Homeowners who have discovered the benefits of relaxing and entertaining in their backyards are often considering the next upgrade they can add to their outdoor space. Backyard enthusiasts crave continuous improvements, as each adds beauty, visual appeal, and an opportunity for enjoyment. Landscape improvements help create a mood or character for your home and extend the warmth and hospitality of your family. If you’re considering the next addition to your landscape, could you think of installing a pergola?
Pergolas expand your living space
If you’ve already installed a deck or patio, you’ve added it to extend your living space beyond the walls of your home. If you’ve found that you love your outdoor living area, but it’s less valid on a hot summer afternoon when the sun is beating down hard, or you want some protection from the weather, a pergola may be for you. A pergola expands your living space and increases your time outdoors. Adequately designed and oriented on your lot, a pergola can cast enough shade to make even a warm afternoon pleasant, or if you still need extra protection, you can install a retractable shade canopy for more shade. Your next decision will be the materials. There are a variety of materials to consider, and they all come with advantages and disadvantages:
Pressure-Treated Wood: A pressure-treated wood gazebo is usually the least expensive option. They will have a reasonable lifespan, but pressure-treated wood can warp, crack, and crack over time. This type of pergola generally looks better if it is painted or stained.
Cedar (typically Western Red Cedar) is famous for gazebos. It is naturally resistant to insects and looks beautiful from the sawmill. You can leave it untreated to turn it a soft silvery-gray color or stain it and seal it to keep its color. A cedar pergola is more expensive than a pressure-treated pergola, but you’ll typically get a longer life out of cedar.
Cedar Wood:
Cedar (typically Western Red Cedar) is famous for gazebos. It is naturally resistant to insects and looks beautiful from the sawmill. You can leave it untreated to turn it a soft silvery-gray color or stain it and seal it to keep its color. A cedar pergola is more expensive than a pressure-treated pergola, but you’ll typically get a longer life out of cedar.
Vinyl:
If you are looking for a pergola requiring very little maintenance, vinyl is worth considering. However, you can’t easily paint a vinyl pergola, so your color options are limited.
Fiberglass:
Fiberglass pergolas are generally the most expensive, but they have significant benefits. Because fiberglass is so strong, it can span much longer distances without poles (sometimes around 20 feet), giving it a cleaner appearance.) Fiberglass can be painted any color you like, and the paint will hold up better than wood. Finally, fiberglass pergolas are perfect for adding to an existing deck or patio. Due to their lightweight, fiberglass arbors do not require the same deep foundations as other materials.
Pergolas Are An Artist’s Dream
The magic happens in many pergolas once the tools are packed up, and you begin to provide form and function to your outdoor space. Pergolas expand your outdoor space, offer various design options, and can be tailored to a modest budget.