pergolas

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Backyard Pergola: Add Value and Aesthetics to Your Home

Backyard pergola Backyard pergolas owe their existence to the ancient Egyptians, who used to use them to escape from the heat while walking from one building to the next. They also used these beautiful outdoor structures to grow vines and other climbing plants. Today, thanks to advancements in construction technology and materials, a backyard pergola not only adds beauty to your garden, it also functions as a place to relax and enjoy some leisure time with your loved ones.

Why a Pergola?

You may wonder why introduce an architectural structure that has no walls to speak of or a solid roof to protect you from the sun, rain, or snow to your property anyhow? That is precisely the beauty of a backyard pergola. The lack of solid roof and walls helps a pergola define your outdoor space without restriction or constraints. The unique architectural feature allows you to be inside and outside at the same time and can add life to the landscape of your garden. You can use a pergola to frame a unique focal point in the garden or define a pathway in your garden. And, if you add a climbing plant to the structure, you will enjoy color as well as shade. pergola kit

Backyard Pergola – What are the Benefits?

If you are still skeptical about installing a pergola in your backyard, here are some wonderful advantages you will enjoy if you do so.
  • Maximize the View: Remember a backyard pergola doesn’t have walls and hence, you get an unobstructed (well, somewhat obstructed, right?) view of your lush garden and flowering plants. You can situate the structure where the view is the most beautiful, so that you can enjoy the serenity and beauty while relaxing under your pergola.
  • Stay Cool in the Summer: While you can sit in the patio and enjoy the sun, sometimes the heat can be unbearable, driving you indoors. With a backyard pergola, you can stay cool and still spend time outdoors. First, the breeze will flow freely through your backyard pergola as there is nothing to block it and you can block most of the rays of the sun by installing a slat roof. That way, even when the temperature outdoors is soaring, you stay cool and use the space for all types of fun activities, such as outdoor dining, reading a book while listening to music or sitting in your inflatable swimming pool and sipping a margarita!
  • Create Some Privacy: Even though pergolas have an open-structure construction, by adding accessories to them, you can create a privacy screen that blocks out unattractive views and ensures you get the privacy you want when spending time in your backyard.
  • Choose your Pergola Design and Style: Today, backyard pergolas can be made from a variety of materials and in different sizes and shapes. If you want to add some flair to your outdoor living space, pergolas are perfect. With modern and traditional designs, you can create the outdoor ambience you see to set your garden apart and make it look elegant without too much effort.
  • Boost the Resale Value of Your Property: It may sound clichéd but many people end up buying homes with backyard pergolas. It makes your garden more functional and aesthetically pleasing. So, in the future if you decide to sell your property, the pergola you install today will help you ask for a higher price compared to similar properties in the neighborhood.

Common Pergola Materials

Wood Pergolas

Previously, wood used to be the only material used to make a pergola. While wood looks gorgeous and blends with the natural surroundings of a garden seamlessly, there are other materials that are slowly catching on.

Cedar Pergolas

Cedar is one of the most preferable woods for making a pergola since it is naturally resistant to rot and decay. Also, the soothing aroma of the wood can be relaxing and therapeutic after a stressful day at work. However, most homeowners love pergolas made from redwood. This wood looks fantastic and is strong and durable. Of course, it is an expensive choice, but the durability makes it a worthwhile investment.

Metal Pergolas

Metals, such as aluminum, wrought iron and steel, are also quite popular. Bear in mind, regardless of the metal you purchase, the color invariably will be black. But don’t worry. Black pergolas are awesome and tend to be eye-catching. If you are looking for an affordable metal pergola, go with aluminum, since it is lightweight and more affordable than other metals. Wrought iron is the metal of choice for upscale gardens and neighborhoods.

Vinyl Pergolas

In recent times, even vinyl is used to make pergolas. It is a cheaper alternative to wood and hardly requires any maintenance. You never have to worry about rot or cracking as well.

