BESPOKE OAK STRUCTURES
Design a solid oak pergola that actually pays you back
An oak pergola is a garden investment—not just shade or shelter, but a structure that deepens in character as it weathers. Ours integrate solar ready, meaning you're not choosing between beauty and utility.
The pergola sits in an odd space in British garden thinking. It’s neither fully shelter nor decorative afterthought. A genuine timber pergola—hand-cut from solid green oak—becomes the skeleton of how you use your garden. It casts soft, dappled shade in summer. It frames views. Left open to winter light, it lets the house breathe. And unlike metal or composite structures, green oak moves and settles visibly, marking time in a way that matters to people who live with things for decades.
Green oak is freshly felled timber, still full of moisture. It shrinks, checks, and gradually hardens over the first few years. This isn’t a flaw—it’s the point. Each piece develops unique surface character as it dries. The wood moves; joints tighten. A pergola built from green oak isn’t static. It’s alive in a way that kiln-dried softwood never is. Our hand-cut joinery means every mortise and tenon is fitted to the exact timber you’ve chosen, not stamped out to an industrial average.
Solar integration changes what a pergola can do. Traditional designs assume you’re trading open sky for shade. A solar-ready pergola deck integrates photovoltaic tiles or module frames into the structure itself. You don’t bolt panels on top as an afterthought. The solar element becomes part of the design language. You generate power where you sit. Battery storage, if you choose it, lets you use that energy on winter evenings or offset EV charging. The structure is doing work while it’s shading you.
Custom design is non-negotiable here. A pergola isn’t a kit. Span, beam depth, rafter spacing, post positioning, timber grading, and finish all change how the structure performs and ages. Our live 3D configurator lets you adjust dimensions, rotate the structure, and see exactly how it sits in your garden before a single tree is felled. You’re not guessing. You’re designing. The tool is fast enough to explore variations—eight-metre span or six—spaced rafters or tight—and the price updates as you change parameters.
Pricing begins at £31,485 for a hand-crafted oak pergola, including delivery and installation support across the UK. That figure assumes solid green oak, bespoke joinery, and structural design. Solar integration, battery storage, or premium finishes sit beyond that baseline. Every pergola has a unique specification because every garden has different light angles, wind exposure, and use. The configurator will show you the actual cost for your design, not a guess or a range.
Installation is straightforward but matters. A pergola is only as good as its footings. We deliver nationwide and provide support for installation, whether that’s site advice, detailed drawings for a local structural engineer, or coordination with your chosen fitter. Post foundations need concrete and depth; beams must sit level. We document everything. Your garden landscape changes—soil settles, weather shifts—so the structure must be designed to move slightly within its footings, not fight the ground.
Maintenance for green oak is lighter than many expect. Early on, as the wood dries and surface checks develop, a light wash or oiling can even out colour. Once settled, green oak requires less intervention than softwood, which rots and splinters. A pergola left unfinished will silver over time, developing a soft grey patina. Some people oil it every other year to preserve the golden tone. Most simply let it age. Either way, the structural integrity improves as the wood hardens. You’re not fighting decay; you’re managing beauty.
A pergola with solar capability offers a third path: beauty that works. It appeals to people who don’t want their garden to choose between being pleasant to be in and contributing to the home’s energy story. The timber is honest and durable. The solar is invisible until evening, when the battery delivers power. The whole thing sits in your garden, not as an installation or a feature, but as part of how the space functions.
Start with the 3D configurator. Set your dimensions, explore finishes, add solar if it fits your garden’s light path, and see the price. If it feels right, the next step is a conversation about delivery, installation, and any bespoke details—rafter details, timber grading, or how the structure sits within your site constraints. No pressure, no showroom theatre. Just a made-to-order oak pergola, hand-cut and priced for what you actually want to build.
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Frequently asked
What’s the difference between green oak and kiln-dried timber for a pergola?
Green oak is freshly felled and still full of moisture. It shrinks and settles over time, developing unique surface character and hardening as it dries. Kiln-dried softwood is pre-dried and more uniform, but less durable and weaker once in service. Green oak also ages beautifully—colour and texture deepen—while softwood splits and rots. For a structure you’ll use for decades, green oak is the better choice.
Can I integrate solar into an existing pergola design?
Yes, but it works best when designed from the start. Solar tiles or modular frames fit into the rafter deck or panel sections. If your pergola is already built, retrofit is possible but less elegant and may need structural review. Our process is to design solar-ready from the beginning, so the panels aren’t an add-on.
How long does green oak take to settle and stop moving?
Green oak continues to lose moisture and tighten for several years, but structural movement stabilises after the first year or two. Early on, you may notice surface checks (radial cracks) and slight changes in colour. This is normal and part of the material’s ageing. Once settled, the wood is stronger and more stable than it was when installed.
Do I need planning permission for a pergola?
Pergolas are often permitted development in the UK, but local rules vary and size and location matter. A smaller pergola under four metres may not need permission; larger structures or those in conservation areas might. We provide detailed drawings suitable for any planning conversation, and we recommend checking with your local authority before ordering if you’re unsure.
What maintenance does a green oak pergola need?
Very little once settled. You can leave it unfinished and let it silver naturally, or oil it every other year to preserve colour. Unlike softwood, green oak doesn’t rot or splinter as it hardens. Check the footings periodically and clear any debris from the structure. That’s it. You’re not fighting the material; you’re living with it as it ages.
Design yours — get a guide price in minutes
Use the configurator to shape your oak frame garage or solar carport and see an instant guide price. One team designs, builds and commissions — from £31,485.
Design yours