Outdoor living can add major square footage and value to your home. You’ve probably seen beautifully designed pergolas with lush flowers, a pretty canopy, or great architectural features.
A pergola can create a shaded sitting area, entertainment space, or a walkway.
You can have an attached pergola, a wall-mounted pergola, or a freestanding pergola. While they all can have similar functions, the design can look quite different and they all can serve very different purposes.
If you’re torn between which pergola would work best for you, read on for everything you need to know about pergola designs.
What Is an Attached Pergola?
An attached pergola is a lattice structure that is held in place by beams on one side and the other side is affixed to the wall of a home or building structure.
With attached pergolas, there will typically be a beam that is screwed directly into the wall of a home. If the home is concrete or brick, you can use masonry anchors to attach it.
When a pergola is attached to the house it can become an extension of your home. One of the perks of an attached pergola is that you can just walk outside and enjoy your covered area.
Pergola designs attached to house walls or structures create an outdoor living area that’s completely accessible from your home. This is great for entertaining and bringing the outdoors in.
Since they don’t require as many support posts, attached pergolas may also be less expensive than a freestanding pergola.
What Is a Freestanding Pergola?
A freestanding pergola is one that stands alone and is supported by posts. You’ll usually see these anchored on a surface such as a patio deck or in a yard mounted to concrete footings of some kind.
A freestanding pergola on concrete patios may require that the pergola is sunken right into the concrete.
One benefit to having a freestanding pergola is that there are a lot fewer design restrictions. Since you don’t have to worry about attaching it to a structure you have a lot more flexibility in terms of size and design.
Since you have a lot of creative freedom with a freestanding pergola, you can use it for any number of purposes.
A free-standing pergola with canopy shade, for example, is great for an outdoor lounge area or dining space. The canopy provides shade and the pergola is a great architectural element to anchor your entertainment space.
One thing to note is that with a freestanding pergola there may be some more issues with neighbours and permits so keep that in mind as you start the process.
Deciding Which Pergola Is Right for You
An attached pergola is great for bridging your indoor and outdoor living spaces. All you have to do is walk outside and enjoy.
With a freestanding pergola, you have a lot of creative freedom. You can create a completely separate outdoor space, maximizing your yard.
Freestanding pergola walls are also great for growing flowers and vines. You can really get creative with your landscaping surrounding a pergola.
When deciding which one is right for you, think about how you’d like to use the pergola. Depending on the structure, some homes might not make sense for one type over the other.
Once you know how you’d like to use it, you can go from there deciding which option is best for you and your home.
Building Your Dream Outdoor Space
Regardless of the type of pergola you chose, you can bring the outdoors in with outdoor living areas, dining areas and entertainment spaces all conveniently located under the shade of a pergola.
Pergolas with a canopy can provide shade and shelter from the elements allowing you to get a lot more use out of your patio or deck regardless of the weather.
A professional can really help you decide between a freestanding or attached pergola and help bring your dream outdoor space to life.
Make the most of your yard or deck and get started designing your perfect outdoor space with a professional here.
