A pergola can enhance the look of your yard, patio or garden in a unique way. Not only must you source appropriate materials and colors, but you must also take into account weather considerations before choosing an ideal pergola for yourself.
As there are a variety of styles, uses, and pergola types available today, exploring each variety and their applications can help determine which would work best with any given home and decorative needs.
Pergolas have their own personality and add flair and style to homes along with shade, utility, and tranquility. Some pergolas provide space for plant and vine displays; other remain uncluttered by any foliage.
Pergolas make an elegant yet practical addition to any home, elevating its beauty while creating an earthy yet magical ambiance in any location. Pergolas add beauty and utility, providing both elegance and functionality at once.
What Is a Pergola?
Pergolas are outdoor structures made of cross beams connected with vertical height that combine to form an overhead canopy. Some pergolas come complete with cloth covering netting while others remain open-sided for an uncovered look.
Some pergolas feature only cross beams overhead and only provide partial shade, giving a sense of elegance to these traditional structures. You can grow beautiful flowers woven between their beams for added flair!
Pergolas have long been an iconic feature of warm and tropical environments since their invention in Rome in the 1600s. At first, pergolas served as vertical landscaping devices to allow vining plants to climb upward, but today they provide shade in garden designs.
Some pergolas pair perfectly with string lighting to add atmosphere and ambience in a garden, but these structures can also be combined with various components for your desired look.
Some of the more frequently seen pairs for pergolas include:
- String lights.
- Vines with real or artificial flowers.
- A mosquito net.
- Comfortable chairs or lounges complete the picture.
- Cloth or wood shading.
Not all pergolas come equipped with shading; others may require it be added after purchase or installation. Pergolas come in all shapes and sizes with either stone pillars or modern designs to complete their look; patio pergolas may even accommodate enough outdoor living room furniture – including table, chairs and possibly an outdoor kitchen!
Large pergolas may even be large enough to house horse grills, large potted plants and various pieces of furniture. Pergolas come in all sizes; you just have to build or buy one yourself. Building your pergola may prove challenging but is entirely achievable if equipped with the appropriate tools and equipment.
What Is A Pergola Used For
Pergolas offer many uses in addition to beautifying any outdoor space with their beauty and elegance, including providing shade, comfort, and providing a perfect spot for gatherings. Many people place outdoor furniture underneath their pergolas so as to invite guests over in cozy outdoor weather for dining or entertainment purposes.
A pergola can offer a comfortable seating area to watch children playing in a pool or yard, or be an idyllic spot to read your book in peace. Some residents also choose pergolas as displays for vineing plants or flowers that add beauty.
Some pergolas may include hooks for hanging pots or lights to add atmosphere for late-night get-togethers. More expensive pergolas may even house grills or other cooking equipment and serve as ideal outdoor meal prep areas.
Plants such as Trumpet Vines, Dutchman’s Pipe, and purple Clematis can attract hummingbirds and beneficial insects like honeybees for a healthier environment.
Different Types and Styles of Pergolas
Pergolas come in many varieties and styles. From modular designs with moveable rafters to block sunlight or rain to freestanding structures or those attached directly to outdoor patio walls – there is something suitable for every need and patio wall in existence!
As there are various varieties of pergolas, selecting one may prove challenging. Many homes use different types of pergolas such as the shaded, floating or freestanding. These styles are most common and consumer-friendly.
Other varieties of pergolas can often be seen at outdoor eateries or diners, business entrances, nature preserves and nature reserves to highlight beautiful flowers and foliage.
- Freestanding Pergolas
Freestanding pergolas are among the most prevalent of pergola styles. These structures can often be found in backyards, patios and yards of residential properties. Freestanding pergolas can make an impactful statement as focal points in backyards and yards while adding life and character with potted plants, hanging foliage from cross beams and even housing vining plants.
Consumers frequently enjoy placing vining plants at the base of freestanding pergolas, letting the vines wind around each pillar and weave through rafters above. But freestanding pergolas offer more than just plants; they are also excellent at shading, insect netting, making them suitable for nighttime meals or gatherings.
Place furniture below the overhead beams to create an oasis in your property, creating freestanding pergolas with different designs that offer sanctuary.
Some basic pergolas consist of wooden or steel pillars; others may feature slats, stones or bricks but these features are less commonly seen. Freestanding pergolas may also be secured using cement and stakes; anchoring your pergola may be especially beneficial in areas with harsh weather conditions.
