Beating the Glare on Rita’s Back Patio

Exposed aggregate concrete looks great and requires almost no maintenance, but it can act like a heat sink in the middle of summer.

Rita had a solid concrete patio right outside her sliding doors. On bright days, the glare off the ground was intense, and the heat made it hard to sit outside for very long. It also meant the sun was baking the glass doors and heating up the living area inside.

She wanted a straightforward way to cast some shade and make the space comfortable. The answer was a 4 x 3 m Atlantic manual freestanding louvre roof in a dark finish.

The project at a glance

• Client: Rita

• Model: Atlantic manual freestanding louvre roof

• Size: 4 x 3 m

• Finish: Dark powder-coated aluminium

• Setting: Exposed aggregate concrete patio beside a brick home

Why freestanding made sense here

Even though the pergola sits right against the brick wall and sliding doors, it is a freestanding structure.

This is a very practical approach for brick homes. Instead of drilling structural brackets into the masonry or trying to work around the existing eaves and gutters, the four posts simply sit on the concrete slab. It defines the seating area without complicating the installation or touching the home's cladding.

Shade where it counts

The dark frame and louvres throw a solid block of shade exactly where it is needed.

By positioning the pergola right outside the house, it acts as a deep awning. It cools down the concrete underfoot, stops the glare, and keeps the sun off the glass doors so the inside of the house stays cooler as well.

Manual control keeps it simple

There are no motors or wiring to plan around. A simple hand crank hangs from the beam, allowing Rita to tilt the louvres open to vent hot air, or close them tight to block the midday sun. It is a reliable, low-maintenance setup.

Thinking about covering your patio?

If you have a concrete area or a set of doors that let in too much heat, a 4 x 3 m freestanding pergola is often the right size to solve the problem without taking over the yard.

Share a photo of your space and some rough measurements. We can map out a manual or motorised option that makes your patio usable again.