Custom Pergolas: How To Pick the Right One for Your Backyard
Despite being around for centuries, the stylish pergola has never been more popular. From HGTV to celebrities’ backyards, pergolas are everywhere!
Chances are, this garden structure would fit your backyard as well. Other than increasing curb appeal, custom pergolas enhance your home’s value. The only question is: which type of pergola should you invest in?
We can help you answer that right now! Here are five key factors that should influence your buying decision.
Use and Purpose
Before you start looking at pergolas, you need to know what you want one for. Will this be an elaborate piece of landscaping design that can help you entertain friends? Or are you only looking for a cool, simple oasis?
Let’s say you only need a pergola for a bit of shade or sun protection. In this case, you’ll want a simple kit placed in the path of sunlight. This is a big advantage of building a pergola that meets your specific needs.
Construction Materials
Custom pergola kits come in a variety of materials. Wood is the most common and traditional, particularly cedar or redwood. The one drawback of wood is that you’ll need to regularly maintain it via staining and sealing.
The main alternatives to wood include vinyl, aluminum, metal, PVC, and fiberglass. Most of these only require yearly cleaning. Of course, you can also create a pergola using a combination of materials.
Design and Style
Pergolas can be either attached or freestanding. An attached pergola looks like an extension of a home but may involve extra taxes or special permits. A freestanding structure indicates an area with a specific purpose.
You’ll want to make sure your pergola matches your yard aesthetic. That can be anything from a standard rectangular structure to an example of modern landscaping design. For example, an arched piece with climbing vines!
Amount of Shade
The slats that form the roof of a pergola provide more shade than you might think. Depending on your climate, though, you may want more. One organic way to achieve that is to plant fast-growing vines over the roof.
If plants aren’t your thing, there are other ways to add varying degrees of shade. These include adding features such as steel panels, shade cloth, or drapes, some of which you can control remotely.
Price
These days, you can nab a pre-fab pergola from Home Depot for as little as $300. However, a custom pergola will set you back quite a bit more. The standard price range for pergolas in 2022 is $2,000 to $6,000.
This mostly depends on which extras you trick out your pergola with. Though they’re open-air structures, pergolas can support anything from heaters to TVs. Some models can even include a chandelier!
Custom Pergolas Are Worth the Effort!
Investing in a pergola shouldn’t be a spur-of-the-moment decision. With so many options for custom pergolas out there, it’s essential to do your research first. Fortunately for you, this article is the perfect starting point!
Interested in other landscaping design services for your backyard? Keep checking out our Home Improvement section!
