Add a Pergola to your Backyard to Create a New Place To Spend Time With Your Family & Friends
The point of having a Pergola…A pergola is an open-sided outdoor structure or outdoor garden feature forming a shaded walkway, passageway, or sitting area of vertical posts or pillars that support cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice, often upon which woody vines and climbing plants are trained. With climbing plants or vines, it makes a unique focal point in your garden and with a vivid imagination, you can create a unique outdoor space!
The word pergola is derived from the Latin word “pergula” which refers to a “projecting eave”, commonly found as an extended roof or arbor. The first known use of the term pergola dates back to the 1640s during the late medieval period. It was used by John Evelyn at the cloister of Trinita dei Monti in Rome.
Pergolas are sometimes confused with arbors, and the terms are often used interchangeably. An arbor is generally regarded as a wooden bench seat with roofing, usually enclosed by lattice panels forming a framework for climbing plants. A pergola, on the other hand, is a much larger and more open structure and does not normally include integral seating
What is the purpose of a pergola?
Pergolas may link pavilions or extend from a building’s entry doors to an open garden feature such as an isolated terrace or pool. Freestanding pergolas, those not attached to a home or other structure, provide a sitting area that allows for breeze and light sun and offers protection from the harsh glare of direct sunlight.
What is a pergola with a roof called?
Traditionally, a pergola is a structure with a crossbeam or latticed covering that can be freestanding or attached to your home to provide visual interest to your landscaping or patio. … Structures that are similar to pergolas but have fixed roofs may be referred to as pavilions or gazebos
Do pergolas provide shade?
Although they look somewhat unfinished to the untrained eye, pergolas do provide shade. The size of the beams and their spacing will determine exactly how much shade is provided, though a pergola on its own can never create a fully-shaded space
Do you need a permit for a pergola?
One of the first questions asked about building a pergola is whether or not a pergola permit is needed. Pergolas are open structures with an open covering that is not considered a complete roof. They do not alter your home’s structure. … Therefore, a pergola does not usually require a building permit.
Does a pergola add value to a home?
Yes, a pergola will add market value to any house. Since outdoor living has become increasingly popular, the value of properties with a pergola or comfortable outdoor space has been on the rise. A safe gauge for a deck or backyard improvement is about 50% – 80% for your ROI. Investing in outdoor improvements is definitely worth considering.
What do you cover a pergola with?
Looking for affordable solutions to enhance your pergola? Consider various options like DIY fabric covers, wooden lattice screens to add both style and functionality to your outdoor space. Here also are some of the cheap ways to cover a pergola:
- Plants. Adding plants to a pergola will give it a natural look
- Straw, Branches or Bamboo. If you would like to add a natural cover to your structure, but don’t want to maintain living plants, opt for a roof made from bamboo or branches
- Portable Canopy
- Fabric Sails
- Drop Cloths
- Roller Shades
- Mesh
How much does it cost to put in a pergola?
For a basic 10-by-10 pergola using cost-effective cedar, expect to pay $3,000 for materials and $500 for labor, which isn’t that much more than a DIY job. High-end pergola installations using more expensive materials such as Ipe or Teak can run up to $5,000 for materials and $750 to $1,000 in labor.
Should I paint or stain my pergola?
It’s why decks have traditionally been stained rather than painted. Paint can peel, but penetrating oil stains, which don’t form a surface layer, don’t. A good quality exterior stain will keep your pergola looking good & safe for years.
How do I protect my wood pergola?
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.
In Closing…Pergola extends your living space and it increases the amount of time you can spend outside, It creates visual interest particularly if you have flowering and fragrant vines growing up, and You can create a gorgeous garden in the air by adding plants to your pergola.
