Wooden Pergola With Curtains

Wooden Pergola With Curtains - The term used to refer to an outdoor roof is now called a pergola. It provides shelter from the sun as well as wind, rain and sun while extending your home's living space. A significant architectural element pergolas comprise beams, rafters, and posts, and can be attached or detached from a home. Although opinions differ on what differentiates it from a gazebo, usually a gazebo is freestanding and has a pitched roof, while a pergola's roof is flat. Both the terms "arbor" and pergola are often used interchangeably, but an arbor is more of an structure that is used to support vines or direct foot traffic within the garden. If you've got an outdoor patio or deck or roof, a rooflike structure can prolong the time you can spend outside entertaining guests or relaxing. With the growing demand for outdoor spaces, they can boost the value of a house. Before you start a pergola project, take note of these factors: Orientation: North, south, east, or west-facing. Materials: These can include plywood to hardwood metals, prefabricated material, fabric, and glass. Budgeting: Two of the most significant expenses are the cost of labor and materials. 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, DIY skills, and imagination come into play. The contractor vs. DIY: Who's planning to build the project? Do you want to do it yourself project or will you engage a contractor? A prefab pergola kit is an alternative. Building codes: Also, who is going to design it? Most outdoor structures require the permission of an inspector of buildings or a planning commissioner. Your local government office should have guidelines on setback and height restrictions. The zoning law: Will you require city, county, or regional zoning regulations and approvals? Based on the location you reside in, this process can take a lot of time and you must be on top of it if your goal is to have the project done within the next couple of months or even the entire year. Committees sometimes meet sporadically and applicants can slip through the cracks. We've uncovered 9 pergolas that represent various styles, sizes, materials, and budgets sure to be awe-inspiring! Homeowners who have discovered the merits of relaxing and entertaining in their backyards are often considering the next enhancement they can add to their outdoor space. Because each addition adds beauty and visual appeal to the backyard, it is a place where people can enjoy their garden. Landscape enhancements help create a mood or personality for your home and they extend your family's warmth and hospitality. A pergola is a great addition to your landscape. Here are some reasons why: Pergolas (further). Extend Your Living Space . If you've already built a patio or deck, you probably added it as an extension of 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. 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. Shade covers can even be used to protect against light rain. This is great for unpredictable summer storms. Pergolas can be designed in many ways 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 that you can choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Pressure-treated wood: The most cost-effective option is often a pergola made from pressure treated wood. While they have a good life expectancy, pressure-treated lumber is susceptible to cracking, warping, and checking over time. This type of pergola generally looks best if painted or stained. Cedar wood: Cedar (typically Western Red Cedar) is a popular choice for pergolas. It's naturally insect resistant and looks beautiful right from the sawmill. It can be left as-is to turn a soft grayish silver, or you can stain it and seal it to preserve its color. Cedar pergolas will last longer than those that have been pressure treated, even though they are more costly. Vinyl: Vinyl pergolas require very little maintenance. Vinyl pergolas are not easy to paint so you have limited color options. Fiberglass: Fiberglass pergolas can be expensive but offer many 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 be painted any color you want, and the paint will hold up better than on wood. A fiberglass pergola is a great addition to any deck or patio. Due to their light weight, fiberglass pergolas don't require the same deep footers as other materials dictate.