Pergola Gazebos and Decking
Many people enjoy the beauty of pergola-gazebo decks. These unique structures are a great addition to your home and add value, beauty, and comfort to your outdoor living space. The simple, but effective construction of pergolas allows for a nice circular arrangement of trees in a relatively short amount of time, making this a convenient and cost-effective method for decorating your deck or patio. Pergola-gazebo decks are most commonly made out of wood, but there are now vinyl materials available as well. The nice thing about a deck made from wood is that it can be finished in any kind of wood you wish, while a vinyl deck cannot.
A pergola-gazebo deck will usually consist of three main parts: the posts and beams, the handrails or trellises, and the gazebo canopy or roof. The posts or beams are placed upright in the middle of the deck, while the handrails and trellises are placed at regular intervals along the edge of the deck. The combination of the posts, beams, and handrails provide for a nice circular shape, which adds a nice visual impact to your deck, especially if you have an odd shape to your deck, such as an inverted U shape.
Pergolas can also be used to provide protection from the elements for your deck or patio. If your deck is covered, such as with a gazebo, then the pergola can be a very nice place to sit and enjoy the evening, especially during the warmer months. Some people even choose to use the pergola as an entrance to their deck or patio, and place chairs and tables directly under the gazebo canopy. Of course, you can always build your deck completely around the gazebo, but most people aren't interested in doing that, and prefer the easy, circular shape of the pergola to the open expanse of a patio.
Pergolas can be made from all kinds of materials, including vinyl, wood, aluminum, steel, and concrete. They also come in all different sizes, with some being rather small and enclosed, and others being much larger and open. Obviously, the smaller a pergola is, the less sunlight it can absorb, since the panels will be completely covered. Larger decks will require larger pergolas, and while they may take up more space, they will still provide a nice area for sitting around the pool, grill, or even just chatting with friends and family.
Depending on the type of wood used in the construction of the pergola or gazebo, it may not be possible to stain it. Staining may be a good idea if the colors don't hold up to the changes in weather or season. Another thing to consider is the permanence of the stain. Some woods stain well, while others will need to be sanded and painted frequently to maintain their appearance over time. Some homeowners prefer to paint their pergolas, while others like the look of the wood stain and do the job themselves. It is important to make sure you get the stains right, though, as the last thing any homeowner wants is to have a stained pergola that starts falling apart soon after it is installed.
With many pergola-gazebo decks available to choose from today, any type of deck can be transformed into an attractive focal point. You can build the deck yourself, of course, saving a great deal of money that you would have otherwise spent on hiring a professional builder. However, the added advantage of a self-built deck is the chance to have a one-of-a-kind design, one that truly fits your personal style. A skilled carpenter with experience in constructing decking can help give you a design that will add beauty and value to your home for years to come.
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