As Australians, we love spending time outdoors at home \u2013 but in summer, particularly in regional areas, the blistering sun can make this problematic.<\/p>\n
The solution? It\u2019s time to build a pergola.<\/p>\n
Whether you have a home with a gorgeous outdoor room that you want to extend, or you have a beautiful new home on your block but not much else, a pergola is one of the most attractive ways to maximize outdoor living.<\/p>\n
It increases the floor space and value of your home, is low maintenance, and best of all doesn\u2019t have to cost the earth.<\/p>\n
Originating in 17th century Italy, pergolas were traditionally an open structure with an open roof.<\/p>\n
However, the concept of a pergola has since evolved to include semi-enclosures and roofing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a recent questionnaire made available to all Metricon website visitors, outdoor entertaining rated very highly for people building regionally,\u201d Metricon regional west manager Simon Taylor said.<\/p>\n
\u201c60 percent of respondents said that outdoor entertaining is a key consideration in home design, which explains why outdoor rooms are a popular choice with our customers in regional areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first thing to do is identify the best location for your pergola as it provides both privacy and relief from the sun, choose a place that\u2019s open and not already shaded.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also important to take into account the drainage of the site: no one wants an undercover area that turns into a lake when it rains.<\/p>\n
Lighting is also a key consideration: a north-facing pergola will catch the sun all year round while a south-facing one will
\nprobably need a transparent roof to let the light in.<\/p>\n
The perfect pergola should lead to a patio, courtyard, pool or barbecue area \u2013 exactly where you\u2019ll be spending your time on long summer days.<\/p>\n
The size and design of your pergola will depend on your budget and whether you want to use it primarily in summer or all year-round.<\/p>\n
A simple timber pergola consists of vertical pillars that support cross-beams and rafters.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re a fairly confident builder you can even construct one yourself, perhaps using steel, aluminium or concrete columns.<\/p>\n
If building isn\u2019t your thing, but you still want to DIY, you can assemble one using a pergola kit.<\/p>\n
Otherwise, hiring an expert is a reliable option and a great way to support local trades in your area.<\/p>\n
Be aware that some structures require a building permit, so check with your council first about local regulations.<\/p>\n
When it comes to shading materials, there are many options, simple battens; shade cloths; vines or climbers to add
\ngreenery; translucent polycarbonate which stops the rain getting through to anything underneath but still allows UV natural light to filter through; a roof made of Colorbond or other metal roofing material; decorative screens used as
\nroofing.<\/p>\n
There are countless possibilities with a pergola, but one certainty: it\u2019s sure to improve your summer!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As Australians, we love spending time outdoors at home \u2013 but in summer, particularly in regional areas, the blistering sun can make this problematic. The solution? It\u2019s time to build a pergola. Whether you have a home with a gorgeous outdoor room that you want to extend, or you have a beautiful new home on […]<\/p>\n