Pergolas Vs Pavilions Vs Trellises Vs Arbors
In many ways, pergolas are similar to pavilions, but without a solid roof. By having an open or lattice-type roof, a pergola still offers some shade on sunny days but allows you to enjoy the openness of outdoor living. Plus, the lattice-like roof is perfect for growing hanging or vine plants to give your space even more natural appeal.
Some people may refer to a pergola as an arbor, or even sometimes a trellis, but while those structures are similar in nature, they have different functions. An arbor is usually a bit smaller and is shaped to form a tunnel-like passageway of climbing plants. The walls of the tunnel are usually trellises. Arbors are often used as entry ways into gardens and yards.
A trellis is a structure used to guide and support climbing plants and the material is criss-crossed in a latticework. So arbors often incorporate trellises. Pergolas can incorporate either or both, but are also their own unique outdoor structures.
Heres a handy collage identifying each of these outdoor structures!
How Much Shade Can A Pergola Provide
So, we know that pergolas provide shade, but we havent covered exactly how much. You can think of shade from a pergola like shade from a tree. The branches and leaves may not provide complete shade, but they definitely provide enough to keep you out of direct sunlight and help you stay cool.
Of course, large trees with lots of leaves and branches will provide more shade than small trees with very few branches or smaller leaves. The same can be said for pergolas. Like trees, they come in all different shapes and sizes. Smaller pergolas with thin, widely-spaced slats will provide less overall shade than larger pergolas with slats built close together.
The type of pergola you build will depend on how much shade you want, and if shade is your main concern in regards to the outdoor structure. For many people, shade is a secondary concern. Placement and slat orientation of your pergola will also determine how much shade you get and at what time of the day. Well cover both of these factors below.
Even if you do have a pergola that doesnt block as much sun as youd like, you can make some modifications to increase the shade.
Do Pergolas Really Block The Sun
Pergolas are not designed to completely block the sun, but to provide relief from direct sunlight, while allowing air to circulate freely. The lattice cover is made of beams over the top that may or may not be louvered. A specific type of pergola known as a ramada boasts a completely enclosed roof with open sides.
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Adding A Pergola To Your Existing Deck
Building your own pergola on your deck? We admire your tenacity! As you enter the planning stages of adding a pergola to your existing deck, stick to these guidelines:
The number one priority with a pergola is structural security. To ensure safety, invest in durable materials that provide a durable base. When building a pergola atop your deck you will need high-quality hardware, including post bases that are designed to be seen, timber bolts to connect wood to wood for your top frame, and post-to-beam support, preferably thats been hot-dipped galvanized.
Before you begin building your pergola, check with your local building department to see if your project requires any permits.
Keep your pergola safe by avoiding materials that will make the structure top-heavy. When in doubt, go with fabric panels or light wood lattice. If youre not convinced your pergola is sturdy, veer on the side of caution and add railings in between the posts.
Theres no need to build your own with a Trex® Pergola kit you benefit from the incredible strength delivered by the all-aluminum design and stainless steel hardware. Choose between a wide variety of custom sizes, shapes, and styles for almost unlimited design options. You can even add a manually retractable fabric canopy system for maximum shade coverage.
Create A Shaded Area With A Pergola
Many of us are conscious about our sun exposure, and a pergola can offer a beautiful shaded sitting area. Planting trained vines, such as Virginia Creeper or Wisteria, can generate even more shade and add a natural canopy of greenery or flowers at the base of the structure.
If you would like complete rain protection, covers can be constructed from corrugated metal or plastic panels. Weather-treated fabrics are also an option and can even be retractable to offer the most versatility.
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Examples Of Pergola In A Sentence
pergolaoregonlivepergolaForbespergola Vulturepergola oregonlivepergolaTravel + Leisurepergola Vulturepergola chicagotribune.compergolaWSJ
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘pergola.’ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Purpose Of A Pergola
A pergola can serve a wide variety of purposes, depending on the homeowners preferences. While the traditional pergola design consists of a lattice roof and an absence of walls, modifications can be made to fulfill your unique needs.
Below, weve illustrated the various benefits of a pergola and the four main ways these outdoor structures are used.
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Create Shade With A Pergola
A pergola is not designed to completely block the sun, but to provide relief from direct sunlight while allowing air to circulate freely. While the beam roof structure will only provide partial shade, you could grow plants across the top, or add a bamboo cover to create a shaded area in the heat of the day. Additionally, you can add sheer curtains, trellis or fence panels to the sides to make it more enclosed.
