Pergolas are popular for patio covers, stand alone structures in a large yard or adding a beautiful touch to flower gardens. The design of a pergola is only as limited as the imagination allows it to be.
Pergola plans come in many different sizes and styles or you can adjust blueprints to your own particular outdoor décor.
Pergola Plans – Which Type of Pergola Should You Build?
The size of many pergola plans use a standard 9′X12′ patio as a basis for size and shows how to attach to a house. These pergola designs can easily be adapted if you wish to make your structure wider or longer.
One detail you should look for is the description of setting footers. If the pergola plans explain how to mount to a concrete surface but you have a wood deck that sits off of the ground, consider other plans that show the best way to mount footings on this type of surface.
Adding a pergola in a yard where there is no foundation requires special pergola plans that help you ready the soil for adding a structure. Soil shifts over time and proper preparation of the ground can save you time and money when you select pergola plans that show exact steps in making a good foundation.
Even though a pergola does not have the same type of requirements as a building with walls and a roof, a sturdy, well-founded base is necessary.
In looking for pergola plans, consider the type of material that will be used. There are many different building materials being used for pergolas today besides wood. Fiberglass, vinyl, urethane and cellular PVC are some options that can bring a different presence to a pergola. Since all of these materials vary in weight, maintenance, limited curves and bends, pergola kits for the specific material being used is recommended.
Pergola Plans – Choosing the Right Style
Considering a specific style is also important in choosing pergola plans. Building a structure that resembles a majestic Greek pergola with stunning white columns will require different materials than a wooden pergola that will be stained.
Some columns are made to fit over wooden beams while others are made to act as beams. The cost difference could be significant and the labor as well.
Finding different pergola plans is simple by going online but care must be taken to choose a company or individual that is experienced and training in building pergolas.
Going with a trusted source and one that offers advice when you are in the middle of the project may be worth paying a little more for. Many material building stores will offer free advice if you purchase the materials for your pergola plans from them.
Pergola plans will take you step by step through the building process but selecting the right plans for what you wish to achieve can help the job go faster and smoother.
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The steps in pergola construction are simple when you have a good plan or a pergola kit. There are many excellent sites on the Internet that have downloadable instructions with recommended materials, tools to use and measurements to assure precise sizes.