Pergola Kits Make the Job Easy

cedar pergola kit You don’t have to go through the rigmarole of buying wood and building a pergola. You can easily invest in a pergola kit. Don’t worry, you can get stunning designs, numerous sizes, and in any material you wish. Furthermore, you can easily install the pergola yourself. Pergola kits come with all the necessary hardware and instructions. The installation does require two people, but it can be done in a few hours. With so many benefits of a pergola, it is hard not to install one. So, add a pergola to your garden to maximize the usage of your outdoor living space and make your garden more attractive and versatile. You just can’t go wrong with a wonderful pergola.
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pergolas

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Pursuits for a Pergola

Pursuits for a pergola Pergolas covered with the weight of a creeping Bougainvillea bring memories of a time where everything was much slower. A pergola is meant as a place to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors while enjoying the shade provided by the creeping vines and the heady scent of the flowers. It is probably the oldest surviving garden fixture till date. Pergola originates from the Latin word pergula which refers to a projecting eave. They are an evolution of the popular green-ways which are formed by intertwining vines in an arc. Pergolas are a much more sturdy and lasting structure. Historically they are made from natural materials like wood and stone. There are two types of pergolas, free standing pergolas and pergolas which are attached to a wall.

A Pergola Entrance

Pergolas make an entrance frame effect that nothing else can achieve. It adds a bit of romanticism and grandeur to your home. Not only does it serve as a visual treat but it also doubles as a shaded walkway. A place where your pets will enjoy a relaxing nap in the shade. It also serves as a space for all your shade loving potted plants. You, your family and your guests will be welcomed by the sweet scent emanating from your pergola plants. Hosting a large function and don’t have enough space within the house? Your entrance pergola walkway will serve as a perfect space providing shade and comfort.

Pergola Barbecue Point

Pergolas offer the perfect place for those who love outdoor cooking. It makes barbecuing under it’s shade on a sunny day an enjoyable experience. Barbecuing is an inherently outdoor activity and having a place for your guests to sit and enjoy the marvelous food is especially convenient. However, care must be taken for safety and make sure not to place the grill close to any flammable elements. Its outdoor ambiance and the shade it provides make it a wonderful place to host a barbecue party with friends.

Pergola Sit Outs

Spend your evenings in your pergola with a cup of tea and some snacks. You can admire your garden in comfort here and have long conversations with friends and neighbors. Do you have many formal visitors and don’t want the privacy of your house compromised? Your pergola can provide you a lovely comfortable place to meet them.

Pergola Wedding

Many people who want to have a private, meaningful quiet wedding choose to have it under pergolas. It can be decorated in numerous ways and easily lends to different styles. It offers an exceedingly romantic vibe. Hollywood has celebrated so many pergola weddings that it has become the fantasy of every young girl to be married outdoors under a pergola, be it on the beach-side, a pleasant meadow or a garden. It is extremely picturesque offers and the perfect frame for all your wedding photography.

Shaded Walkway Pergola

Often many resorts and hotels with large sprawling gardens use a series of pergolas to create a shaded walkway. This is a beautiful and convenient way for providing easy access between different buildings without having to expose the guest to the harsh sun. It does offer some rain protection also. Not to mention the cost effectiveness of creating a living and growing shaded walkway. All it requires is a little trimming and general plant care as maintenance. These pergola walkways are extremely beautiful and become a significant feature in the garden landscape. It is very popular among guests who love to take romantic walks down them along with their significant other.

Pergolas as a Garden Element

Pergolas create a look of nature combining with human-made objects by blurring the line between architecture and landscape. A pergola fixture in your garden will be a central piece of focus and attention. It is the perfect place for hanging pots of orchids. Get creative by planting a medley of creepers that flower at different times to have a pergola that is almost always covered with flowers.

Pergolas in Parks and Public Garden

Public parks and gardens are often interspersed with several pergolas. These serve as a landscaping feature, provide shade and places of rest. Often these also serve as a place to host community events like an awareness campaign or a community fair. It serves as a focal point where people can gather around for a purpose.

