How to hide wires on a louvered pergola
Nobody wants cords running across a new patio. The good news is that a clean look mostly comes down to planning the power early, before the concrete or pavers go in.
On a Louvano pergola, the motor is hidden in the frame. This article covers how to plan the power connection with your electrician, when to lay conduit, and what to ask before you add anything else that needs power.
What needs power on a motorized pergola?
The louvers are motor-driven, and the motor is hidden in the frame. The pergola needs a power connection so the louvers can rotate from 0 to 120 degrees by remote control.
Where that power enters the pergola and how it connects should be confirmed against the product drawings and local codes. For anything specific to your site, email [email protected] with your site and installation questions.
For the full picture, read motorized pergola electrical requirements.
Who should do the wiring?
A licensed electrician. Outdoor power has to meet local electrical codes, and your area may require a permit and an inspection for new outdoor circuits. Your electrician will know what applies where you live, including any requirements for a disconnect or ground-fault protection.
Check with your local building department as well. Our pergola permit guide covers the basics. We cannot promise any approval.
When should you plan the conduit?
As early as possible. Conduit is much easier to lay before the patio is finished.
- New concrete patio: plan conduit runs before the slab is poured.
- New pavers: plan conduit before the base and pavers go down.
- Existing patio: talk with your electrician about routes around the edge of the patio or through the lawn.
Plan the conduit route together with the post locations and the foundation. See louvered pergola foundation, can you put a louvered pergola on concrete, and can you put a louvered pergola on pavers.
What if the pergola is near the house?
If power will come from the house, your electrician can plan a tidy route from the house to the pergola. Keep boxes and conduit neat and grouped on the wall.
For layout questions near the house, see our freestanding vs wall-mounted guide and ask [email protected] about your layout.
How do you keep the rest of the patio tidy?
A few general habits help any outdoor space look clean:
- Group outdoor power where you’ll actually use it, so you don’t need long extension cords.
- Run cords along edges and walls, never across walkways.
- Use outdoor-rated covers and boxes, installed by your electrician.
- Paint or choose conduit in a color that blends with the wall.
- Use planters and furniture to hide boxes from view.
What about fans, speakers, or a TV?
Every extra device adds wiring to plan. If any accessory is part of your plan, ask [email protected] before you order. Don’t connect anything to the pergola’s motor or its wiring.
Our articles on ceiling fans and heating a louvered pergola cover what to think about for each one.
Does wiring affect drainage?
It can if it’s planned in the wrong spot. When the louvers are closed, rain runs from the louvers into the beam channels and down through the posts. Plan the wiring and the drainage together, so water and power stay apart. Ask [email protected] how to plan for the water that drains out near the post bases for your size and layout. For more, see how a louvered pergola drains water.
What should you have ready before you talk to your electrician?
- Your pergola size (10×13 or 10×20) and where it will sit
- The patio surface and whether it’s new or existing
- Where the nearest house power is
- Any accessories you are considering
- Your answers from [email protected] about your site
After you order, keep any product documents that came with your order handy, and contact [email protected] with questions.
FAQ
Are the motor and its wiring visible?
The motor is hidden in the frame. Confirm how power connects against the product drawings and local codes, and email [email protected] with your site and installation questions.
When should I lay conduit?
Before the concrete is poured or the pavers go down, if you can.
Do I need an electrician?
Yes. Use a licensed electrician and follow local codes.
Can I plug other devices into the pergola’s power?
Don’t connect anything to the pergola’s motor or wiring. If an accessory is part of your plan, ask [email protected] before you order.
More answers are on our FAQ page.