Pergola wind claims: what evidence should you ask for?

Ask what a wind statement actually applies to

A performance statement is meaningful only when its scope is understood. A product family name or an impressive photograph does not explain the dimensions, attachments and conditions covered by a claim. Before comparing statements, ask which configuration they describe and what evidence supports them. This is particularly important when the proposed project differs from the example used in promotional material.

For a TTH Pergola enquiry, identify the intended model, footprint and side accessories, then request the relevant design or test information for review. The profile tables and real photographs on tthpergola.com support product understanding, but they are not themselves a site-specific wind assessment. Keep any qualifications attached to a supplied statement rather than quoting the headline alone. A change in layout or enclosure may require the responsible reviewer to reconsider the proposal. This approach does not make the buying process less practical; it makes the comparison more useful. The question becomes whether the documented arrangement fits the actual project, rather than which supplier uses the strongest adjective.

Ask what the statement applies to

A wind-related claim is only useful when its scope is clear. Ask which model, dimensions, roof position and accessory arrangement it covers, and what supporting documentation is available. A family photograph or a thicker profile does not establish a rating for every configuration. Avoid transferring a figure from one product or test arrangement to another simply because both are described as aluminium pergolas.

Include the installation conditions

The supporting surface, anchors, connections and site exposure are part of the project review. Ask the responsible parties how the proposed installation relates to the evidence being supplied. Side enclosures and changes to the footprint can also affect the configuration under consideration. Do not assume a product statement replaces the local assessment needed for a particular site. The supplier should identify any conditions or limitations rather than leaving them implicit.

Keep operating guidance separate

A structural statement and an instruction about when to operate the roof are different things. Request the guidance for the installed system and make it available to its users. Do not test a claim by deliberately operating equipment in unusual conditions. Before ordering, keep the claimed performance, its supporting scope and the required site checks together in the specification. This produces a more meaningful comparison than selecting the largest number in a marketing table. If the project changes after the initial review, ask whether the supplied evidence still covers the revised arrangement and keep the answer with the updated project drawings.

• Identify the exact tested or assessed configuration.
• Review site and fixing conditions.
• Request the applicable operating instructions separately.

Can I apply a rating from a similar-looking pergola?

No. Similar appearance does not establish the same configuration or evidence scope. Ask for documentation that corresponds to the proposed TTH system and have its relevance to the site checked.