Bioclimatic Pergolas

Motorised aluminium louvres that automatically regulate sunlight, rain, and ventilation. Bespoke installation for terraces and gardens in Barcelona and Madrid.
Bioclimatic Pergolas

Why Cortinsa's bioclimatic pergolas are different

bioclimatic pergola slats

Slats that adapt to every moment

Adjustable from 0° to 120° or retractable depending on the model. Total control of sunlight, ventilation, and rain protection, without manual intervention. Integrated motorisation as standard.

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Tailored for every space

Every installation is designed from scratch: wall-mounted or free-standing, in lacquered aluminium with a choice of finishes. Custom dimensions for terraces, gardens, penthouses and HORECA spaces.

Cortinsa bioclimatic pergola installer
Professional installation with guarantee

Our own measurement and installation team in Barcelona and Madrid. Over 40 years of experience in premium sun protection. Technical response in under 24 hours.

pergolas BIM
BIM Documentation for Architects

Revit (.rfa) and IFC files for all models available in the Cortinsa BIM Library. Technical specification ready to incorporate directly into the project.

BUYING GUIDE

What bioclimatic pergola do you need? A guide to choosing the right system

Orientable louvres or retractable louvres: what is the difference?

The bioclimatic pergolas with adjustable louvres allow you to regulate the angle of inclination from 0° to 120° to control the amount of light and ventilation at any given moment. Pergolas with retractable louvres go a step further: the louvres compact completely, leaving the sky unobstructed. If you want to make the most of the views, retractable louvres are your option. If you prioritise thermal control and continuous solar protection, adjustable louvres offer greater energy efficiency.

A wall-mounted bioclimatic pergola is anchored to the building façade and is ideal when a supporting wall is available — terraces, porches or residential entrances. The freestanding version is self-supported on its own posts, with no need for a supporting structure, and is perfect for gardens, open spaces or HORECA installations where there is no reference wall. Both versions support motorisation and home-automation control.

Motorisation is the standard in high-end installations. A silent tubular motor allows the slats to be opened, closed and oriented from a remote control, touch screen or app. Models with a rain and wind sensor operate autonomously, closing automatically in adverse conditions. The manual option exists on some entry-level models, but for quality residential projects or HORECA spaces we always recommend the motorised bioclimatic pergola version.
For residential terraces and gardens, the priority criteria are aesthetics, motor silence, and architectural integration. For HORECA venues, restaurant terraces, or contract projects, structures with certified higher wind resistance, modular configurations, and technical documentation for the site management are required. Cortinsa serves both profiles with the same technical team and the same reference manufacturers.

It depends on the municipality, the type of building, and whether the installation is attached or freestanding. In general, wall-mounted bioclimatic pergolas may require a minor works permit and authorisation from the owners’ community. Freestanding units on private land are usually exempt. Cortinsa provides advice in each case before the quote and, when necessary, manages the technical documentation for the municipal application.

Available bioclimatic pergola models

Systems of adjustable and retractable blades in custom lacquered aluminium, with complete technical documentation for architects and project managers.

What is the most suitable system for your project?

bioclimatic pergola joy details

Bioclimatic pergola with orientable louvres, total microclimate control

Bioclimatic pergolas with adjustable louvres allow the inclination to be adjusted from 0° to 120° to regulate sunlight entry, natural ventilation and rain protection in a single motorised movement. When closed, the louvres provide a complete watertight seal: water is channelled towards integrated drainage in the uprights. It is the most efficient system for intensive-use terraces, HORECA spaces and residential projects where thermal comfort is a priority. Available models: Gibus Joy, Gibus Twist, Gibus Varia and Gibus Movie.

Bioclimatic pergola with retractable louvres, maximum opening to the sky

Pergolas with retractable louvres incorporate Velvet Motion technology: the louvres compact fully at one end of the structure, completely opening up the view of the sky. In an intermediate position, the variable angle from 0° to 85° creates a comfortable microclimate without any energy consumption. When it rains, the louvres close and water drains away through the integrated downpipes. It is the ideal solution for gardens, rooftop terraces and spaces where views are part of the design. Available models: Gibus Velvet, Gibus Velvet Plus and Gibus Sway.
Sway bioclimatic pergola
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Bioclimatic pergola: wall-mounted or freestanding — which one suits your space?

The wall-mounted version uses the building wall as an anchor point, reducing the number of uprights and optimising usable space. It is the most common configuration for terraces and porches of residential properties. The free-standing version is supported on its own uprights without any structural support, making it the natural choice for independent gardens, pool areas or HORECA installations in open spaces. Both configurations accept add-on modules to cover large surface areas and are available across all Gibus models.

