Enhance your outdoors with a cedar wood pergola capped with copper
The picture below shows and interesting contemporary type pergola built with cedar wood.
Along with building typical backyard type decks, our company also builds other yard accessory type structures like awnings, pergolas, ramadas, lanterns and gazebos, trellises, fences and arbors. Today, we are looking at a specific lightweight, thin framed cedar pergola.
These different types of elements often get confused by people everyday. They do sound alike and we simply don’t see enough examples of them every day to have a clear familiarity and definition of all of them in our minds. Our company knows the difference because we work with them every day, and the average person doesn’t, so it’s completely understandable to have some confusion about the distinction and definition of each of these types of terminologies. A description of each of these types of outdoor structures follows:
Pergolas are open-roofed structures typically made of wood, metal, or vinyl. They often feature latticework or beams and purlins creating a partially shaded outdoor space. Here on our website, we are going to look at several different types of construction Styles including traditional wood frame lattice and even some contemporary styles such as structural steel tube beam systems.
Ramadas are similar to pergolas but have a solid roof, usually made of wood, metal, or canvas. They offer more shade and protection from the elements. Popular materials for the roof include tile, thatch, or metal.
Lanterns and gazebos are enclosed structures with a roof and walls, often made of wood or metal. They provide a more private and sheltered outdoor space. Lanterns are typically smaller and more intimate, while gazebos can be larger and more elaborate.
Trellises are latticework structures used to support climbing plants. They can be made from various materials, including wood, metal, or vinyl. Common styles include flat, arched, and pyramid.
Arbors are similar to trellises but are larger and more substantial. They can be used to support climbing plants or to create a decorative entrance to a garden or yard. Arbors are often made of wood or metal.
Awnings are retractable or fixed structures attached to the exterior of a building, typically above windows or doors. They provide shade and protection from the elements, such as rain and sun. Awnings can be made from various materials, including fabric, metal, or vinyl. Common types include retractable arm awnings, stationary awnings, and window awnings. In a future blog article, here on our website, we’ll also talk more about awnings and other types of similar elements built on the exterior of buildings, similar to pergolas, ramadas and arbors. In that upcoming discussion we will also talk about canopies, porticos and verandas. These things are all different types of exterior structures, generally attached to a larger main building.
Pergolas can offer a few functional and aesthetic benefits. The open latticework allows for filtered sunlight, which can add a degree of comfort to and outdoor space by reducing harsh shadows and associated excessive heat. People are often naturally drawn to areas of trees and vegetative outdoor spaces. Far too often, in our concrete jungle here in Washington DC, we go without the greenery found in the countryside. Pergolas can help balance and reduce some of the rough edges of our building architecture to make outdoor spaces feel a bit more comfortable.
Pergolas can also help regulate temperature by shading underlying surfaces like patios or decks. This difference is much more then just visual perception, it has an actual perceivable difference, in ambient temperature, because patio areas are effectively passive heat sinks. They are heavy dense materials that absorb the intense heat from the sunlight and then later disburse that heat back to the surrounding ambient area. In the middle of the summer, outdoor paving or patio areas without pergolas will be significantly warmer not only because the sunlight will be unimpeded and pounding down onto the surface of the space, but also because the patio area itself will absorb and then later re-emit that heat.
Beyond their functional benefits, pergolas add architectural interest and visual appeal to outdoor areas. They can define specific spaces, provide privacy, and even serve as a support structure for climbing plants. Whether used for dining, relaxation, reading, or entertaining, pergolas enhance outdoor living experiences by creating inviting and functional spaces.
In this coming week, we will take a closer look at some of the more up-close details of this particular pergola and show some of its specific methods of building and construction.
Use a contractor who understands and cares about doing things right. Always, feel free to reach out to us here at Dupont Decks and Patios. We are happy to help with almost all steps of the deck building and design process. Let us know about your ideas and talk to us if you have questions about possibilities. You can call us at (202) 774-9128. You can find us online at https://dupontdeckspatiosdc.com and you can email us there as well at https://dupontdeckspatiosdc.com/contact-us
