Common questions

Yes — that is the whole idea. The panels mount on top of your existing pergola, patio or porch frame. We come out, measure what you have, and work out what it needs. You do not have to tear anything down and start again.

Yes, and it matters more than people expect. Water has to run off rather than sit on top. The Hercules system needs at least a quarter-inch of fall per foot; Apollo needs half an inch per foot. Without that you get pooling, then debris, then algae — and a cover that does not last as long as it should.

Most are, and it is fixable. Slope gets added with shims along the rafters, or with SkyLift roof risers where the pergola ties into the house. The risers bolt through the roof into the wall’s top plate, flashing included, which lifts the whole structure and gives you the fall you need plus a bit of headroom.

Depends which one you buy. Hercules is the sealed, four-wall system — water runs off it and what is underneath stays dry. Apollo is the entry-level panel: it takes the sun and the weather off, and it still needs its slope so rain runs away properly.

Up to 20 degrees underneath, and the difference in glare is bigger than the difference in temperature. The panels carry UV protection, so you and your furniture stop taking the full force of the sun.

That is what these are built for. The panels are SkyPoly polycarbonate — hail resistant, UV stable and Class A fire rated. Hercules is warrantied by the manufacturer for wind up to 125 mph and Apollo up to 116 mph when braced properly. They will not melt and they do not go brittle in the sun.

Bronze, clear and ice white as standard, on both Hercules and Apollo. Bronze cuts the most light, clear keeps the space brightest, and ice white sits in between. Custom colours are available on Hercules for a small upcharge. Ask and we will show you what each one looks like.

Plenty of people do, and we sell to DIY customers every bit as happily as we install. Apollo is the easier of the two to handle. Send us the measurements of what you are covering and we will size the order, sort the connectors and hardware, and make sure it is right before it leaves.

Yes, with clearance. The manufacturer asks for at least six feet between the top of the flame and the underside of the cover. The panels are Class A fire rated, but heat still needs somewhere to go.

It depends on your city or county, and on what you are attaching to. The materials themselves are NOA approved, which is what most inspectors want to see. Tell us where you are and what you have got and we will tell you what your local office is likely to want.

It comes down to the size of the structure, which system you pick, and whether you want it installed or you are building it yourself. There is no flat rate worth quoting. Call 806-484-2866 with the dimensions of your pergola and we will price it properly.

Morris Patios is based in Amarillo, TX and covers the Texas Panhandle. Canyon, Hereford, Dumas, Borger, Pampa, Dalhart, Perryton and a long list besides. If you are in the Panhandle, ask — chances are we can get to you.