What is a pergola? Well, it’s a pretty and practical outdoor structure that’s commonly found in gardens, parks, and other open spaces.
Pergolas offer a shady spot for you to rest and relax. They also serve as supporting structures for flowers, vines, and other climbing plants.
Do you want to know more about pergolas? If yes, then you’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the pergola’s parts, popularity, perks, and more! Keep on reading.
What Does Pergola Mean?
The word “pergola” refers to an outdoor structure made up of columns or pillars that support a single roof. You can use a pergola to form a sitting area, a walkway, or a partition between two areas.
You can attach a pergola to the side of your home to create an additional living space. You can also build a freestanding one for gardening or decorative purposes.
Pergolas are often confused with a variety of other outdoor structures that exist to enhance your garden or home. To prevent any mix-ups, let’s take a moment to learn about their distinctions.
The Difference Between Pergola a and a Gazebo
One of the major differences between a pergola and a gazebo is the function of their roofs. A pergola’s roof usually provides some shade but still allows some sunlight to pass through.
On the other hand, a gazebo’s closed roof provides more coverage and protection from sunlight, storms, and snow.
Additionally, gazebos are often rounded and elevated from the ground. Meanwhile, pergolas have a rectangular shape and are connected closer to the ground.
The Difference Between a Pergola and a Arbor
At first glance, pergolas and arbors might look the same. However, if you look closer, you’ll notice a few key dissimilarities between the two.
Pergolas are larger and more elaborate than arbors. They sometimes have masonry columns and other splendid architectural designs.
On the contrary, arbors are simpler and smaller structures. They also have curved arches, unlike pergolas, which have flat and wide roofs.
The Difference Between a Pergola and a Trellis
The contrast between pergolas and trellises lies in their purpose. As mentioned earlier, pergolas primarily provide a shady spot or pathway.
Alternatively, a trellis provides support for climbing plants that are unable to grow upright. Grapevines, ivy, and climbing roses wrapped around a trellis add significant beauty to any environment.
The Difference Between a Pergola and a Carport
Pergolas and carports have similar structures. They sometimes overlap in terms of size, materials, and design.
However, a carport’s main purpose is to serve as a shelter for motor vehicles. For this reason, carports tend to have more solid and protective roofs.
On the other hand, pergolas serve as outdoor areas for humans. They might have completely open roofs that provide little shade, or closed ceilings, depending on your preferences.
Where Does the Name Pergola Come From?
The name “pergola” comes from the Latin word, pergula. It’s a term that refers to a projecting eave.
If you’re wondering what an eave is, it’s the lower edge of a roof that overhangs the face of a wall. Eaves are the parts of the roof that go beyond the side of a building.
The earliest known usage of the word pergola is in the 1640s, at the time of the late medieval period. John Evelyn used it to describe an installation at the cloister of Trinita dei Monti in Rome.
When Were Pergolas Invented?
The earliest known pergola dates back to 1400 B.C. An ancient documented garden plan belonging to an Egyptian high court official of Thebes illustrated a pergola that was built over a garden entryway.
It’s unclear whether the first pergolas were built for aesthetic purposes or to serve as a refuge from the sun. Throughout the years, these forms have been used for a variety of purposes.
Pergolas were historically used to adorn the hanging gardens of rich and elite citizens. They’ve also been used to grow vegetation for common workers.
What Are the Parts of a Pergola Called?
A standard pergola has the following basic parts:
Columns or Posts
Columns are the main pillars that support the pergola’s roof. They come in a variety of thicknesses and styles.
The total number of columns depends on whether the pergola is attached to your home or not. Bigger pergolas might require additional columns.
Beams and Rafters
The beams and rafters are the parts that make up the pergola’s open-air roof. The beams are usually positioned on top of the columns.
Meanwhile, the rafters are placed on top of the beams. Together, the two components create shade and control the amount of sunlight that passes through the pergola.
Purlins or Stringers
Not all pergolas have purlins or stringers. They typically go on top of the rafters, in a perpendicular position.
Purlins or stringers are added to cast more shadows and cool down the space.
Ledger Board
The ledger board is a part that will connect your pergola to the side of the home. This particular component is only applicable to attached pergolas.
The ledger board is secured to the house frame and provides support to the pergola’s rafters.
How Do Pergolas Work?
After assembly, all the parts of the pergola will work together to provide the level of shade that it was designed for. The angles and dimensions of the columns, rafters, and purlins will determine the level of sunlight that the pergola will allow to pass through.
Pergolas are widely customizable. The specific way that the pergola functions will depend mostly on how it was designed.
For instance, pergolas can be built to provide maximum shade or to allow sunlight to flood in. You can also customize them to offer privacy from the outside.
How Do Louvered Pergolas Work?
A louvered pergola is a special type of pergola that has an adjustable roof instead of a fixed top. It differs from the traditional pergola because it uses adjustable louvers as rafters.
This type of pergola gives you the option to switch between a solid roof and a lattice roof whenever you wish to do so. By adjusting the roof panels of a louvered pergola, you can control the amount of shade that your pergola provides.
