Introduction to Pergola Ideas
It is a difficult job to design a relaxing functional, fashionable and stylish outdoor space that you can use during the summer.
In spite of Britain’s mild climate, those sunny daytime temperatures can cause some issues, particularly if you do not have any trees or bushes in the vicinity that could provide some shade.
If you are in this situation every year, we could be able to answer all your questions in the shape of a pergola.
This article will focus on pergolas. We’ll show you the definition of them and how you can put them up and the best ways of decorating them, and every type of pergolas available as well as some amazing ideas you can implement to your garden!
What is a Pergola?
A Pergola is a structure for the outdoors which can bring a wealth of practical and aesthetic benefits to your yard, garden or terrace.
Pergolas are generally constructed from wood posts and beams, which are attached to a wall in a lean-to style or freestanding, and have the alternative to leave the pergola’s roof open or to cover it with other roofing materials to make an umbrella.
Nowadays, pergolas can be stripped of all vegetation all the way to the beams and posts and, by themselves, they can be stunning in a patio or garden setting. However, they can also be outfitted with blinds, curtains or even canvas if you like this style or go to the extent of installing floor lights to create an even more striking impact.
To create a more natural look, you could even let flowers and plants overhang the pergola’s posts as well, with vines and similar plants becoming a popular choice for this style.
A lot of people misunderstand pergolas and gazebos or marquee. The major distinction is that a marquee, also known as a marquee, is a form of tent that is easily constructed for parties and events and, while they serve the same purpose as a pergola, they’re far from it in terms of the quality.
Additionally, gazebos are likely to be completely covered and even the roof, but usually not allowing the same kind of openness that pergolas allow for.
Patio Pergola Ideas
Pergolas that are installed on patios are an excellent alternative if you’re looking for a way to give a classy touch to the outdoor spaces of your house.
Most often, patios are used to store garden furniture like benches, chairs and tables for outdoor dining The addition of pergolas can significantly enhance the look of these kinds of areas.
The first choice is to build an outdoor pergola using the standard “lean-to” style. The pergola is connected with your house.
This could create a stunning covered area for your patio, while remaining an integral part of your house and making meals in the summer evenings more like the perfect holiday than any other.
Another and better option if you have a larger area for your patio is to construct an outdoor pergola that is freestanding within the middle part of the outdoor patio.
The pergola is now transformed into the focal point of your outdoor space and will become the focal point for any gatherings or parties for as long as it’s built.
The most appealing thing about pergolas that are centrally located is the range of options you can use to re-design it.
In summertime, it’s an ideal spot to unwind reading a book in an inviting chair or lounger, and in winter, it can be a great spot to sit around an open fire and sip hot chocolate.
Pergolas are extremely adaptable and are perfect for patios.
Garden Pergola Ideas
Gardens are already a fantastic space to relax in the summer evenings or to play with your children on weekends or host an event for a birthday which you are able to enjoy but there are a few disadvantages of a garden that does not have any protected areas or varieties.
First of all, you may not need to be sat under an oppressive sun for the entire day long, however, that doesn’t mean you should be inside as well.
A pergola lets you take a break from your sun’s rays for time without giving your breath to fresh air, and if you’re a bit creative you could even build the pergola with other devices such as lights and speakers.
The majority of pergolas in gardens appear more attractive when the decor is integrated to the natural appearance by using designs that resemble vines and plants growing up the beams and planting flowers on the perimeter of the pergola.
Another amazing and innovative addition is the trellis screen that can be used to teach certain plants to fill the gaps of the screen making it look like the appearance of a natural wall.
This is an excellent method to incorporate your pergola in the design of your yard, and even though it will require some maintenance to prevent the plants from sputtering out It’s not too difficult.
The beams of pergolas are incredibly strong and sturdy. It is possible to put in permanent fixtures by way of lights or other technologies but for those who prefer a more traditional look, you can attach wooden plant bases to the pergola and plant colourful flowers to give some colour for your patio.
While it may not look as stunning in winter months, there’s no reason to stop you from changing it from plants and soil to fairy lights and other ornamental materials during winter. It will also require much less effort to maintain and look at its most attractive.
Lean-to Pergola Ideas
A lean-to pergola can be described as a structure which is affixed to the building on one side or the other. instead of being freestanding and accessible to all four sides, it is positioned against a structure to provide support.
It is usually on the other side of your house; it permits the pergola to appear as a separate area of your home, since it can be positioned in the vicinity of entrances.
A very popular spot to install a pergola lean-to is located above French doors that are located at the rear of your house to provide an outdoor dining space, and also close access to your kitchen.
