Pergolas are an excellent way to expand your outdoor living area, while adding protection from the weather elements. Whether you use it for your own private sanctuary or a place to host gatherings, adding an outdoor structure to your backyard will enhance your living space. This way you can spend quality time with your family and friends enjoying the open-air environment and creating wonderful memories.
But how to choose the pergola to best suit your space? Whether you have a traditional or contemporary style, a character home or a new build, there are a variety of materials and designs to choose from. No matter what your style, here’s a guide to help you choose the right pergola material and design to perfectly suit your outdoor space.
Pergola materials
Timber Pergola
Timber pergola is a classic material used in pergola structures. The beauty and warmth of timber blends in nicely with your garden surrounds, giving your outdoor space a natural look and cosy feel. The versatility of timber allows it to perfectly complement modern or more traditional style homes. It also gives a luxurious and resort-like feel to any space, creating a relaxing ambience.
Steel Pergola
Steel pergola is another popular material choice for pergola structures. Its sleek, modern finish as well as its exceptional span capacity make the perfect bold statement. Due to its strength and durability, a steel pergola offers excellent weather protection, making it an ideal choice for the harsh Australian climate.
Types of Pergola designs
Gable Pergola
Make a strong, bold statement in your backyard with a gable roof pergola. This popular design features a high-pitched roof with triangular shape at each end, allowing for more space and height under your roof. It also creates a light, airy and spacious atmosphere, giving your outdoor area a luxurious and open feel.
A gable pergola offers great protection from the weather elements. The pitched roof design allows rain to run straight off the roof, while providing a cool and light environment during the hot summer season with ample shade. Enhance the atmosphere by adding ceiling fans and lighting, providing a comfortable and peaceful environment for relaxing and entertaining.
So, if you live in an area that experiences harsh climate conditions or prefer a more traditional, architectural structure with added charm, a gable pergola design is the perfect choice.
Flat Pergola
Simple and minimalistic in design, a flat roof pergola is the type of structure that provides an elegant, modern look while creating a beautiful, functional outdoor area. Due to its simpler aesthetic design and timeless appeal, flat roof pergolas are more suited for contemporary style homes.
Unlike a sloped design pergola, a flat roof design doesn’t allow the rainwater to run off and stays warmer throughout summer. To combat this, you can install ceiling fans and line the structure with a timber ceiling to insulate the space against heat and enhance ventilation.
Given its simpler design, a flat roofed pergola is generally one of the more cost-effective pergola options.
Flyover Pergola
Flyover pergola structures are the perfect option if you want to create extra height and enjoy an increased sense of space in your outdoor area. With the additional height, the flyover design provides a beautiful open area to accommodate larger gatherings and allows for more light to enter your space.
Made to withstand the hot Australian summer, the flyover pergola offers greater ventilation compared with other pergola designs. This type of structure prevents hot air from being trapped and helps to keep your area cool. You can also install extras such as ceiling fans or heaters to create the right comfort setting for entertaining all year round.
Available in a wide variety of roofing options, the flyover structure is the versatile solution for any backyard space. Whether it’s attached to your home providing shelter for your deck or patio, or as a free-standing structure to cover your pool, a flyover pergola is a perfect option to enhance the look and feel of your outdoor space.
Free-Standing Pergola
Escape from the hustle and bustle of your home with a free-standing pergola. This design is a great way to create a secluded, sheltered area in your backyard and adds beauty and charm to your outdoor space. If you want to create your own tranquil sanctuary in the natural surrounds of your backyard to unwind or enjoy the company of your family and friends, a free-standing pergola is the perfect choice.
Free-standing pergolas offers minimal limitations when it comes to height, size, and position. It can be designed to cover a small intimate setting area or large enough to cover a swimming pool. The simple addition of a free-standing pergola can transform your backyard into luxurious retreat.
Gazebo
Be the envy of your neighbour by installing a gazebo in your backyard. This type of free-standing structure creates an inviting space from the moment you step into your backyard, drawing attention to its elegant and unique design. Surrounded by beautiful greenery and flowers in your backyard, a gazebo makes for the perfect place to host intimate gatherings or to simply sit and reflect.
In addition to its architectural beauty, a gazebo also offers a level of weather protection. This means you can enjoy the open-air space on rainy and sunny days alike.
Pergolas are a great way to enhance your outdoor living space and provide protection from sun and rain. Aside from adding style to your backyard, pergolas act as functional structure to help you and your family enjoy quality time outdoors. If you’re ready to install your dream Pergola, let us help you by filling out the free measure and quote form at the bottom of this article.
-
- Helpful hints
The benefits of insulated Roller Shutters for energy savings
Insulate your home with a set of insulated Roller Shutters from Australian Outdoor Living -
- Helpful hints
Finding the right Pergola style for your outdoor area
Pergolas are an excellent way to expand your outdoor living area, while adding protection from the weather elements. Whether you use it for your own private sanctuary or a place to host gatherings, enhance your living space with an outdoor structure. -
- Helpful hints
How to clean and keep your Artificial Lawn smelling great
Simple tips and tricks on how to clean and keep your Artificial Grass smelling great if you have a pet -
- Helpful hints
What is the difference between a Patio, a Pergola and a Verandah?
Choosing between a Pergola, a Patio and Verandah is hard enough at the best of times, but it can be downright impossible if you don’t actually know the differences between them. -
- Helpful hints
How to choose the best Artificial Grass
You’ve decided to opt for our realistic Artificial Grass for your backyard – now it’s time to choose which range is the most suitable for you. Whether you want something that’s realistic and lush, or ideal for playing sport, there’s a type to suit you. -
- Tutorials
- Helpful hints
Building your dream Outdoor BBQ Kitchen
Australia has a reputation for embracing outdoor living. It’s a celebration of our nation’s glorious weather, natural beauty, and communal spirit. Among the many traditions that honour this outdoor culture, perhaps none is as iconic as the Australian BBQ. -
- Helpful hints
Amazing Australian native garden designs
Australia has an array of native plants - roughly 24,000 species in fact! Distinct and diverse, some of these plants have been a source of food, medicine and aesthetic appeal for millennia. -
- Tutorials
- Helpful hints
Breathe life into your alfresco with potted plants
So what are the best potted plants to decorate your pergola, verandah or porch? We’ve compiled a list of some of the best plants, and how to display them. -
- Tutorials
How to turn your backyard into a Japanese Style garden
Japan is a dream destination infused with rich culture and tradition, dating back centuries. With its interesting blend of ancient traditions and Western modernity, the mystical country offers a perfect backyard design idea to create a Japanese experience. -
- Tutorials
- Helpful hints
Create the perfect outdoor entertaining area
You’ve put a lot of time and effort into creating an impressive backyard, so what better way to enjoy your outdoor space than to have your closest family and friends over to eat, drink and share good laughs.