My wife had the Gazebo on her wish list since we had built the house in this location about 8 years ago. I finally found someone who was able to do it for us last summer 2011. Now we enjoy our backyard more with Kitty,Kristi,& Kee Bear ( our 4 legged Kids)

If you’re having trouble coming up with a deck that would be perfect for what you’re going to use it for, we’re going to help you out. The following are some innovative deck ideas that other homeowners have used to really make their outdoor areas stand out. Choose one or more and narrow down your choice. Don’t worry, you’re closer than you think to constructing the perfect deck for your home.

Party Deck

If you love to invite company over, even if you don’t have a pool, you’ll love the ambience provided by the party deck. Party decks are not unlike an outdoor room to your house. They are usually partially covered and provide close seating for a small group of people. Simple and elegant, a party deck can be just the design you’re looking for.

Fire Pit Deck

This deck idea is gaining in popularity. It provides enough seating and sunbathing room for the home’s family and a small group of friends and there is even a fire pit set into it. These types of decks provide the perfect atmosphere for a nighttime of relaxation as you all lounge by the fire and chit chat until the sun comes up.

Decks For Small Budgets

If you don’t have a huge budget for the deck ideas you’re considering, you can often get away with cheaper design materials. For example, there are small-budget decks that feel as though there is a terrace on the ground. These outside decks provide a quiet and relaxing outdoor area and yet they’re simple enough to keep costs down.

Privacy Decks

Enclosed decks are becoming the rage as more and more people are choosing staycations. Instead of traveling to a tropical locale, just lounge around at home on your own private deck. These deck ideas are often creative, such as using horizontal tree stakes to enclose the deck off to neighbors and everyone else. If you like your privacy, this may be the deck idea for you.

Deck With A Spa

Talk about a vacation at home. Many homeowners are combining their decks with spas in order to provide a place to party or relax. Young and old will love this deck idea as it’s just like taking a tropical escape except you never have to leave the comfort of home.

Decks For Dining

If you frequently like to entertain guests or you like to eat your dinners outdoors when it’s nice, this is one deck idea that might tickle your fancy. These dining decks make you feel like you’re sitting at a seaside café. The decks are typically built to accommodate a good number of people and there are usually benches and enough room for tables and chairs. Don’t forget the umbrellas!

Deck Ideas With A Bar

Speaking of entertaining, a popular motif these days is the deck with a bar. Now you can act like your very own bartender or you can tend bar for your friends and family as all of you lounge out on a glorious deck. The bar can also be used as a serving counter or a buffet table for the ultimate weekend get-together.

With these deck ideas, you only need to think outside of the box. Consider how much size you have to work with, what you plan to do with your deck and the budget you have to work with. Choose wisely and the perfect deck will be yours to enjoy for years to come.

The reason cedar is chosen for this type of structure is because it is naturally resistant to rotting and it’s easily worked and finished with stain or paint. But cedar also looks great ‘au natural’.

Cedar Pergola Kits

With so many styles of pergolas to choose from, you might want to go with a cedar pergola kit. You only have to search online or at your local home improvement store for a pergola kit that will allow you to construct your ideal design in just a matter of days or sooner. With pergola kits, you get all the materials, the measurements, detailed instructions and all the hardware. You can even customize your kit so that it provides the exact look and amount of shade you’re looking for. If you want easy construction, a cedar kit is what you’re looking for.

What Style To Choose?

The first thing you will notice looking through photographs of cedar pergolas is that there are tons of design styles. You have pergolas that attach to the side of the house or that provide accents over doors and windows. Then you have pergolas that are freestanding and that look great over a pool or garden. There are even pergolas that come attached to gazebos for a structure combination that demands attention. Whether you’re interested in shade or purely aesthetics, there is a cedar pergola kit that is perfect for you.

Shopping Around

When shopping for cedar pergolas, it is important to consider the color of paint or stain you want and the design style. But you also must consider space. Make sure your outdoor area is large enough to house your pergola. Nothing is more frustrating than having a kit arrive only to find out that you can’t construct it due to limited space. Measure thoroughly and ask plenty of questions of your pergola retailer. The perfect cedar pergola is out there. You just have to have patience until you find it.

