Archadeck of Central South Carolina Pergola 101: Shedding light on why the pergola is so hot!

Details of a custom aluminum pergola that graces this wooden deck in West Columbia, SC.

Turn on any one of a number of home & garden channels and you are destined to see an elegant pergola taking center stage. Pick up any home and garden magazine and you will notice the glossy pages are filled with images of pergolas. Pergolas have risen to the top of the “must-have” list for homeowners upgrading or planning a new outdoor living space. Pergolas may seem simple in terms of their construction, but this winning structure can be as simple or as detailed as you wish, from a romantic arched beauty in the backyard to a masculine- influenced feature of an outdoor kitchen or patio. Pergolas serve many aesthetic and functional duties and come in many styles, sizes, and materials. We have watched the popularity of the pergola grow over the past few years. Whether used alone in the landscape or garden as a shade structure, or in conjunction with another outdoor living structure, the pergola has become a timeless backyard fixture in its own right.

Deck with outdoor kitchen and pergola.

Pergolas can be used to add depth and help define a deck or patio. They can be placed within a landscape with seating or even a swing or hammock to create a special spot where you can read or just relax.  Pergolas also allow creative freedom because there are several kinds of materials you can use for your design. This will help you create an eclectic space that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Here are two examples that demonstrate the pergola’s versatility:

Exploring the pergola’s masculine side – the character you build into your pergola is determined by its size and the type of materials you choose for its construction. Natural cedar beams or beams wrapped with cedar and stained in natural wooden tones will create a rustic feel to your pergola and the outdoor living space it is a part of.

The pergola as the true romantic –  pergolas can also be designed to emulate nature and invite relaxation within your landscape. You will often see the pergola portrayed as a romantic centerpiece in the garden. 

You may ask what is the secret to designing a romantic pergola? The key is in the details. Arches, Ogee ends, smaller beams, ornate details and even opting to stain or paint your pergola white rather than leaving it natural will help achieve a romantic look and feel if that’s what you want.

This beefy timbered poolside pergola features a top portion of closely positioned rafters, providing maximum shade.

We design and build pergolas to accommodate the various needs of our clients. Aside from the obvious visual appeal, they add to your home and landscape, shade is often the primary reason homeowners build pergolas. Pergolas do deliver a measure of shade to a sunny outdoor space. The amount of shade a pergola can provide is dependent on the construction details of the pergola itself. A pergola that is built with wider rafters or cross beams that are placed closer together will provide more shade than one built with these elements spanning farther apart. However, all shade factors are influenced by the placement of your pergola in correlation to the direction and amount of sunlight your location receives. Keep in mind this can change with the seasons as well.

Be aware, when choosing your pergola design, wood pergolas will require maintenance. This includes staining and painting which can sometimes be a cumbersome task due to the intricacies of some pergolas. Aluminum is a clean, lightweight option that doesn’t need painting. If you want the ambiance and function a pergola provides without the chore of maintenance, these alternative materials will fit the bill.

Wooden deck with aluminum pergola in West Columbia by Archadeck of Central SC.

In addition to designing the pergola to deliver the most shade benefits, homeowners can also add shade canopies, awnings, or curtains to their pergola to create even more protection from the sun. Many of these options look quite nice and are treated with additional sunscreen protection to help block the UVA and UVB rays from the sun.

There are many ways a pergola can dress up a backyard. A pergola can be a cost-effective way to add character and style to your outdoor living space while serving as a unique shade structure.

The Archadeck of Central SC team – Mike Reu, Marshall Reu and Tucker Reu

Contact Archadeck of Central SC to learn more about our various pergola styles and materials to create your own one-of-a-kind pergola.(803) 784-1566
centralsc@archadeck.net