Pergolas are Romantic

Break the routine of everyday life by arranging for a romantic dinner with your partner under a pretty pergola. It can be the perfect location for a date night. Hang out streaming lights. Light soft candles and white curtains that blow in the wind. Put on some soft music for a quiet slow dance in the cool night breeze. It’s the perfect place for a romantic proposal. Surprising your partner by going down on one knee to propose under a creatively decorated pergola will etch the memory of that special day forever.
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How to, pergolas

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How to Build a Pergola Step by Step

build a pergola step by step A pergola in your backyard can help you enjoy your garden from the shade. This enables you to spend time in the outdoors on sunny afternoons without getting sun burnt or having to stay cooped up indoors. A pergola is a beautiful way of ensuring that you obtain adequate shade in the garden without marring the beauty of your garden. It can be built over a garden path, to provide seating, or provide shade for a dining table. You can have one built for you or you can purchase any number of pergola kits for sale online.

How to Build a Pergola Step by Step

The information provided here will help you build a pergola step by step. Your pergola will be large enough to hold a dining table, but the same plan with narrower dimensions can be used to create a smaller pergola. As for materials, you can use 2×8 and 6×6 lumber for building these pergolas. Alternatively, you can use lumber that is slightly thicker or thinner or used peeled poles for constructing your pergola.
  1. Fixing the Posts The first step is to dig six post holes in the ground, make three of the holes on each longer side to support the pergola. Each post hole should be 24 to 48 inches deep. Now place the 6 x 6 posts that should be between 12 and 14 feet long in each of the post holes and prop them up temporarily using 2 by 4 braces. Now fill all the post holes and tamp down the soil firmly. This pergola does not require concrete; instead use a long piece of wood to compact the soil around the posts.
  2. Aligning the Posts Now align the height of the posts and cut away the excess wood. This is easier than digging holes of the same depths. This can be done by measuring one post at eight feet, cutting it and cutting the other posts to the same height. After that make pyramid cuts at the top of the posts since this makes the pergola look even sharper.
  3. Fasten the Cross Beams Now fasten the three 6 by 6 cross beams across to the posts. Next, you need to measure the distances between the outer faces of the posts and cut the three main cross beams to span them. When cutting these cross beams leave an additional 12 and a half inches for overhang and trim the ends in a pyramid shape. Place the crossbeams over the posts and mark the places where the post and crossbeam overlaps.
  4. Make Lap Joints Now, you need to shape the lap joints on the crossbeams. For this cut the wood at the place where it overlaps the post to the same dimensions as the post to ensure that the two pieces of lumber fit together tightly ad securely. The interlocking notches that form the lap joints can be made by first making small cuts using a circular saw and then knock out the remaining wood pieces using a chisel and mallet. Now, you need to place the crossbeams in position and bore half inch diameter holes through the crossbeam and post. The two pieces of lumber are secured using galvanized carriage bolts inserted through the holes.
  5. Place the Roof Boards The roof boards can now be placed. These are the 2 by 8s which should be placed over the crossbeams. You can make the pergola more attractive by cutting a decorative edge to the boards. The boards should also have holes cut into them to take 10 inch screws.
  6. Optional Lattice Panels Once the roof is in place you can install lattice panels as walls of the pergola. These are not necessary in all pergolas, but add a nice touch and provide privacy. You can use a dado blade in your table saw to cut the 1 and half inch by one and half inch groves or a handheld circular saw to make the grooves. The lattice can be held temporarily in place using deck screws. Now, you can pre-drill and fix quarter inch galvanized carriage bolts and remove the deck screws as you do this.
  7. Apply a Finish The next step is to apply a finish by staining the wood or painting it. Depending on your preferences you can also allow the wood weather naturally for a unique look.
  8. Final Steps To ensure that the pergola provides adequate shade you can either drape it with a shade cloth or plant vines and other plants around it. These vines can be trained onto the pergola to add color and beauty to it and the garden. If you paint or stain the pergola the wood needs to be treated each year, while the weathered option requires less maintenance. By planting flowering vines and small shrubs around the pergola you can add color and shape to the garden as well as an interesting feature that will be both attractive and functional.
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pergolas, Western Red Cedar

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How to Maintain a Deck or Pergola

