Type Of Wood For Pergola

Corner Retreat Pergola With Suspended Lamps

This pergola provides comfortable bench seating for your garden while also supporting your garden by providing vertical space for staggered planters at each end of the bench. The colorful pillows tossed onto the benchs white cushioned seat and back echo the colors of the garden flowers, adding to the cheerful look of the nook.

How Do You Choose Your Wood To Make A Pergola

You can, of course, buy the cheapest wood you can get at the hardware store, but I really don’t recommend that…

The wood of a pergola suffers a lot from rain and sun, and a cheap beam will bend very quickly. In addition, you’ll notice that it’s difficult to get wood in longer lengths at a DIY store, so making a pergola becomes very difficult!

Please pay attention to the following things when buying wood:

Always choose hardwood or pressure treated pinewood!

Untreated wood just rots very quickly outdoors and that is a waste of money.

Painting it well will not help you much since moisture will still penetrate at screw holes and seams. In addition, wood always works and rainwater and fungi will therefore get into the small hairline cracks that will form in your paint layer.

Choose the correct head size / section of the beam:

7x7cm beams are naturally cheaper than 9x9cm, but they also bend more quickly. A 7x7cm post is therefore not suitable for retractable canopies. The steel cables of these retractable canopies are under high tension and the beam will therefore bend. You can, however, use a 7x7cm pole for a small pergola with a shade sail or for a roller blind on your balcony.A 7x7cm beam will also warp faster than a 9x9cm beam.

We use following wood types and sizes for our pergolas with a retractable canopy:

Pressure treated pine 9x9cm for a max free span of 3 meters

Pressure treated pine 14x14cm for a max free span of 5 meters

7x7cm pressure treated pinewood:

Estate Awing Style Garage Pergola

This awning style pergola creates a dramatic statement above your garage door. Unlike most pergolas, it does not have support columns that reach the ground. Instead, this pergola attaches to the garage wall. Vines growing on both sides of the door fill in where the supports would be, suggesting the presence of the support posts.

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What Wood Is Needed To Build A Pergola

Pergolas are popular backyard structures because they provide shade and protection that bring enjoyment to your outdoor activities.

Making sure you choose the right wood material for your pergola is key to its long-term durability and overall success.

Most woodworkers can build a basic structure with cedar or oak. If you want something more attractive, these five exotic kinds of wood will give you what you need.

Where Can You Place A Pergola

Everywhere actually! Most people think of a pergola when they think of a pergola placed in the garden or on a terrace… But a pergola also offers many possibilities on a balcony! Especially on a balcony, you are often limited by the rules of the landlord or owners’ association and a pergola gives many possibilities to arrange good sunprotection, without having to drill into walls or ceilings!In our blog post “How to create shadow on a balcony?” we will give you more information about how to install a pergola, shade sail or blind / sunscreen on your balcony, without drilling holes!

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Tips For Installing And Using A Pergola

If youve decided to install your very own pergola, you will find the following tips very useful. Youll still need to follow the instructions in your pergola kit because each pergola has different materials that youll use to build it. Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when it comes to installing a pergola:

Charming Decktop Pergola Swing

The perfect complement for this airy aerie pergola is the light feeling of swinging on a swing. The woven seat of the swing is tasseled. Heavy ropes attach the seat to the pergolas roof, and throw pillows add a different texture and pattern, muted color, and a casual feel. Billowing tiebacks add to the feeling of lightness, freedom, and flight.

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Pergola Cost Per Square Foot

You can build or install a pergola in virtually any size youd like, and it can be freestanding or attached to your home. Most pergolas are square or rectangular simply due to the design, which consists of rafters and support beams.

Of course, for custom pergola designs, youll pay more. For the purpose of a pergola cost estimator, its easier to project prices for a square pergola. For that reason, weve put together a chart of pergola installation costs for four different square pergola sizes.

Estimates are based on cedarwood, one of the most popular materials used to build pergolas today, at an average cost of $30 per square foot.

What To Know Before Adding A Pergola To Your Deck Or Patio

Wooden pergolas require regular maintenance. How often depends upon the type of wood, how it was initially treated or sealed, and where you live. Plan on cleaning, treating and/or repainting your pergola at least once every two years to keep it looking fresh, as well as checking regularly for signs of mildew or termite damage.

If you have a traditional pergola covered in greenery, you also need to trim it regularly so the pergola isnât weighed down and the vines stay healthy and lush.

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Staining Or Sealing Right Away Wood Type Matters

Pressure treated pine requires that you install the pergola, then let the wood dry out completely before staining or painting. You will see it turn from green into a golden brown when the pressure treatment has dried. This could take 2-4 months depending on your location.

