What is the Purpose And Point of a Pergola? Pergolas vs Gazebos

What Is a Pergola and How Does It Differ From an Arbor? If you’ve ever seen a backyard structure that looks like a cross between a gazebo and an arbor, it’s likely a pergola. These increasingly popular outdoor living spaces serve several purposes. Read on to learn more about pergolas and the many purposes they serve. Unlike an arch-topped arbor or a gazebo (a stand-alone structure with a solid roof), a pergola is an outdoor structure made of posts, support beams, and rafters. A pergola roof is usually open, but it can be covered with lattice, panels, or vining plants, depending on your preference.

Their open slats can provide shade but can’t protect against the weather.Pergola serve multiple purposes, from adding more shade on to your patio to serving as a focal point in your garden.To find out if a pergola will add value to your home, you should do research on your area.To enhance your pergola’s calming effect, consider hanging string lights or accenting your pergola with plants or oversized cushions.A pergola beautifies the outdoor space making it more inviting to you and any guests that come over.

Added Outdoor Living Space And Extension Of The Home

Some of them look like they don’t even protect against sunlight. The fact is that pergolas are more than the sum of their parts, but they’re not for everyone. So read on to discover 8 reasons why you may want a pergola and 7 reasons why you wouldn’t. A promenade pergola is a type of pergola that is designed to be used as a walkway or promenade. Hiring a pro to build a pergola is recommended, but you can save money by tackling the project yourself if you’re an experienced builder. Find pergola plans and/or DIY pergola kits online or at a hardware store to get started. Pergolas come in various styles and materials, allowing you to select one that matches your home's current architecture, resulting in a seamless and balanced appearance. The roof and walls can be left open or covered, depending on the particular style and need. While many pergolas are freestanding, they are also sometimes wall-mounted for attachment to a building. Strategic pergola placement over patios, decks, or pools will shelter those spaces from hot sunshine. However, you can add a canopy, shade cloth, or climbing plants to increase the amount of shade.

Are There Advantages to Adding a Pergola to Your Deck, Backyard, or Landscape?

Pergolas can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and PVC. Wood is the most common material used for pergolas, as it is easy to work with and provides a natural look. Metal pergolas are also popular because they are durable and require little maintenance. PVC pergolas are a more affordable option, but they are not as sturdy as wood or metal structures. You can install a nice DIY pergola for under $1,000 with basic materials. Otherwise, the average for professional installation sits right around $3550. In the summer months, you can have a pergola provide plenty of shade, while in the winter months they can allow a pleasant amount of sunlight through. Many people like to build a pergola poolside for lounging, or as a dining area to enjoy mild weather. Despite the fact read more that pergolas don’t actually have roofs, they do provide some shade. How much shade depends on the size of their slats, their location in the yard, and any modifications you choose to make. Typically made of wood, pergolas are sometimes freestanding, but a pergola attached to a house is more common. In addition, to adding more shade, pergolas can be adorned with climbing or hanging plants to create a more natural and inviting outdoor living space. The midday sun can be unrelenting, but a pergola provides a welcome haven where you can enjoy your outdoor space even on a hot summer day. Unlike a solid roof that blocks all sunlight, a pergola's open beams create a haven of dappled shade. If you’re lucky enough to have a hot tub in your garden, you’ll want to make sure you can enjoy it in the privacy it’s meant for. Pergolas built over hot tubs can include intricate trelliswork which acts as a decorative wall that hides the hot tub area from any prying eyes. The protection from the weather that pergolas also offer means you can use your hot tub all year round. These common pergola pros and cons are guidelines to help you make a decision that is right for your and your particular situation. Now that we’ve covered the reasons why you may want a pergola, let’s discuss some reasons why you wouldn’t want one. It’s not out of the realm of possibilities for you to do it yourself if you have some basic DIY skills. The ease of installation also contributes to the low cost and limited hassle of having a professional do it. Pergola installation is usually less involved than that of a deck or a patio. And so, in terms of the history of the word, arbor has a very different meaning from "pergola", which means "outcropping eave".