Markilux Pergola Classic Retractable Canopy System - Coupled Unit

• System Type: Coupled retractable pergola awning system (two units joined side-by-side).
• Operation: Electric motor operation as standard (Hardwired switch control).
• Motor Upgrades: Options for Radio Remote Control (RTS) or Somfy io-homecontrol (Smart Home compatible). Silentec acoustic motor available.
• Fabric Retention: Markilux tracfix system – fabric is zipped into the side guide tracks for high wind stability and a gap-free appearance.
• Framework: Extruded aluminium cassette and guide tracks. Powder-coated finish.
• Cassette: Fully enclosed oval cassette protects the fabric and mechanism when retracted.
• Support Posts: Round support posts supplied as standard. Square posts available as an option.
• Post Fixing: Fixed ground anchor plates supplied as standard (requires concrete foundation). Optional weighted stability boxes available.
• Coupling: Units are mechanically coupled to create a continuous cover. Depending on width, a centre roll-tex bearing or additional support track may be used to join the fabric rolls visually.
• Dimensions (Coupled Unit):
  • Max Width: 12,000mm (at 4500mm projection)
  • Max Width: 10,000mm (at 6000mm projection)
• Installation Requirements: Requires a structural wall for the rear cassette fixture and solid foundations (concrete pads) for all support posts.
• Wind Resistance: Rated up to Beaufort Force 6 (approx. 28-30 mph) when fully extended, thanks to the tracfix system and front post support.

Installing a coupled Markilux Pergola 110 is a substantial project involving a large-scale structural assembly. Due to the size, weight, and technical alignment required to join two units seamlessly, we strongly recommend this system is installed by professional tradespeople or highly experienced builders.

Installation Level: Advanced / Professional
Required Manpower: Minimum 3-4 People (due to cassette weight and length)

Critical Pre-Installation Checks

• Structural Integrity: The rear wall must be capable of supporting significant loads. A chemical anchor system is almost always required for brickwork.
• Foundation Stability: The three (or more) front support posts require substantial concrete footings (typically 500mm x 500mm x 500mm minimum) to withstand wind uplift forces.
• Electrical Supply: A suitable mains power supply (fused spur) must be available near the motor position (usually on the left or right hand side of the cassette).

Installation Overview

The installation of a coupled unit is more complex than a single awning:

1. Setting Out: Precise marking of the wall brackets is vital. The spacing must account for the exact "coupling distance" between the two cassettes to ensure the central guide rails meet perfectly.
2. Cassette Mounting: The two separate cassettes are heavy. You will need lifting equipment (such as a genie lift) or a strong team to safely lift and secure them to the wall brackets.
3. Guide Rail & Post Assembly: The side channels are attached to the cassettes and the front posts.
   Crucial Step: The central junction where the two units meet usually shares a central double-post or a specific coupling bracket. This alignment must be millimetre-perfect to ensure both fabrics run parallel.
4. Squaring the System: The entire frame must be measured diagonally to ensure it is perfectly square. Any "twist" in the frame will cause the fabric to track incorrectly.
5. Motor Limit Setting: The electronic limits of the motor(s) must be set to ensure the fabric stops at the correct tension point and retracts fully into the cassette.

Heavy Lifting Warning

Please be aware that a coupled cassette can span up to 12 metres. Even delivered in two sections, these components are heavy. Ensure you have planned for safe manual handling or mechanical lifting on site.

Documentation: A full technical installation manual specific to the coupled Markilux Pergola 110 is supplied with the delivery. Please read this in full before commencing work.

Markilux Manufacturer's Warranty

Markilux is widely recognised as one of the world's leading awning manufacturers, engineering products that are "Safe. Timeless. Beautiful." All Markilux systems are made to order in Germany and undergo rigorous quality control testing before shipping.

Warranty Coverage

• 5-Year Guarantee: Covers the structural integrity of the awning framework, cassette, and mechanical components against manufacturing defects.
• 5-Year Guarantee: Covers the Markilux fabric collection (Sunvas, Sunsilk, and Visutex ranges) against abnormal fading, rot, or disintegration.
• 5-Year Guarantee: Covers the Somfy motor and electric drive unit (subject to correct wiring and installation).

