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Opening louvre roof vs shade sail

Cost: A fixed canopy costs less per m² than an opening louvre roof - use the price calculator for an indicative figure.
Flexibility: Fixed canopy is always covered; louvre roof adjusts to conditions on demand.
Maintenance: Fixed canopy needs only cleaning and a fixings check; a louvre roof has a motor, drainage channels and pivot points to keep serviced.
Consent complexity: Both depend on the specific structure, but the electrical work for a motorised system is an extra factor to plan for.
Lifespan: Both use aluminium framing and are built to last well beyond their warranty period with basic care - fewer moving parts on a fixed canopy is one reason it needs less attention over time.

Shade sails are a quick way to cut summer sun. A louvre roof does that and keeps the rain off too.

Side by side

	Opening Louvres	Shade sail
Rain	Blades close flat into a watertight roof	Most fabrics let rain through or sag under it
UV	100% UV protection when closed	Partial, depending on the fabric
Control	Angle or open the blades by remote	Fixed tension - take down to adjust
Wind	Rated for winds up to 200 km/h	Usually taken down before strong winds
Lighting	Integrated LED lighting available	None
Seasons	Year-round	Mostly summer

Choose a louvre roof for a space you want to use in rain, wind and evenings, not just on sunny days.

Choose a shade sail for simple, seasonal summer shade.