Move that swing off the porch and into the beauty of the landscape by building a pergola swing . You might already own a porch swing. You probably never thought that the swing itself could be moved to work in unison and complement a pergola in your own backyard. It is true, pergola swings are becoming a very popular addition to the American backyard.
A pergola is a structure that provides shade. The origin of the word comes from the Latin word pergula which means a projection or overhanging eave. The pergola’s origins are based deep throughout history and were originally created to support hanging vines ( such as grapes) and to also connect separate buildings by way of this open passageway we now call the pergola.
Today we still use pergola’s in much the same manner. Many pergola owners plant decorative vines and climbing bushes such as fragrant roses at the base of the structure for aesthetic appeal. Many homeowners also use a pergola, sometimes built-in separate levels to serve as a passageway from the yard itself into a porch or onto a deck. The possibilities for uses of this lovely structure are endless and stretch as far as your imaginations allow. The addition of a swing installed into the pergola is not new. The Victorians were the ones whom originally perfected this concept. With the ornate Victorian architecture and detailing we still see in design to this very day.
The idea of a pergola swing is to get the best of both worlds. Not only will the pergola serve as shade and an oasis from the heat on a warm summer day, the swing will entice you to relax and absorb the beauty of nature that encompasses you. The amount of shade that is prevalent in your pergola depends heavily on the style of the pergola you choose. Larger slats, or timbers that are closer together will provide more protection from sunlight than an open design. Determining the proper location when building your pergola is important for shade value too. To maximize the amount of protection from direct sunlight we recommend careful planning to avoid direct afternoon sun, or a location that receives indirect sunlight throughout the day. Other influences can be added such as ornamental flowers or vines and even a new product called Polygal to deflect the hazardous UV rays. Polygal (Polycarbonate multi-wall sheets) is a thin sheet virtually transparent that can be applied to any structure, it keeps out the harmful ad damaging UV rays but still lets the natural warmth of the sun through.
Above all let’s not forget the fact that a pergola swing is a beautiful addition to any backyard. Not only will you have a beautiful place to relax, the addition of a home improvement structure such as this increases the value of your home for years to come.
Archadeck can help you plan, design and build your new pergola swing in the perfect location with comfort in mind. Give us a call for a free estimate today.