A Pergola is a structure used to add beauty and function to a garden or landscape design…


There are various pergola designs being used today.  A pergola is a structure used to add beauty and function to a garden or landscape design.  It may also be used to extend the exit of a building or as a cover of a walkway by providing a shaded, nature-decorated area, through the climbing plants that    run along its pillars and cover the lattices on top.

When we talk of pergola designs, we usually refer to the material used to construct it and the style of the structure.  The most commonly used materials in building pergolas are wood, plastic, and metal.  Woods are the most common choice of material.  The use of cedar is recommended since cedar is naturally resistant to rotting, decaying, and being infested by insects. If possible and if permitted by the budget, treated wood should be avoided because the treatment in the wood could possibly kill the plants and even pose danger to people exposed to it.  Plastic pergolas are also common.  The main advantage of using plastic over wood is that plastic will not decay.  To ensure resiliency and resistance to weather, a high density vinyl plastic is recommended, such as PVC vinyl.  Also, choosing a vinyl that is UV resistant would be more advantageous in order to prevent the discoloring of the material due to exposure to the harsh rays of the sun.  Another frequently used material for a pergola design is metal.

Metel pergolas are expensive compared to wood and plastic, but they are very long-lasting and robust.  And although some metals rust, such as the commonly used cast iron, there are those that do not, such as aluminum.

Another aspect of pergola design is the style of its structure.  There are basically two types of pergolas.  There is the stand-alone or the free-standing pergola, which is similar to a gazebo except that instead of having a covered roof, its top is open and is covered only by the climbing plants and vines that intertwine with the lattices.  There is also the attached-to-home pergola.  By its name, this pergola design is attached to another structure, like that of a home, an entrance or exit of a building, or even the wall of a pathway.

There are, indeed, different pergola designs to choose from.  The appropriateness of the choice of material and style depends primarily on the layout or the location, the function, and the budget.  Pergola construction may be contracted out or, if you are experienced at handiwork, may be undertaken by purchasing a DIY pergola kit.