Most louvered pergola listings mention wind. Few give a number, and a number is the only thing you can compare.
What the figure means
A wind rating like 72 mph is the speed the maker says the frame withstands. It assumes three things:
- The posts are anchored the way the manual says, usually with expansion bolts into a concrete slab or footings.
- The louvers are closed flat, so wind cannot catch them.
- No curtains are hanging down. A closed curtain acts like a sail.
Bolt the posts to a wooden deck or set them on pavers and the rating no longer applies.
The figures in our comparison
| Rating | Models |
|---|---|
| 102 mph | Mirador 111DA and Infinite, with pro install |
| 82.5 mph | Aoxun 12 x 16 aluminum models |
| 72 mph | Purple Leaf 94AS, Purple Leaf 12 x 16 white, Domi 10 x 12 aluminum with curtains |
| 70 mph | Purple Leaf 92KS, 10 x 20, bronze and white solar LED, Mirador 111S |
| 65 mph | Kozyard 12 x 16 |
| 60 to 63.5 mph | Aoxun steel models, Yoleny (60 to 80 range) |
| 50 mph | Mellcom 10 x 20 (50 to 80 range) |
When a listing gives a range, we use the bottom of it. Many others, including Domi's steel line, say "high-wind resistant" without a number.
Do you need a high rating?
Gusts of 50 to 60 mph come with ordinary summer thunderstorms in much of the US. In an open yard, on the Plains, or anywhere near the coast, look for 70 mph or more. In a fenced backyard between houses, a lower rating with good anchoring is usually fine.
Before a storm
- Close the louvers flat.
- Pull curtains back and tie them to the posts.
- Bring in anything hanging from the beams.
The high wind category lists every model rated 72 mph or more.