How-to-Maintain-a-Deck-or-Pergola A deck or a pergola can add a wonderful rustic charm to any home and enhance the appearance of patios and walkways. But the problem starts when your deck begins to be exposed to the elements. A weathered deck or pergola tends to look faded, the grain appears washed out and the timber starts to look old. Maintaining your cedar deck or pergola will help keep these elemental issues at bay and boost the natural appeal of your garden. Here are some ways you can maintain your deck or pergola:

Cleaning your deck and pergola

If you are planning to restain your deck or pergola or are simply interested in keeping it free from dirt, mildew or grime, it is important that you clean it regularly. To clean your deck, use household substances that contain Napisan. Add 2 cups to half a bucket of hot water to create a super solution to clean your pergola with. Scrub your deck down with a stiff bristled decking brush when you apply the cleaning solution. Leave the solution on for about 15 minutes, add some more, and scrub it well. Then rinse the solution off and allow it to dry. You may need to resort to using a commercial stain stripper if there is buildup of stains on your deck, which will help to get rid of any surface staining. Exert caution while using stain stripper since it is caustic and may harm pets or plants. For a cedar pergola, try to avoid harsh abrasives and cleaning detergents, which may end up damaging and discoloring it and weakening the composition of the wood. Instead, use water, a mild detergent and a soft bristle brush to clean it well. If you don’t have time, you could even get away with hosing your pergola down once every 2 to 3 weeks. Remember to use a medium pressure setting on your garden hose since high pressures may damage the surface.

Getting rid of stains and mildew

Mildew can ruin a pergola or deck quite fast. As soon as you spot mildew building up on your outdoor surface, you must work fast to get rid of it quickly. Sometimes, the corrosive fasteners used on your deck may cause brown or black stains over time on the wood. After you have washed your pergola or deck, mix a cup of oxygen bleach with a gallon of water in a spray bottle and spray the solution onto your deck after you have thoroughly washed it. Once you see the mildew and stain start to fade, use soapy water to wash the solution off and rinse it well.

Staining your deck or pergola

Sometimes, the color of your pergola or deck may fade over time. If you look at a cedar pergola for example, it may turn silvery-gray from its light reddish color. This is mainly due to the natural weathering process of the wood. You could consider applying a stain and sealant to preserve the original color. Before you apply the stain to your deck or pergola, spray some wood brightener on it to make the wood more receptive to the next coating of stain and to neutralize any residual stain stripper. Spray this on, allow it to rest for a few minutes and then rinse it off. To stain your deck or pergola, you can use a paintbrush, the bristles of which are useful in opening the pores of the timber, allowing it to absorb the stain much more efficiently. Avoid applying too much stain to your pergola or deck, which could make the surface peel and crack, and look unappealing. Use long, continuous strokes on a single board at a time without touching any of the other boards. Be sure to coat each board evenly. Move on to the next row when you have finished one. Refer to the directions on the can for the drying time and when it is safe for you to apply the next coat of stain. In the second coat, you will need to use less oil than the first, as the wood will not be able to absorb much at this time. For cedar pergolas, there are also many special semi-transparent oil-based wood stains available, which you may simply spray on your deck. If you are applying a sealant, do so only after the stain has been allowed to dry well. This may be reapplied every 3 to 4 years

Repairing your deck or pergola

Keep an eye out for any corrosive fasteners that may be causing stains. It is wise to simply replace them. In the case of a cedar pergola or deck, flip the switch for materials such as stainless steel or aluminum, which does not react with the wood, and reduces the maintenance work that goes along with it.
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backyard, Backyard Inspirations, pergolas

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Backyard Inspirations – the Pergola Romance

Who needs Paris when you can have a romantic getaway in your own backyard! Be assured that romance is not dead and there are some super simple ways in which you can bring your a little romance back into your life. One of the simplest ways is to find a special place to spend time alone with your significant other. A backyard getaway or retreat is a great way to create a space for you and your partner. Need inspiration? Just contact us or have a look at the many pictures sent to us. Create your own backyard getaway at Outdoor Living Today. backyard-inspirations-pergola-romance
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backyard, DIY, gazebos, How to, outdoor living, pergolas, Western Red Cedar

