gloves when applying, as the latter is a sign that the detergent is harsh and unsuitable for cleaning the structure. For a perfect result, wipe the structure and slats after cleaning.



The influence of weather phenomena on the maintenance of slats

In autumn and winter, it is recommended to leave the slats open to reduce the load on the structure and thus prevent damage to the equipment. Place them at a vertical angle of 90° and thereby limit the accumulation of snow and consequently the weight that the structure would have to bear. The latter, when closed, can only withstand up to 95 kg/m² of load in the middle of the slats along the longest part. If there is excessive snowfall or the accumulation of fallen leaves, just remove them on the fly.



Washing eyeshadows or membranes

Due to the better functioning of the blinds, it is best to close the bioclimatic pergolas in snow and wind, but only if the structure is not overloaded. To keep the blinds in perfect condition, we recommend regular cleaning every 3-6 months using the same method used to clean standard windows. This prevents garbage from building up in the system and reduces the risk of unexpected shading problems. It makes sense to clean the shade membrane from top to bottom. Do not clean it in direct sunlight, as the cleaning agent can dry and leave stains on the membrane.

The concentration of the cleaning agent is also important, which should be properly dosed according to the degree of dirtiness. Use a soft brush or sponge for application. Make sure that the bristles of the brush are not too hard and that they do not damage the membrane. Otherwise, use a softer brush or sponge for application. The cleaning agent should work for 5-10 minutes, then remove it together with the remains of dirty particles with cold or lukewarm water. If the dirty particles are not completely removed, repeat the process.



Maintenance of lighting, glass and canvas

If your pergola has reflectors, wall lights and/or LED strip optics, just clean them with a slightly damp cloth. Never spray liquid directly on them. Clean the fabric blinds or glass with soapy water and then rinse them with clean water.



Gutter cleaning

Especially in autumn and winter, dead leaves, twigs, dust and snow can fall inside the gutters and slats, reducing the flow channel open for water drainage. This causes clogging and overflow, which can damage the system or the area surrounding the bioclimatic pergola system. In this case, the solution is quite simple. Simply remove the stopper and clean the rainwater drainage holes. Cleaning every 3 to 6 months is recommended. The latter will prevent leaves and debris from entering the gutter and, as a result, clogging.



During maintenance, make sure that the cleaning is done thoroughly, as damage to the bioclimatic pergola caused by poor maintenance is not covered by the warranty.

We hope that the following tips have helped to make the maintenance of your bioclimatic pergola easier. For all of you who are still deciding on the purchase of a pergola, here is the article What is a bioclimatic pergola?, with a lot of useful information.

Check out our range of bioclimatic pergolas on the Trgovina Jana website.