Exploring the Advantages of Pergola Plans

One of the most inexpensive additions you can put in your yard would be to choose any of the pergola plans available and build one yourself. Yes, there are some really attractive pergola kits on the market. However, they cost anywhere from $2500-$5000. If you have to hire a handyman to put the kit together or spend the time yourself doing it, it just makes sense to save a significant amount of money and buy the materials on your own. The plans are usually less than $40 no matter what pergola design you choose and they provide absolutely everything you need from a shopping list to detailed construction steps and they fulfill the requirements for a building permit should your city require one.

Let’s compare a pergola to some other potential backyard structures. You can look around at some gazebo plans for instance. The biggest difference between a gazebo and a pergola is that the former has a full roof, is nearly completely enclosed with a fence on all but one side of an octagon shape. Kits for a gazebo run one to two thousand more than a pergola. Even if you build it completely yourself, materials costs are much higher. Due to the complete roof on the structure, gazebos are also almost certainly going to require a permit from the city.

You could look at some smaller options by checking out trellis plans. The difference between a pergola and a trellis is that the latter is mainly a smaller, less sturdy structure put up primarily to support plant growth. Unless designed to be an archway, trellises are usually just a one walled or sided structure with more delicate lattice style to display and train vines. They don’t really provide an outdoor sitting area.

Let’s explore some pergola ideas since these really are the cheapest, most versatile & useful outdoor structure to choose. One idea would be a free standing version perhaps placed in a corner of a larger yard to create a shaded sitting or BBQ area. If you have a smaller yard, but still want some shade for the patio, an attached pergola would do the trick. Either way, you can vary the shape and size and even create a curved roof line or add lattice work in the corners and accents to the support posts for an even more elegant look.

It is a good idea to branch away from traditional wood and consider vinyl pergolas. The material is strong, durable, and resistant to pests & weather and requires no maintenance over the years other than an occasional hosing off to whisk away dirt. Like wood, vinyl can be painted providing a cleaner, gleaming pop of color and can be used in any shape or size.

Another excellent maintenance free alternative is aluminum pergolas. Specially developed aluminum paint perfectly replicates various wood colors. The pergola will not warp, burn, crack or rot. The same versatility in size and shape with wood or vinyl is also available in aluminum.

Once you check out all the pergola plans out there and settle on one, you will be ready to get going on your backyard project. By doing it yourself, you will save money and feel a great deal of satisfaction with the finished product.