This is a great feature to make use of during the summer months for peaceful meals or as a backdrop for BBQs and dinner celebrations.
The proximity of the kitchen facilitates serving food and transfer of meals a breeze and almost as an outdoor dining area instead of a pergola.
It’s definitely a luxurious option with reviews that are overwhelmingly positive from the people who have chosen to install this design for their homes.
Another benefit of lean-to pergolas is that they gives a bit greater privacy than freestanding one, for instance certain people may put an arbour in the area of their patio or garden that is backed by the fence or wall and the other one attached to their house, which offers two fully covered spaces and two open areas to give you the most benefit of both.
These pergola designs are ideal for hot tubs, and have really gained reviews in the home setting in recent years, and are now much more affordable and easy to set up.
There are also Lay Z Spa variations of the hot tub that are priced less than £500 however have earned high praise from homeowners searching for a hot spa spending a tight budget!
Wooden Pergola Ideas
If you’re searching for a wood pergola to make an extension to your outdoor space Here are some suggestions:
Oak Pergola
Oak is a highly durable wood, and is a must to build permanent structures such as pergolas. You can rest assured that when you purchase an oak pergola that it’ll withstand the tests of time and will not degrade rapidly.
But, it’s not just the toughness in oak which makes it the ideal choice for pergolas. It’s also an impressive wood that can be used for decorative reasons too.
Oak is usually provided untreated, which means that you can apply your own wood stain and treatments to alter the colour or the hue or the shade.
It is also possible to leave it untreated if you prefer the silvery-looking look oak acquires after years of exposure to elements.
The fact that a wood is left untreated doesn’t affect its durability but it does impact the appearance of the timber.
Red Cedar Pergola
Untreated red cedar, which is as oak, will change to a silver-grey shade over time. Most people want to achieve.
However, it’s distinct from oak in terms of durability in that red cedar is significantly more soft wood than oak which means it can be susceptible to splitting and bruising when rough handled.
While this will not impact the strength for the pergola however it might not be the ideal choice when you have kids playing on the pergola.
Apart from its softness aesthetically, it’s also gorgeous wood that can be used to build pergolas and you’ll certainly not be disappointed with the design of the structure. You should be cautious about its soft wood properties.
Pressure Treated Pergola
Pressure-treated wood is wood that has been preserved in a tank that creates a vacuum to eliminate the air within it. Then a solution containing arsenic, chromium and copper is used to bond the wood into pressure-treated wood.
This process is intended to prolong the life span of wood by using the chemicals acting as an insecticide, bactericide and fungicide.
The wood vacuumed is able to keep the chemicals contained inside and keeps them from leaching out into the soil or surface around it. This makes it an ideal choice for low-cost pergolas.
Pressure-treated wood is quite affordable If oak or red cedar aren’t within your budget You can consider pressure-treated wood as a viable alternative.
The wood is able to be stained and coloured in whatever way you want and still be stunning in your patio or garden setting.
Metal Pergola Ideas
Metal pergolas are generally constructed out of aluminium or steel There is some attraction to a pergola constructed of metal over wooden structures.
In the first place, metal can be very easy to work by the fact that you don’t have to be concerned about splitting or breaking wood when drilling or connecting the pieces as well as it requires less maintenance than wood.
The metal can be altered to make intricate and stunning designs for those seeking something distinctive than the usual wood beam pergola.
But, they can also be extremely simple structures that serve as the foundation for other designs like white ceilings made of canvas or walls that surround the pergola.
Metal pergolas look modern and are the best option for homes that are being built as well as homes that were recently renovated to give them a more modern style.
Aluminium and steel are the best choice because of their convenience as well as availability and price.
Vinyl Pergola Ideas
Affordable, simple to install and maintenance-free, making vinyl pergolas an extremely sought-after choice for homeowners.
There are many names for vinyl, and others use it to mean UPVC or PVC. Others refer to it as plastic or vinyl, but each one shares the same characteristics similar to the other.
Vinyl can be made to replicate almost any style ranging from wood effects to stone If you’re looking for a specific style or colour, vinyl could be the most appropriate option to go with.
Vinyl pergolas are easy to construct, and they can be customized or choose from a range of options. And there are a lot more choices than they did a couple of years ago because the demand for vinyl pergolas is growing.
They can also be just as massive as their wooden or metal counterparts, or simply be a small part of your backyard or patio that is suitable for a comfy reading chair.
The main selling point of pergolas made from vinyl is the low maintenance, and there are no treatments, cleaning, varnishing or other ongoing tasks needed, which makes it the ideal option for busy families.