Cedar Pergola Maintenance

You will want to keep your cedar pergola clean so as to protect it from dirt and mildew. Don’t use any harsh chemicals but keep to plain water or use a mild detergent if you absolutely have to. Some cleaners can cause discoloration so test a small inconspicuous area before applying any chemicals to the entire structure. When finished cleaning, hose the structure down thoroughly and allow it to air dry naturally. As a general rule, you will want to wash your pergola every three weeks or so.

It may be necessary to repaint or reseal your cedar pergola as time goes on. Check with your manufacturer’s warranty to find out what’s covered and for how long. Cedar pergolas can require a little bit of maintenance, but they’ll stay looking great and strong for decades to come if you take care of them properly.

If you are looking to add style and grace to your outdoor area, why not go cedar? A cedar pergola will provide you with shade and style you want while keeping to your budget. That’s right, cedar pergolas are perfectly affordable and get this, they are impervious to insects. That means no termites, either. The bottom line is that a cedar pergola is just what you’ve been missing at home. Buy a kit today and you’ll see exactly what you have to gain from this decoration phenomenon that is sweeping the U.S. as we speak.

But Pergolas have only recently begun to catch on in America. With a fiberglass pergola, you can get the style, grace and shade that a wooden structure would provide, but you don’t have to deal with the weather warping it, insects ravaging it and you won’t have to worry about repainting or any of the other maintenance issues that typically come with wood designs.

With fiberglass pergolas, you get a strong structure that lasts for decades and one that you can have created or molded to your exact specifications. From the design to texture to the color and everything in between, your pergola can be customized to look and feel any way you want.

Fiberglass Pergola Kits

You don’t have to be an engineer to craft a fiberglass pergola. You only have to find the right kit that contains everything you need. With a fiberglass kit, you can construct your pergola in just a day or two.

The materials come pre-measured and cut and you get all the hardware you need to put it together. You may need a power drill or other tools, so check with the manufacturer or seller to ensure you are well-prepared to put your pergola together.

Customizable

You may think that buying a fiberglass pergola kit means that yours is going to look like others who may buy the same kit. But in fact, these kits can be customized. For instance, you can adjust the rafter and stringer spacing so that you have just the right amount of shade for your outdoor area. You can also choose between various colors, shapes of materials and you can choose standalone pergolas or ones that attach to the side of your house. These options make sure your pergola is unique to your home and that it looks different than other pergolas in your neighborhood.

Painting A Fiberglass Pergola

Some manufacturers and sellers will recommend that you paint your fiberglass pergola. Fiberglass won’t absorb moisture like other materials will and so the paint should last much longer. You can in fact double the life of your paint just by choosing the fiberglass design. If your paint is high enough quality, you won’t have to recoat it for ten years or more. Many kits come unpainted but you can also find kits that are painted for you.

Fully Customized Pergolas

Of course you can also decide to have a fiberglass pergola custom-made. This way you don’t have to adhere to the kit dimensions and you’re free to choose the style and design that meets your exact needs. Just be aware that many kits will save you money and everything comes prepared for you. Unless you’re actually looking for a challenge, it’s recommended that you go with a kit to save time, money and frustration.

Fiberglass Is Strong

It should be known that fiberglass pergolas are some of the strongest on the market. In fact, many fiberglass designs have fewer inserts and columns because the structures are so strong. This means that you can basically go as large as you want when you choose fiberglass and you won’t have to worry about multiple columns getting in your way.

If you want to add a customized structure to your outdoor area and you want something you won’t have to maintain every year, you can’t go wrong with a fiberglass pergola. Look for kits online or at your local home improvement store and decorate your outdoor area with style.

But the great part about metal pergolas is that they don’t require much maintenance. The metal material is designed not to rust, warp, crack or rot and all you have to do is keep it clean to ensure that it stays great looking for years to come.

