When you are considering creating a pergola and picking materials, approach it as though it as an extension of your existing home. Any additional structures to your home should complement what is already there.
Take the time to think carefully about what you really like about your home at the moment – Maybe it’s the simple and minimal design aesthetic? Perhaps it perfectly captures the period in which it was built? Are you making the most of the aspect and natural light?
Once you have jotted down a few ideas about what you really like, it’s time to condense this down and transfer your ideas into a brand new pergola. This article will run through some popular materials used to create pergolas and what you need to know about using them.
Timber
If timber features heavily in you home, or your backyard has a lot of trees and greenery, this can be a great material to include in the construction of your pergola.
If you are particularly handy, you can measure and cut your own timber to your specific requirements. Otherwise, it’s best to leave this to a professional or see if you can pick up some pre-cut timber packs. Make sure you choose timber that has been appropriately aged and seasoned so that you don’t experience warping and cracking over time.
If you are using timber for your pergola, just remember, it will be the most high maintenance material to build with, so be sure to take care.
Fibreglass or composite materials
Fibreglass pergola structures have the benefit of being ready to go, without painting or treatment at all. If you are after a quick solution that can be adapted to suit most houses and locations, then this may be the most suitable option for you.
Be wary that prefabricated structures may still require maintenance as they are prone to moisture stains and mould growing if sections aren’t receiving direct sunlight. You should consider that the price for these materials can be fairly steep, so make sure you are aware of exactly which materials you will require before you start.
Aluminium
Aluminium is typically the most cost effective solution for creating your brand new pergola. The beauty of aluminium is that it can easily be sourced in a variety of colours to easily adapt to your existing home and surrounds.
Aluminium is extremely durable and will retain it’s look well despite exposure to the elements. Aluminium structures are lightweight and easy to install, so you can take on installation yourself if you are DIY inclined.
If you are connecting a new pergola directly to your home, aluminium is the simplest and most durable approach, plus you can easily customise to suit your tastes and the existing features of your home.