Ready to transform your terrace into a year-round living space?

Professional installation of bespoke bioclimatic pergolas in Barcelona and Madrid. No-obligation technical visit and quote within 48 hours.

Bioclimatic pergolas for every space and use

bioclimatic pergola horeca

Hospitality and catering

Restaurant and hotel terraces with full coverage all year round. Structures certified for intensive use and large surface areas in Barcelona and Madrid.

Velvet bioclimatic pergola header

Luxury residential

Bespoke bioclimatic pergolas for penthouses, villas, and private gardens. Architectural integration, silent motorisation, and premium finishes.

construction solutions

Construction Companies

Contract solutions for corporate headquarters terraces and exterior workspaces. Complete technical documentation for new builds and refurbishment in Madrid and Barcelona.

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Singular projects

Large surfaces, modular configurations and bespoke geometries for architectural projects with specific technical requirements.

Bioclimatic aluminium pergolas: year-round sun protection for terraces and gardens

The bioclimatic pergola is the most advanced sun-protection solution available for outdoor spaces. Unlike a conventional awning, a bioclimatic aluminium pergola is a fixed structure with a motorised louvre roof that simultaneously regulates light intake, ventilation, and rain protection from a single control. It is the option that adds the greatest value to a property and allows the terrace or garden to be used throughout all twelve months of the year, regardless of the weather. At Cortinsa we have been installing bespoke bioclimatic pergolas in Barcelona and Madrid for over four decades, for residential, hospitality, and new-build projects.

What types of bioclimatic pergola are there?

The range of bioclimatic pergolas is divided into two principal technologies according to roof behaviour. Bioclimatic pergolas with adjustable louvres allow the aluminium slats to be rotated from 0° to 120° to regulate the amount of sunlight and ventilation at any time. With the louvres in the closed position the structure is completely waterproof: rainwater is channelled towards the downpipes integrated within the uprights, with no dripping or leaks. They are the most sought-after option for intensively used terraces in both residential and hospitality settings.

Bioclimatic pergolas with retractable louvres add the possibility of folding the louvres away completely, leaving the sky fully open. The Gibus Velvet and Velvet Plus models incorporate the Velvet Motion patent, which allows the louvres to be rotated from 0° to 85° or retracted entirely in a single motorised movement. The retractable bioclimatic pergola model Gibus Sway also permits retraction within a minimal footprint, ideal for urban terraces with height restrictions. For those who want maximum opening in summer and total protection when the weather demands it, this is the most complete solution.

For large surface areas, modular bioclimatic pergola systems allow several modules to be joined sharing intermediate uprights, covering hospitality terraces, corporate spaces, or contract installations of up to 100 m² or more without visible intermediate supports.

Wall-mounted or freestanding bioclimatic pergola: when to choose each option

One of the most important decisions when choosing a bespoke bioclimatic pergola is the structural configuration. The wall-mounted bioclimatic pergola is anchored to the building façade as a rear support point, reducing the number of uprights and facilitating architectural integration on residential terraces, penthouses, and urban spaces with limited room. It is the most common configuration in residential installations in Barcelona and Madrid.

The freestanding bioclimatic pergola requires no supporting wall: it stands on its own uprights and is the natural solution for open gardens, pool areas, and HORECA installations where no façade is available. Both configurations accept coupled modules and are available across all Gibus models in the Cortinsa catalogue. Our technical team assesses which configuration is most suitable for each space during the survey visit, at no additional cost.

Motorised bioclimatic pergola: automation, sensors, and home automation

All motorised bioclimatic pergola systems installed by Cortinsa incorporate low-consumption Somfy motors compatible with the principal home-automation protocols. The motorisation allows automatic positions to be programmed according to solar orientation, emergency closure to be triggered in wind or rain via integrated sensors, and multiple modules to be managed from a single control point. For installations in hospitality projects, centralised management is particularly relevant: it allows the entire covered surface to be opened and closed simultaneously with an immediate response to changes in weather.

A correctly installed rain-proof bioclimatic pergola channels water towards the downpipes integrated within the uprights without the need for external guttering. This solution is especially valued on restaurant and hotel terraces where operations cannot be interrupted by rain. Rain and wind sensors are standard on all intensive-use projects carried out by Cortinsa.

Bioclimatic pergola: price, maintenance, and technical specification

The price of a bioclimatic pergola depends on several factors: the model chosen, the dimensions, the wall-mounted or freestanding configuration, the type of motorisation, and the custom RAL finishes. Unlike provisional solutions, a professionally installed aluminium pergola complies with European technical regulations, carries CE marking, and comes with a manufacturer’s warranty on structure and mechanisms. Powder-coated aluminium guarantees freedom from corrosion in coastal and urban environments with minimal maintenance.

