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5 Trendy Pergola Styles for Your Home

Dec 17, 2014 3:57:20 PM

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winter-pergola-northern-virginia-home-improvementPergolas are the perfect addition or replacement to any Greater Washington patio. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, can be constructed out of many different materials and provide a number of benefits, like:

  1. They create a unique look and feel to outdoor spaces
  2. Invite and draw relaxation outdoors
  3. Provide another space to entertain guests
  4. Increase property value

Pergolas are constructed from a simple design of rafters and support beams that can be free standing or attached to your home. They are popularly crafted out of either vinyl or cedar material depending on what the expectations are for durability, appearance, maintenance and lifespan. However, other materials besides vinyl and cedar can be used.

Vinyl is known for:

  • Immunity to natural elements
  • Availability in white or ivory
  • Doesn’t require painting or staining
  • Lifetime durability

Cedar is known for:

  • Weather resistance
  • Stain or paint to match any color
  • Doesn’t require maintenance (however, regular treatment can increase material longevity)

With so many different styles to choose from, it can be challenging to decide which look best matches your taste and the surrounding elements of your Greater Alexandria, Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland home. 

Here are 5 trendy pergola styles to help spark your interest.

1. Open-top Pergola

Perfect for a garden setting,  open-top pergolas offer the feeling of being in a room but are mostly open to natural sunlight and breeze. Many open-top pergolas are used to support climbing plants like roses or vines that, in turn, help to fill in the frame and create a beautiful and organic canopy that further enhances the space.

2. Gabled Pergola

gabled pergola consists of a downward sloping rooftop that is supported by corner posts to create a sitting area that is exposed to the outdoors but protected from the sun and light rain. This style of pergola enhances the feeling of being indoors while enjoying outdoor scenery with shade and shelter.

3. Arched Pergola

For a more unique look that’s different from traditional pergolas, you might choose to construct an arched style pergola. Arched pergolas are more complex and expensive to build but are sure to create an eye-catching addition to your outdoor space with an intriguing frame design.

4. Promenade Pergola

Promenade pergolas provide the perfect highlight to any walkway. And with the addition of climbing plants like wisteria, roses and trumpet vines, they transform boring traversals into a whimsical pathway that is sure to draw attention and traffic.

5. Pitched Pergola

Pitched pergolas are attached to another standing object like a section of your home and form a single slope downward toward the other end of the pergola. When fitted with the right exterior doors, they can creatively expand your home living space because pitched pergolas can replace your patio or veranda-type setting without the cost and approvals needed for a full-on room addition or expansion.

No matter your style, there is sure to be a pergola design that fits your taste and surrounding home elements. When choosing the best pergola design for your home, consider not only appearance but maintenance and material durability, too. 

From freestanding constructions that transcend a pathway or enhance your home garden space to attached pergolas that replace patios and expand living space, one thing is certain; building a pergola for your home makes for a beautiful, useful and valuable addition. 

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Image Credit: gigi_nyc