Building A Grape Vine Pergola

Building A Grape Vine Pergola - What was once known as an outdoor roof is now known as a pergola. It offers shelter from sun, rain, and wind while extending your home's living space. A major architectural structure pergolas comprise rafters, beams, and posts. They are able to be connected or removed to a house. While opinions vary on what differentiates it from a gazebo, usually a gazebo is freestanding and has a pitched roof while a pergola's roof is flat. Both the terms "arbor" and pergola are commonly utilized interchangeably, but an arbor is a structure used for supporting vines or to direct foot traffic within a garden. If you've got a patio or deck, a rooflike structure will extend the amount of time you are spending outdoors entertaining guests or relaxing. With the rising popularity of outdoor living spaces, it is a great way to boost the value of a house. Before jumping into a pergola project, consider the followingfactors: The orientation is north east, south, or west-facing. Materials: They can range from hardwood to plywood, metals, prefabricated materials as well as glass, fabric and. Budget: The two largest costs will be for labor and materials. If you have a limited budget (and this is the case for most of us) here's the point where resourcefulness, clever planning the ability to DIY, as well as the ability to think on your feet come into play. Contractor vs. DIY: Who's planning to build the project? Is it a DIY project or do you want to hire an expert? A prefabricated pergola kit can be a good alternative. Building codes: And who will design it? Most outdoor structures need the approval of an inspector of buildings or a the planning commissioner. The local government office will have guidelines on setback and height restrictions. Zoning laws: Do need to obtain city or county Zoning laws and permits? Based on the location you reside in, this process can take a lot of time and you must be on top of it if your goal is to have the project done within the next few months, or even a year. Sometimes, committees meet on a regular basis and applications may slip into the wrong hands. We've found 9 diverse pergolas that reflect different styles, sizes as well as materials and budgets sure to impress you! Many homeowners who enjoy entertaining and relaxing in their backyards have begun to look into the next improvement they can make. Garden enthusiasts love to see their backyards improve. Each improvement creates beauty and visual appeal that can be enjoyed by all. Landscape enhancements help create a mood or personality for your home and they extend your family's warmth and hospitality. Pergolas are a great option for adding to your landscaping. Here are the reasons: Pergolas, (further), Expand Your Living Space . You may have an existing deck or patio and added it to expand your living space. A pergola is a great option if you find that your outdoor living space isn't as practical in the summer sun or that you need protection from inclimate conditions. A pergola expands your living space, and can be used to extend the time you spend outdoors. A pergola that is correctly positioned on your property can provide enough shade for a pleasant afternoon. However, if you still require protection, you have the option to install a retractable shade shade cover. Some shade covers can protect you from light rain, making them ideal for unpredictable summer storms. Design Options Abound with Pergolas 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 the next thing you need to consider. There are many choices available, and all have their advantages and disadvantages. Pressure-treated wood Pergolas are often the least expensive. They will have a decent lifespan, but pressure-treated lumber has the potential to warp, crack and look shabby over time. This type of pergola generally looks best if painted or stained. Cedar wood: Cedar is the most popular material for pergolas. It's naturally insect resistant and looks beautiful right from the sawmill. To make it soft and silvery gray, you can leave it as is or seal it with stain. Cedar pergolas can be more expensive than pressure-treated ones, but they will typically last for a much longer time. Vinyl: Vinyl pergolas require very little maintenance. Vinyl pergolas are not easy to paint so you have limited color options. Fiberglass Pergolas: While they are the most expensive, fiberglass pergolas offer significant benefits. Because fiberglass is so strong, you can span much longer distances without posts, (in some cases, about 20 feet) giving you a cleaner look). Fiberglass can be painted in any color you like, with a better durability than wood. Additionally, fiberglass pergolas work well for adding value to existing patios or decks. Because of their light weight fiberglass pergolas do not require as deep footing as other materials.