Grey Pergolas: Why Are They So Popular?

Pergolas resemble an outdoor roofing structure that does not have any walls but instead are held up by four beams that support a ceiling type system.

This creates a sheltered area that can either be used as a free-standing feature that is away from your house, or as an attachment to your property. Pergolas are similar in comparison to other garden features such as arbours and gazebos.

Pergolas have an interesting history and can be dated back to 1400 BC, but featured a decline in popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries. In more recent times, the pergola has become popular for those who are seeking a relaxing garden space that fits a certain aesthetic.

Traditionally, they would have been made of stone and brick, but over time materials have evolved and you can now find them made of wood, metal and other materials. They will be preserved with paint, and stain or the wood is treated with preservatives so that they are fit for outside use and this ensures that they can withstand different weather conditions.

Quite often, people will train their plants to weave their way around the pergola structure to create a beautiful plant feature. In most cases, you can customise the pergola to your liking, but recently, an incredibly popular coloured pergola is grey.

Grey Pergolas - A Modern Option to Pergolas

Choosing a colour for your pergola can almost feel impossible, especially if you are not one for natural wooden colours. In the 18th century, grey because a highly fashionable colour, but in terms of clothing. However, by the 1930s it became a dominant colour and grey became a popular way to symbolise uniformity.

For a lot of people, grey represents neutrality and balance, with works perfectly for a space that you are using to relax. Grey pergolas have become very popular due to their ability to remain neutral. It can be paired with a wide range of other colours, most of which can be found in the garden setting.

It is a colour that is not too dark to be paired with light colours and not too light that it couldn't be paired with dark colours.

Since the rise in grey pergola popularity, you can argue that it has added an element of sophistication to garden designs and steps away from the traditional colours of gardening features that have become very modern.

Most grey pergolas are made from metal, but if you had a wooden pergola, you can treat and paint the wood. This means that you are able to customise the shade as well as fit it nicely with the overall theme of your garden.

Pergola Materials - What Is Best?

So, we have covered the most popular colour of the pergola, but this can be found in a variety of different materials. If you have decided on a grey for the colour, you might then want to start on the best type of material.

Wood

Wooden pergolas are a very popular pergola material. This will provide you with the biggest variety of colour options should you decide to change your mind. The wood can be stained, painted, treated and customised to create the ultimate design.

If you are wanting a pergola on a budget, then wood is a great material. They look great and can fit most garden designs. If the modern design is what you're going for then a wooden pergola is a great option. However, it is worth noting that the maintenance of this type of pergola material will require much more attention than others.

This can be in the form of re-painting and re-staining, but even with this done on a regular basis, the wood is still susceptible to rot, pests, mould and decay. Unfortunately, this does mean that wooden pergolas have the shortest lifespan out of all pergola materials.

Whether you want your pergola to be free-standing or to be fitted to a wall, wood pergolas can accommodate both designs.

Cedar Wood

Cedarwood is a great option for those who desire a wooden pergola but want something a little more durable. This type of wood is stronger and more resilient to rot and pest damage.

You will still need to maintain this pergola material through staining, but you do have the option to paint them if you do not desire the traditional red colour of the wood. Note that this type of wood will be considerably more experience than other wood types.

Vinyl Pergola

This is likely to be the most popular pergola material. Vinyl requires very little maintenance, which has increased the sales of the material. They have great options when it comes to colour and sizes, with added durability.

Modern creates a much more modern aesthetic in comparison to wood and can still sit with the traditional look of a pergola. It can fit well with other garden features such as decking and patios.

With that being said, due to the lack of maintenance required, the ability to withstand mould, pests, rot and weather conditions, this pergola material is likely to be the most experience you can buy. You will not need to re-stain or re-paint this type of material. Though, this does mean you will not be able to paint and change the colour.

Metal Pergola

This pergola material is extremely durable and will withstand most, if not all weather conditions. Whilst it may not look as traditional as the other designs, it can feel much more modern. Most grey pergolas are made of metal. If you have a modern home, this can make a great addition to your garden.

Although metal is a strong material, it is still susceptible to damages such as rust, which will require regular maintenance. Though, if you choose aluminium as your pergola material, then it is lightweight and it will never rust.

A downside to metal pergolas is that they are not the cheapest option, especially for those on a budget. However, they are worth the investment due to their durability, sturdiness and strength.

Stone and Brick Pergola

If you are looking for a permanent and robust pergola, then using brick or stone can be a fantastic option. You are able to get the same bricks that your house is made of in order to create a matching feature.

Stone pergolas resemble traditional materials. They are strong, durable and can look impressive in your garden.

What About a Pergola Louvered Roof?

A pergola louvered roof is a type of pergola that allows you total control over the roof. To put it simply, you will be able to open or close the roof of your pergola so that you can relax in all weather without worrying about overhead protection.

If it is raining, simply close the roof and relax listening to the sound of rain. In cases where the sun is shining, you can allow the rays to come through the roof or provide yourself with some shade and keep them closed.

With a pergola louvered roof, you can be provided with the following benefits.

• Spend more time outside, regardless of weather conditions
• Creates a dedicated space within your garden
• In some cases, it will add value to your home
• You can protect your garden furniture by placing them under the pergola and opening the roof when weather conditions are suitable
• It acts as a great way to extend the seasons

How Do They Work?

A pergola with a louvered roof works through horizontal slats that can be moved with the touch of a remote button. In most cases, they can be rotated 180 degrees meaning that they can be turned to allow full sun exposure, partial shade and complete shade. In cases where it is raining, you can angle the slats so that the rain is directed away from your furniture.

You can use a button that will be installed alongside the pergola and this can be used to control the slats. However, as technology advances, some offer the ability for control to be used in partnership with your smartphone.

You can buy pre-made pergolas that already come installed with a louvered roof.

Ideal Pergola Height

To put it simply, there is not one ideal height for a pergola. It really depends on what size of structure you are looking for and how this will fit into your garden. In some cases, you are going to want to consider the following when deciding on how high you want the pergola to be before construction starts.

If you are planning to have a pergola that can have people stand under it, then you are going to want to ensure that it is at least body height. Having a space that is dedicated to socialising needs to cater to the people who will be using it.

With that being said, the standard pergola height is between 8 and 12 feet tall. Another major matter to consider is planning permissions. If you need that in order to build your pergola, you are going to want to check that you are not limited by height restrictions. Below, we have gathered information on recommended heights.

8 Foot - Good for smaller pergola structures and pergolas attached to buildings.

10 Foot - A good height for most pergolas, a great size for medium pergolas and suits all people who may need to use it.

12 Foot - Used for large pergola structures that are in free-standing form.

Pergola vs Trellis - What's the Difference?

Since we have covered pergolas, a trellis is another common garden feature that people often get confused about. Trellis is a similar structure, but instead, it is most commonly used to grow plants so that they extend vertically up the trellis.

Like the pergola, that can be made using a variety of different materials, such as wood, bamboo, vinyl and aluminium. You can use a trellis in a bunch of different designs, for example:

• Lattice - This is the most common type of trellis and is usually made of wood or vinyl
• