A motorized louvered pergola makes two kinds of sound that homeowners ask about. The first is the motor while the louvers rotate. The second is rain landing on the aluminum roof. Both are real, and both are worth thinking about before you choose a spot for the pergola.

Louvano does not publish a decibel rating. This article explains where the sound comes from, when you will hear it, and how to plan around it.

What makes noise on a motorized louvered pergola?

Most of the sound you will notice comes from four places:

• The motor. It runs only while the louvers are rotating.
• Rain on the louvers. Rain hitting an aluminum roof makes a patter that gets louder in heavy rain.
• Water draining. Rain runs from the louvers into the beam channels and down through the posts, so you may hear water moving and trickling out near the post bases.
• Wind and loose items. Hanging decor, debris, or anything resting on the roof can tap or rattle in a breeze.

How loud is the motor when the louvers move?

On a Louvano pergola, the motor is hidden in the frame. When you press the remote, you will hear a low motor hum while the louvers turn. When the louvers stop, the motor stops, and so does the sound.

The louvers rotate from 0 to 120 degrees. The sound lasts only as long as the movement you ask for. A small adjustment for afternoon sun is a short sound. Going from fully closed to fully open takes longer.

We do not have a published sound measurement for the motor. If you are sensitive to noise, or you plan to adjust the roof late at night near a bedroom window, email us at [email protected] before you order and tell us about your layout.

Does rain on an aluminum louvered roof make noise?

Yes. Rain on any metal roof makes sound, and a louvered pergola is no exception. A light drizzle is a soft patter. A downpour is much louder. If you sit under the roof during a storm, you will hear it.

When the louvers are closed, rain lands on the roof and runs into the drainage path. When the louvers are open, more rain falls through to the patio, and the sound you hear shifts to rain hitting the ground and furniture.

The double-wall aluminum louvers have two aluminum skins. We do not publish a test that compares their rain sound with other roof types, so plan on hearing rain.

Will I hear rain from a bedroom above the pergola?

You might. This is one of the most common questions from buyers, and the honest answer depends on your house:

• Distance. A roof right under a bedroom window will be easier to hear than one set farther out in the yard.
• Windows. Closed, well-sealed windows cut more sound than an open window.
• Rain intensity. Heavy storms are louder than steady light rain.
• Nearby hard surfaces. Walls and paving around the patio can bounce sound back toward the house.

If a bedroom sits directly above the patio, think about placement first. A freestanding pergola can sit farther from the wall than a wall-related layout. Our freestanding vs wall-mounted guide walks through the trade-offs. The footprint matters too. A 10×20 covers more of the patio than a 10×13, so check how close each one would come to the house in the size guide.

Does a louvered pergola rattle in the wind?

Any outdoor structure with moving parts can make some noise in wind. On a louvered pergola, the usual causes are simple:

• Decorations or string lights hanging from the frame or louvers
• Leaves, twigs, or seed pods sitting in the beam channels or on the louvers
• Items leaning against the posts

Louvano frames use 304 stainless steel fasteners. As part of routine care, look over the visible fasteners and clear debris from the roof and channels.

If you hear a new rattle, clicking, or knocking that you cannot trace to something loose, record a short video with sound and send it to [email protected].

What if the motor starts making a new noise?

A change in sound is worth paying attention to. Grinding, clicking, or a motor that sounds strained while the louvers barely move can mean something is blocking the louvers.

Stop pressing the remote. Look for branches, leaves, or objects on the roof. Never climb onto or put weight on the louvers. If nothing is in the way and the sound continues, contact [email protected] with a video. For more steps, see why a motorized pergola remote stops working.

How can you plan for less noise?

• Choose the location with bedroom and living room windows in mind.
• Keep the louvers and beam channels clear of leaves and debris.
• Keep decorations from resting on or hanging off the louvers.
• Close the roof before heavy rain starts so water goes into the drainage path, and expect to hear the rain on the roof.
• Ask your questions before ordering. Louvano pergolas are built to order, and [email protected] is the place to start.

FAQ

Does Louvano publish a decibel rating for the motor? No. We do not publish a decibel number. The motor runs only while the louvers rotate, and it stops when they stop. If sound is a deciding factor, email [email protected] with your layout.

Is a motorized pergola loud enough to bother neighbors? The motor hum lasts only as long as the louvers are moving. Rain on the roof is the louder and longer sound. Think about where the pergola sits in relation to the property line and nearby windows.

Is rain louder with the louvers open or closed? With the louvers closed, rain hits the roof and drains through the beam channels and posts. With the louvers open, more rain falls through to the patio. You will hear rain either way.

Where is the motor on a Louvano pergola? The motor is hidden in the frame, and Louvano pergolas are operated by remote control.

Who do I contact about a new noise after installation? Email [email protected] with a short video that includes the sound, and tell us when it started.