When shopping for a pergola, you’ll quickly realize there are options beyond size and color—and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Whether you want a freestanding or attached pergola, we can help you find what you’re looking for. With these pergola takeaways, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the differences between DIY pergola styles and find out which meets your needs.
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What Is a Freestanding Pergola?
Freestanding pergolas are elegant and versatile structures that improve your backyard’s functionality and beauty. Blending purpose and style, this type of affordable diy pergola offers unique qualities like:
- A standalone structure: With four or more posts, these pergolas will stand up to whatever life throws at them.
- Versatile placement: You can put a freestanding pergola anywhere on your patio, deck, or property.
- Usability: Whether creating a pool lounge, outdoor kitchen, or garden nook, a freestanding pergola will help you do it in style.
With multiple posts, customizable tops, and numerous privacy options, freestanding pergolas are great for those who want to extend their living spaces into the great outdoors without attaching anything to their homes. Whether creating a garden retreat, entertaining guests, or adding refinement to the backyard, a freestanding pergola is an excellent choice.
What Are Attached Pergolas?
An attached pergola is best thought of as an extension of the home rather than extra space. As the name suggests, attached pergolas are meant to be connected to existing structures, such as garages and homes. These pergolas are different because they:
- Are connected: Attached pergolas need as few as two posts because they use other structures for support.
- Are affordable: With fewer support posts required, attached pergolas are a budget-friendly alternative to freestanding units.
- Offer a welcoming design: Attached pergolas are ideal for extending indoor living spaces into the outdoors; they also make great carports.
With an attached pergola, you can maximize your home’s available space and beautify your surroundings at the same time.
Now that we’ve explained your style options, let’s get into those takeaways we promised.
Versatile Design and Function
DIY pergolas are offered in a range of materials and designs, making them a versatile, functional addition to your outdoor living area. Whether you want a classic wooden structure or a sleek, modern metal framework, there’s a do-it-yourself pergola kit for your style and taste. Pergolas can be adapted to suit various functions, from outdoor dining to garden focal points and passageways.
The versatility of a pergola extends to its roof design. While a classic pergola may come with a lattice roof, modern options often include slatted covers or retractable canopies that offer a high degree of sun protection. With this level of adaptability, you can build a pergola that suits the climate and your family’s usage requirements.
A Better Living Experience
Pergolas are popular for various reasons, with the ability to elevate the outdoor living experience being one of the most notable benefits. By building a backyard pergola, you create a space for outdoor living, social interaction, and relaxation. Pergolas are the perfect place to lounge, cook, and dine, and they provide feelings of privacy and safety while maintaining an outdoorsy look and feel.
DIY pergolas can be decorated with climbing roses, ivy, wisteria, and other plants, which add beauty, shade, and a tranquil feeling. By integrating these structures with nature, you’ll create an atmosphere that turns even the smallest garden into a sanctuary.
Higher Property Values
Building a pergola is a practical decision, as it significantly enhances a property’s function and aesthetic appeal. Real estate agents often suggest that well-maintained outdoor living areas, including pergolas, may boost a home’s value and curb appeal. A DIY pergola adds a bit of refinement and can be a compelling feature for prospective buyers, especially those who live the outdoor lifestyle.
When properly cared for and integrated into carefully designed landscapes, pergolas are strong selling points that distinguish on-market homes from their competitors. If selecting a do-it-yourself pergola kit, choosing a design that works with your home’s landscaping and architecture offers the biggest benefit.
Customizable to Meet Your Needs
Another advantage of build-it-yourself pergolas is their customizability. Size and shape can be adjusted to fit any outdoor space, whether it’s a big backyard or a small patio. By choosing the right materials, size, height, and additional features, you can build a pergola that perfectly matches your home’s needs.
For small outdoor living areas, compact pergolas create a stylish, cozy nook for dining, reading, and relaxation, while larger yards can accommodate other designs. It’s easy to integrate a pergola with other design elements, including water features and fire pits, for increased aesthetic appeal and improved functionality.
Pergolas Are a Durable, Easy-Maintenance Option
While a pergola is a functional and visually appealing addition to an outdoor living area, it requires some maintenance to ensure its longevity—and care requirements depend on the materials used. A wooden pergola, for instance, needs regular staining or sealing to prevent rot and weathering. On the other hand, a metal pergola may need periodic anti-rust treatment.
Composite materials, which artfully combine plastics and wood fibers, are a low-maintenance, durable option, but they still need occasional cleaning for the best appearance. No matter which materials are in the kit you choose, proper installation and routine maintenance will preserve the looks and structural integrity of your pergola for many years to come.
Build a Better Life With a Pergola Kit
The outdoor home improvement market is a multibillion-dollar industry, with new options becoming available every day. Of the market’s choices, pergola kits are one of the most affordable, practical ways to boost your home’s value, utility, and aesthetic appeal.
Pergolas are decorative structures, but they offer so much more in terms of versatility, functionality, and comfort. By understanding their customization options, design flexibility, and maintenance requirements, you can make better choices when adding a pergola to your outdoor living area. Whether you want a cozy retreat or an area perfect for entertaining and socializing, a DIY pergola can be a valuable, classic addition to your home.
