Garden Pergola Ideas

Garden Pergola Ideas - The term used to refer to the patio roof is now commonly known as a pergola. It provides shelter from the sun, rain, and wind 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. While opinions vary on what makes it different from the gazebo, generally the gazebo is freestanding, and has a pitched roof, while a pergola's roof is flat. The terms arbor and pergola are commonly used interchangeably, but an arbor is more of an structure that is used to support vines or to guide foot traffic in the garden. If you have an outdoor deck or patio or roof, a rooflike structure can extend the amount of time you are spending outdoors entertaining guests or relaxing. With the growing popularity of outdoor living spaces, it could increase a home's value. Before jumping into a pergola project, consider these factors: Orientation: North, south, east, or west-facing. Materials: This could include plywood to hardwood metals, prefabricated materials, metals fabrics, glass, and fabric. Budget: The two biggest costs will be for labor and materials. If you're on a tight budget (and that's most of us) that's the point where resourcefulness, clever planning, DIY skills, and imagination come into play. Construction vs. DIY: Who's planning to build the project? Is it a DIY project or do you want to hire an architect? A prefab pergola kit could be an option. Building codes: And, who is going to develop it? Most outdoor structures require the permission of an inspector of buildings or a planning commissioner. Your local government office should provide guidelines for setbacks and height limits. The zoning law: Will you require approval from the city, county, or regional zoning regulations and approvals? It depends on where you live the process could take a long time and you must be on top of it if you wish to get your project completed in the next few months or even the entire year. Committees sometimes meet sporadically and applications may slip into the wrong hands. We've found 9 diverse pergolas that reflect different styles, sizes materials, budgets, and styles sure to inspire you! People who love to entertain and relax in their back yards are more likely to think about the next addition. 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. If you are considering the next addition to your landscape, consider installing a pergola. Here are some reasons why: Pergolas, (further), Expand Your Living Space . If you already have a patio or deck, it is likely that you added it to increase 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 will increase the size of your living space and allow you to spend more time 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 can be designed in many ways First, you will need to decide if you want a pergola in your garden. The next step will be to make a decision about materials. There are many options available and each one has its advantages and drawbacks. Pressure-treated wood: A pergola made from pressure-treated wood is usually the cheapest option. They'll have a reasonable lifespan but pressure-treated lumber can warp, crack, and check over time. This type of pergola generally looks best if painted or stained. Cedar wood: Cedar (typically Western Red Cedar), is a popular choice to make pergolas. It is naturally insect-resistant and can be seen right out of the sawmill. It can be left in its natural state to turn a soft, silvery gray or sealed with stain to retain its color. A cedar pergola is more expensive than a pressure-treated pergola, but you'll typically get a longer serviceable lifespan from cedar. Vinyl: Vinyl pergolas are very easy to maintain. Vinyl pergolas can not be painted, so there are only a few color options. Fiberglass: Although they are more expensive than other options, fiberglass pergolas have significant advantages. Fiberglass is strong and can be spanned for longer distances (in some cases up to 20 feet), giving you a cleaner look. Fiberglass can easily be painted any color, and will hold up better to paint than wood. The fiberglass pergolas are great for adding beauty to an existing deck or patio. Because of their light weight fiberglass pergolas do not require as deep footing as other materials.