Do you have the desire to spruce up your backyard? Perhaps your patio is missing something, but you’re just not sure what it is.
Having a yard is one of the most desirable aspects for homeowners, as it adds significant value to your home. It provides a private outdoor space, which has been proven to help improve mental health.
Yet, if you’re not a professional landscaper, you may not know what elements you should or shouldn’t add to your patio. This is where a pergola comes in. Yet, how much does a pergola cost?
You don’t want to add something unnecessarily, but what if that something could dramatically improve your space?
Cue this pergola guide. Keep reading to learn the price guide for adding a pergola to your outdoor space, and see how you can benefit from this.
What Is a Pergola?
First and foremost, you must understand what precisely a pergola is to know why you need one. A pergola is an outdoor garden feature that helps to provide shady walkways throughout your patio.
It can also provide a shaded sitting area or passageway, depending on how you design it.
Generally, pergolas consist of vertical pillars or posts that support cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice, often with woody vines.
Depending on how much protection you would like from the elements, you can keep the roof open or closed. Common materials used include timber, metal, aluminum, brick, and stone.
Benefits of Installing a Pergola
One of the most significant benefits of a home pergola is the beauty they provide. Their architectural design is more intricate and pleasing than most other similar structures.
You can decide if you want an elaborate pergola or something more simple. It can match your aesthetic and is more unique than most other outdoor features.
They can help define your space. If you want to make specific walkways or sitting areas, they instantly become actual spaces instead of a random area of your yard.
If you like ivy and vines, installing a residential pergola can help these plants thrive and give you a beautiful rustic look. You can also hang planters from the beams, which is the ultimate space for these types of plants to thrive.
And, of course, the number one perk of a pergola installation is the shade they can provide. By itself, a pergola can never shade an area 100%.
However, this allows for sky views, star gazing, and sunbeams to come through. When you do want total shade, it’s incredibly easy to add a piece of weather-proof fabric to the top.
Types of Pergolas
There are many different types of pergolas, and the price will vary depending on what style you desire.
A freestanding pergola is commonly used over patios that may not be connected to your home or the rest of your yard. It is, as it sounds like, completely freestanding, so you can place it where you want.
With an attached pergola, one side is attached to the side of your home, which is commonly used over a deck or patio that is connected to your home. It can make an outdoor space feel like an extension of an indoor room.
An arched pergola can be freestanding or attached, but the roof is arched instead of flat. This can add a unique element and is often referred to as having a more romantic feel.
A louvered pergola forgoes the traditional slats for adjustable louvers as rafters. You can choose to open or close them as much as you want, which means you can get total shade or total sun, depending on the weather.
An awning pergola is usually used for businesses, as it mounts onto the walls like a traditional awning.
However, unlike a traditional awning, its unique architecture gives it a more distinct look and feel and allows for the growth of ivy for boosted aesthetics.
How Much Does a Pergola Cost?
The cost of pergolas varies greatly depending on the size and materials you choose.
Generally, you should expect to pay $30 – $60 per square foot for your pergola, which would include the costs of materials and installation. However, this number can change if you use more expensive materials, if your local labor is is higher-priced, and with the style of pergola you choose.
For example, an awning pergola would be much cheaper than an attached pergola because there is less material to work with.
You can use this guide below to see the average cost of various sizes of pergolas:
- 10×4 Costs Approximately $1,200 to $1,400
- 10×10 Costs Approximately $3,000 to $6,000
- 11×11 Costs Approximately $3,600 to $7,200
- 12×12 Costs Approximately $4,300 to $8,600
- 12×18 Costs Approximately $6,400 to $12,900
- 10×14 Costs Approximately $4,200 to $8,400
- 10×20 Costs Approximately $6,000 to $12,000
As the price for labor is included in these estimates, hiring professional landscapers such as at Classic Exteriors can ensure that you get a high-quality pergola that will last for years to come.
Reap the Benefits That Pergolas Offer
Now that you know the various benefits of installing a pergola, as well as the different styles and the answer to, “how much does a pergola cost?”, you can better decide if a pergola is right for you.
If it is, consider researching different local landscaping companies today! Your yard will be significantly improved with the use of a pergola.
Would you like more home improvement advice such as this? Well, then you should browse through our website now!
