Pergola? What is a pergola? It’s a type of dessert, right? Wrong!

While it might sound delicious, you are more likely to find a pergola in a garden than in the kitchen. Read on if you want to know what a pergola is and how it can improve your garden.

brown wooden pergola

What Is a Pergola?

Originating around the years 1645-55, the word pergola comes from the Latin word “pergula,” which means projecting eave. It is a garden feature, and it requires a horizontal cross-beam trellis framework supported by columns or posts.

Pergolas can be freestanding and are often used to create a sitting area or walkway. They can also attach to the side of a building. They are typically covered to provide a protected, shaded area. Furthermore, they can be left open or have vine-based plants trained over them.

Traditionally, the trellis is made from wood and the columns are made from stonework, mimicking the Italian style. Today, they can be made from a variety of materials, however, including stonework, brick, wood, or a combination of all of these.

If you want a covered seating area to look over the garden but don’t want a full extension or conservatory, a pergola is a perfect option.

With many types and styles to suit both traditional and modern tastes, they often make stunning visual focal points. A pergola can also be a versatile addition to any home or garden and offers plenty of room for customization.

Features and Benefits

There are a number of features and benefits of installing a pergola, and we’ll take you through the reasons one might be a good choice for you.

Bringing the Outdoors to the Indoors

Pergolas can be a great way to combine the outside and inside with a seamless transition. They create a defined space in your garden without being too enclosed.

With the opportunity to train some beautiful vines across the trellis, you can really blend in with nature by creating a natural ceiling. This can create a relaxing outside entertainment or eating space that feels natural and soothing.

Why not even add some drapes, outdoor lighting, and hanging baskets to give that extra “wow” factor?

Easy to Install

Not only are they affordable additions, they are easy to install, too.

For those of you DIY enthusiasts out there, you can find many pre-cut kits complete with instructions and all the necessary hardware. With a pair of helping hands to get those heavier posts and rafters up, installing one can make a great project.

If you’d rather have a professional handle the job, there are many landscaping companies who can help. Not only can they help with installation, they can design a custom pergola for your space too.

Protection from the Elements

A shaded or covered pergola can provide a cool, shaded area from which you can enjoy your garden. Shade, protection from the sun, and a beautiful sitting environment. What’s not to love?

Imagine a Heartland Pergola in Your Garden

A nice pergola can create a stunning focal point in any garden. Not only are they attractive, they are practical investments too. They expand the living space of your home and make more of your outdoor space usable.

If you’re considering a pergola for your backyard, contact us today for a consultation. We carry high-quality, customizable Heartland aluminum pergolas. Call us today to find out more!