The pergola appears to be the obvious solution until one considers Melbourne’s climate. That ideal ‘room’ outside the house that offers shade in summer and protection from the elements in winter demands design choices to be made prior to ordering any materials. If done correctly, the result is a Bayswater pergola that offers extended usable space for most of the year. If done incorrectly, the result is a temporary structure that functions for three months out of twelve while collecting leaves in the remaining nine.
What an Outdoor Structure Has To Do In Melbourne?
Melbourne has a climate in the oceanic/temperate category which sounds nice, but what this really means is that Melbourne has high UV exposure in summer, unpredictable rain in autumn, colder weather during winter, the occasional southerly that brings cold spells throughout the day, and an aspect to the west that guarantees high temperatures in the afternoon. Any structure built to withstand such an environment has to answer questions of climate and weather. The aim to create a space for use beyond the limitations of an unprotected patio will be determined by the quality of the roof system installed.
Pitched vs Flat: Why the Roof Decision Shapes Everything Else
A pitched roof does a good job of shedding water efficiently, and this is especially important on a flat roof where poorly designed drainage falls can cause long-term ponding issues. The Dutch gable, hip, and skillion configurations all have this advantage and each one looks a bit different when added to an existing roofline. When the pitch of the new roof matches the existing one you get a neat sense of continuation, but if you slap a flat roof on top of a pitched-roof dwelling it can look like a weird afterthought.
Flat roof systems can work pretty well structurally if the drainage, wall junctions, and downpipes are all properly thought through, but in Melbourne’s rainfall you are always going to be playing with fire to some degree. An insulated roof on a pitched frame does a lot for you, especially over multiple seasons; it keeps the heat off in summer and keeps the warmth in during the cooler months.
Shade Battens: What They’re Really Good For
Shade battens let filtered light in and circulate the air better than a solid roof, which is exactly what you want in warmer, drier conditions, but that’s about it. They’re cheaper to build and the structural engineering side of things is easier, but they’re not going to offer you much in the way of rain protection or UV reduction when it’s really hot. You can use them for a few months of the year but if you want to be covered for longer you’ve just got to go with a proper roof.
The decision between a shade batten and a full roof really comes down to being honest with yourself: are you actually going to use the space most of the year, and what’s the weather like in those months? If you’re in Bayswater and you want to use the space come winter or on those unpredictable spring afternoons you won’t be happy with a shade batten; I’d advise looking elsewhere.
Permit Exemptions, But They Might Not Apply After All
Under the Victoria Planning Provisions, a standard open-sided pergolas Bayswater installation that’s not more than 800mm off the ground and no higher than 3 metres is usually exempt from needing a planning permit. This covers most standard pergola installations on standard residential blocks.
However, if your place is in a Heritage or Neighbourhood Character Overlay zone you’re in a different situation; you will need a planning permit, regardless of how small the pergola is. And even then you’ll also need to check that you don’t need a special permit under the City of Knox planning scheme (which runs Bayswater) before you can finalise your design. A building permit is a completely separate thing and usually applies to most pergolas, regardless of the planning permit.
Creating a Whole Outdoor Space
The pergola does its best when you think of it as part of a whole outdoor set-up rather than some afterthought stuck in the middle of the yard. Side columns with a fixed privacy screen define the area and keep the wind out of your hair, which is a nice consideration to think about in advance rather than after you’ve finished the thing.
Adding a gate or a small section of fence that connects the pergola to the rest of the yard brings a bit of cohesion to the whole place without needing to add any extra walls. Extending the pergola with a retaining wall, garden bed, or a path that flows from the pergola does wonders for using the space and creating a proper outdoor room.
