Louvred Roofs and Pergolas in Thirroul

A louvred roof for chasing the Thirroul winter sun

The escarpment sits to the west of the northern suburbs, so the afternoon sun disappears behind it early in winter. The Illawarra Flame has written about homes on the upper slopes losing direct sun before midday around the solstice, while around Surfers Parade in Thirroul the sun was still shining at 4pm.

Wherever your home sits, a fixed roof would block the low winter sun you do get. With a louvred roof you open the blades right up on a cold June day and let that light reach the deck and the rooms behind it, then close them down to filtered shade when summer comes back. It means a warm spot for morning coffee in winter and a cool one for long lunches in summer.

Weatherboard cottages, new builds and sloping blocks

Council's character statement for Thirroul talks about weatherboard bungalows from the 1920s and 1930s, fibro homes along the coastal strip, and newer split level and two storey homes on the foothill slopes. Each of those needs a slightly different approach.

On an older cottage, an attached louvre roof can connect at the fascia or a wall, turning the back step into a proper outdoor room. On a sloping block, a freestanding louvred pergola can sit on a lower terrace or beside a pool, wherever the flat ground and the view happen to be. With the blades open, you look up to sky rather than a sheet of roofing.

When the rain comes down hard

Storms here can arrive fast and drop a lot of water. In February 2023, several hours of heavy rain left Thirroul's main street awash and caused damage across the city.

Shut the louvres and they lock together into a weathertight roof, with a concealed gutter in the frame taking the runoff to the downpipes. On a motorised roof, the rain sensor reacts to the first drops and the wind sensor to a strong gust, closing everything up while you are out. You come back to dry cushions and a dry deck instead of a puddle under the table.

Choosing your louvred roof or pergola

We build with powder coated aluminium for the frame and blades, a metal that will not rust in the salt air near the beach. From there you choose how it runs and what you add.

• Motor control from a handheld remote or a switch on the wall, with smart home control available
• A manual crank for smaller decks
• Rain and wind sensors that close the roof automatically
• LED lighting, ceiling fans and heating for nights outside
• Zip screens or glass doors on the side that takes the southerly

Approvals, heritage and what affects the price

Some opening roofs can be built without a full application, but it depends on the size, height and setbacks, and on whether your lot has heritage, flood or other controls. Thirroul has a number of heritage items and a village character the council wants to keep, so check with Wollongong City Council before you build. If you are in a strata complex, talk to the owners corporation too.

Price depends mostly on how big the roof is, whether it fixes to the house or stands alone, how it is operated, and extras like sensors, lighting, heating and screens. Site exposure and access count too.

Booking a measure in Thirroul

Call us and we will come out to look at the space, check where the sun and wind hit, and measure up. We bring samples and show you how the louvres open and close, so you know what you are getting.

Your quote is free and written in plain terms. The people who install your roof are our own team, and we go through the warranty with you when you get the quote.