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Cost Effective Ways to Personalize Your Pergola or Gazebo

Cost Effective Ways to personalize your pergola or gazebo When it comes to building a pergola or gazebo, there is a wide range of options that include high quality western red cedar pergolas.  Cedar is more durable and suitable for outdoor use. You could also choose other materials such as vinyl with ultraviolet inhibitors for sustained whites and long lasting colors. The options are endless no matter what material you decide on and there are several cost effective ways to personalize your pergola or gazebo. Personalizing is all about enhancing its appearance and utility. Here are a few cost effective ways to make your pergola and gazebo the pride of your home. Add some Furniture  It would be nice to convert the area covered by the pergola into a quiet seating area by placing a patio table and a few chairs. Painting the furniture to match your gazebo is also an impressive and prudent idea. You may also consider adding a hammock or a hot tub under the pergola and enjoy some rest and relaxation. Adding Rafters or Joists Pergola kits comes with necessary rafters or joists which will leave you with a complete view of the sky and the sun. You can choose to add rafter beams or joists for greater shade or a better frame for the creepers.  You can order a customized kit with additional joist beams. These beams will provide extra shade and space on which to place hanging baskets. Erect Trellis or Lattice Erecting a side-wall trellis or lattice is a wonderful way to provide space for vines of all types including honeysuckle and roses. These plants will give your pergola the effect of a garden room. Trailing or garden vines will act as doorway overhang or serve as a shade for the sitting area. The shape and color of the trellis or lattice will accentuate the exterior décor. Make sure that you install 1/2- to 1-inch thick lattice or trellis wood pieces as support for the weight of any climbing plant. Close One End Although a pergola kit creates a room without walls, it would be magnificent to add one or even two walls. Softening the edges of the pergola by adding a trellis at one end is another stellar way to personalize it. Drill all screw holes on fragile wood like trellis and lattice prior to installation. This will prevent the wood from splitting when you connect the pieces to the pergola. If you choose to add some paint, it would be prudent to use an acrylic, non-toxic one to avoid damaging the plants. Include Flowers Flowers provide an excellent surrounding for outside gatherings no matter what. You could consider a lattice wall filled with colorful flowers apart from climbing vines. Some sunny flowers that go well with vinyl pergolas include spider flowers, nigella, marguerite daisies, sweet alyssum, and more. Don’t hesitate to approach a professional at your local nursery to identify which species are likely to thrive in the climate where you live. All Season Pergolas Individually designed pergolas will spice up your life in ways words cannot describe, whether its Sunday breakfasts or a Saturday night bash. Solid polycarbonate roofing or retractable canopied fabrics will not only create extra space but also provide year round protection from the elements. A combination of polycarbonate roofing or colorbond roofing will give you ample opportunity to enjoy sun and light during summers and even those bitter winters. Swinging Pergolas You can add an element of fun to your pergolas by including a swing. This cozy little pergola is best for two individuals to enjoy the garden view while relaxing outdoors. These pergolas have a lattice at the top and bottom of its walls which will shelter you from the sun’s heat and at the same time take care of your privacy. Simultaneously, these pergolas do not hinder a cool breeze from freshening you up. Pergola with Hanging Seats  This is a new version of the typical patio seating found beneath the pergola. Here cushy chairs hang from the rafters, lending a relaxed atmosphere to the entire area. The deck-topping pergola should match the angles of the house so that the décor suits the yard perfectly. You can apply white paint for a classic, bright, and clean appearance. Design Pergolas to Match Your Outdoor Style Installing a pergola of the same stain as on the deck on which it has been erected is the ideal way to allow it to blend with your décor. Surround it with a multitude of potted plants to give it a feeling of being cut off from the rest of the surrounding structure. Incorporating a two-person swing and pillows provides the right atmosphere to relax and enjoy the weather with a partner. Glass Blocks for Privacy Installing glass blocks sporadically to a pergola creates not only a unique design but offers privacy as well. It’s almost like creating a room outdoors, distinct from the yard. The combination of timber and glass goes well whether you have a small or large pergola. You can choose to connect the pergola with the rest of the yard by placing potted plants around this wonderful and sensational addition to your property.
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backyard, DIY, gazebos, How to, pergolas, Western Red Cedar

