Pergola Curtains

A pergola gives you structure, but on its own it lets in the low sun, the wind and the neighbors' view. Curtains on one or more sides turn it into an outdoor room you can open up or close off as the day changes.

How to plan pergola curtains

• Decide which sides need them. Most people curtain the west side for afternoon sun and any side that faces a neighbor or the street. Corner panels at each post give a finished look without enclosing the whole space.
• Choose your hanging method. Run a curtain rod or a tensioned stainless cable along the beam on each side. Back tab and tab top headings slide easily along both; rod pocket suits panels you rarely open.
• Plan the panel count. On each side, panels together should be about 1.5–2× the distance between the posts. Two panels per side that tie back to the posts is the classic look.
• Set the length. Measure from the top of the rod or cable to the deck at each end and in the middle, and stop the hem about ½–1″ above the floor so it stays clean and dry.

Which fabric for a pergola?

• Sunbrella: our most popular choice, in 155 solids and stripes and 15 sheers.
• Sunbrella sheers: filter harsh sun and keep the breeze and the view, ideal for pergolas you use all day.
• Agora: 89 solution-dyed colors, about 25% below Sunbrella.
• Blackout lining: add it to solids for full shade and privacy on a west-facing pergola.

Questions about pergola curtains

How do you hang curtains on a pergola?

Fix a curtain rod or a tensioned cable to the beam on each side you want to cover, then slide on tab top, back tab or rod pocket panels. Add tiebacks or hooks on the posts to hold them open.

How many curtains do I need for a pergola?

Usually two panels per side, one at each post, that together cover 1.5–2× the width between the posts. For a single-direction screen, one wide panel per side works too.

What size are pergola curtains?

There is no standard size, which is why made-to-measure helps. Common pergolas are 8–9 ft high to the beam, so drops of about 90–106″ are typical, but always measure your own posts.

Will pergola curtains blow around in the wind?

Tie them back when open, choose a heavier canvas or lined panel on exposed sites, or run a second cable near the floor to hold the hem.

Can pergola curtains stay up all year?

Solution-dyed fabric is made to stay outside all season. In snowy or stormy months, take them down, dry them fully and store them indoors.

More outdoor curtains

• All outdoor curtains
• Gazebo curtains
• Porch curtains
• How to choose, measure and hang outdoor curtains
• Curtain size calculator