Garden Pergolas

• Lean-to Pergola

A lean-to pergola is one that’s affixed to a structure on one or more sides. This means that instead of the structure being freestanding with access from all four sides, it’s levied against another structure for support. And this is most commonly against one side of your home, which allows the pergola to essentially act like another part of your pad, as you can position it around entrances – nifty right?

One of the most popular areas for a lean-to pergola is above French doors at the back of your home.  Not only will you have a gorgeous outdoor seating or dining area, but it’ll also mean you have close access to the kitchen – perfect in summer for those relaxing dinners or BBQs.

Another fantastic feature that comes with lean-to pergolas is that they offer a little more privacy than an entirely freestanding pergola. For instance, some people will place a pergola in the corner of their garden or patio with one side against a wall or fence and the other attached to their property, which provides two fully covered areas and two open ones. If you can have the best of both worlds – why not?

• Wooden Pergola

Here are the most common and popular types of wood used when it comes to pergolas:

1. Oak – this is an incredibly high-quality wood, which is important for building permanent structures like pergolas. You can have peace of mind that if you invest in an oak pergola, it’ll definitely stand the test of time and not deteriorate quickly. But it isn’t just the durability of oak that makes it the ideal material for pergolas, it’s also easy on the eye when it comes to using it for decorative purposes. Aesthetic appeal and functionality all in one! Oak is normally supplied untreated, so you can add your own wood stains and treatments to it, to alter the colour or shade of the wood. However, you can also leave it untreated if you like the silvery look that oak turns to over the years. Leaving it untreated won’t affect the durability of it, but it’ll definitely impact the appearance of the wood.
2. Red cedar – untreated red cedar, similar to oak, will turn into a silvery colour over time, which a lot of homeowners prefer. Though, it’s different to oak in terms of its durability, as red cedar is a much softer wood. So, if it’s handled harshly, it could splinter and bruise. Whilst this won’t impact its structure, it may not be the best option if you have little ones playing around the pergola. Aside from its softness, aesthetically, it’s a type of wood that definitely catches the eye!
3. Pressure treated – this is lumber wood that has been sealed in a tank. This creates a vacuum to remove the air from within it, then a solution made up of chromium, copper and arsenic is added to fuse the wood together to make it into pressure-treated wood. The reason for this is to increase the lifespan of the wood, as the chemicals act as a bactericide, insecticide and fungicide. Protection all around – what more could you want?

• Metal Pergola

Metal pergolas are normally made from either steel or aluminium. And if you didn’t know already, they’re incredibly easy on the eye too. Plus, metal can be super easy to work with, as it requires much less maintenance than a wooden pergola – music to any homeowners’ ears!

And if that wasn’t enough, metal can also be modified to create elaborate and impressive designs for those looking for something a little more unique than the standard wooden pergola. But if you’re more into minimalism, metal pergolas can also be very simplistic in their design, installed to provide the foundations for other décor such as white canvas ceilings or walls to the pergola. And if you live in a new build home, metal lean-to pergolas look extremely modern, which makes them a popular choice.

• Vinyl Pergola

Budget-friendly, easy to install, and with virtually no maintenance needed – vinyl pergolas are a shining choice for many homeowners. If you’re wondering what vinyl pergolas are, they go by the name of UPVC or PVC pergolas too. For the design-conscious homeowner – you’re in luck! Vinyl can be designed to imitate almost any other design, whether it be a wooden effect or stone effect. So, if you’ve got a specific design or colour in mind, a vinyl pergola is the way forward.

• Corner Pergola

Corner pergolas can transform your garden into a stylish outdoor living space that will most certainly be the envy of all. Instead of having four flat sides, they have a three-sided corner design, which means you can fit this type of pergola just about anywhere in your garden. These types of pergolas are a top-notch addition for smaller or more eclectic outdoor spaces. They’ll give you a panoramic view of you garden, and at the same time, a sense of enclosure. This creates the perfect recipe for relaxing, entertaining, catching the sun, or a shaded sanctuary if you prefer.

• Electric Pergola

If you’re on the lookout for a trendy way to add shade and shelter in your garden, but also want something that doesn’t require any manual labour – welcome electric pergolas into your life or motorise an existing one. If you’re on the hunt for a stylish way to add shade, privacy and definition to your outdoor living space – this is the one. More resistant than a motorised patio awning, an electric pergola in your garden will be the picture-perfect addition that you’ve been longing for, so that you can enjoy more time in the fresh air and sun.

Set the scene at your summer BBQ with just a voice command or a tap on your smart device, and before you know it, the pergola slats will close, lights switch on and music will begin to play. Plus, now that we’re all accustomed to the WFH lifestyle, if it happens to be a nice, sunny day, the built-in sun sensor will trigger the pergola’s slats to tilt and close the roof, so your comfort is always guaranteed. It also works the other way round, because when the sun comes out in winter, the sun sensor triggers the pergola’s slats to open. And we all know in the UK, we need to make the most of the extra warmth during the colder months!