Phew! After this hot weekend there is no doubt that summer is just around the corner. And with clear skies and warm nights it’s time to crank up the barbie and invite your friends around for outdoor entertaining!
Unfortunately if you have a backyard area with no shade of any sort in summer it can simply be too hot and uncomfortable to entertain outdoors. Plus when night falls if you don’t have excellent outdoor lighting it will soon be hard to see your guests!
It might be time to invest in a pergola. A pergola is a structure built with beams and crossbeams in your outdoor space to provide a shaded area, most commonly covered in roofing while not being enclosed with walls. There are many types of pergolas though and it can be difficult to decide when you first go about planning your new backyard feature. Here are some questions you will need to consider.
What are the local council regulations?
Materials, design and location of your pergola will all be dependant on your local council regulations, so start here first. Remember to submit your application for approval before beginning your build.
What are you planning to use it for?
When planning your pergola think about what you want it for first (large scale entertaining or smaller relaxation space?) before considering more aesthetic elements of design. Some important considerations include how much shade and protection from the elements you want, how much privacy you require, placement and ease of access.
What style and materials do you like?
Think about what you want in your colour scheme and how it will fit in with your existing property. Pergolas can add significant value to a house so consider resale value as well if planning more radical elements. When considering roofing think about both aesthetics and practicality. Some available roofing types include steel, thatch, sails, acrylic panels, shade cloth, lattice panels and canvas, each which have different costs, strengths and elements protection.
What lighting do you require?
For outdoor night time entertaining you want a well lit area so plan on getting a licensed electrician in to set up some fixtures for you. This can be good to consider after your final build is done so you can have a better idea of what will work best. While practical strong lighting is of course an option, why not consider mood lighting and make it a funkier entertaining zone?
Building a pergola takes a lot of time, physical effort, planning and handyman skills. It is also a fixture that you and your friends and family will be making a lot of use of, so you want it to be safe and secure. If you are not experienced and/or do not have the hours available, think about getting a professional pergola specialist in to install it. Pergola professionals can help you with custom built designs, planning approvals and installation.
-Em from the Look Local WA team
