We’ve taken the idea of backyards as extensions of our homes to the next level: televisions, entire kitchens, plush living room sets. Soon enough, the house itself — a structure to contain all those homey elements — followed. But while that initially meant a traditional gazebo, pergolas with louvered roofs are becoming the new go-to for shade and shelter.
Gazebos and pergolas are both open-sided structures meant to create an indoor-outdoor place to lounge or gather while giving a yard or garden an attractive focal point. The main difference has been that gazebos’ solid roofs kept out all sun and rain while the open lattice of slats for a pergola would let some of both through. But the newer generation of pergolas with adjustable, louvered roofs offer homeowners comparable control over sunlight, weather protection and cover for their indoor comforts.
The overall business around outdoor living is exploding. According to one study, the so-called outdoor living structure market is expected to grow from last year’s estimated $8.2 billion to $61.1 billion in 2033.
In this Q&A, Escape Home publisher S. Mitra Kalita speaks with Pergolux, a Norwegian pergola firm expanding into the U.S. They aspire to redefine outdoor living for Americans with a blend of Scandinavian design, durability and year-round functionality – no more storing the cushions and wicker in the shed. Here are edited excerpts of our conversation with Tim Heneveld, country director for Pergolux North America.
Q: When I was growing up, we all had gazebos. What created the shift to pergolas?
Tim Heneveld: Gazebos were once the default for backyard shade, but they tend to be permanent, bulky and often limit how the space can be used. Pergolas represent a shift toward flexibility and design. With louvered roofs, you can open to enjoy the sun, close to block rain or partially tilt for airflow. They’re modern, architectural and better suited to today’s outdoor lifestyle — where people want a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors without compromising aesthetics.
Q: Tell me a little bit about Pergolux and how your entry to the U.S. market is going.
TH: Pergolux is a Norwegian-founded company built around the idea of making premium outdoor living both beautiful and practical. We design and manufacture louvered roof pergolas and accessories that give homeowners full control of their outdoor spaces — from shade and rain protection to integrating screens, walls and lighting.
We’ve seen great success in Europe, and our entry into the U.S. market has been very exciting. Americans are investing heavily in their homes and backyards, and we’re scaling rapidly to meet that demand. In just the past year, the US market has experienced a 200% growth year over year, and are opening dedicated distribution and service teams to ensure the same quality experience here as in Europe.
Q: What’s the Norwegian design sensibility in your product and how does that connect to the U.S. consumer?
TH: Norwegian design is all about simplicity, durability and functionality. We build products that withstand harsh climates, from heavy snow to coastal storms, without sacrificing clean lines and timeless style. That ethos connects strongly with U.S. consumers who are looking for both performance and beauty. Americans want investments in their homes to last, and our Scandinavian engineering gives confidence that the pergola won’t just look good — it will endure.
Q: Tell me about assembling these at home. I shudder at the thought.
TH: We hear that a lot at first! But Pergolux pergolas are designed to be homeowner-friendly. Everything comes in kit form with pre-drilled, pre-cut parts and step-by-step instructions. Most customers assemble them with a small team of friends or family in a single day. For those who prefer not to DIY, we also connect homeowners with professional installers. So whether you’re hands-on or not, there’s a path to enjoying your pergola without the headache.
Q: We’ve done a number of stories in The Escape Home on backyard makeovers and living trends outdoors. What are some trends you are seeing now?
TH: We’re seeing a huge rise in “outdoor living rooms” — people want the comfort and usability of their interiors, extended outside. That includes weatherproof furniture, screens for privacy and shade, heating for cooler months and even integrated kitchens. There’s also a strong trend toward creating multifunctional spaces — areas that work for quiet mornings with a coffee but also scale for entertaining groups. Flexibility is everything.
Q: Let’s talk about outdoor furniture from entire kitchens to TV screens to living room sets. Is this practical? How do people manage all this in the offseason, for example?
TH: It’s absolutely practical when paired with the right setup. Pergolux pergolas are engineered to be four-season ready. With the addition of glass walls, retractable screens and integrated heaters, our customers don’t need to move or store their furniture and setups in the offseason — their outdoor living space can remain fully functional year-round.
This approach eliminates the hassle of seasonal teardown and storage while giving homeowners the confidence to invest in full outdoor living rooms, kitchens or entertainment setups. Instead of adapting their lifestyle to the seasons, our pergolas allow people to extend their lifestyle outdoors without compromise.
Q: What are Pergolux products made of? Does it reflect a trend of using less wood outdoors because it doesn’t hold up?
TH: Our pergolas are made from high-grade, powder-coated aluminum. Aluminum provides strength, corrosion resistance and long-term durability without the maintenance headaches of wood. You’re right that there’s a trend away from wood in outdoor structures — it looks great initially but requires constant upkeep and struggles in harsh climates. Consumers want materials that last decades, not seasons, which is why aluminum has become the go-to for premium outdoor living solutions.