If you order a cedar pergola you can stain the lumber before or after installation, and you can stain or seal right away. So if you want to stain or seal right away, cedar will be your best choice.

Cedar New Dawn 12 Ft W X 4 Ft D Solid Wood Pergola

This stained cedar free standing pergola is a beautiful and simple structure that is perfect for small backyards. Its freestanding and doesnt require a lot of materials to get this pergola stalled. You can put a pretty bench underneath it in a garden, or just use it as a decorative feature in your garden.

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Pros Of Wooden Pergolas

There are many reasons people choose wooden pergolas over vinyl pergolas. One of the greatest advantages is their versatility. Wood can be stained or painted, and can be made into almost any style you desire.

Its versatility also means it has the potential to match multiple types of decor, whether you are seeking something more rustic or you prefer a modern wood pergola. Depending on the wood species, it is typically tough on insects and rotting, as long as its maintained properly. Wood also tends to be the cheaper option when choosing materials for your pergola. Finally, people are attracted to wood because of its natural look.

Selecting The Right Type Of Wood For Your Pergola

After you finished moving into your home, youre probably looking for landscaping features you can get for your empty yard or garden. If youre someone like me who loves spending time outdoors, youll need a backyard embellishment that provides shade. There are different kinds of outdoor shade structures and one of the most popular ones is the pergola.

Aside from deciding which type of Pergola design you want, you also need to consider which material will best fit your location, weather, and needs. One of the most common materials used for pergolas is wood.

Wood is one of the most popular materials used for Pergolas because they are affordable, and probably the strongest and most customizable one. The design and size can be adjusted to your needs or how you want it. Its rustic look fits in with different homes and landscape structures. If you prefer a different appearance, you can also give your wood pergola a modernized look. This material can also be painted, stained, or left to weather naturally. You can also add decorative cuts once the structure is in place.

If youre planning on constructing your own, the wood can be easily sourced and is available almost anywhere. Its easy to cut and construct Pergolas using common tools. Most wood types are also weather-proof and can resist rot or insect damage. They can also accommodate both freestanding pergolas and those connected to a wall or home.

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Why Are Pergolas So Expensive

If you are doing DIY pergola kits, you can probably get a kit for less than $1000. But often, people would prefer to hire labor to set up their pergolas. Pergolas if you want electricity, plumbing, or other features in that pergola. There are so many factors that go into a customized pergola, and it can start at $2000 if youre getting a contractor to do it for you.

Moonlight Drive Parkside Pergola

Light the sidewalk from your driveway to your house with this sleek, contemporary, black pergola. Attach lights to the slats, and add a clear cover between them to provide shelter from the rain. Lighting fixtures in the planter and in the posts beside the driveway welcome guests with more light as they enter your home.

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Selecting The Right Wood For Your Outdoor Pergola

When you have decided that a pergola is the right option for your garden, the next big decision is what wood to choose. There are lots of different options in both hardwood and softwood categories that all bring different looks and benefits to the end result. Here are some of the most popular to help you decide.

How To Choose A Pergola Kit

Choosing a pergola kit is solely a personal decision as many factors come into place. It depends on your budget, the type of material used, and the type of design that you are going for. For example, you may want an open-top wood pergola for your home. Or you may want a covered aluminum pergola that mimics an outdoor living room. Whichever you decide, it will surely be a beautiful addition to your backyard.

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How To Protect Your Wood Choice

A little maintenance can help your pergola beams last longer and maintain a vibrant look. Most wood species turn gray or silver as they age. This can offer a regal look, or it can diminish the vibrance of the structure.

Consider staining, sealing, or painting your pergola to maintain a beautiful appearance. Explore each option and consider your design goals before selecting a species.

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Western Red Cedar Pergola Kit

Western red cedar is a beautiful light amber color with a wonderfully appealing fragrance that adds another dimension to its qualities. Two of the top reasons for choosing western red cedar for pergola wood are: 1) that its highly resistant to decay, and 2) that it withstands severe elements. These reasons make this wood type ideal for outdoor use, and it is used in situations where exposure to the elements is continually severe. It is lightweight with close, even grain, and is easily worked and can be finished smooth with little effort. This type of cedar takes paints and stains very well. Paint or stain can be applied to western red cedar as soon as you receive the pergola kit. Western red cedar is sustainably harvested in North America.

Pressure Treated Pine Pergola Kit

Pressure treated pine, the most affordable pergola wood option, is also very rot and insect resistant and able to withstand severe elements. Pressure treated pine has chemicals added to give it those properties. This wood type comes with a green appearance. As it dries it will turn to a golden brown, then gray if it is not water sealed or stained. You will need to wait a few months before staining or painting the pine lumber since it will be saturated with the pressure treatment when you get it. Southern Yellow Pine is sustainably harvested in the southeastern United States.

