An easy guide to building the perfect pergola

If you want to transform your outdoor area into an awesome entertainment hub, you should opt for a pergola. Dress up your deck with one or have a free-standing structure installed to create a relaxing alfresco area. Follow these tips to get the pergola of your dreams.

Know your pergolas

The original pergolas were mostly used to cover paths and only intended to provide shade through vines that crawled up their posts and lattice roofs. Today, the term pergola refers to these traditional structures or to similar ones with a couple of modifications like roofs and floors. More than just shading paths or garden entrances, pergolas are now utilised as outdoor entertainment areas.

Since pergola options have multiplied, it’s best to do your research and find out all there is to know about your choices. Check out the pros and cons of the various pergola materials, such as traditional timber, rust-proof steel, or aluminium. Look at different styles as well, and decide which mods you need. If you’re using the pergola as your main outdoor recreation space, you probably need to have it roofed for rain protection. If you’re using it to cover a garden path, a natural timber pergola covered by flowering vines might suit you better.

Set a budget

It’s easy to build your dream pergola if you’re not pressed for money, but if you can only spare a certain amount, you’ll have to settle for something that fits your budget. Custom pergolas are definitely more eye-catching than one that comes as a kit, but they are a lot pricier. Don’t fret, though. You can still get a beautiful, functional pergola without breaking the bank. A few material swaps, like stamped concrete flooring instead of natural stone pavers, can definitely bring your pergola’s price to a more reasonable level.

Get approved

Not all pergolas require council approval, but it’s still best to check with your local council to know whether yours has to be approved. Different states have different requirements when it comes to pergola approval. Usually, a pergola that’s bigger than a standard size say 10 square metres, needs council approval before being built. Standards differ from state to state, so don’t just assume whether yours needs approval or not. To obtain the approval, your pergola will be judged on certain factors, including the location of your place and the impact that your pergola might have on your neighbours. In case your initial plans don’t get approved, you can just tweak them a little and apply for approval again.

Have it installed

Once you’ve dealt with all your plans and requirements, it’s time to get a pergola installer to start work. A professional pergola installer has the necessary skills to ensure that your pergola is installed safely and as fast as possible. They can even help you acquire your council approval to save you some time and effort. Post your job and get up to a dozen free quotes from our expert pergola installers now.