Metal Vs. Vinyl

We’ve already established that wooden pergolas take a lot of maintenance. Metal, on the other hand, does not. But what about a vinyl pergola? They don’t require very much maintenance. Would they be a good alternative over metal? It really depends on your budget. Many homeowners prefer metal pergolas because of their low costs in addition to their minimal maintenance schedules. It’s just like getting a wooden pergola without all the hassles. You can even get your metal pergola painted in a wood grain to keep the aesthetic appeal of wood you like so much.

Installation Of A Metal Pergola

It is recommended that you go with a metal pergola kit if you plan to go the metal route. That is because metal kits will already include the materials and hardware you’ll need to construct your pergola quickly. In fact, it’s not uncommon for pergola kits to be constructed in a weekend or even in a single day. All of the pieces are already cut for you and all you have to do is put it together. Think of it as a large puzzle. You will even get the materials to anchor it to the ground, ensuring that it stays looking magnificent for decades.

Constructing Your Own Pergola

Of course you have the option of buying the parts separately and then constructing your own metal pergola from scratch. Be aware that this can be quite a job. You will have to haul everything from the store and you can often find yourself spending much more on materials than you would had you used a kit. A good benefit of constructing your own metal pergola is that you can make it look exactly how you want. You won’t be confined to the designs of the kit maker.

On the other hand, many metal pergola kits are made from custom designs. That means you only need to search around to find the look and feel you want. You can find different colors and designs either online or in your local home improvement store. It’s best to shop around and do plenty of research so that you know exactly what you’re getting. For instance, does your kit come with everything you need? Do you have the space required for that particular metal pergola? These are important questions that need to be answered before you make your final purchase decision.

If you are looking to add style and grace to your outdoor garden, pool area, patio or yard, you can’t go wrong with a metal pergola. You won’t have to maintain it like wood and it will stand tall and strong for many years to come. You don’t have to worry about termites or weather or the sun’s rays because you’ll get plenty of shade in an attractive structure that’s designed just the way you want.

Pergolas are becoming increasingly popular amongst American homeowners. Be the first on your block to get a metal pergola before your neighbors beat you to it. Become the talk of the town with the newest structure trend to hit the suburbs.

If so, you have a quite a few options.

Fabric or Canvas Pergola Covers

There are many types of fabric and canvas Pergola covers on the market. Finding the right style and color to match your decor can sometimes be difficult. Even more difficult can be finding a cover that will last a long time and endure heat, wind and sometimes rain and still maintain a new look. That is why many people are making sure that they purchase or create a cover made of a durable fabric which in most cases, is canvas.

Canvas is a heavy duty fabric that you most often find in many outdoor products including tents, awnings, patio umbrellas, deck chairs and even on the sails of boats. Because it is a thicker and more durable product it works well as a Pergola cover. It’s strong enough to keep the elements out while maintaining a clean and colorful look to your outdoor space.

In addition canvas can be water resistant or treated to become flame retardant so it can be a very safe product to use outdoors. Canvas can also come in many different colors and styles since it is a cotton-based product so the sky is the limit when it comes to changing the look of your Pergola.

Solid Pergola Covers

A solid Pergola cover is usually a large piece of hard plastic or plexiglass that has been secured to the top of the Pergola using a screw-on or clamping system. Sometimes these covers are also made of a thinner metallic material such as tin or copper.

When using a plastic or plexiglass cover, you have the option to purchase one that is clear or transparent, specifically to allow the most sunlight in as possible, while still providing the maximum amount of protection from leaves or falling debris. You could also purchase this type of Pergola cover with a more translucent quality which would only allow a fraction of sunlight through while still providing maximum protection from falling debris. Keep in mind that having a solid Pergola cover like this may trap heat underneath it on particularly warmer days.

Retractable Pergola Covers

Retractable Pergola Covers allow you the shade and protection a solid, permanent Pergola cover would provide, with the freedom to go “cover-less” when the weather calms down and you want to enjoy direct sunlight. Retractable Pergola covers can be powered by a small electric motor, providing the desired protection with the touch of a button, or you can opt for a less-expensive, manually powered (hand-crank) retractable cover. Retractable Pergola covers can be custom-made to fit your Pergolas exact specifications.