- Shaded Pergolas
The popularity of shaded pergolas has gone up for homes and residential properties. Many people have begun to use these instead of the open roof designs. Many homeowners purchase pergolas with enclosed roofs for increased shade and comfort in their backyard, patio, or garden; furthermore they make for the ideal setting for gatherings such as dinner parties.
Shaded pergolas provide total shade without allowing any direct sun or rain into the structure, making it the ideal solution for warm tropical regions or those who experience heavy rainfall.
Shaded pergolas can come with either cloth or hard-roofed roofs, giving them versatility. Residents living in rainy regions will likely prefer hard-roofed pergolas while those in sunny locations may prefer cloth coverings for coverage while still allowing airflow through.
Freestanding pergolas allow users to purchase cloth shades individually; shaded pergolas typically come equipped with pre-installed fabrics which cannot be removed easily.
- Attached Pergolas
While some residential properties may feature an attached pergola over their patios, attached pergolas are more frequently found in commercial or dining environments such as food joints. Food joints often have outdoor dining areas featuring pergola ceilings with overhead beams and rafters for an enjoyable dining experience.
An attached pergola features the same distinctive roof that distinguishes freestanding pergolas but will extend from wall to wall of an area, covering as much space as possible while still giving it the feel of outdoor living.
Attached pergolas on residential properties may be attached directly to the home but remain supported by two pillars that match both their design and home’s. They may feature more pillars if their pergola covers an expansive patio space.
- Arched Pergolas
Arched pergolas can be found throughout commercial, nature, and neighborhood environments, from commercial offices and nature preserves to neighborhood residential properties. Although less common among homes, arched pergolas can still add beauty and flair to a residential yard by showcasing flowers, vines, or any other beautiful foliage.
Arched pergolas make an eye-catching statement in both commercial areas and nature preserves. Their graceful curves create vertical displays of beauty that draw people in from far away. Arched structures also require less support due to their inherent strength; traditional pergolas require four posts on either side whereas arched designs only need two on either side for optimal results.
Wood, aluminum and steel pergola walls feature strategically-placed holes that serve as canvases for vibrant flowers to bloom through and add natural charm to the design of their pergolas.
Arched pergolas provide endless customization possibilities. Some styles feature solid walls with openings for plant life on one side, and classic pillars as support on the other. Standard slats and cross beams cover their top surfaces to serve as platforms for suspending lights and creating whimsical displays of hanging plants.
- Modular Pergolas
Modular pergolas, also known as louvered pergolas, feature moveable rafters that can be adjusted to block out sunlight, let in airflow, and keep you comfortable regardless of the weather conditions. Some modular pergolas even come equipped with automatic systems in which electrical components allow users to change rafter direction with just the press of a remote button or button.
Some modular pergolas feature manually moveable rafters for greater control over how much sunlight enters your area. Though more cumbersome, this allows you to get exactly the amount of sun you require.
Book enthusiasts, for instance, might prefer to get away from direct sunlight while taking advantage of warm rays on their legs and other body parts. Manual modular rafters make this pergola even more alluring.
- Floating or Awning Pergolas
Most often seen outside businesses or commercial entrances, floating, or awning pergolas make an eye-catching addition to any property. Not only can these structures offer shade but their design allows gatherings under them with outdoor area furniture; making this perfect for residential properties as well.
Some residential properties use floating or awning pergolas to enhance their patio or swimming pool areas and make the area more appealing. These pergolas utilize poles or wires that anchor them onto higher parts of a building without creating an obstruction for sightlines; floating pergolas allow a more seamless line of sight as no pillars will block views into such an attractive setting.
As with other pergolas, floating pergolas may use hanging plants, lights or cloth shading as decor elements. Their modular rafters can also be adjusted either electronically via components or manually with ladders.
Types of Pergola Based on Materials
Pergolas can vary greatly in appearance; their construction involves various materials. Your choice of material has an effect on its longevity, maintenance needs and costs over time – and may even impact how long your pergola stands the test of time!
1. Wood Pergola
Wood is the go-to material for pergolas. When building one from raw materials, you are almost certain to use wood. Cedar pergolas tend to provide maximum return for investment while redwood may offer superior results.
