For Maximum Shade, Consider a Pergola Cover
When Archadeck of Fort Wayne talks with you about your shade pergola design,
we’ll ask now much shade you expect the pergola to provide. We can
increase its shade by using thicker rafters and slats. We can also add
a cover over the pergola to maximize shade.
— Archadeck of Fort Wayne custom pergola with retractable, vertical
sunscreen.
The idea of a pergola cover introduces several design possibilities. A
retractable canopy, or a shade cloth that filters some percentage of the
sun’s UV rays, or polycarbonate sheeting – these are three
types of popular pergola covers. In addition to providing more shade,
a pergola cover can introduce another color to the scene. While pergolas
are naturally decorative, when you add a brightly-colored cover they make
even more of an impact.
Selecting Your Pergola Materials
Traditionally, pergolas have been constructed of wood, but vinyl, PVC and
even aluminum are other materials you can select for your pergola. If
you prefer wood, you might want to consider cedar instead of pressure-treated
pine. The beauty of cedar, especially when stained, adds a richness to
a pergola that can make it the center of attention.
Like a wooden deck, a wooden pergola is affected by weather over time.
The sun’s rays break down wood fibers and cause them to turn gray.
If you prefer low-maintenance materials that don’t need to be painted
or stained every year or two, we suggest you consider a pergola made with
PVC or vinyl. Aluminum is also a possibility, and it comes in a variety
of colors. Archadeck of Fort Wayne can help you select the pergola material
that will best satisfy your requirements.
Elegant and Ornamental: The Aesthetics of Pergola Design
The first thing we notice about pergolas, whether we realize it or not,
is that the pergola is a vertical structure in a horizontal setting –
usually a deck or patio. That contrast alone accounts for much of its
visual interest. A pergola helps to anchor an outdoor living space, visually,
whether it covers your entire deck or patio or just a portion of it. A
pergola is a powerful design element when it is placed at the edge of
your outdoor space where it serves as a visual entry point or boundary.
It can have a similar effect when it defines the area of an outdoor kitchen.
Rafter Tails or End Cuts … Decorative No Matter the Name
Many pergola designs include a decorative cut at the end of each crossbeam,
rafter or slat. Sometimes the end cut is called a rafter tail. Popular
end cut designs have names like crescent, crescent step, champion and
ogee – and there are many more. Adding an end cut design to your
pergola is one way we can customize it for you.
We can also build some privacy into your pergola design by adding latticework
at one or both ends. Clients are most likely to choose a privacy screen
when their pergola stands between them and their neighbor’s view
into their deck or patio.
Archadeck of Fort Wayne is northeast Indiana’s premier custom pergola
designer and builder. Our pergolas are designed to provide shade, decoration
and an anchor for your outdoor living space. If you are interested in
learning more about what a pergola can do to enhance your patio, deck
or outdoor kitchen, call us today at
(855) 931-4746 or
send us an email to get started!
Visit our
pergola and trellises photo gallery to see more of our beautiful pergolas built by Archadeck of Fort Wayne!
— Craig Whitman, owner at Archadeck of Fort Wayne.
It all begins with a complimentary design consultation, so give us a call today at
(855) 931-4746 to get started.