There are also adjustable Pergola covers available with the inner-mechanics that resemble those of a mini-blind for a window. When too much sun or wind is making it’s way into your Pergola, you simply turn a mechanism, causing a series of inter-locking panels to close. This type of Pergola cover offers exceptional control over precisely how much sun or wind you want to allow in. This type of Pergola cover provides more protection than a traditional canvas or fabric cover.

Many of these Pergola covers, such as the canvas and solid covers can be created as a “Do-It-Yourself” project. Other more complicated covers with mechanisms and moving parts are probably best left for Pergola cover manufacturers to fabricate. Either way, with so many options you’re sure to find the Pergola cover that’s right for you.

Overall it is best to plan the whole landscape scenario well ahead, as Pergolas have an appealing and dramatic effect on the whole landscaping picture. They enhance the attractiveness and coziness of a garden or a patio by providing shade and a strong frame for climbing plants and hanging flowers.

The wide varieties of Pergola designs available these days makes it easier to find the Pergola that compliments your garden or recreation area in a natural and flowing manner. You can design your garden with a ready-made Pergola design kit or a do-it-yourself Pergola. The option is yours. Here are a few examples of different Pergola Designs.

The Tuscan Style Pergola

A Tuscan-Style Pergola is usually larger and more massive looking than a traditional pergola.

Featuring large columns and heaving rafters, the Tuscan style lends itself to home vineyards and any Italian-esque design scheme.

The Classical-Style Pergola

The classical style pergola features bright, detailed columns and a more intricate rafter grid. Reminiscent of ancient Rome, this style goes well with flower gardens, lush lawns and any yard that has a Victorian feel to it.

The Rustic Style Pergola

This is one of the most basic Pergola designs and has been popular for generations. Constructed mostly of cedar or vinyl, the rustic Pergola features solid beams with simple, open rafters and is great for supporting climbing plants. Though simple, rustic Pergolas can add breath-taking light and shade patterns to any deck or yard. This adaptable style can take on different flavors depending on what climbing plants are used, but its best suited to gardens with a rugged, wild or natural feel.

The Free-Standing Pergola

The freestanding Pergola can be easily mounted anywhere you desire in your garden setting without the need of any external walls or structures for securing.

They are often built in a square design and with four, six or eight support columns. The freestanding Pergola makes a perfect enclosure for patios, decks, hot tubs, or outdoor living furniture.

The Attached Pergola

The attached Pergola is designed to secure to your existing house wall, eliminating the need for the second set of posts on the Pergola.

They usually require fewer materials, are cheaper than free standing Pergolas and often are still easy to mount. They create an amazing transition as you walk out of your house into your outdoor garden setting.

The Walkway Pergola

The walkway Pergola enhances your landscape by adding a beautifully decorated open-ended element. They are often used as an enchanting entrance into the garden setting or mounted along your pathway as a beautiful passage. A walkway Pergolas can range from a small arbor-esqe structure to a long extended pathway structure.

The Arched Pergola

The Arched Pergola can be a standalone structure or it can be attached to your home or building. The arched top makes this Pergola even sturdier to better withstand more undesirable weather, while retaining a graceful appearance that arches invoke. Arched Pergolas can be constructed out of wood, metal, fiberglass and even the more traditional stone that comes to mind when envisioning the origins of the arch.

These are only a few examples of the available Pergola designs to choose from. Keep in mind, there a no set rules when deciding on a style and you are completely free to blend styles and materials to create a custom Pergola that’s just right for you.

 

Here are a few Pergola Ideas to consider:

Pergola with a Swing/Seating Area

Usually larger than an arbor but less confining than a gazebo, Pergolas may be as simple as an overhead structure attached to the rear of your house to cover a deck. Or it might be a huge, freestanding structure that’s the main focal point of a yard. Pergolas are effective over paved areas, such as paths, courtyards, and patios.

