Round Pergola Top View.
Round Pergola Top View - What used to be called a patio roof is now commonly known as a pergola. It provides shelter from the sun and rain while extending your home's living space. A major architectural structure pergolas are made up of beams, rafters and posts. They can be attached or removed from a home. Although opinions differ on what makes it different from the gazebo, generally a gazebo is freestanding and is built with a pitched roof the roof of a pergola is flat. Both the terms "arbor" and pergola are commonly utilized interchangeably, but an arbor is more of a structure used to support vines or to direct foot traffic within a garden. If you have an outdoor patio or deck with a roof, a roof-like structure can extend the amount of time you can spend outside entertaining guests or enjoying a relaxing. With the growing popularization of living areas outdoors, this can increase a home's value. Before jumping into a pergola project, consider the following: The orientation is north, south, east, or west-facing. Materials: These can include wood to plywood, metals, prefabricated materials fabrics, glass, and fabric. Budget: The two most significant expenses are materials and labor. If you have a limited budget (and that's most of us), this is the time to use your resourcefulness, planning smartly, DIY skills, and creativity come into play. Contractor vs. DIY: Who is planning to build the project? Is it a DIY project or will you hire an expert? A prefabricated pergola kit can be a good alternative. Building codes: Also who will create it? The majority of outdoor structures need the approval of the building inspector or planning commissioner. Your local government office must have setback guidelines and height limits. Zoning laws: Do you require approval from the city, county, or regional zoning regulations and approvals? Based on the location you reside in, this process can be lengthy and you must be on top of it if you want the project done in the next few months or even the entire year. The committees may meet occasionally and applicants can slip into the wrong hands. We've found 9 different pergolas that showcase different styles, sizes, materials, and budgets sure to be awe-inspiring! People who love to entertain and relax in their back yards are more likely to think about the next addition. Every improvement brings beauty, visual appeal, and enjoyment to backyards. Landscape enhancements can help you create a feeling or personality in your home, and increase your family's warmth. You might consider adding a pergola as your next landscape enhancement. Here are some reasons. Pergolas (further). 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. When placed properly on your lot, a pergola will cast enough shade to make even a hot afternoon more enjoyable. You can also add a retractable shade cover to provide additional shade. Shade covers can even be used to protect against light rain. This is great for unpredictable summer storms. Pergolas Offer a Wide Range 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. Your next decision will be materials. There are a variety of materials to consider and all come with advantages and disadvantages: Pressure-treated wood Pergolas are often the least expensive. They'll have a reasonable lifespan but pressure-treated lumber can warp, crack, and check over time. This pergola is best if stained or painted. Cedar wood: Cedar (typically Western Red Cedar) is a popular choice for pergolas. It's insect-resistant and looks great right out of the mill. You can leave it untreated to turn a soft silver gray, or stain and seal it to hold its color. Cedar pergolas are typically more expensive that pressure-treated pergolas but will have a longer useful life span. Vinyl: Vinyl pergolas are very easy to maintain. Vinyl pergolas can't be painted so the color options are limited. Fiberglass Pergolas are typically the most expensive option, but they 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. The fiberglass pergolas are great for adding beauty to an existing deck or patio. Fiberglass pergolas are lighter than other materials and don't need as many feet.