Double axis of excellent tightness - revolutionary technology for closing the roof in bioclimatic pergolas

Imagine the perfect summer evening. You sit comfortably on the terrace under an elegant bioclimatic pergola, enjoying a glass of wine and chatting with friends. Suddenly the wind breaks, and the first thunder of the oncoming storm is heard in the distance. In a traditional pergola, this would be a signal to move home quickly. But not this time.

“When I saw raindrops running down the closed slats, not believing my own eyes, I got up and touched the roof from below - it was completely dry,” recalls Marek, owner of one of the first Solar Breaker pergolas with a double axis system. “In the previous pergola, we always had to run home at the first sign of rain, because water was leaking through the gaps between the slats.”

The problem Marek talks about is a real nightmare for users of traditional bioclimatic pergolas. All by the way their lamellas close. In standard solutions available on the market, the lamellas simply rotate around their axis. When they are closed, a considerable gap remains between them and the gutter - at least half the width of the lamellas. It's like trying to stop the rain with an umbrella with a hole in the middle.

“In the first pergola we installed on our terrace, during the heavier rain, water leaked onto the table and sofa. We had to buy special furniture covers,” says Anna, who after two years of using the standard pergola decided to replace it with a model with a double axis system. “The most annoying thing was that during the rain the lamellas made loud, metallic sounds. Instead of relaxing to the sound of rain, we had a drum concert.”

The problem of leakage of traditional pergolas is especially acute in transitional periods - spring and autumn. When the temperature outside drops and we would like to take advantage of infrared heating to extend the season of use of the terrace, warm air escapes through the gaps between the slats. It's like trying to heat a room with the window ajar - no matter how powerful the heater is, a significant part of the energy is simply wasted.

“Some manufacturers try to mask this problem by installing additional gaskets or masking profiles,” explains Tomasz Nowak, an engineer with 15 years of experience in the shading system industry. “But it's like sticking a patch on a broken leg. The problem lies in the design itself - the traditional single-axis system of rotation is simply not able to provide complete tightness.”

Moreover, leakage problems have a direct impact on the comfort of use and operating costs. Owners of traditional pergolas often complain about:

• The need for constant monitoring of the weather forecast
• Higher heating bills on colder days
• Limited opportunities to use the terrace during rain
• Damage to garden furniture by water
• Noise during strong wind or rain

These inconveniences make the space, which was supposed to serve relaxation all year round, become useful mainly on sunny, windless days. This is a big compromise, especially considering that a bioclimatic pergola is an investment of several tens of thousands of zlotys.

“After three seasons of using a standard pergola, I counted all the additional costs - replacement of soaked pillows, increased electricity consumption for heating, special covers for furniture. It all amounted to a considerable sum,” concludes Piotr, a landscape architect who often encounters similar stories from clients in his professional practice.

Solution

So how to solve the problem of leaks in bioclimatic pergolas? Solar Breaker engineers have approached this challenge in a completely new way, inspired by... solutions from aviation.

“When we designed the new lamella closure system, we analyzed the mechanisms used in aircraft flaps,” explains Michał Kowalski, chief designer at Solar Breaker. “In aviation, every millimeter counts for aerodynamics, and mechanisms must work reliably in extreme conditions. That's where we found inspiration for the dual-axis system.”

The double axis system is a groundbreaking solution that completely changes the way the slats in a pergola close. Instead of a simple rotational movement, each lamella performs a complex movement along a precisely designed curve. When the closing process begins, the lamellas not only rotate, but also move towards the gutter. In the final position, they practically come into contact with the gutter profile, forming an almost hermetic closure.

“It's a bit like exactly closing a door in a luxury car,” Kowalski compares. “It's not enough for the door leaf to rotate - it also has to make a precise movement that will squeeze the seals and ensure a perfect fit. In our pergolas, we achieved a similar effect.”