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How to Maintain and Care for Your Pergola

How to Maintain and Care for Your Pergola An outdoor pergola is an open structure that can be used for shade and can come with retractable canopies or climbing vines overtop.  It can serve as a roof for the walkway or for the porch. When you maintain an outdoor pergola, what you really do is not only take care of its appearance but increase its lifespan. Knowing how to care for it is important especially since pergolas can be made from many different materials such as wood, plastic, vinyl and metal. Hose it Down Irrespective of what the pergola is made of, it is always prudent to hose it down. It is advisable to use a high-pressure water hose to eliminate any dirt that may be clinging on the surface. The pressure of the hose can be adjusted depending on the type of material used in the pergola. Always begin hosing in a downward direction. Make sure there is no furniture or other items lying around during the process to avoid damage. Clean It  Purchase a proper cleanser for your outdoor pergola that can be applied with the help of a brush with bristles that are tough enough to clean the area properly. You can also use a tooth brush for stubborn areas of the pergola that cannot be targeted with a bristle brush. Always take care to remove any splinters of wood or paint that may appear to be peeling off. For a metal pergola you may want to use a bristle brush to clear away all the rust clinging to the surface. If your pergola is made from vinyl, you could do well to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the cleanser. Most vinyl material will also react well to cleaning by a detergent. Removing Mildews and Stains Mildew is something you cannot afford to ignore unless you want to risk spoiling the appearance of your pergola. Fasteners used on the pergola could also cause staining. If the pergola has corrosive fasteners they could leave black or dark brown spots on the wood. To remove mildew, mix a cup of oxygen bleach with a gallon on water and apply it after washing your pergola thoroughly. Once you see the stains lighten, wash it again with soapy water followed by rinsing. Rinse the Pergola Once the cleanser has been properly applied and cleared of all the dirt or debris, then rinse the wash water with a hose. Carefully study your pergola if any of the areas need special attention. One could repeat the exercise if necessary. Touch Up Damages A touch up kit or a repair kit makes it easy to work on areas that are damaged. You can apply wood or metal putty wherever there are cuts or dings and then refinish that area. The touch-up kit is also ideal for repainting the damaged areas. Several vinyl pergolas come with repair kits specially designed to take care of damages. How to Maintain and Care for Your Pergola Sealing and Staining  If your pergola is made from cedar, with time, its color will change from light reddish to silvery gray. This is because cedar weathers with age. If you wish to preserve the original color then a sealant used for hard woods could come in handy. Clean the pergola well before applying any wood stain and sealant. Spray the pergola with a translucent oil-based wood stain suitable for cedar. Allow the stain to dry before applying a sealant. A coat of wood stain every alternate year will help boost its appearance. Repairs If you notice stains forming due to the fasteners, it is advisable to replace them immediately. Always use stainless steel or aluminum fasteners that do not react with the material of the pergola. These fasteners are a tad expensive but are guaranteed to give your pergola a nice, clean look. This will also reduce staining and lessen the burden of maintenance. Care must be taken to tighten up any loose fasteners. Any repairs to damaged parts must be undertaken as soon as possible to ensure uniformity in beauty of the entire pergola. Painting Some places have long summers marked by relentlessly hot weather, which can wreak havoc on outdoor furniture including pergolas. Dry heat can take a toll on wood pergolas. One of the best remedies is a quality heat resistant paint. Repainting it with a salient and fantastic heat-resistant paint will not only enhance its beauty but also prolong the life of your pergola. Trim the Vines Most people grow creepers along their pergolas. A touch of greenery undoubtedly makes the ambience livelier. However, it is important to remember that vines thicken and add to the weight on the pergola. Although most pergolas can tolerate weights, it is wise to keep trimming the vines couple of times every year. This will reduce the burden on the frame while the vines will take no time in regaining their lost glory.
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DIY, How to, outdoor living, pergolas

