What Does A Pergola Look Like

What Does A Pergola Look Like - What used to be called an outdoor roof is now commonly called a pergola. It protects your home from sun and rain and also extends your living space. A significant architectural feature, pergolas consist of beams, rafters, and posts, and can be attached or removed to a house. Though opinions differ about what makes it different from a gazebo, usually the gazebo is freestanding, and is built with a pitched roof the roof of a pergola is flat. Arbor and pergola are frequently used interchangeably, however an arbor is more of a structure used for supporting vines or to facilitate foot traffic in the 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 rising popularity of outdoor living spaces, it could boost the value of a house. Before you begin a pergola project, take note of the following: The orientation is north east, south, or west-facing. Materials: They can range from plywood to hardwood, metals, prefabricated materials fabrics, glass, and fabric. Budgeting: Two of the largest costs will be for materials and labor. If your budget is limited (and that's most of us) that's the time to use your resourcefulness, planning smartly, DIY skills, and imagination come into play. Construction vs. DIY: Who's planning to build the project? Is it a DIY project or will you engage an architect? A prefab pergola kit is an alternative. Building codes: And who is the person who will create it? The majority of outdoor structures need the approval of the building inspector or planning commissioner. Your local government office should have setback guidelines and height restrictions. Zoning laws: Do need to obtain city, county, or regional zoning laws and permits? Based on the location you reside in this process can take a long time, so be aware of it if your goal is to have your project completed within the next couple of months or even the entire year. Sometimes, committees meet on a regular basis and applicants can slip into the wrong hands. We've found 9 different pergolas that represent various 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 create a sense of personality and warmth for your home. You might consider adding a pergola as your next landscape enhancement. Here's how: Pergolas are a great way to extend your living space . If you've already built a patio or deck, you probably added it as an extension of your living space. A pergola might be the right choice for you if your outdoor space is not as useful in summer heat or you want to protect it from inclimate weather. A pergola expands your living space, and can be used to extend the time you spend outdoors. A pergola, when placed correctly on your lot will provide enough shade to make any afternoon pleasant. If you need more protection, you can also install a retractable shade covering. You can also get shade from light rain with some shade covers, which is ideal for 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 materials available to choose from and each has its pros and cons. Pressure-treated wood: A pergola made from pressure-treated wood is usually the cheapest 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 to make pergolas. It is insect resistant and looks stunning right out of a sawmill. 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 is a great option if you are looking for a pergola with minimal maintenance. Vinyl pergolas cannot be painted easily so your options for color are limited. Fiberglass: Although they are more expensive than other options, fiberglass pergolas have significant advantages. Fiberglass can span longer distances than steel posts (in some cases as far as 20 feet). This gives you a cleaner look. Fiberglass is more durable than wood and can be painted any color. The fiberglass pergolas are great for adding beauty to an existing deck or patio. Due to their light weight, fiberglass pergolas don't require the same deep footers as other materials dictate.