[masraum]

Originally Posted by look 171

A bit or an eye sore but a very simple solution. Hook a rope through a pulley mounted to the rafter of that pergola and pull the door up when you need it open. Tie a metal ring at the end of the rope and hook it somewhere to keep door from falling down.

Same if you want to get complicated but it can be done with a small winch or motor. Leave a cheap Harborfreight winch on top of the pergola near the gutter, cover up the bottom with a couple sticks of the same lumber to match the wood of the pergola. Install pulley near the front edge of the pergola. Use a 3/16" cable. A power source is needed. no need for a hook to keep door up.

rope and pulley was the first thing that I thought of.