What To Consider When Adding A Pergola To Your Backyard – A pergola is a simple, yet useful addition to your backyard. A pergola is basically four posts that support crossbeams on the top of the structure. Usually, the roofs are latticed and allow for sunshine and shade to poke through. Pergolas typically are used to design a space in your backyard that is for hanging out. Some homeowners even use them to be a part of their garden areas. Pergolas are versatile, functional, and can make a statement. If you are thinking about adding a pergola to your backyard then you want to consider a few things as you sit down with a professional landscaping company.
What To Consider When Adding A Pergola To Your Backyard
Size
When you have your idea ready to go, you need to first and foremost figure out the size. The size of your pergola will be largely determined by how you plan to use it.
Style
You want to take into account what your style is and what you want out of your landscape. Is the pergola something that you hope to stand out, or do you want it to blend in with the surrounding greenery? The size plays a role in the style along with the material you will use.
Roof
Deciding on what kind of roof you want plays a huge role in the style of the pergola. Do you want this to completely protect the space below or do you want to allow for sun and rain to come through? Are you hoping to string lights or green vines? This all needs to be in consideration as you plan out the roof. The slats overhead can be placed horizontally, vertically, or even angled. This placement will determine the amount of sunlight that comes through. You can consider getting movable slats too, but this can be more costly. In addition to the slats, you can use shade cloths or canopies overhead depending on the season.
Walls
The sides of a pergola are usually left open. Some homeowners prefer to add partial walls by using lattice screens or enclose one full wall. You can use curtains or shades too if you would like to have the walls be optional. You could also use large plants to create the effect of a wall and add privacy.
Amenities
This is the fun part of having a pergola. You can add lights and planters as well as fans or even heaters. It creates the effect of having an outdoor living space when you add these fun amenities. All of these things need to be considered in the initial design because they could require electrical or gas lines if you are using a spa or fire pit in or near the pergola area.
Permits
Before starting a home improvement project, you want to always check to ensure you have the necessary permits with your local building department. Typically smaller structures may not require a permit, but you want to make sure that you know the height requirements and where you can build on your property. If you live in a community with an HOA then you will need to check your CC&Rs before starting your project.
Timeline
With any project, you want to have a clear understanding of the timeline while still being flexible. The more intricate your design then the longer your timeline will be. Overall, you want to make sure you love your addition, so it is worth the wait to be patient with your timeline.
In Conclusion
If you are considering adding a pergola to your backyard we would love to help. For any of your landscape needs from idea to design to finished product, contact us.