Pergolas are a timeless and beautiful outdoor feature, but you may be wondering what you can do so they provide shelter from sun and rain. Pergolas’ airy constructions are great for many things, but the gaps may cause difficulty when it comes to this type of weather.
Covering your pergola does not have to be a daunting undertaking. Keep reading to learn more about some common ways that you can cover your pergola, along with some tips to follow when choosing a material for a covering.
Pergola Coverings for Sun and Rain
Pergolas bring elegance and style to any outdoor place, but their gaps can often let in sun and rain. Fortunately, pergolas are often very easy to cover and can be done using a variety of materials that you can customize based on your own needs and preferences.
The following sections will discuss the steps you can take to add a beautiful covering to your pergola.
Choose a Material
Pergola coverings are varied and can provide various benefits depending on the severity of your local weather and the size of your pergola.
The following are some materials very commonly used to cover pergolas:
- Canvas: Canvas is durable, waterproof, and inexpensive. Many people choose canvas because it is easy to customize for size and also fairly simple to replace. However, it may become easily torn.
- Wood: Though treated wood can certainly provide shelter against the sun, it will need to be treated if you wish to keep out rain and keep the boards in good shape. This option has a classic, rustic look, but can become expensive and potentially block out too much light.
- Fiberglass: Fiberglass’s greatest quality is its ability to let light in while keeping water out. Fiberglass will provide a great filter against the sun, but may also be a bit more expensive to install.
- Metal: Adding a tin or metal roof to your pergola can look very classy and also holds up incredibly well over the test of time. It may be very difficult to install this yourself, but once it is up, it can last for years with minimal wear and tear.
- Plants: For the most natural feel, plants and vines can be added to create a leafy backyard oasis. This is one of the most environmentally friendly options and especially appealing to those with green thumbs, but keep in mind that there will be some work required to grow plants dense enough to keep out a good deal of rain and sun.
With the number of materials out there, you are almost guaranteed to find something that suits your needs and tastes.
DIY or Hire a Contractor
The next thing to do is to DIY your Pergola covering or hire a contractor. This involves measuring this size of your pergola, getting enough material to fit the size snug or a little more to have it hang over the edges, and choosing if you want the cover permanent or removable.
Deciding if you should hire a professional to cover your pergola may seem like a difficult decision, but can be made easier when you consider these factors:
- Budget: Whether you hire someone or do it yourself, this project will cost money. However, paying for a contractor will be more expensive.
- Timeline: DIY will allow you to work at your own pace and choose your timeline.
- The difficulty of materials: The more challenging materials such as fiberglass and metal will probably require someone to size and install them.
- Experience: If you are an experienced DIY-er or have a background in construction, this could be the perfect project for you.
Once you consider the above factors, you are sure to make the choice that works best for you.
Conclusion
Your outdoor pergola is likely one of your favorite backyard features, and with an added covering against direct sun and rain, you can use it with even more frequency. Covering your pergola can be done using a variety of materials and also accomplished either on your own or with the assistance of an outdoor construction and landscaping expert.
Make sure you are covering your pergola with something durable and waterproof. Not only will this prevent rot, rust, and mold, but will save you money in the long run by reducing the frequency of repairs. After you determine what material you will use and whether you will undertake the project yourself, you are sure to have the pergola of your dreams in no time.