You can add a swing that hangs from the upper beams of a Pergola, but be sure to make the structure sturdy enough to support the weight of the swing as well as its occupants. A Pergola can be used effectively to elegantly designate a casual seating area while providing comfortable shade without imposing on the natural flow of the area.

Pergola Pedestals/Posts

Pergola posts are often anchored to low concrete footings, yet sometimes they’re just embedded into the ground. Simple support methods will do for small outdoor structures, but with larger Pergolas you’ll need something more substantial. Brick or stone pedestals are a perfect example and are sure to provide an idea resting place to enjoy your beautiful garden or outdoor recreation area.

Open-Top Pergola

An open-top Pergola is a free-standing Pergola that doesn’t feature a complete canopy. It’s also a beautiful way to create a comforting sense of full enclosure while using far less construction materials overhead. There are countless images and examples of open-top Pergolas online.

Post-and-Beam Pergola

A Post-and-Beam Pergola can be the ideal way to blend old and new features. A classical post-and-beam Pergola can be used to join old and new wings of a house, providing a natural, flowing transition from one area to another.

Entry Pergola

An Entry Pergola is a much smaller structure than the traditional size. Adding an Entry Pergola over a stone walkway or mulched pathway is a wonderful way to create a spectacular and inviting entrance to your garden or outdoor recreation area.

Floating Pergola

There’s no limit to creative Pergola ideas. A recent blending of a Pergola and an open-water dock/deck provides a breath-taking place to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, without sacrificing comfort, in the least. Whether you’re losing yourself in a great book, watching the kids swim or entertaining friends, you’re sure to enjoy this creative combination of functionality and fun in the shaded sun.

Ceiling Fans and Lighting

Many Pergola owners who enjoy a breeze have decided to shed some light on their outdoor recreation by installing ceiling fans with lights. Adding this simple feature will provide more temperature control on those steamy Summer days and more light when trying to finish a good book at dusk.

Private Pergolas

If you prefer a little more privacy under your Pergola, dense planting can provide an excellent alternative to lattice-wrapped Pergola walls. In a very short time your climbing plants can fill in nicely, creating a more private and secluded atmosphere to relax in.

Screened-In Pergolas

Depending on the region you live in, there may be quite a few airborne insects and critters flying around that you’d rather not encounter while relaxing in your new Pergola. Screened-in Pergolas provide an ideal solution to keep the insects out and the good times in. After a short period of time, climbing plants can grow over and around your screened-in Pergola, providing a natural appearance that flows with the surrounding garden landscape.

The possibilities for what you can do with a Pergola are virtually endless. Pergolas provide many opportunities to personalize your garden or recreation area to fit your wants and needs. You make take inspiration from a previous suggestion, or better yet, come up with a Pergola Idea of your own.

Let’s review a few types of Pergola Kits that are available and what benefits exist when choosing a Pergola Kit, rather than building a Pergola from scratch. We’ll also attempt to answer a few questions that may arise when choosing to work with a Pergola Kit.

Shopping for a Pergola Kit Online Versus In-Store

As you can probably imagine, shopping online for a Pergola Kit can increase your selection immensely. You are no longer held to the confines of choosing from only 3 or 4 models at the local hardware or home-improvement store.

There are, however, a few disadvantages to ordering a Pergola Kit online.

When shopping for a Pergola Kit online, you are unable to actually put your hands on the product to get a feel for the material it’s constructed of. Textures and colors can easily be misinterpreted while viewing images of Pergola Kits online. This can lead to disappointing surprises when the product is delivered.

If you are ordering a Pergola Kit from the manufacturer, you may want to inquire about the possibility of having a small sample of the actual material shipped to you. This allows you to be more certain that you are purchasing the Pergola Kit that meets your expectations.

How Difficult/Easy is it To Assemble a Pergola Kit?

When deciding to begin any construction project, you want to know how easy or difficult you can expect the process to be. Preparing the area your Pergola will be placed in is often more difficult than the actual assembly of the Pergola.