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Cedar 10 Ft W X 10 Ft D Solid Wood Pergola With Mounting Kit

This pergola is a beautiful solid wood cedar structure. While the wood is pressure treated, it still gives off that beautiful cedar color that you are looking for. It is a 10×10, which should provide space for outdoor furniture or a garden. It has decent shading, but it is not full shade, so youll still get lots of sunshine in this pergola. It is weather resistant, so you dont have to worry when it rains or snows when it comes to this pergola.

Greenhouse Design Pergola With Checkerboard Flooring

This space brings the family library outside. The sides and arched roof of the pergola take cues from greenhouse architecture. The orange cushions, throw pillows, and drapes harmonize with the pergolas wood while the tomato red pillow picks up the color of some of the books. The white pavers surrounded by the strips of grass add texture and pattern.

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Garden Gazebo Style Pergola

The light-colored wood of this gazebo-style pergola and the furniture beneath it have simply been varnished, so the natural wood color catches the sun and creates a bright accent against the hedge. The pergolas two arches, front and back, define the space, and bright flowers in urn planters complete the sun-drenched look.

Typical Pergola Sizes & Accessories

Pergolas can be ordered or built in a variety of sizes to fit any outdoor space. Often, you may see them sized out perfectly squared, ie: a 10×10 pergola or a 12×12 pergola. Here at Homestead, weve definitely noticed that rectangular pergolas are more popular, and weve built a wide range of sizes, from a 10×14 arched wood pergola to a 10×45 radius pergola!

If youre buying an out of the box DIY pergola like from Lowes or Walmart, youll have less choice on size and style. These pergolas are all precut and packaged, all you have to do is put them together.

Custom pergolas from builders like Homestead Structures give you a huge range of options, from size/shape and materials to installed accessories. We have done straight, arched, and radius pergolas and some of the most popular pergola accessories include:

• Retractable shades and roof

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Benefits Of A Wood Pergola

Wood is another common material option when it comes to pergolas. Although wood pergolas arent as durable as aluminum ones, there are some advantages to installing pergolas in this material:

• Wood pergolas allow for a lot of personalization since lumber can be cut to your exact specifications.
• Several types of wood can be used to construct a pergola, including cedar, redwood, tropical hardwoods, and pressure-treated lumber.
• Implementing additional pergola accessories is a straightforward task with wood materials.
• Wood pergolas are sturdy, so they can easily stand up to strong wind gusts.

English Garden Latticed Pergola

Transplant yourself into the midst of a perfumed English garden with this airy pergola. The roof slats support a lattice with large openings while, as a backdrop, vines climb a trellis with smaller openings at the back. Adirondack chairs gather around a coffee table for conversation, tea, or a garden party.

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When To Use Which Type Of Pergola

First, it depends on whether you have a wall available. If this is not the case, then of course you should make a free-standing pergola. If you do have a wall, first check whether your wall is sturdy enough to attach a pergola to it. A wall of brick, concrete or the modern insulation bricks with many hollow spaces should all be suitable.

However, if you have insulation on the outside of your wall, it is better to install a free-standing pergola against the wall. The same applies to rental properties, use a free-standing pergola to avoid problems with the landlord. Do you have an owner-occupied flat in an apartment building? Then take a good look at what the rules of the owners’ association stipulate… Sometimes you are not allowed to drill into the walls, in which case you are better off using a free-standing pergola!

What Is Not A Pergola

Pergolas are often confused with other similar outdoor structures such as arbors and trellises. Each may serve similar purposes but are distinct in design.

Arbors are usually smaller than a pergola and are often used to indicate the entry to or pathway through a yard or garden. Their lattice siding encourages and supports plant growth, in particular plants that grow like vines.

Trellis is a broad term to describe a structural element meant to support the growth of climbing plants. A trellis can be part of a pergola or an arbor but can also be found flat against an exterior wall entwined with vines.

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Wooden Pergola & Gazebo Select The Right Wood For Your Outdoor Pergola And Gazebo

Pergolas and Gazebos are a wonderful accent structure to add to a garden, patio or uncovered deck. They are extremely versatile and the perfect way to set apart a seating or entertainment area from the rest of the yard. Additionally, pergolas tend to be fairly simple to construct, as the average design is rectangular, roofless and consists mostly of beams and pillars.

Wood is primarily used for Pergola and Gazebo construction since it tends to be readily available, easy to work with and durable when exposed to outdoor conditions. But before you rush to the lumber yard to grab your materials, you should consider which type of wood is best for your project and your needs.

You can build a pergola or a gazebo with essentially any wood youd like, but these four primary types are the best options for a professional-quality structure.