Japanese Style Pergola.
Japanese Style Pergola - What was once known as an outdoor roof is now commonly known as a pergola. It protects your home from sun, rain, and wind and also extends your living space. A significant architectural element pergolas comprise rafters, beams, and posts, and can be attached or detached to a house. While opinions vary on what differentiates it from a gazebo, usually a gazebo is freestanding and is built with a pitched roof unlike a pergola's roof, which is flat. Arbor and pergola are often used interchangeably, however an arbor is structure designed to support vines or direct foot traffic within the garden. If you have an outdoor deck or patio, a rooflike structure will extend the amount of time you spend outdoors having fun with guests or simply enjoying a relaxing. With the growing popularization of living areas outdoors, this is a great way to boost the value of a house. Before you start a pergola project, consider the following: The orientation is north or south, east or west-facing. Materials: These can include plywood to hardwood metals, prefabricated materials, metals, fabric, and glass. Budget: The two largest expenses are materials and labor. If your budget is limited (and it is for the majority of us) that's where resourcefulness, smart planning, DIY skills, and imagination come into play. Construction vs. DIY: Who's going to build it? Is it a DIY project or will you hire a contractor? A prefab pergola kit can be a good alternative. Building codes: And who will develop it? The majority of outdoor structures require the approval of a building inspector or planning commissioner. The local government office will have guidelines on setback and height restrictions. Zoning laws: Do you require approval from the city or county zoning regulations and permits? Based on the location you reside in this process can be lengthy and you must be on top of it if you want your project completed within the next couple of months or even the entire year. Committees sometimes meet sporadically and applications can fall between the cracks. We've found 9 different pergolas that reflect different sizes, styles as well as materials and budgets sure to be awe-inspiring! Many homeowners who enjoy entertaining and relaxing in their backyards have begun to look into the next improvement they can make. Every improvement brings beauty, visual appeal, and enjoyment to backyards. Landscape enhancements create a sense of personality and warmth for your home. You might consider adding a pergola as your next landscape enhancement. Here's 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. If you have found that you love your outdoor living area but that it's not quite so useful on a summer afternoon when the sun is beating down or if you wish you had protection from inclimate weather, a pergola may be for you. A pergola will increase the size of your living space and allow you to spend more time outdoors. Designed and oriented correctly on your lot, a pergola can cast enough light shade to make even a warm afternoon enjoyable or if you still need additional protection, you can install a retractable shade cover for more shade. Shade covers can even be used to protect against light rain. This is great for unpredictable summer storms. Pergolas offer a variety of design options The first thing to consider when adding a pergola to your landscaping is "custom or kits?". A local landscape professional will help you design and build a pergola, but you won't have the same flexibility as a professional landscaper. However, all parts will be delivered to you for you to assemble and place. Materials will be your next major decision. There are many choices available, and all have their advantages and disadvantages. Wood pergolas made of pressure-treated timber: This is the most affordable option. 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 looks best when stained or painted. Cedar wood: Cedar (typically Western Red Cedar) is a popular choice for pergolas. It is insect resistant and looks stunning right out of a sawmill. It can be left untreated to make it a soft silver grey, or stained and sealed to keep its color. Cedar pergolas are typically more expensive that pressure-treated pergolas but will have a longer useful life span. Vinyl: If you're looking for a pergola that requires very little maintenance, vinyl is certainly worth consideration. Vinyl pergolas are not easy to paint so you have limited color options. Fiberglass: Although they are more expensive than other options, fiberglass pergolas have significant advantages. Fiberglass is stronger than wood and allows you to span greater distances with no posts. 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. Because of their light weight fiberglass pergolas do not require as deep footing as other materials.