Made To Order Pergola

Made To Order Pergola - What was once known as an outdoor roof is now commonly known as a pergola. It provides shelter from the sun and rain and also extends your living space. A significant architectural feature, pergolas consist of beams, rafters and posts, and are able to be connected or removed from a home. While opinions vary on the distinction between a pergola and a gazebo, usually the gazebo is freestanding, and has a pitched roof, the roof of a pergola is flat. The terms arbor and pergola are frequently used interchangeably, but an arbor is more of structure designed for supporting vines or to guide foot traffic in a garden. If you have an outdoor patio or deck or roof, a rooflike structure can extend the amount of time you spend outdoors entertaining guests or relaxing. With the growing popularization of living areas outdoors, this could increase a home's value. Before jumping into an pergola project, think about the following: Orientation: North or south, east or west-facing. Materials: These can include hardwood to plywood metals, prefabricated materials, metals fabrics, glass, and fabric. Budget: Your two largest costs will be for materials and labor. If you're on a tight budget (and it is for the majority of us) that's the time to use your resourcefulness, planning smartly as well as DIY skills and imagination come into play. The contractor vs. DIY: Who is planning to build the project? Is it a DIY project or will you engage a contractor? A prefabricated pergola kit is an alternative. Building codes: Also, who is going to create it? Most outdoor structures require the permission of an inspector of buildings or a planning commissioner. Your local government office must provide guidelines for setbacks and height limitations. The zoning law: Will you need to obtain city or county zoning laws and permits? Depending on where you live this process can take a long time, so be aware 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 applicants can slip between the cracks. We've uncovered 9 pergolas that reflect various styles, sizes, materials, and budgets certain 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. Garden enthusiasts love to see their backyards improve. Each improvement creates beauty and visual appeal that can be enjoyed by all. Landscape enhancements create a sense of personality and warmth for your home. Pergolas are a great option for adding to your landscaping. Here are the reasons: Pergolas are a great way to extend 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. Pergolas Offer a Wide Range of Design Options When adding a pergola into your landscape, the first thing that you should decide on is "custom" or "kit". A local landscape pro can help you design the pergola from scratch. The next step will be to make a decision about materials. 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'll have a reasonable lifespan but pressure-treated lumber can warp, crack, and check over time. This type pergola looks best when painted or stained. Cedar wood: Cedar (typically Western Red Cedar), is a popular choice to make pergolas. It is naturally resistant to insects and looks amazing straight from the sawmill. It can be left untreated to make it a soft silver grey, or stained and sealed to keep its color. Cedar pergolas can be more expensive than pressure-treated ones, but they will typically last for a much longer time. Vinyl: Vinyl pergolas are very easy to maintain. You cannot easily paint a vinyl pergola, however, so your color choices are limited. Fiberglass Pergolas are typically the most expensive option, but they offer significant benefits. 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. A fiberglass pergola is a great addition to any deck or patio. Because of their light weight fiberglass pergolas do not require as deep footing as other materials.