Adding an attached pergola to your home can enhance its appearance and help you create a semi-shaded area right on your patio. Attached pergolas can have many of the same styles and be made of the same materials as a freestanding pergola, but rather than having four posts, they have two, with the side of your house providing the rest of the support.
In many ways, installing an attached pergola can add a lot of stability to your pergola project. It can also help enhance existing areas such as patios or outdoor kitchens that may already be adjacent to the house.
Before you purchase an attached pergola kit and try to install it on the side of your home, make sure that you take a few things into consideration. Not all kits may be right for your project, so take the time to ensure that you get the right one for the job. Keep these four things in mind when planning your attached pergola, and you’ll be set up for success.
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Your attached pergola needs to be secured to the studs of your home’s exterior wall. The studs are part of the frame of your home, and they’re more secure than the plywood or other material that covers them. By attaching your pergola to the studs, you help ensure its longevity and long use.
Most studs are spaced between 16 and 24 inches apart. Take this spacing into consideration when you plan the location of your pergola. You may want to go up or down a size as necessary to make sure that it can cover the area you intend, while also being able to secure properly to your home.
The very first pergolas were constructed out of wood, and while wood is still an option for many homeowners, there are other materials on the market now as well. These include aluminum, vinyl and fiberglass amongst others. Every material will have its own characteristics to consider.
For example, wood will require you to paint or stain it regularly, consistently check for rot and replace damaged parts as needed. Aluminum is sturdy but can dent if impacted. Vinyl is very low maintenance, but on its own, it is often too light to hold up long-term.
A vinyl kit with an aluminum core can often give you the best of both worlds — the durability of aluminum, with the low maintenance and attractive exterior of vinyl. These lightweight kits are ideal for all areas and can give you the style you want for your home.
Pergola kits come in a wide range of sizes. An attached pergola is ideal for covering anything from a small patio to a large entertainment area. And while you’re considering the size of your pergola, you should also consider its overall style and the impact that the size and style will have on your home.
Pergolas come in both traditional and contemporary designs. The traditional designs often have more decorative pillars or columns, as well as extended lattice on the top. Contemporary pergolas have cleaner lines with crisp, square edges.
It’s important to match the overall style of your pergola to the style of your home for the best effect. Most homes may look good with a traditional style, but some very modern or contemporary homes will look better with a sleeker, contemporary pergola design. The size of your pergola can also impact the way that it complements your home, so be sure to consider both, together with the area you intend to install it on.
Traditional pergolas don’t have a lot to offer in the way of shade. They were designed to have vines trained over them or to have cloth added to them to provide shade and cover. Those are both still options of course, but now there are other options to increase the amount of shade that you get from your pergola by as much as 90%.
The slats that cover your pergola’s lattice can be louvered to allow for greater shade and shade control. Pergolas are great for adding definition to an area, and by adding louvered slats to your pergola, you can also make them more versatile as well. Determining the amount of shade you want from your pergola ahead of time can help you make the right choice as to which kit will work best for your needs.
A pergola kit should meet your needs for a durable, attractive, and long-lasting addition to your home and landscaping. Your pergola should match your home’s style, be easy to maintain, and provide you with the shade and definition you need. Make sure you take these factors into consideration when choosing your pergola kit to get a structure that will provide you with enjoyment for many years to come.
Contact Heartland Pergolas today for more information on a durable, easy-to-install attached pergola kit.
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