Designing your garden is very exciting, and there are so many elements that you can incorporate to make it a fantastic place to relax. In this blog, we’re answering the question, what is a pergola?
Before you start purchasing furniture for your outdoor space, it’s important to do a bit of planning. You might find it useful to draw a rough sketch out of your garden and add some measurements. This will give you a good idea of how much space you have for plants, furniture and anything else you want to add.
Having the measurements of your outdoor space can help you plan a garden design that you can bring to life.
What is a pergola?
A pergola is an outdoor structure that can have many uses. These structures are often built from wood or aluminium, meaning that they can easily be customised to match the rest of your garden space.
Pergolas can come in many different formats. For example, some pergolas have roofs, and others don’t. Some pergolas offer the best of both worlds, allowing you to seek shade with a closed roof or have an open roof whenever you wish.
Our aluminium pergolas offer high levels of protection from the elements during the winter and summer months.
Where to put a pergola in your yard
It’s entirely your choice where you place your aluminium or wooden pergola. More commonly, pergolas are either placed as an extension to a house or further out into the garden as a stand-alone structure. The size of your garden will play an important role in where your pergola will look best.
Regardless of where your pergola is located, it will act as a stunning focal point in your garden. However, it’s worth considering the weather conditions of your area. Pergolas placed against buildings may result in the area being less windy. Aluminium pergolas are much more robust than wooden pergolas.
What is a pergola used for?
Owning a pergola offers endless opportunities. You can use it as a relaxing seating area, a garden reading area, for shade, and more.
One of the biggest benefits of owning your own pergola is that it can be used all year round, making it an extremely versatile piece of outdoor furniture. Here are some other great ideas for how to use your pergola.
- As an outdoor entertaining area/dining areas
- To divide areas of your garden
- As an extended living space
- As an outdoor workspace – perfect for those work-from-home days!
- As a shelter for items, such as a luxury hot tub
What are the benefits of a Solidek pergola?
There are so many impressive benefits of owning your own pergola. Here are just a few.
- Increased privacy in your garden
- Our pergolas are premium quality
- Our pergolas are UK-manufactured for the Middle East
- We offer a 10-year warranty with all pergolas
- Our innovative design allows us to widen the span without the need for centre posts – allowing you to maximise your pergola space
- Pergola louvres are fully motorised
- Our pergolas are EN190 certified
- All pergolas can be customised to match your outdoor space, with a premium coating to the RAL colour of your choice
Can I decorate my pergola?
Being able to make a space completely your own is very exciting. If you’ve decided to purchase a pergola, you might be thinking of some ways that you can add even more beauty to it, and perhaps a bit of nature too.
You may find that places sell specific pergola decorations, or if you’re feeling creative, you could decorate it yourself. Here are some great ideas of things you could add to your outdoor living space.
- Hanging plants or climbing plants
- Curtains
- Hanging lights
- Vines
- A water feature
- Wind chimes
You might decide to keep the colours quite neutral, or you might want to add some dramatic colours to make your pergola stand out even more. One thing’s for sure: your pergola will definitely catch your guests’ eyes!
What’s the difference between a pergola and a gazebo?
The main difference between a pergola and a gazebo is the roof. Pergolas can come with a full roof, no roof or an adjustable one. An adjustable roof allows you to have the best of both worlds: shade when you want it and increased sunlight when you want it. You may even be able to have the roof half in use for partial shade from your garden structure.
In contrast, a gazebo typically only ever has a full roof that cannot be adjusted. Many gazebos have open sides, and they are usually free-standing, so they are often found in many different locations in a garden. Pergola garden structures are usually fixed to the ground, so the location must be carefully considered.
Our team will be happy to help you decide on the perfect location for your structure.
What’s the difference between a pergola and an arbour?
Arbours are typically much smaller than pergolas. Arbour structures are most commonly used as a shaded walkway rather than the extension of a home which a pergola can be.
Are you interested in purchasing your own pergola for your garden? Then don’t hesitate to contact us. We can provide you with reliable advice on the most suitable pergolas for your needs and the most beneficial locations for them in your outdoor space.
Create your dream garden space with our premium quality products with a 10-year warranty for peace of mind.