Louvre roof cost in Australia: what an opening roof pergola costs in 2026
BeforeAdjustable Louvre PergolaA louvre roof costs about $28,000 to $33,000 for a 6 × 4.5 m attached opening roof pergola in WA or SA, and about $32,000 to $37,500 in NSW and the ACT. It is the most expensive patio or pergola roof we price, because you are paying for an engineered roof with moving blades, a drive system and drainage.
These are indicative installed ranges for 2026, including GST. Size, motorisation, sensors and your site decide where you land.
Louvre roof cost by size and state
The table shows our indicative installed prices for an Adjustable Louvre Pergola in three sizes: small (3 × 3 m), medium (5 × 4 m) and large (6 × 4.5 m).
| Size | WA | SA | VIC | QLD | NSW | ACT | TAS | NT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 3 m | $13,500 to $15,500 | $13,500 to $15,500 | $14,000 to $16,500 | $14,500 to $17,000 | $15,500 to $18,000 | $15,500 to $18,000 | $15,000 to $17,500 | $16,000 to $19,000 |
| 5 × 4 m | $20,500 to $24,500 | $20,500 to $24,500 | $21,500 to $25,500 | $22,500 to $26,000 | $24,000 to $28,000 | $24,000 to $28,000 | $23,000 to $27,000 | $25,000 to $29,000 |
| 6 × 4.5 m | $28,000 to $33,000 | $28,000 to $33,000 | $29,500 to $34,500 | $30,000 to $35,500 | $32,000 to $37,500 | $32,000 to $37,500 | $31,500 to $36,500 | $33,500 to $39,500 |
Adjustable Louvre Pergola, indicative installed prices including GST, attached, rounded. Updated 28 October 2026.
For a 27 m² roof, that works out to roughly $1,220 to $1,690 per square metre, depending on the state. For comparison, an insulated Colorbond patio of the same size in WA is about $15,000 to $17,500.
How an opening roof pergola works
An adjustable louvre roof is a frame filled with long blades that rotate. Tilt them open for sun and airflow, angle them to block the hottest light, or close them flat to shed rain. When closed, the water runs off the blades into a drainage system and out through the gutters and downpipes.
That flexibility is the whole point. You get a pergola feel on a mild winter day and a covered alfresco area when a storm rolls in.
Motorised vs manual louvres
Louvre systems are operated in one of two ways.
Manual louvres
The blades are turned by hand, usually with a winder or lever. Some suppliers, such as those using Somfy motors, note that their louvred roofs have long been offered in both manual and electric versions.
- Lower cost: no motor, controls or electrician.
- Simple: fewer parts to service.
- Less convenient: someone has to go out and turn the blades, including when rain arrives.
Motorised louvres
A motor turns the blades at the press of a button. With motor brands such as Somfy, you can run the roof from a remote or a phone app.
- Convenient: adjust the roof from your chair or from inside.
- Automation: add sensors so the roof reacts to the weather.
- Higher cost: the motor, controls and power supply add to the price, and wiring needs a licensed electrician.
In Queensland, the Electrical Safety Office says DIY electrical work is illegal and carries heavy fines, so the motor circuit must be installed by a licensed electrician.
Rain sensors and other automation
A motorised roof can be linked to weather sensors. Somfy, for example, sells rain, sun and wind sensors for motorised pergolas, which are used to automate the movement of the slats.
- Rain sensor: set up to close the blades when rain is detected, protecting your outdoor furniture.
- Wind sensor: helps protect the structure in strong wind.
- Sun sensor: adjusts the blades as the light changes.
Sensors add to the price, and each one needs to be compatible with your motor and controller. Ask what happens in a power cut, and whether there is a manual override.
BeforeAdjustable Louvre PergolaWhat pushes the price of a louvre roof up?
These are the main reasons two louvre quotes for the same backyard can be far apart:
- Size and span: large roofs may need extra beams, posts or a split into two or more bays.
- Motor and controls: a motorised roof costs more than a manual one.
- Sensors: rain, wind and sun sensors are usually extras.
- Lighting and heating: LED strip lights in the frame and heaters add electrical work. See our patio extras cost guide.
- Side screens and blinds: these turn the area into an outdoor room but add a large line item.
- Freestanding vs attached: a freestanding louvre pavilion needs posts and footings on every corner.
- Height and access: a double-storey connection or a tight side path adds labour.
- Approvals and engineering: most councils want plans and structural details for a roof this size.
Do you need council approval for a louvre roof?
Usually, at a typical patio size. In WA, the City of Belmont defines a pergola as an open-framed structure with a water-permeable covering or an operable louvred roof. Belmont says a pergola attached to a house can be exempt only if it is under 20 m² and no higher than 2.4 m.
In NSW, exempt development is capped at 25 m² per structure and 3 m in height, among other conditions. A 6 × 4.5 m louvre roof is 27 m², so in both cases you should plan for approval. Our council approval guide explains the steps.
Is a louvre roof worth the cost?
A louvre roof suits you if you want sun in winter, shade in summer and cover from rain, all in one structure. It also suits homes where a solid roof would darken the living room behind it.
If you mostly need year-round shade and rain cover, an insulated patio gives that for much less. If you mainly want filtered shade, a fixed aluminium slat pergola costs about $13,000 to $15,500 in WA for the same size.
How to get an exact louvre roof price
Ask for a site measure and a written quote that lists the blade system, the motor brand, every sensor and the drainage details. Ask for a manual and a motorised price side by side.
Not sure a louvre roof will suit your house? Backyard Mate lets you upload one photo and see an adjustable louvre pergola on your own home in about 30 seconds, with an indicative price for your state.
Common questions
How much does a louvre roof cost?
A 6 × 4.5 m adjustable louvre pergola is about $28,000 to $33,000 installed in WA and SA, about $30,000 to $35,500 in Queensland and about $32,000 to $37,500 in NSW. These are indicative ranges including GST.
Is a louvre roof waterproof when closed?
Closed louvres are designed to shed rain into a drainage system rather than let it through. How well that works in heavy, wind-driven rain depends on the system and the installation, so ask the installer about blade seals and gutter capacity.
Are manual louvres cheaper than motorised?
Yes, manual operation removes the cost of the motor, controls and wiring. Some systems are offered in both versions, so ask for a price on each before you decide.
Do I need council approval for a louvre roof?
Usually, at a typical patio size. In WA, the City of Belmont classes an operable louvred roof as a pergola, and a pergola over 20 m² or over 2.4 m high needs a permit. In NSW, exempt development is limited to 25 m² per structure.
Keep reading
Sources
- Sensors for motorized pergolas | Somfy
- Motorized Pergolas are an Outdoor Living Game-Changer | Somfy
- Patios, Pergolas & Shade Sails (in Residential Areas) | City of Belmont
- Balconies, Decks and Patios | NSW Planning Portal
- Don't do your own electrical work | Electrical Safety Office Queensland
Prices on this page come from Backyard Mate's pricing for each state and are indicative only. Rules and products change: check with your council and installer before you build.