The overall decision to install a pergola is somewhat of a no-brainer. Whether you purchase a pergola that will sit on the deck right outside your house, or a freestanding model that will frame part of your garden, a pergola helps to define a specific area of your outside space. There are many uses for a pergola, from a romantic dining space to a cosy seating area complete with fire pit and string lights for those warm summer nights. They are a quick and easy home improvement project, and you’ll always see a good return on investment as it gives your outside space that ‘wow’ factor to visitors and potential buyers.
Where To Buy Your Pergola
The big decision therefore isn’t whether to buy a pergola or not, but whether to buy a storebought pergola or hire a professional team to build and install your pergola. This choice boils down to three factors that you need to weigh up:
- Budget – the big deciding factor for many Calgary homeowners is how much the pergola project will cost. A store bought pergola tends to be the cheaper option as you’re just paying for the materials, and these materials tend to be of lesser quality as customers have to be able to transport them to their homes. It’s a reasonable option to save money if you have the time and knowledge to successfully construct the pergola yourself, but this can be tricky given the size and the construction process. A professional team will cost more, but will get the job done quickly with a much higher quality of material.
- Customization – storebought pergolas tend to come in a one size fits all model in regular square or rectangle footprints. If you’re fortunate enough to have the perfect sized spot, then this might be a good option. However, most Calgary homeowners will find that storebought pergolas will either provide too much or too little coverage. Working with a professional team will allow you to customise all aspects of the pergola from the width to the height to the size of the gaps in the lattice.
- Maintenance – just like any other piece of store bought furniture, you get what’s in the box and nothing more with a storebought pergola. This means that you’re left to your own devices to work out how to maintain and preserve your investment. Wooden pergolas require a yearly maintenance process to keep them looking their best, and a professional pergola install will talk you through this process once the install design. The same is true for aluminium pergolas, and you’ll be able to ask questions about painting and cleaning to keep your pergola looking at it’s very best.
It’s clear to see that there are some situations in which a store bought pergola might fit your needs, but for the majority of Calgary homeowners, it’s worth paying more for a professional pergola service. Call our team of pergola experts today to start your perfect pergola journey.
