Pergolas have been used for shade and supporting plants for thousands of years. They were used in ancient China, Japan, Egypt, and Rome. Originally these structures were found in hotter climates. Eventually they were used in northern countries, not so much for shade but as architectural elements for gardens, as well as support for grape and other types of vines.

Today pergolas are often used as an extension of our living spaces, creating outdoor rooms. They are an excellent way to transition from house to lawn or garden. Shade created by these structures and the vines that are often grown on them helps protect indoor fabrics and carpet from sun damage in addition to lowering indoor temperatures.

Backyard America offers the widest selection of pergola kits on the Internet or any traditional store. We offer kits that are made of vinyl, fiberglass, and wood. You may be asking why we offer so many material and design choices. The answer is simple, pergolas are as much an ascetic choice as they are a practical choice. No one material or design will meet all needs or taste. We have prepared a comparison chart which details some of the differences in material selection.

	"If you can read this and get it off the truck, then you can easily assemble one of our pergola kits."
	Most of our pergola kits can be assembled by two people in less than a half a day because the kits are well thought out and our step-by-step instructions are so clear. Depending on the mounting, the tools most commonly needed are a screw gun, step ladder, and a tape measure. And, in the unlikely event that you need help, we are only a call away with answers to any installation questions.

Pergolas and arbors are often used in the lawn or garden to add a vertical architectural element. Walkway pergolas provide interest and even mystery to the garden path. A three sided arbor can be a wonderful, comfortable hideaway in a remote area of the yard. The architectural and practical uses of these garden structures are only limited by your imagination.

A pergola's defining characteristics are a flat roof and large joists that project beyond the support posts. Our pergolas are handcrafted by skilled craftsmen using the finest materials and finishes. These structures are sure to add elegance and class to any setting. Our kits offer a  wide range of options that will allow you to adapt your pergola to any garden situation.

Because vines and other plants are trained to grow on pergolas and arbors, low maintenance materials offer a major advantage. Having to paint or stain a pergola that is covered in vines is nearly impossible to do with a satisfactory result. We offer vinyl and cedar kits and components because they require very little maintenance and do not contain harmful chemicals. Vinyl only requires an occasional spraying with a hose to clean it. Cedar will weather to a beautiful silver gray if left unfinished. This wood is naturally resistant to rot and insects.

A few tips that may be helpful in designing your pergola or arbor project:

• CLICK HERE for a vinyl pergola design guide.

• For a review of the best pergola kits found on the Internet read a review from Home-Improvement-and-Financing. Com.

• Attachment of the support columns for your pergola is very important for the stability and safety of your pergola. CLICK HERE for a discussion of several of the most common methods.

• SHADE? Pergolas can provide shade for your patio or deck, but the amount depends on the configuration, time of day, and orientation to the sun. We have created some animations that should give you an idea of how these variables affect the amount to shade that you should expect from your pergola. CLICK HERE for the animations.

• For an article on annual vines for pergolas and arbors CLICK HERE.

• A hot trend today is the outdoor room and pergolas are a great way to define your outdoor room space. For more information on designing a great outdoor room CLICK HERE.

• When deciding where to locate your structure be sure to think about how the supporting posts will be anchored. Ground mounts need to be deep enough to keep from being heaved by frost and with concrete footings to keep them steady and perpendicular. When mounted on a deck or patio, the posts must be thoroughly attached to the structure.

• Adding lighting will greatly increase your enjoyment and the time available to use your pergola. Low voltage lighting is easy to install and if included when the structure is built most or all of the wiring can be concealed for a custom look. CLICK HERE to see the fixtures that we have selected for pergolas and arbors.

• Add a cool breeze to your pergola. Recent innovations allow manufactures to offer fans that can be installed in wet locations - they are completely weatherproof. Check out our UL Listed wet location fans by CLICKING HERE.

• Late in the day, the sun may be too strong to fully enjoy your outdoor room. Roll-up Shades offer an attractive and affordable solution. For more permanent installation consider a vinyl trellis fence.

FLORIDA HOME OWNERS	WANT A GREAT DEAL ON A PERGOLA? WE MAY HAVE A FANTASTIC DEAL FOR YOU.
Pergola Drawing Service	Not sure of how a pergola will look on your deck or patio? Or maybe you would like to know about how much shade you should expect from your pergola. We can help! We offer a drawing service that will give you a good ideas of how well your pergola will meet your expectations. We have a small charge for this service, but we give you full credit for the charge if you purchase one of our pergolas! CLICK HERE for information.
Lowest Price Guarantee	We will beat the price of any similar pergola. CLICK HERE for details.

If you need help with your design give us a call. We would love to help you with your pergola project. And as always there's no obligation or pressure.