2 X 2 Pergola

2 X 2 Pergola - The term used to refer to an outdoor roof is now called a pergola. It provides shelter from the sun and rain while extending your home's living space. A major architectural structure, pergolas consist of beams, rafters and posts. They can be attached or detached from a home. Although opinions differ on what makes it different from a gazebo, usually a gazebo is freestanding and is built with a pitched roof the roof of a pergola is flat. The terms arbor and pergola are commonly utilized interchangeably, but an arbor is a structure used to support vines or to facilitate foot traffic in a garden. If you have an outdoor deck or patio with a roof, a roof-like structure can extend the amount of time you are spending outdoors having fun with guests or simply enjoying a relaxing. With the growing popularity of outdoor living spaces, it could boost the value of a house. Before you begin the construction of a pergola project, consider these factors: Orientation: North or south, east or west-facing. Materials: This could include wood to plywood, metals, prefabricated materials as well as glass, fabric and. Budgeting: Two of the largest expenses will be materials and labor. If your budget is limited (and that's most of us), this is the time to use your resourcefulness, planning smartly the ability to DIY, as well as creativity come into play. Contractor vs. DIY: Who is planning to build the project? Will it be a do-it-yourself project or will you hire an expert? A prefabricated pergola kit could be an option. Building codes: Also who is the person who will develop it? The majority of outdoor structures require the approval of a building inspector or the planning commissioner. Your local government office must have guidelines on setback and height limits. Zone laws: Are you require approval from the city, county, or regional zoning laws and permits? Depending on where you live, this process can be lengthy, so be aware of it if your goal is to have to complete the project in the next few months or even year. Committees sometimes meet sporadically and applications can fall through the cracks. We've found 9 diverse pergolas that reflect various styles, sizes materials, budgets, and styles certain to impress you! People who love to entertain and relax in their back yards are more likely to think about the next addition. Because each addition adds beauty and visual appeal to the backyard, it is a place where people can enjoy their garden. Landscape enhancements help create a mood or personality for your home and they extend your family's warmth and hospitality. If you are considering the next addition to your landscape, consider installing a pergola. Here's how: Pergolas (further) Extend Your Living Space . You may have an existing deck or patio and added it to expand your living space. A pergola could be the perfect solution if you've found you enjoy your outdoor living space but it is less useful during hot summer days or when you are unable to get shelter from the elements. A pergola expands your living space, and can be used to extend the time you spend outdoors. Properly positioned on your lot, the pergola will offer enough shade to keep even hot summer afternoons enjoyable. Retractable shade covers can be added for additional protection. You can also get shade from light rain with some shade covers, which is ideal for summer storms. Pergolas offer a variety of design options When you decide to add a pergola to your landscape the first thing you'll need to decide is, "custom or kit?" A local landscape professional can help you design a pergola from scratch and can custom build it right in your backyard or you can purchase a kit from one of the many well-known manufacturers in the U.S. You won't have the same design flexibility--you're typically limited to rectangles and fixed dimensions--but all the parts will be delivered to your home for your landscape professional to assemble and install. Materials will be your next major decision. There are many options available and each one has its advantages and drawbacks. Pressure-treated wood: The most cost-effective option is often a pergola made from pressure treated wood. Although they'll last for a while, pressure-treated lumber can crack, warp and become unusable over time. This type of pergola looks best when stained or painted. Cedar wood is popular for pergolas. It is naturally insect-resistant and can be seen right out of the sawmill. To make it soft and silvery gray, you can leave it as is or seal it with stain. A cedar pergola is more expensive than a pressure-treated pergola, but you'll typically get a longer serviceable lifespan from cedar. Vinyl: Vinyl is an excellent choice if you want a pergola that needs very little maintenance. Vinyl pergolas cannot be painted easily so your options for color are limited. Fiberglass Pergolas: While they are the most expensive, fiberglass pergolas offer significant benefits. Fiberglass can span longer distances than steel posts (in some cases as far as 20 feet). This gives you a cleaner look. Fiberglass can easily be painted any color, and will hold up better to paint than wood. Fiberglass pergolas can be used to add beauty and style to a patio or deck. Fiberglass pergolas are light in weight and therefore don't require deep footers like other materials.