Pergola Designs - Choosing the Best Pergola Design For Your Garden

Deciding to purchase or build a pergola for your home is an exciting experience. A pergola will add a special element to your home whilst also adding more value to the house when it comes time to sell. Putting a pergola in your garden will bring an air of tranquility to the area and provide a special space for people to gather. There are many pergola designs available or you can design your own if you are experienced. When choosing a pergola design you should consider several factors including:

Budget

Pergolas can be as extravagant as you can afford. They can also be simple yet stylish without breaking the bank. If you are building it yourself then your pergola can be built for under $500. You could also choose to pay $4000 for a contractor to design and build your pergola. It totally depends on how much you wish to spend.

Location

Try not to build your pergola near any utilities that are underground. You may also need to find out if there is any piping or other obstructions in the prospective location of your pergola.

Sun position

This is an important factor especially if you think you will use the pergola at certain times of day. Do you want it to catch the morning or afternoon sun? Do you want a lot of shade? Consider also the roofing in regards to shade.

Materials

Wood is the cheapest material to use (well depending on what time of wood!). It will obviously need to be waterproofed and pressure treated. Other materials to consider building your pergola from include vinyl or aluminum.

Size

It is vital to draw out the size of the pergola before starting. Make sure it fits well in your garden and does not cause an obstruction. Mark the pergola on the ground as well as measured on paper.

Shape

Many pergolas are round however it is cheaper to build a square or rectangular shape due to there being less manipulation of the materials to get rounded edges. You can also make a triangular pergola if you wish! Hexagonal is also becoming a popular pergola shape as it looks round but is easy to create.

Pergolas are a fantastic focus point for the garden so consider that when choosing a position for you. There is little point having a pergola tucked up the back of the yard or garden. Instead make it the defining feature when you walk outside. Decorating the area with pot plants is a great idea to liven up the space.