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10 Unique Pergola Designs (And What Makes them Different)

10 Unique Pergola Designs Having your own pergola is an astounding way to jazz up your garden. The spacious, open arches can serve as a beautiful outdoor element in your home. Of course, there are several different designs to choose from and we’ve listed our favorite versions here for you to go through. Design #1 – Attached Pergolas Attached pergola designs are very common but there are several outstanding designs to choose from. Try a space-defining pergola that you can attach to your French windows or to a side entrance. This semi-attached pergola can extend your living space and serve as a beautiful transition space from the inside to the outside. You can also attach the pergola to the side of your patio and create the illusion of a bigger room with natural ventilation and natural light. Design #2 – Two-Tier Pergolas You may have seen these kinds of pergolas and they lend an elegant appearance to your garden. You can do this yourself by layering two different types of roofs over each other. Try plain columns and place them at right angles to each other, and on top of each other, to create the two-tier appearance. If you keep a little space between the two-tiers, you can place pots, planters, or allow two-different colored flowering vines to occupy the space between the two tiers. Design #3 – Curved Pergolas Curved pergolas are extremely beautiful. The curved latticework can increase the floor-to-roof space but still lend an extremely intimate feel to the seating area underneath the pergola. You can choose from curved lattices, basket-weave curved lattices, deep-v shaped lattices, etc. If you have the time and money, you can easily custom-build your own curved pergola to suit your garden and outdoor space. Design # 4 – Disconnected Pergolas You may have a large garden but disconnected pergolas and walkways are an exceptional way to bring seating arrangements together. Create stone walkways and cover them with horizontally curved pergolas. The pergolas can be disconnected from each other and spread out over a large garden. Design #5 – Over the Door and Window Pergolas If you have sufficient space around your doors and windows, consider adding pergolas that extend for two to three feet over your doors and windows. Not only do they architectural interest to your building but they can also form a framework for climbing vines. In case you have the space, you can also extend a single window pergola for three feet and place a seating arrangement under it to make a small cozy nook. Design # 6 – Extra Large Pergolas For houses that have sufficient outdoor space, an extra-large pergola can act as an outdoor room. Fit it with an outdoor fireplace, a barbeque, central dining area, bar and seating and you are good to go. Design #7- Pool House Pergolas  If you have a large pool, set up a combined pool-house-pergola space. Use classic columns, curved thatch roofs, tiled flooring, comfortable seating, shower rooms, etc. to make your pool-house-pergola comfortable, intimate, and trendy as well. Design #8 – Pergola Entryways Jazz up your home and its entryway by setting up a pergola walkway from your gate to your house entrance. It adds practical protection from the sun and rain. You can also relax on hot summer days by placing seating in the walkway area. This type of walkway is perfect if you have a large lawn but a small backyard. Instead of using the backyard, convert the walkway into a large seating area. Design #9 – Rooftop Garden Pergolas If you don’t have enough space in the backyard or as your lawn, set up a pergola on your roof. Most manufacturers do make lightweight pergolas that can be set up in an hour on your roof. Aluminum is the most common material but stainless steel is also popular. If you like eco-friendly versions, you can choose from bamboo, raffia matting, coir, and so on. Choose from a range of colors and designs or make your own lightweight version to form a shady place to relax on your roof. Design # 10 – Contemporary Styling Instead of the classic wood beam appearance, contemporary pergolas are far more popular at present. The most common style consists of lightweight aluminum poles that support vinyl-mesh sides and retractable tops. Non-mechanized versions are also available and they are cheaper. These types of pergolas are available in several colors and sizes and they are weather resistant as well. As you can see, you can choose from a huge range of stylish pergolas and gazebos for your outdoor space. In case you want to make your pergola multifunctional, some manufacturers also offer multi-level structures in the above mentioned designs. All you have to do is purchase the ready made pergolas, and set them up in your backyard, patio, lawn, and so forth and prepare it for any special occasion.
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