Conditions of Warranty

This warranty provides for the supply of replacement parts for any component found to be defective due to a manufacturing fault. As a "supply only" product, the warranty does not cover the labour costs associated with removing or reinstalling the unit.

Crucial Exclusions & Care Advice:

• Installation Quality: For a coupled system of this size (up to 12m wide), precise installation is critical. The warranty is void if issues arise from poor structural fixing, incorrect alignment of the two coupled units, or inadequate ground foundations for the support posts.
• Electrical Connection: Any electrical work (connecting the motor to mains power) must be carried out by a qualified electrician and certified to current safety standards. Damage caused by incorrect wiring is not covered.
• Weather Limits: While the Pergola 110 is a high-performance system (Wind Resistance Class 3 / Beaufort 6), it must be retracted in storm conditions or heavy snow. Damage caused by extreme weather events is not a warrantable defect.
• Fabric Care: Waving or "waffle" marks near seams and hems are inherent to all technical awning fabrics and are not considered a fault.

How to Measure for a Large Retractable Pergola (Coupled System)

Measuring for a coupled pergola system like the Markilux Pergola 110 requires a different approach than a standard wall-mounted awning. Because you are essentially creating a semi-permanent roof structure that can span up to 12 metres, accuracy is key—not just for the fit, but for the structural integrity and water drainage of such a large canopy.

1. Understanding "Coupled" Dimensions

A "coupled" unit consists of two fabric fields joined side-by-side. When measuring the Total Width, you are measuring the complete footprint from the far left edge of the first cassette to the far right edge of the second cassette.

• Critical Check - The Join: Because this is a split system, you will have a central junction where the two units meet. You must check that this central point on your wall is free from obstructions (like downpipes, lights, or vents) where the central guide rails and cassette connection will sit.
• Fabric Width vs. Structure Width: Remember, the "Ordering Width" is the total structural width. The fabric itself will be slightly narrower on each side to fit inside the guide tracks.

2. Projection & The "Triangle of Space"

Unlike a self-supporting awning, a pergola has fixed front posts. The Projection is the distance from the wall to the front of these posts. You are defining a permanent "zone" on your patio.

• The "Walk-Under" Test: With a system this large, the front profile height is crucial. We recommend a minimum clearance of 2000mm to 2100mm at the front to allow comfortable movement.
• Calculating the Pitch: To achieve that 2000mm front clearance, your wall mounting height must be sufficient. For good rainwater runoff, we recommend a pitch of at least 14 degrees.
  Rule of Thumb: For every metre of projection, the roof should rise by approx. 250mm. So, for a 4m projection, your wall fixing needs to be roughly 1000mm higher than your front post height.

3. Post Positioning & Ground Fixings

A coupled system generally has three front posts: two outer posts and one central post to support the join.

• Ground Conditions: You are not just measuring the wall; you must survey the ground. Do you have solid concrete at the three specific points where the posts will land?
• Post Set-Back: If you want the posts to sit slightly back from the very front edge of the patio (to avoid edge cracking), deduct this set-back from your projection measurement.

4. Obstacles & Stand-Offs

Wall surfaces are rarely perfectly flat. Look for:
Downpipes & Chimney Breasts: If you have a pipe running exactly where a bracket needs to go, we can supply "pipe brackets" or stand-off spacers.
Bifold Doors: Ensure the wall mounting height is high enough so that when the pergola is pitched down, the fabric doesn't foul the top of your doors when they open outwards.

5. Why "Go Large"? (Expert Tip)

We rarely hear a customer say their pergola is "too big," but we often hear "I wish I'd covered the whole table or more of the area."

• Sun Movement: Use a cane or tape measure to simulate the shadow line. A 3m projection might cover the table at noon, but by 4pm, the sun dips lower and the shadow moves back. A deeper projection (e.g., 4m or 5m) or adding a Shade Plus (drop valance) ensures you keep the glare off your guests all afternoon.
• The "Dry Zone": In rain, wind can blow moisture in from the sides. A larger overhang creates a better "dry zone" in the centre of your patio, keeping your furniture protected even during a breeze.
  
  (example below is not a Markilux Pergola 110 but the Markilux Stretch to demonstrate large sizes)