Among the most frequently queried drawbacks of bioclimatic pergolas, the installation cost compared to textile solutions is the most prominent. However, the service life of a bioclimatic aluminium pergola far exceeds that of any textile awning, and the absence of structural maintenance offsets the initial investment within 5 to 8 years in intensive-use installations. For architects and engineers requiring a technical specification for a bioclimatic pergola in a project, all Gibus systems available at Cortinsa include BIM files in Revit (.rfa) and IFC format in our BIM Library, available upon free professional registration.

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Installation of bioclimatic pergolas in Barcelona and Madrid

Cortinsa has been installing bioclimatic pergolas in Barcelona and the greater metropolitan area for over 40 years. The most common projects in Barcelona include restaurant and hotel terraces in the Eixample and El Born, private gardens in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi and Pedralbes, penthouses in Sant Cugat and Castelldefels, and hospitality terraces along the Costa Garraf and Sitges. Bioclimatic pergola installation in Barcelona often requires coordination with the residents’ association and assessment of the anchor type available on the façade — formalities that our technical team handles from the very first visit.

In Madrid, we install bioclimatic pergolas on residential projects in Salamanca, Chamberí and La Moraleja, corporate terraces in the CBD and business zones of Las Rozas and Pozuelo, and hospitality spaces in the city centre and in municipalities to the north and north-west of the capital. Demand for bioclimatic pergolas in Madrid has grown particularly in the rehabilitation of landmark buildings and in new high-end residential developments.

Our in-house technical team carries out the site survey, project design, installation and after-sales service in both cities, with no subcontracting. If you need a quote for a bespoke bioclimatic pergola, you can request a technical visit with no obligation within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions about bioclimatic pergolas

What is the difference between a bioclimatic pergola and a pergola awning?

A bioclimatic pergola has a fixed aluminium structure with a motorised louvre roof: it is waterproof when the louvres are closed and allows year-round use. A pergola awning has a retractable textile roof that retracts completely when not needed. If your priority is to use the terrace in rain and regulate ventilation precisely, choose a bioclimatic pergola. If you prefer a completely open sky in summer with a lower initial investment, the pergola awning is the most suitable alternative.

Yes. A bioclimatic pergola for rain with the louvres in the closed position is completely watertight. Water is channelled towards the integrated downpipes in the aluminium posts with no dripping or external leakage. Gibus systems incorporate patented sealing between the louvres and the perimeter to guarantee watertightness even in heavy rain. In the safety position for snow, the louvres are set at 90° to facilitate the evacuation of accumulated weight.

Gibus models in the Cortinsa catalogue are certified for wind resistance class 3 in accordance with European standards, making them suitable for installations in coastal and exposed locations. Somfy motorisation incorporates a wind sensor that automatically closes the louvres when the programmed speed threshold is exceeded, protecting the structure autonomously. For projects in high wind-exposure areas in Barcelona or Madrid, our technical team assesses the most appropriate configuration during the site survey.

It depends on the municipality and the characteristics of the installation. In general, a wall-mounted bioclimatic pergola on a private dwelling requires prior notification to the residents’ association and, in some cases, a minor municipal building permit. Installations in hospitality premises or corporate buildings may require a signed technical project. Cortinsa advises on the necessary procedures in each case and can provide the technical documentation required for the municipal file in Barcelona and Madrid.

The usual lead time from order approval to installation is 4 to 6 weeks for Gibus models. On-site installation takes one or two days depending on the area and complexity of the project. The complete process includes a technical survey visit, preparation of a bespoke project, custom manufacturing at the factory, and assembly by Cortinsa’s own technical team — no subcontractors — in both Barcelona and Madrid.

Bioclimatic pergolas with adjustable louvres are the most versatile option for year-round use: they allow light to be regulated from 0° to 120° and are completely waterproof when the louvres are closed. Pergolas with retractable louvres add the possibility of folding the louvres away completely to leave the sky open, ideal for those who want maximum aperture in summer. If the primary use is sun and rain protection, choose adjustable louvres. If you value full opening, choose retractable louvres.

Yes. All Gibus models available at Cortinsa include BIM files in Revit (.rfa) and IFC formats for specification in architecture and engineering projects. The files are available in our BIM Library upon free professional registration. They include parametric geometry, technical data, and solar factor for integration into energy-efficiency models. For new-build or refurbishment projects requiring additional documentation, our technical team can liaise directly with the site management.
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Real Cortinsa installations in Barcelona and Madrid

Over 40 years installing solar protection and textile decoration systems in residential, hospitality and corporate projects across Barcelona, Madrid and the metropolitan area

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