Description
The modern outdoor structure is no longer just about shade.
Across New Zealand and the Pacific, customers are demanding something more sophisticated — systems that combine structural integrity, smart technology, and real-world installation flexibility.
That is where the Cerberus Louvre System platform from Apollo NZ has quietly separated itself from many standard kitset pergolas on the market.
Rather than being a fixed, one-size solution, Cerberus has evolved into a semi-customisable engineered platform, designed to adapt to site conditions, user requirements, and future upgrades.
Key Features
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Built as a “Made-to-Measure — to a Point” Platform
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304 Stainless Steel Fixings
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True Motorised Option
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Tuya Smart Upgrade
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Cantilever Capability
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Polycarbonate & Glass Insert Options
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3.0 m Post Flexibility
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Flaxpod Matt Custom Colour Option
Built as a “Made-to-Measure — to a Point” Platform
One of the biggest misconceptions in the kitset space is that systems must be either:
• Fully custom (expensive, long lead times)
• Fixed kitset (cheap but inflexible)
Cerberus sits deliberately in the middle.
The system is designed as a modular engineered platform that allows:
• Multiple standard sizes
• Adjustable height ranges
• Cut-down post capability
• Add-on upgrade compatibility
This approach delivers much of the flexibility of bespoke systems while maintaining factory efficiency and cost control.
For builders and designers, this middle ground is often the sweet spot.
304 Stainless Steel Fixings (With Upgrade Path)
Hardware quality is one of the most overlooked failure points in outdoor structures.
Cerberus systems utilise 304 stainless steel fixings as standard, widely regarded as the minimum acceptable grade for exterior structural applications in New Zealand environments.
Why this matters
• Strong corrosion resistance
• Suitable for most NZ inland environments
• Long-term structural reliability
• Reduced maintenance risk
For harsher coastal zones, the platform also allows upgrade pathways (such as 316), giving specifiers additional confidence.
This is a key difference from many low-cost imports that still rely on lower-grade hardware.
True Motorised Option — Not an Afterthought
Many kitset pergolas remain manual-only platforms, which limits their long-term usability.
Cerberus was engineered from the outset to support both:
• Manual operation (budget-friendly)
• Fully motorised louvre control
The motorised option delivers:
• Remote control functionality
• Consistent blade positioning
• Compatibility with smart sensors
• Better suitability for hospitality use
Importantly, both manual and motorised versions share the same structural platform, meaning users are not forced into a structural compromise when choosing automation.
This future-proofing is becoming increasingly important in the NZ market.
Tuya Smart Upgrade: The Connected Outdoor Room
The shift toward smart outdoor spaces is accelerating.
Cerberus systems can be upgraded with Tuya Smart App integration, transforming the pergola into part of the wider smart-home ecosystem.
With Tuya enabled, users can:
• Open and close the louvres remotely
• Adjust blade angles precisely
• Control motorised Track Blinds
• Set schedules and timers
• Integrate with Alexa or Google Assistant
For holiday homes, rentals, and hospitality venues, this is a significant operational advantage.
Cantilever Capability Expands Design Possibilities
While many kitset pergolas are strictly four-post boxes, Cerberus introduces cantilever design potential within the platform.
This enables:
• Cleaner sightlines
• Improved outdoor flow
• Reduced front-post obstruction
• Better integration with decks and pools
For architects and landscape designers, cantilever capability dramatically increases layout flexibility.
Polycarbonate & Glass Insert Options
Natural light management is one of the fastest-growing requests in the NZ pergola market.
Cerberus supports integrated roof insert options, including:
Polycarbonate inserts
• 4–10 mm options
• Clear, bronze, or grey
• Lightweight and impact resistant
Laminated glass inserts
• 10.76 mm options
• Clear, smoke, or frosted
• Premium architectural finish
These inserts allow designers to:
• Brighten darker patio zones
• Maintain rain protection
• Create hybrid roof designs
• Improve year-round usability
The key advantage is that these are designed into the platform, not retrofitted later.
3.0 m Post Option — Built for Real Sites
One of the most practical innovations in the Cerberus platform is the 3.0 metre post option.
Posts are supplied full length and then cut down on site to suit.
Why this matters in the real world
• Handles sloping ground
• Works with raised slabs
• Allows higher finished ceilings
• Improves commercial suitability
• Maintains visual proportions
Standard pergola kits often struggle with uneven sites. The cut-down capability gives installers real-world tolerance, not just showroom dimensions.
Flaxpod Matt: A New Zealand-Focused Custom Colour Option
Colour is no longer just an aesthetic decision — in the New Zealand market, it is increasingly about architectural integration.
To better align with local design trends, Cerberus Systems now offer Flaxpod Matt as a custom colour upgrade.
Inspired by popular Dulux tones widely used across modern NZ homes, Flaxpod provides a warmer, more natural alternative to traditional greys and blacks.
Why Flaxpod is gaining traction
• Complements NZ timber and cedar palettes
• Softer visual presence than Anthracite Grey
• Strong fit with coastal and rural builds
• Popular with architects and landscape designers
• Maintains the clean matt architectural finish
⚠️ Important: Flaxpod Matt is supplied through Apollo NZ’s bespoke colour service and a surcharge applies.
Colour Options Overview
Standard Colours
• Anthracite Grey — RAL 7016 (Matt)
• Aluminium Grey — RAL 9006 (Matt)
• White — RAL 9016 (Gloss)
• Black — RAL 9005 (Matt)
Custom Upgrade
• Flaxpod Matt — Custom Dulux tone (surcharge applies)
The Bigger Picture: Platform Thinking vs Simple Kitsets
What is emerging with Cerberus is not just another pergola.
It represents a broader shift toward platform-based outdoor architecture, where systems are designed to evolve over time.
The key advantages of this approach include:
• Upgrade pathways built in
• Better site adaptability
• Smart-home compatibility
• Structural consistency
• Future accessory integration
In short, Cerberus is positioned not as a fixed product — but as an engineered outdoor framework.
