Active. Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 -- November 30. NOAA forecasts an above-normal 2026 season. If you live in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, the Carolinas, or coastal Georgia -- inspect your pergola anchors now.

Pre-storm checklist

Tighten all anchor bolts -- 8 ft+ post lengths need re-torque every spring
Remove or close louvers if your model supports closed-louver wind mode
Take down fabric canopies, shade cloth, string lights
Bring in lightweight furniture, umbrellas, planters
Inspect roof drains, gutters, and downspouts (debris = wind sail)
Photograph the structure for insurance baseline

Live NOAA Tropical Systems

No tropical cyclones currently tracked by the National Hurricane Center. The basin map is quiet.

Wind-rating reference

Wind	What survives
up to 50 mph	Most wooden + light aluminum pergolas
50 -- 100 mph	Bolted aluminum kits with concrete piers
100 -- 130 mph	Engineered louvered systems (Renson, Hanso, Sorara)
130 -- 180 mph	Hurricane-rated only (custom engineering)

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Top picks across categories -- aluminum kits, louvered systems, wooden pavilions.

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Renson pergola

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Luxury pergola

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Hanso Pergola

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Category: Sorara pergola

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Yardistry 10′ x 12′ Pergola

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US Wind Risk Zones

Where you build determines what you need. Higher zone numbers = higher required wind rating.

Zone I -- 85 mph (inland MW, mountain west)

Zone II -- 110 mph (most of central US)

Zone III -- 130 mph (Gulf, Atlantic coast)

Zone IV -- 180 mph (South Florida, hurricane corridor)

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Full Pergola Library

Every review on PergolaPress, alphabetical.

Pergola Buying FAQ

What wind rating do I need in my area?

Look up your county's design wind speed in the ASCE 7-22 wind hazard tool or check your local building code. Most of central US needs 90-110 mph. Coastal Florida, Louisiana, Texas Gulf and the Outer Banks need 130-180 mph. If your contractor cannot tell you the rated wind speed of the kit, treat it as 50 mph and assume it will not survive a hurricane.

Aluminum or wood -- which lasts longer?

Powder-coated aluminum will outlast wood by 3-5x in any climate that sees rain, salt or freeze-thaw cycles. Wood looks better the first year, aluminum looks better every year after.

Do louvered roofs leak?

Properly engineered ones (Renson, Hanso, Sorara, Luxury) have integrated gutters in the rafters and corner downspouts. Cheaper kits skip the gutter system -- water pools and drips through the louver gaps.

How long does installation take?

DIY aluminum kit on existing concrete: 6-10 hours. Pro-installed louvered system with new footings: 2-3 days. Custom wood pavilion with electrical: 1-2 weeks.

Are these pergolas hurricane-rated?

Only specific models. Renson Camargue Sky, Sorara louvered series in storm spec, and Luxury Pergola with deep footings are engineered for 130+ mph. Always ask for the specific ICC-ES report number or local code approval before assuming.

Can I add solar panels?

To louvered systems -- yes, if your installer specs the rafters for the added dead load. To standard kits -- not safely; the spans are not engineered for panel weight plus wind uplift.

Ready to pick?

Start with your climate zone, then compare 2-3 models. We have field tests for every brand sold on Amazon US.

Start with climate