Pergolas (further) Extend Your Living Space
If you have already installed a deck or patio, you likely added it to extend your living space beyond the walls of your home. 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 in climate weather, a pergola may be for you. A wooden pergola extends your living space and increases the amount of time you can spend outside. Designed and oriented correctly on your lot, a wooden pergola can cast enough light shade to make even a warm afternoon enjoyable or if you still need additional protection, you can install a retractable shade cover for more shade. Some shade covers will even protect you from a light rain, perfect for those unpredictable summer storms.
Design Options Abound with Wooden Pergolas
When you decide to install a wooden pergola to your garden the first thing you’ll need to decide is, “custom or kit?” A local landscape professional can help you design a wooden pergola from scratch and can custom build it right in your backyard. You won’t have the same design flexibility—you’re typically limited to rectangles and fixed dimensions.
Your next decision will be materials. There are a variety of materials to consider and all come with advantages and disadvantages:
Pine wood: A Pine wood pergola is often your least expensive option. They’ll have a reasonable lifespan but pressure-treated lumber can warp, crack, and check over time. This type of pergola generally looks best if painted or stained.
Red Meranti Wood: Red meranti wood Pergola is a popular choice for pergolas. It’s naturally insect resistant and looks beautiful right from the sawmill. You can leave it untreated to turn a soft , or stain and seal it to hold its color. A red meranti wood pergola is more expensive than a pressure-treated pergola, but you’ll typically get a longer serviceable lifespan from cedar.
Vinyl: If you’re looking for a pergola that requires very little maintenance, vinyl is certainly worth consideration. You cannot easily paint a vinyl pergola, however, so your color choices are limited.
Pergolas Are an Entertainer’s Dream
The real magic happens on many a wooden pergola once the tools are packed up and it begins providing both form and function to your outdoor living space. Pergolas provide support for everything from chandeliers and ceiling fans (check with your landscape designer first, please!) to small speakers, strings of lights, even fabric. You’re only limited by your imagination.
Wooden Pergolas extend your outdoor space, offer a variety of design options, and can be tailored to fit even a modest budget. If you’re in search of a way to create an outdoor oasis, one that offers energy or tranquility (or both), a wooden pergola might be the perfect enhancement to your deck or patio.