Four Best Materials for Your Outdoor Pergola

An outdoor pergola is a nice addition for your garden, patio or outdoor area. Apart from providing some shade or cover, it also has a decorative purpose. Pergolas can be built in various shapes and sizes. This will depend on the main purpose for building it and it will also directly affect the types of material used. In fact building an outdoor pergola may involve a selection from a number of materials as we shall discuss hereunder.

1. Wood

A pergola can be made to be freestanding or as part of a wall. Wood can accommodate both such designs. Wood is one of the most commonly used materials for such a project. The natural look of the wood is often sought after in such a case although some people may prefer to paint it as well. However the wood category can be further subdivided in the various types of wood that may be used as some may be more ideal for outdoor conditions than others. The most common types of wood used for building pergolas include mahogany, cedar, redwood, and teak. These woods contain natural oils which make them more resistant to rot, decay, termites, fungi and insects as well as warping and shrinking. In any case the wood will then be sealed so as to provide some extra protection against adverse weather conditions it will be exposed to, mostly moisture from rain and dew. It will also reduce the emergence of problems such as chipping and cracking.

2. Metal

Building a pergola from metal may not be very popular in the eyes of some people who prefer to have a natural, rustic look. However, others may prefer to go for resistance rather than looks, and in such a case building a pergola from metal is the right option. Needless to be said metal is highly resistant and robust. If the pergola is going to be rather large it may be the most resistant option. The main deterrent of metal is obviously rust; hence appropriate action should be take to protect the metal by galvanizing it and regularly maintaining it with suitable sealers which will prevent rust from emerging. Scrolled metal or metal tubing are usually utilized by welding and bolting them together.

3. PVC

PVC is also a very good option for building a pergola. Using a thick type will provide a resistant material and prevent the problems that metal and wood can cause due to outdoor conditions. It also has the advantage of not requiring much maintenance, if any at all.

4. Brick or Stone

Some people may prefer to build a pergola from brick or stone. This is usually the case when they prefer to match it with the house’s façade, especially if the pergola will be extending from one of the house’s outdoor walls. Obviously this is a good idea as such a choice will provide resistance and little need for maintenance.

These materials are the ones which are mostly used for building pergolas. Sometimes a combination is used as ultimately it is all a matter of tastes and budgets.