Pergolas are sometimes used as a type of awning attached to the side of a building, stopping the sun from glaring through windows and heating up the house in the summer.
Pergolas Fade With Time
Even a pergola made out of the toughest material will fade with time. The sun beating down, the rain pounding it, and weather, in general, will eventually wear it down. If you keep on top of proper maintenance, you can put this off for years, but nothing lasts forever.
Plus, if you have vines growing on it, youll have a hard time accessing the pergola for maintenance. Vines will provide a bit of protection, but theyll also trap moisture and cause it to wear down faster, in some cases. In addition, vines will require pruning and shaping to keep the pergola looking good.
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How Do You Protect Pergola From Rain
3 | Add Pergola Roof Panels
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Similarly one may ask, how do you cover a pergola when its raining?
Tarp. If you need the pergola to be covered only temporarily or the other options are too cost-prohibitive another option is to cover the area with a tarp. Hook rubber tie downs or fabric straps to the corners of the tarp, and then secure the other end to a horizontal or vertical beam on the pergola.
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.
Also Know, does pergola stop rain?
Pergolas and louvered roof systems are useful for both sun and rain, and for whatever your needs might be. The louvered slats on a pergola can open to let in sunlight, and close to provide shade or block the rain. The downspouts of our pergolas are carefully hidden inside the columns.
Do pergolas really block the sun?
Pergola FAQ. A pergola is a backyard shade structure with an open-lattice roof supported by columns or posts. Pergolas are not designed to completely block the sun, but to provide relief from direct sunlight, while allowing air to circulate freely.
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Reasons To Consider Owning A Pergola In Your Home
Backyard improvements usually refer to pool remodeling, replacing paving tiles on your driveway, or planting more flowers and trees, but you can also upgrade your garden by adding a pergola. This article will help you dive deeper into the purpose of pergola and give you information about what is a pergola, what is a pergola used for, and what are the benefits of a pergola.
Finding the right contractor for pergola installation in South Florida may take you some time since you should look for a licensed professional with years of experience. Choosing a reliable business will ensure that you will hire a company that will provide you with premium quality material and impeccable installation service. Cricket Pavers are a team of dedicated individuals with a long history of completing projects successfully. This team will not only introduce you to what is a pergola used for and what does a pergola do, but will do a meticulous job on upgrading your yard.
Before getting to the purpose of pergola, you should learn about what is a pergola and some of the main characteristics of this backyard feature.
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They Probably Wont Increase Your Property Value
Whether or not a pergola adds value to your property is up for debate. While sites like Extra Space and Outdoor Living Today claim that a pergola can increase your homes value, a chat forum on Trulia adds that it may or may not add value depending on where the seller is located.
But Beatrice de Jong, consumer trends expert at Opendoor.com in Los Angeles, says pergolas typically dont add value to your home.
But there could be a buyer who loves it and sees value in having one, she adds.
At the end of the day, if a pergola is the answer to your mental backyard vision board, you now have all of the information to decide whether building or buying one is the right path for you.
Types Of Pergola Designs
While there are several different types of pergola designs, each one adheres to a primary form and function that separate the pergola from an arbor, a gazebo, and other backyard structures.
One of the most common mix-ups in backyard architecture is the pergola vs. arbor. A pergola is designed to serve a wide range of different purposes, whereas an arbor is primarily used to accentuate an entrance or pathway, and is quite small in comparison.
Generally, a pergola is a wide-open structure with four support beams, no walls, and a decorative roof design, such as a lattice. For shade or even a touch of shelter from the elements, screens can be added to the roof or walls, although the primary purpose of a pergola is not to shelter its users.
Below, weve provided you with a quick list of different types of pergola designs that you can choose from as you plan your backyard addition.
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Benefits Of Installing A Pergola
If youre looking into installing an outdoor living structures there are many options available including attached pergolas, freestanding pergolas, and garden arbors. We also have operable pergolas the latest in pergola technology for those interested in controlling the amount of sun and rain protection. Learn more about this new technology in the video below:
At first glance, a pergola may not seem like a very practical structure but looks can be deceiving. Here are six great reasons to install a pergola in your outdoor living area.