You can choose between automatic and manual versions of louvered pergolas.
Why Are Pergolas So Popular?
The increasing demand for pergolas in homes, gardens, and backyards is evidence of their growing popularity.
What is it with pergolas that makes them so trendy? Let’s find out!
Design and Customization
Pergolas are the ultimate garden accessories. They’re capable of dressing up an ordinary space and giving it a whole new look.
The great thing about pergolas is that you can experiment with different materials, styles, and architectural designs in creating them. Additionally, you can easily change the look of your pergola with every season or occasion.
Element of Luxury
There’s something about a pergola that makes a space look classier and more elegant. When used properly, pergolas can transform your backyard to look like a luxurious tropical oasis.
They also expand a home’s functional outdoor space, making it look bigger and grander. Sometimes, the best place to host lavish parties, dinners, and events is in your very own pergola.
Recreational Purposes
A pergola enables you to do lots of outdoor activities while staying protected from the heat of the sun. You can relax by the pool, have a barbecue party, or play board games with your family under the shade of a pergola.
Ease and Simplicity of Assembly
With enough knowledge of its basic parts, you can effortlessly make your own pergola. It can easily fit into a small corner beside your house.
For added convenience, there are also lots of available pergola kits on the market that allow you to assemble one in just a few hours. No wonder it’s such a big hit with many homeowners.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Pergola?
It’s time to put these lovely outdoor structures to the test! Check out the many benefits of owning a pergola, and a few of the downsides to it.
Pros
Here are some advantages of having a nice and shady pergola in your backyard:
1 – Additional Privacy and Partitioning
A pergola can do more than just make your space look pretty. With some fabric and a few structural changes, this structure can offer you some much-needed privacy from your neighbors as you lounge by the pool or observe the outdoors.
If you want to separate a space from the rest of your backyard, a pergola can do the trick. It can also act as a safety barrier that prevents your kids and pets from wandering off to a pool area on their own.
2 – Increased Shade and Airflow
The cool thing about pergolas is that they provide sufficient shade while still enabling airflow. Proper design and orientation are keys to creating a pergola that casts a perfect shade and allows a cool breeze.
If you find your pergola lacking in coverage, no worries! It can be easily fitted with additional shade covers for more protection from the sun.
Waterproof pergola covers can also protect you from rain showers and light summer storms.
3 – Home Expansion
Do you want to make use of that extra space you have in your yard? Why not construct a pergola?
It can serve as an additional playing area, lounge corner, or extra workspace.
A pergola gives you more room to entertain guests and can serve as a dining area when the weather permits. Adding a pergola can make you feel like you’ve acquired another room in the house.
Cons
Here are a few drawbacks to think about before getting a pergola:
1 – Need for Maintenance
Pergolas are primarily meant for the outdoors. This makes them vulnerable to intense heat, wind, rain, and snow.
All of these elements can take a toll on your precious pergola. As such, they’re gonna need some TLC to remain in good condition.
Painting, polishing, and cleaning are some of the regular maintenance tasks required for these backyard structures. You’re also gonna need to repair any chips or cracks that appear every now and then.
Aside from that, you’d need to trim and direct any climbing plants that cling to your pergola. You also need to constantly remove any fallen leaves and twigs, too.
2 – Presence of Pests and Insects
Unfortunately, there’s no stopping critters from making a home in your pergola. For instance, wooden pergolas are especially susceptible to termite infestations.
You can consider painting or sealing your pergola for added protection. However, this doesn’t stop spiders from spinning their webs or birds from building their nests on the said structure.
What’s more, if you have plants on your pergola, they might attract bees, wasps, and ants. All of these pests and insects require additional time, effort, and expenses to get rid of.
3 – Total Cost
Over time, the cost of maintaining your pergola can add up. Not to mention the initial price you paid to acquire one.
If you plan on getting a high-end and high-maintenance pergola, you might want to create a budget first before you commit.
Are Pergolas Worth It?
After going through several pros and cons of pergolas, you might conclude that their numerous benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. If that’s the case, then pergolas are definitely worth considering.
These outdoor ornaments will be of most use to you if you find yourself frequently spending time outdoors but needing to go in because of the heat. Wanting to expand your living area could be another reason for you to get a pergola.
But first, consider the possible construction costs or D.I.Y. expenses for your potential pergola. Factor in the occasional maintenance costs, as well.
If you find the total amount to be well within your budget range and appreciate the additional space and beauty that a pergola brings, it may be time to get one of these ornaments for your home.
Final Thoughts
So, what is a pergola? And why is it so popular?
Because you’ve read this guide, the answers to these questions are now yours to know and appreciate!
Hopefully, you’re now familiar with the meaning, parts, benefits, and drawbacks of pergolas. These lovely outdoor structures are capable of adding charm and visual appeal to any landscape.
If you’re starting to like this timeless and beautiful ornament, you might consider getting one of your own. A pergola would be the perfect addition that will take your backyard to the next level.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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