Although wood may appear less costly now, remember that you will have to regularly restore or repaint it to protect against rot or pest infestation and keep maintenance costs to a minimum over the years. This cost can quickly add up.
2. Vinyl pergola
Vinyl pergolas require less upkeep than their wooden counterparts and typically last several years with only periodic power-washing required for upkeep. While vinyl might be easy to keep clean and manage, high-grade vinyl models may prove costly over time.
3. Aluminum Pergola
Aluminum pergolas make an excellent modern statement in landscaping or architecture settings. Their elegant shapes and clean lines blend in well with contemporary landscaping designs, while being impervious to corrosion requires little upkeep or maintenance costs.
4. Steel pergola
Steel is another material that can give your pergola an eye-catching modern appearance, though steel tends to have more of an industrial flair due to being heavier than aluminum, providing additional durability and support.
However, steel can rust if exposed to humidity and rainfall too frequently; to protect it from this fate you must take measures against corrosion.
5. Fiberglass pergola
A fiberglass pergola requires very minimal upkeep, weather-resistance and is long-lasting. Plus, you can customize its color to complement your landscape as the paint adheres well. Plus, since fiberglass won’t rust or corrode over time, no regular treatments are necessary – saving both money and effort on cleaning!
Fiberglass may be the easiest and least costly choice for your pergola project, but consider its price before making your selection.
6. Concrete pergola
Custom or precast concrete pillars can give your pergola an antique, classical appearance reminiscent of Ancient Rome or Greece, while geometric lines create an updated, stylish appearance.
Building Your Pergola
Constructing your own pergola could save thousands of dollars, depending on its size, style, and detail of design.
Building your pergola can cost anywhere from $1,300 to over $10,000 with an average cost estimated around $4,000. Once you’ve selected an installation method and an installer has been hired, the process can begin – this may involve consulting with professional or dealing with transport and tools needed for construction.
Selecting the Installation Method
Installation can be relatively straightforward when working with contractors or laborers to construct your pergola; simply schedule an appointment with them. However, embarking on your mission to construct it yourself may prove easier; there are various solutions from which you can choose.
Purchase all materials and cut each piece yourself; or opt for pergola kits which contain all components needed and require only assembly.
There is always the risk that you won’t put together the pergola properly; hiring a professional to assemble it could save a great deal of headache. Spending money on professional work could save a great deal of hassle later.
Cutting materials yourself may require more time and work, but you will save much more money with this option. Furthermore, this allows you to design your pergola exactly how you would like it – although the outcome may not look exactly how expected.
Prefabricated pergola kits may be more costly, but they can save time and effort during construction by including everything necessary for complete success. While more costly, this option provides you with quality results that meet expectations.
Professional landscapers will cost more, but guarantee an end product of superior quality. Hiring them also simplifies matters significantly as there will be little work for you to do aside from general consultation with them.
Each option will involve high costs but can provide you with quality results. No matter which installation method is selected, however, the first few steps remain the same:
- Measure and map out the area where you wish to place your pergola, taking note of height. After selecting a type of material such as wood, aluminum, steel, fiberglass or concrete as your chosen option for building it
- And taking into account any plants in your yard or area – make your selection.
- Before hanging plants from your pergola, ensure the material can support their weight.
Consider the weather conditions and patterns in your area when making plans to anchor a pergola to the ground. For instance, if tornadoes or hurricanes frequently hit, anchoring might be wise.
Pergolas: An Elegant Addition to Any Yard Or Garden
Pergolas come in all styles and varieties, all providing added utility and beauty to your yard, patio or garden. From providing children with shaded outdoor play space to offering chic spots where readers can unwind with a good book, pergolas can satisfy many decorative needs in one go.
Shaded, freestanding or arched pergolas provide welcome shade from the sun while providing space for nearby plants to grow upward. Though different than gazebos, trellises or pavilions, pergolas still serve an important function of providing beauty and relaxation on your property.
Pergolas offer many distinctive elements that make them excellent choices for furnishing any patio or yard, including shade and comfort. A pergola can transform an otherwise uninspiring yard or patio into a vibrant, eco-friendly haven.
Relaxation spaces such as pergolas are essential additions to your home, providing stylish yet cozy areas to unwind, read or watch the weather – enhancing its potential significantly and adding elegance, tranquility and environmental joy. From wooden pergolas through aluminum and steel pergolas – each material provides its own set of benefits when selecting materials for their pergola.