Community Associations Limiting Pergolas
One last box to check, your local community association. Some local communities will restrict pergola construction more precisely than the larger city by-laws. For example, a house beside a golf course may limit a pergolas height as not to interfere with the golf courses appearances. Check with your local community by-laws to ensure that there are no specific pergolas concerning your yard and community. The city website may not provide enough information specific to the community.
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Youll Have More Room To Display Plants
In addition to potted plants on decks or patios, pergolas provide another space for plants to thrive . Climbing plants can be hung over the latticework of the outdoor structure to create extra shade, while hanging garden baskets can add pops of color and foliage to the space. Regardless of which types of plants are used, the outdoor area is bound to feel more calm and refreshing to guests.
Pergolas Can Add Value
In certain cases, installing a pergola can add value to your home. While this isnt a sure thing, if its well done and properly maintained, you may get a decent return on your investment. However, youll see this mentioned again in the cons section, because it depends on many different factors that are hard to predict. To find out if a pergola will add value to your home, you should do research on your area.
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Pergolas Arent Super Expensive
A pergola can definitely be a cost-effective way to give your property a more unique and personal look. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of a pergola is around $3,600, but you can get yours as low as $750 . For an example of a budget-friendly pergola, heres one you can buy from JCPenney for $750. This one is ideal if youre renting: The fixture is retractable, since its made of steel as opposed to cedar. If you have a more flexible budget, you can look into pergolas from Home Depot, which will run you around $1,200 .
Clever Layout And Frame Dimensions
The construction of pergolas will offer an amount of shade purely through the clever use of the construction elements . By adjusting the dimensions of these elements it is possible to create additional shade depending on when you are most likely to use the space.
e.g. If you have a long narrow pergola along the western side of your house then in the evenings the rafters and battens may not provide much shade, as the sun will be too low, but the posts/pillars would still be effective.
If you had a freestanding pergola that you hope to use for lunch then having it orientated in a north-south direction will provide the best shade and then if you consider the sizes of battens and rafters and their angle to the sun you can change the amount of shade.
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Where To Position Your Pergola
Where in your yard you place the pergola should be determined by what you want to accomplish with it. For shade, the best place to position your pergola will be anywhere that doesnt receive constant sunlight. This may be under a tree or up against the house so your home can provide shade for some of the day. Of course, too much shade can be a bad thing if you want vines to grow on the pergola, or if you envision hanging plants from the slats.
A pergola next to your house can also provide shade to nearby windows in certain circumstances, which is something to consider.
Consider what you want to do with the pergola, and then take note of the potential places in your yard. Observe how much sun these areas receive at different times during the day. Pretty soon youll have a good idea of the best position for your new pergola.
Reasons To Own A Pergola
There are many reasons to own a pergola, and this classic structure can transform your backyard and add a bit of style to your current landscaping. Pergolas also help better define your space and create a higher level of definition between two areas of your yard.
A pergola can also provide a bit of privacy, protection from the elements, and general shade. Youll also find many classic pergolas covered with plants, and this additional space is suitable for all types of climbing flowers and even some vegetables.
Adding a pergola can also add value to your home and make your landscaping more attractive for an affordable price. In addition, many homeowners find that pergolas combine well with other structures such as gazebos, trellises, latticework, and arbors so you can create a more custom feel.
Pergolas come in various materials, so you can easily find one in your budget that also matches your decor. Youll also find that a pergola is the type of structure that a homeowner can install themselves despite their size.
When you add a pergola to your outdoor space, you get the bonus of having a designated place to entertain that is beautiful and unique. In addition, these structures lend themselves well to decors such as string lights, artwork, plant life, curtains, and many other accessories.
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Trust Outback Landscape With Your Pergola
At Outback Landscape, we love enhancing properties with beautiful pergolas. Our pergola design and construction experts would love to meet with you and discuss your pergola design needs.
Located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, we serve residential and commercial properties in Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Pocatello, Idaho, as well as Bonneville, Madison and Bannock counties.
Call us at 208-656-3220 or fill out our contact form to schedule a no-obligation meeting with one of our team members.
To Pergola Or Not To Pergola
As you can see, many of the very same things that some people like about pergolas are the very same things others dont. Their open slats can provide shade but cant protect against the weather. They are relatively cheap to install, but the value they add to your home is tentative, at best. A pergola covered with vines and blossoms can be amazing to one person and a hassle to another.
Hopefully this post has given you an idea on whether or not a pergola is right for you. These common pergola pros and cons are guidelines to help you make a decision that is right for your and your particular situation.
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