With a Modern Pergola, Your Backyard Can Become a Private Oasis (2024)

FAQs

Do pergolas provide privacy? ›

You can use a pergola for shade and protection from heat, rain, hail, and even snow, and it can give you a private place to hide from neighbors (assuming retractable privacy screens are used) when outdoors.

Pergolas Create Versatile Shade

Yes, pergolas were designed to add shade to your backyard space. They are excellent for providing relief from the harsh, direct rays of the sun while allowing sunlight access to fill the space.

The first pergolas were thought to belong to a high court official in Egypt, all the way back in 1400 BC. Pergolas were mainly used in Egypt by the wealthy, and these structures offered them some shade from the sun and the heat. Much later, the Romans were known to use pergolas.

A pergola without a roof helps define a space and create a focal point in your garden, without creating a fully enclosed area.

An alternative to screens is adding planters hung from the perimeter beams, another great way to increase privacy in your pergola. Planting greenery, such as geraniums, begonias or ferns, can not only serve as an aesthetic touch, but can also act as a natural barrier for extra seclusion and intimacy outdoors.

CON: Pergolas provide little protection from weather.

Outdoor furniture under a pergola is susceptible to sun damage, and the pergola structure itself can fade over time and take a beating during storms and harsh winters. Bad weather will most likely limit the amount of time you're able to use a pergola.

A well maintained vinyl pergola can last 15-20 years, however for areas prone to heavy sun exposure or snowfall, this range may lessen to between 10 and 15 years.

A gazebo or pergola is the perfect addition to your garden if you want to increase shade and create an outdoor lounging area. The main difference between a gazebo and a pergola is that gazebos provide more protection from the rain and require more space, whereas pergolas come in more flexible sizes.

Boasting a whole lot of style and a ton of practicality — pergolas are the perfect way to bring accessories to your deck. One of the most popular ways to use a pergola involves hanging potted plants from the lattice roof.

Why choose a pergola over a gazebo? ›

The main reason is that pergolas use fewer materials than gazebos due to their simpler architecture. However, one of the biggest ways to save money is by building the structure yourself. Pergolas are considered to be more DIY friendly than gazebos, as they're generally easier to build.

The main difference between a pergola and a gazebo is the function of the roof. A gazebo and a pavilion provide full coverage from the sun, while a pergola allows for sunlight to shine through its slatted roof. Typically, a pergola provides partial shelter and shade over a garden, pathway, or patio.

Structurally Secure– Having support from the exterior wall of your home creates a structure that is exceptionally sturdy and secure. Less Required Space– Without the need for additional posts, attached pergolas allow for a higher amount of open space.

If you don't anchor it, then it could topple over or a storm could sweep it away - and who knows where it would land and do further damage? If you have guests under the pergola, you don't want it falling on them either.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Building a Pergola

As the footprint of your pergola increases, so do the material and labor costs. DIY pergola kits come in standard sizes, but if you want a unique size or shape, you'll likely need to hire a landscaping contractor to build a custom pergola.

Outdoor furniture under a pergola is susceptible to sun damage, and the pergola structure itself can fade over time and take a beating during storms and harsh winters. Bad weather will most likely limit the amount of time you're able to use a pergola.

The pergola might frame the view as you enter it, and you'll want to situate the pergola so you don't block your view; you want to take full advantage of the nature around you.

A strategically placed free-standing pergola is unlikely to have any detrimental impact at all on the light coming into your house, and they offer a fantastic shaded area to enjoy with your family and friends when the weather is hot.