At the heart of the system is a patented mechanism that synchronizes the rotational movement with the progressive movement. Each lamella is equipped with specially designed guides and bearings that provide smooth, quiet movement without the slightest vibration. The system has been tested under extreme conditions:

• In a climate chamber simulating heavy rain (intensity 200mm/h)
• With gusts of wind up to 180 km/h
• In a cycle of 10,000 openings and closings
• Temperature range from -30°C to +60°C

“During the tests in the wind tunnel, we were able to precisely measure how the system copes with different types of precipitation,” says Dr. Anna Witkowska from the research laboratory. “Even with the simulation of a stinging rain combined with a strong wind, the water did not get under the roof.”

Moreover, the double axis system also solves the noise problem. In traditional pergolas, the sound is created when water or wind tries to penetrate through the gaps between the slats. In the Solar Breaker system, the slats form a uniform surface that effectively silences the sounds of rain and wind.

“It's like the difference between a regular roof and a panoramic roof in a car,” explains Kowalski. “In a standard sunroof, you can always hear the wind whistling and the sound of rain. Panoramic roof with precise seals provides almost complete silence. We achieved a similar difference in acoustic comfort in our pergolas.”

An additional advantage of the system is its reliability. The double-axis mechanism, despite its complexity, is designed for long-term, trouble-free operation. All moving elements are made of high-quality materials resistant to corrosion and mechanical wear. Specially developed gaskets retain their properties even after years of exposure to changing weather conditions.

“Unlike competitive solutions, which often require seasonal adjustment and tightening of loose elements, our system requires virtually no maintenance,” emphasizes Kowalski. “It's the result of precision craftsmanship and the use of the highest quality components.”

Solution

The use of a dual axis system in Solar Breaker pergolas brings users a number of tangible benefits that completely change the way they use their patio space.

“When we installed a new pergola, our terrace turned into a real summer living room, which we can use practically all year round,” says Małgorzata, who runs a popular account on arranging gardens on Instagram. “Previously, we had to constantly check the weather forecast. Now we just enjoy time outdoors, regardless of the conditions.”

Let's take a closer look at how the dual axis system translates into everyday pergola use. First of all, the complete tightness of the roof means that the space under the pergola becomes fully functional even during heavy rainfall. We can safely leave electronics, books or pillows there - everything will remain dry.

“In the restaurant I run, a pergola with a double axis system has completely transformed our garden,” says Krzysztof, owner of a popular Warsaw restaurant. “Previously, any rain forecast meant cancelled bookings. Now our guests can enjoy a meal outdoors even during a downpour. Moreover, they no longer hear the annoying clicking of drops against the metal slats.”

Another significant benefit is energy savings. Thanks to excellent tightness, warm air does not escape through the gaps in the roof. In practice, this means that infrared heaters work much more efficiently. Users report up to 40% lower energy consumption for heating compared to traditional pergolas.

“We carried out detailed thermal imaging studies during cold evenings,” explains Dr. Witkowska. “In standard pergolas, escaping heat was clearly visible. In a double-axis system, heat losses were minimal, comparable to well-insulated windows.”

The system also brings long-term financial benefits:

• Lower electricity bills
• No need to purchase additional furniture covers
• Longer life of garden furniture
• Lower maintenance costs
• Higher property value

“As a property appraiser, I can confirm that a high-quality bioclimatic pergola can increase the value of a property by up to 5-7%," notes Andrzej Nowicki, an expert on the real estate market. “Especially if we are talking about premium solutions that actually increase the functionality of the space all year round.”

Importantly, the dual axis system is not only suitable for new installations. Solar Breaker also offers the ability to retrofit existing pergolas. “It's like replacing an old window with a new, energy-efficient one,” explains Kowalski. “The investment pays off not only in comfort, but also in real savings.”

Looking to the future, dual-axis technology opens up new opportunities for development. Solar Breaker engineers are already working on integrating the system with smart weather sensors that will automatically adjust the position of the slats to weather conditions.

“This is only the beginning of a revolution in the field of bioclimatic pergolas,” concludes Kowalski. “Our dual axis system shows that even in such a technologically mature industry, groundbreaking innovations can still be made that truly improve the quality of life for users.”

Did you know that...? The dual axis system in the Solar Breaker pergolas is inspired by the mechanisms used in the flaps of passenger aircraft, where the closing precision must be absolute even at speeds exceeding 900 km/h. The same technology, adapted to the needs of the architecture, ensures unprecedented tightness in bioclimatic pergolas.

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