Pergola Installation & Patio Covers in the Portland Metro Area

If you love spending time outdoors with your family but don’t have a great outdoor living space, you should consider a pergola. Installing a pergola in your backyard will define your space and create a comfortable, relaxing area where your family and friends can enjoy the outdoors while still having access to existing home amenities or amenities that can be added to the new structure. Pergolas can be constructed with amenities like seating and dining areas, outdoor kitchens, speakers and sound systems, fans and heaters, lights, and more. At Dick’s Evergreen Fence and Deck, our fencing and deck contractors specialize in a wide range of services that can enhance the safety, comfort, beauty, value, and function of your home and yard. We offer deck and pergola installation throughout Hillsboro, OR, as well as Beaverton, Aloha, Banks, Forest Grove, Tigard, Northwest Portland, and Southwest Portland.

What Is a Pergola?

A pergola is a covered outdoor space for entertaining, dining, and relaxing. Its structure is made from flooring and columns that support a roof and rafters. The roof can be open or covered with canvas in the summer to provide shade and full protection from the elements. Pergolas can be constructed in many different styles and designs from many different materials. They can be freestanding or attached to your home. Pergolas are different from patio covers, gazebos, arbors, and carports.

Why Consider Pergola Installation for Your Backyard?

A pergola can increase your space for relaxing and entertaining and extend your living space into the outdoors. You can use your pergola as a sheltered, comfortable place for relaxing, dining, enjoying a drink, and spending time with friends and family. Outdoor pergola installation will make your backyard more functional and give you more choices when you want to spend time outdoors. Pergolas can also add beauty and comfort to your home by giving you a sheltered area to enjoy the fresh air. Building a pergola in your backyard can even increase the resale value of your home.

Choosing the Right Design & Materials for Your Pergola

If you don’t know how to install a pergola yourself, it’s important to hire an experienced, qualified contractor. Our team of contractors has years of experience building pergolas. Before our contractors begin constructing your pergola, you will need to decide what pergola design is right for you and what materials you want to use for construction. Your pergola should blend harmoniously with your outdoor landscape and should complement the architecture and aesthetics of your home. You want it to blend seamlessly with other outdoor areas and garden accents like your pool, spa, garden, deck, or patio. The first thing you’ll decide is what type of pergola is right for you:

• Freestanding Pergola – A freestanding pergola does not share any support structures or walls with your home. It can be constructed anywhere in your backyard.
• Attached Pergola – An attached pergola is constructed directly against a wall of your home. You might consider an attached pergola if you already have an attached deck or patio. Choosing an attached pergola can make your outdoor living space feel like an extension of your indoor living space.
• Arched Pergola – An arched pergola has an arched top rather than a flat one. This design is not recommended for attached pergolas.
• Louvered Pergola – A louvered pergola has fixed or adjustable louvers as rafters. Opening and closing the louvers allows you to control how much sun the pergola gets. Some louver systems keep out the rain as well as the sun.
• Eyebrow Pergola – An eyebrow pergola is a very minimalistic and simple design. It doesn’t require support beams. Instead, it is just an awning that extends from an outside wall of your home, offering shade.
• Lattice Patio Covers – A lattice patio cover has an open roof. It still offers shade but also allows sunlight onto the patio. They are perfect if you want your patio to have climbing vines and plants. They do not offer full protection from wind and rain, but they are a lighter structure that is easier to attach to a home.

 Next, you’ll need to choose your pergola materials. Each one has its advantages, and the material you choose will be based on your own aesthetic preference, the weather and climate in your area, how much care and maintenance you want to commit to, and your budget:

• Wood Pergolas – Natural wood is the most common material used in pergola installation. It is affordable and easy to use. Cedar is the most popular type of wood because it offers some natural protection from wood rot and pests and insects. A wood pergola may need to be re-stained every few years to protect it from moisture, mold, and mildew.
• Vinyl Pergolas – Vinyl pergolas are very durable and low-maintenance. Vinyl is relatively light, so you may have more options when it comes to pergola design. You won’t ever have to re-paint or re-stain a vinyl pergola, and they are very easy to care for, but you have limited colors to choose from. White offers the most options.
• Aluminum Pergolas – Aluminum is durable, simple, and low-maintenance. It will not rust and won’t fall victim to pests, insects, or water damage. Your pergola will be durable, strong, and long-lasting.
• Steel Pergolas – A steel pergola is also incredibly tough and durable. It is heavier than aluminum, so you will need to choose a simple pergola design. You will also have to protect it from rust, especially if you live in an area with a lot of rain and humidity. Powder-coated steel pergolas are available.

 Schedule a Consultation for Our Pergola Installation & Patio Covers

If you’re ready to begin the process of patio cover or pergola installation in the Portland Metro area or Hillsboro, OR, our team of pergola installers at Dick’s Evergreen Fence and Deck can help. We have been in business for 45 years and take a very personalized approach to our construction services. We specialize in outdoor deck, patio, fence, and pergola construction. We will walk you through every step of the process and help you turn your outdoor living dreams into a reality. We will evaluate your space, help you choose the right type of pergola, and draw up designs for your pergola installation. Call us today or contact us online to get started.