Most Pergola kits only require you to assemble the pieces, removing the need to measure and cut lumber (assuming you purchased a Pergola made of wood) or purchase an expensive saw. Usually the skill level required is that of a weekend handyman (or woman). Keep in mind, just because you may have decided to Purchase a Pergola Kit, you almost always have the option to have it assemble for you. Most distributors of Pergola Kits offer on-site assembly or can recommend a qualified handyman to do the job.

What Kind of Base Does a Pergola Require?

Before installing a Pergola Kit, you want to be sure you have a solid, level base to place it on. This can be a concrete patio or wooden deck. The posts must set on a base that has enough strength to support the weight of the Pergola. You always want to be sure to check with your local area to be certain you comply with local building codes.

Shipping Considerations

Most Pergola Kits purchased online are shipped by a motor freight carrier. The common packaging method will usually have the Pergola Kit placed on a pallet and then secured with metal ties and/or some type of plastic wrap. The entire package will likely weigh hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Most motor freight carriers do not unload packages for clients. With this in mind, you may want to arrange to have someone there to help you unload the package when it’s delivered.

Quite a few of today’s Pergola Kits are being constructed out of a number of lighter man-made materials, including vinyl, aluminum and fiberglass. Each of these materials have their pros and cons, but all of them have an advantage over the more traditional Pergolas made of wood. Pergola Kits made of wood are naturally heavier and may therefore be more expensive to have shipped.

Impervious To Many Things

Many homeowners tend to prefer vinyl pergolas because the material is impervious to sunlight and weather. Furthermore, unlike pergolas made of wood, vinyl pergolas are impervious to wood destroying insects and dry rot. The vinyl structures are so strong that they are designed to decorate your yard for decades to come.

Vinyl Pergola Kits

If you don’t want to have a vinyl pergola constructed, a good alternative is to go with a pergola kit. Vinyl pergola kits are designed to install simply and easily with minimum technical knowledge or ability. You can choose from a myriad of designs and colors and you can install your pergola in a single weekend

A typical vinyl kit comes with the posts and steel beam inserts, all the necessary joists and slats, decorative caps, screws, brackets, all the hardware you’ll need and certain extras, depending on the individual kit you choose.

Before You Buy A Kit

Before you purchase a pergola kit, be sure to ask plenty of questions. You will want to know if the above items are actually included, especially the hardware. If you need special tools, you will want to learn this beforehand. However, most vinyl kits are designed to be incredibly easy so most of the stuff you need should be in the box.

The most common tools for installing a vinyl pergola include an electric drill, measuring tape and a circular saw. Again, check with the manufacturer before you buy so that you know you’re ok to install once the pergola kit arrives.

Custom-Made Pergolas

Depending on the area where you wish to construct your Pergola, you may find that a kit doesn’t suit your needs. You may desire a special look or height that isn’t available in any kit you can find. In these instances, you may want to have your pergola custom-made. This is where you can choose the design, engineering and complete look of the pergola based on your needs, tastes and suggestions from the expert designing it.

Your Pergola Warranty

Kit-made pergolas and ones designed from scratch should both come with a warranty. The warranty could be for 20 to 40 years and some are for life, depending on the manufacturer or seller. Pay attention to your warranty and find out what’s included.

Although your vinyl pergola is designed to last for years, you never know when something nay happen. Keep all of your paperwork and read your agreement carefully so that your pergola not only stays looking great for years, but so that you are protected in case you have to repair or replace your pergola in the future.

Cleaning Vinyl Pergolas

In order to clean a pergola made of vinyl, you only need to hose it down. This will help to rinse off any dust or dirt that has accumulated and will leave your pergola looking shiny and new. If you experience staining, you should be able to use any standard cleaner. Make sure you check with the manufacturer before using any harsh chemicals, as you could damage the material permanently.

Vinyl pergolas require very little maintenance and retain their great looks for years. Whether you are looking for shade over your pool, garden or patio or you just want to add a unique look to your yard, a vinyl pergola is just what you need.