| Roof Configuration |
Required
Confirm whether the roof is fully retractable, louvered, fabric-based, or a hybrid system.
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A retractable louvered roof uses rotating aluminum slats and can provide adjustable shade and rain protection. A sliding fabric roof generally provides shade but may require separate drainage and weather limitations.
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Request roof-section drawings, open and closed positions, drainage details, and the maximum recommended operating conditions.
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| Overall Dimensions |
Required
Check maximum bay width, projection, height, post spacing, and allowable dimensional tolerances.
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Many residential systems are modular, but the maximum unsupported span depends on profile size, roof weight, wind exposure, and local structural requirements. There is no universal safe span.
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Provide the supplier with a dimensioned site plan and require a project-specific layout rather than relying on a standard product image.
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| Structural Material |
Required
Verify the alloy designation, temper, wall thickness, reinforcement, fasteners, and connection design.
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6063-T5 or 6063-T6 aluminum is commonly used for architectural extrusions, but alloy designation alone does not prove structural suitability. Posts, beams, brackets, and joints must be assessed as a complete system.
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Request material certificates, profile cross-sections, wall-thickness data, connection drawings, and a bill of materials.
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| Wind Resistance |
Required
Confirm the design wind speed, exposure category, roof-open operating rule, and anchoring method for the installation site.
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Wind resistance is site-specific and depends on local code, building exposure, roof position, dimensions, and anchorage. A generic wind claim without a test method or calculation is not sufficient.
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Request a signed structural calculation or test report stating the applicable standard, test conditions, wind speed, and failure criteria.
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| Snow and Static Load |
Required
Verify whether the system is designed for snow load, maintenance load, water accumulation, or only mild-climate use.
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Snow-load requirements vary by location and altitude. A roof designed for rain protection is not automatically suitable for snow or prolonged standing water.
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Supply the project snow-load value and obtain written confirmation of the supported load, drainage assumptions, and snow-removal requirements.
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| Drainage Performance |
Required
Inspect roof channels, internal gutters, downpipes, outlet positions, overflow paths, and connection seals.
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A functional rainwater system should direct water from the roof into gutters and downpipes without relying solely on surface sealant. Outlet capacity must match the local rainfall intensity and roof area.
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Request a drainage diagram, water-flow test video, gutter dimensions, outlet size, and instructions for clearing debris.
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| Motor and Controls |
Recommended
Verify voltage, frequency, motor duty cycle, manual override, control method, limit adjustment, and replacement availability.
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Common supply options include 220–240 V AC at 50 Hz and 110–120 V AC at 60 Hz, depending on the destination market. The supplied motor must match the local electrical system.
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Request the motor data plate, wiring diagram, control instructions, emergency operation method, and spare-parts list.
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| Electrical Protection |
Required
Check outdoor protection, cable routing, grounding, residual-current protection, and the enclosure rating of exposed components.
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IP ratings are defined by IEC 60529. For example, IP65 indicates dust-tight protection and protection against water jets; it does not mean that a component is suitable for immersion or every installation condition.
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Request component-level IP test information and have final electrical connections completed by a qualified electrician under local regulations.
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| Weather Sensors |
Recommended
Confirm whether rain, wind, sun, temperature, or obstacle sensors are included and how they affect automatic movement.
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A wind sensor can automatically open or close a roof, but sensor placement, calibration, power supply, and control compatibility determine its effectiveness. Sensors do not replace structural design.
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Request the sensor operating range, response time, mounting instructions, factory settings, and manual override procedure.
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| Surface Finish |
Recommended
Verify powder-coating or anodizing process, color reference, coating thickness, pretreatment, and appearance tolerances.
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Exterior powder coating should be specified by a recognized coating system or project requirement. Color samples should be evaluated under natural light because screen images are not reliable color references.
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Request a physical finish sample, coating specification, color code, inspection photos, and written criteria for scratches, gloss, and color variation.
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| Corrosion Resistance |
Required
Check fastener material, isolation between dissimilar metals, drainage of hollow profiles, and suitability for coastal or high-humidity environments.
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Stainless-steel fasteners are often preferred outdoors, while marine or coastal locations may require higher corrosion resistance and more frequent maintenance. Aluminum and stainless steel should be properly isolated where galvanic corrosion is possible.
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Request the fastener grade, coastal-environment options, maintenance schedule, and written exclusions for salt exposure.
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| Water and Air Tightness |
Recommended
Verify the test method for rain leakage, roof-joint sealing, gasket material, and expected performance during wind-driven rain.
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A pergola is normally an outdoor shade structure rather than a fully enclosed building envelope. Wind-driven rain can enter through moving joints even when the drainage system is correctly installed.
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Request a test report or demonstration under defined rainfall and wind conditions, plus clear wording on what level of weather protection is guaranteed.
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| Installation Base |
Required
Confirm whether the structure is fixed to concrete, steel, timber, masonry, or another substrate.
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Anchor capacity depends on the substrate, edge distances, embedment depth, anchor type, and local loads. Product anchors cannot be selected safely without checking the actual base.
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Provide foundation photographs and dimensions, and request an anchoring plan with bolt size, spacing, embedment, and substrate assumptions.
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| Building Permits |
Required
Check planning, property-line, stormwater, electrical, and structural-permit requirements before production.
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Permit requirements vary by country, municipality, structure size, attachment to a building, and local zoning rules. Supplier approval does not replace approval from the local authority.
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Confirm requirements with the local building department or a licensed professional and retain the approved drawings with the order documents.
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| Safety Features |
Required
Verify pinch-point protection, obstruction detection, emergency stop, manual release, and safe access for maintenance.
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Motorized moving roofs can create crush and shear hazards. Safety devices must be compatible with the control system and tested after installation.
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Request the risk assessment, user manual, safety-device list, commissioning checklist, and instructions for isolating electrical power.
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| Quality Inspection |
Recommended
Inspect dimensions, coating, welds or castings, roof alignment, seals, drainage outlets, hardware, and motor operation before shipment.
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Pre-shipment inspection should compare the finished unit with approved drawings and the purchase specification. Photographs alone are useful but do not replace dimensional and functional checks.
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Use an independent inspection service or an agreed inspection checklist with measurable acceptance criteria and documented corrective actions.
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| Packaging and Shipping |
Recommended
Verify crate dimensions, package weights, moisture protection, labeling, lifting points, and protection of coated surfaces.
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Long aluminum profiles can be damaged by bending, impact, friction, or poor support during transport. Separate wrapping and rigid blocking help reduce surface and dimensional damage.
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Request a packing list, package photos, shipping dimensions, spare-component list, and a process for recording concealed transport damage.
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| Warranty Coverage |
Required
Separate structural, coating, motor, sensor, seal, and finish warranties and identify exclusions.
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Warranty duration is less important than the exact covered components, remedy, response time, labor responsibility, and conditions for valid installation and maintenance.
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Request a signed warranty document stating the coverage period, claim procedure, excluded conditions, spare-parts support, and service contact.
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| Maintenance Requirements |
Good Practice
Confirm cleaning frequency, gutter inspection, fastener checks, lubrication requirements, fabric care, and winter or storm procedures.
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Outdoor moving structures require periodic cleaning and inspection. Debris in gutters, blocked outlets, loose fasteners, and neglected seals can reduce service life and drainage performance.
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Obtain a maintenance schedule, illustrated service manual, recommended cleaning products, and a list of replaceable wear parts.
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