As the weather gets warmer and the evenings are brighter, you may be planning on spending more time in the garden – and wishing you had an inviting space to sit and relax in the open air. Maybe you need more space, an additional room but can’t afford a conservatory? Perhaps you want to create a statement area in the garden or need a canopy for the hot tub. The answer just might be a pergola, the perfect extra (open-air) room in the garden.
What is a pergola?
A pergola is a structure with uprights supporting the beams going across to form a ‘roof’. However, this ‘roof’ or ‘ceiling’ has gaps between each beam although you could get a canopy roof if you’d prefer. Pergolas can be attached to the house or be stand-alone features elsewhere in the garden. It’s common to have a hard surface under them such as concrete, a patio, decking or carefully placed stepping stones.
Advantages of Pergolas
- They create an additional room. A pergola can be like a garden room as it can contain seating be it a garden bench or a table and chairs or a hammock. It’s about making your house bigger in an inexpensive way.
- Pergolas offer protection from harsh sunlight. Climbing plants growing up the vertical beams and along the ‘roof’ will create shade and a calming dappled effect with the sunlight coming through the leaves at random. Suitable plants include clematis, wisteria, ivy or honeysuckle.
- They are perfect for entertaining outside as people gather within the space.
- You can customise them as much as you wish. You can leave them bare with just the essentials or add curtains, fairy lights, cushions, candles, barbecues, pizza ovens or even a projector screen for watching films on as the light fades on a summer’s evening.
- Pergolas provide the perfect secluded canopy for a hot tub.
- Building a pergola is a very affordable way to create an extra room, much more economical than building a conservatory for example. Admittedly, you won’t use it much in winter but it’s perfect for any good weather days in spring and autumn.
- Depending on the materials used, they won’t require much maintenance. Treated wood will last for many years.
- Pergolas come in different styles too. You can opt for treated wood for a more natural and rustic look, metal for something more contemporary or painted wood to blend in or stand out with the surroundings.
If you would like a pergola custom built for you this summer, do provide your details on our website to receive quotes from up to four rated tradespersons.
