For homeowners, beautiful landscaping can make a big difference. While lush plants and verdant lawns are common outdoor features, adding a structure to complement the greenery in your backyard is a popular move, too.
You’ve likely heard of a trellis, patio, or gazebo, but the one structure that defies simple definition is the pergola. So what exactly is a pergola? Allow us to explain how it can revive your outdoor space.
What is a pergola?
Pergolas are wall-less structures that consist of vertical posts that support a roof of slatted beams or lattice. Unlike an arbor, which typically has rounded arches, pergolas are made up of straight lines. While these structures are traditionally free-standing, some homeowners attach them to the side of a house for added support.
Why do people love their pergolas?
“Unlike other types of backyard structures that come with closed roofs like gazebos or ramadas, a pergola is an open-roof feature that provides filtered shade,” says John Mochelle, an architect from New York City. “Both people and plants love them because they do not block all the sunlight.”
They’re also fairly easy to install on any flat spot in your yard, so you can get creative with the placement, Mochelle says.
For example, in a garden, a pergola can function as a trellis for climbing plants toward the back of your yard. Need to create a little me space in your backyard? A pergola can help you carve out a little separation for an outdoor room.
“Pergolas can also benefit a yard by offering good bones to a landscape all year-round,” says garden expert Justin Hancock from Costa Farms, in Miami. “During winter in cold-weather climates, a pergola can add visual appeal to a barren yard.”
Pergola design ideas
There are many ways a pergola can add character and function to an outdoor space.
Patio or deck overhang: If you are looking for ways to dress up a concrete patio or a wooden deck, a pergola will turn what you have into a fresh new feature. For a little privacy or protection from bugs, consider adding fabric walls. Curtains, sheers, or netting rated for outdoor use will get the job done. If you prefer hard walls, wood lattice works.
Cover for a front porch: A pergola over a front porch is an architectural element that can add a little value—and curb appeal—to your home. To embellish it, hang potted plants or climbing vines. For a dash of stylish flair in the evening, you could wrap a pergola with fairy lights.
Outdoor room: Outdoor living spaces are trending, and pergolas give you a great structure and an unlimited canvas for personalization. Virtually any spot in your yard can be transformed into an outdoor room for gardening, dining, napping, or reading on gloriously warm days.
Walkway cover: Have a detached garage? Make the most of the walkway between your home and garage with a pergola that offers a little break from the sun.
Entryway overhang: Homes that lack fascinating exterior features do not make a stellar first impression. A pergola over a front door will instantly beautify a plain entry.
Outdoor entrances: Frame the opening to your side door or backyard walkway with a small pergola covered with climbing plants.
“Ivy, morning glory, and climbing hydrangea are all good choices,” says Hancock. “If you prefer to plant something edible, you could go with climbing vegetables.” A few suggestions: tomatoes, cucumbers, and climbing French beans.
Best building materials
When planning to install a pergola, you should know that wooden pergolas are the most common.
“While you could use pretty much any material you please to construct a pergola, most residential examples are made of rot-resistant wood,” says Mochelle. “A great budget material to use is pressure-treated plywood.”
Natural, chemical-free wood such as Western red cedar is equally durable and stands up to decay and bugs, but it’s more expensive.
How much does a pergola cost?
The price you’ll pay to build a pergola depends on the size and materials you use. On the lower end are prefabricated vinyl pergolas ($525.67, homedepot.com). A custom piece constructed by professional builders using red cedar can cost as much as $7,000 or more depending on how much square footage you want it to cover.
