If you’re looking to create a new living space in your outside area as well as adding instance value to your home, then a pergola has to be your first choice. These simple constructions can be built in less than a week, and provide a gentle shade and a sense of luxury wherever you choose to install one. There are plenty of types of pergola to choose from, with many design decisions to make as you make the ultimate upgrade to your outdoor space.
What Is Your Pergola Purpose?
When you’re planning your pergola project, the big overarching question to start with is why you are building a pergola in the first place. For some people, it’s all about creating some additional living space, turning an unused part of your yard into extra space for dining or entertaining. For others, it’s about making a quiet oasis to survive the long summer months. It’s also possible to use your pergola as a grow space to make a showcase of your climbing plants. Whatever your reason, your pergola purpose should guide your decisions as you choose a pergola for your home.
Key Pergola Decisions
With your pergola purpose in mind, it’s time to make some important choices to narrow down your search for the perfect pergola:
- Freestanding vs attached – pergolas fall into two main groups; freestanding and attached. Freestanding pergolas can go anywhere in your yard and can be built on top of any surface. They are more expensive as the whole structure has to be weight bearing, and you’ll also have to pay for whatever approach you have to anchor them to the ground. Attached pergolas attach to your home and act as an extension of your house. They tend to be cheaper as you don’t need the full set of posts to support the pergola, but you’ll be limited to the space directly outside your home.
- Aluminum vs wood – the material you choose for your pergola project is largely a question of personal aesthetics. Aluminum pergolas give a sleek, modern feel to your new outdoor space and also require much less in the way of annual maintenance. On the other hand, wooden pergolas have a more classical look, especially when paired with climbing plants, but you’ll need to treat them to keep them safe from Calgary winters and bugs.
- Lattice structure – finally, you’ll need to think about the shape of your lattice as part of your pergola purpose. If the goal is to create shade, you’re going to want a tighter lattice pattern, while if you’re looking for somewhere open and breezy to enjoy the sunshine, you’ll want to find a wider latticed design. If you’re looking for something in the middle, consider adding fabric coverings over the roof that you can add and remove depending on the weather and what you’re using your patio for.
Location, Location, Location
As with any design feature in your yard, the location of your pergola is an important decision to get right. There are plenty of places where your pergola will enhance the look and overall vibe of your yard, but these are some of the most common locations for your new outdoor structure:
- Right next to your house – putting a pergola right next to your house doesn’t seem like it will get you extra space, but you’ll be surprised about how it changes how you use your deck or patio. A pergola can attach to your home so it looks like an additional room (without a solid roof or walls!) or just be free standing as you come outside. In either case, it will trick your brain into thinking that you’ve created a new space, and you can use this to your advantage by putting furniture out under your pergola for either dining or entertaining.
- Out on a patio – if you have a patio that extends away from your home, you can add a pergola to be a central focal point for your garden. You can also build a dedicated patio area further out in your garden to host your pergola – remember to add the flagstone pathways to and from the pergola to make it the crown jewel of your yard. The best thing about this approach is that you’ll get full 360 degree views around your yard so this is a great location for your pergola if you have a bigger yard or want a formal place for parties and family get-togethers.
- Under the trees – if you’re looking for a little more shade and privacy, then putting your pergola underneath a cluster of taller trees will give you both at the same time. The natural surroundings of the tree trunks means that you’ll probably want wooden post and beams instead of aluminum, and you can add to the secluded feel by planting climbing flowers at the base of each post such as wisteria or clematis so your pergola gives you structure while remaining hidden in plain sight.
Strong Foundations
With the first two locations, you’ll be able to save some time and effort because your pergola can simply attach straight onto your existing deck or patio. The strength of the structure in either your patio or deck will be more than enough to support the weight of the pergola, and you then just need to make sure that everything is flat and level before you get building. If you choose to build your pergola directly onto your lawn, you’ll need to dig deep enough holes to support the weight and length of the posts as well as making sure you have a solid plan to keep your pergola posts upright once you’ve buried them in the ground.
With all the choices and options available to you, it makes sense to come and talk to our experts here at Desert Sun Patios. They have decades of experience in designing pergola projects and will be able to bring your pergola dreams to reality.
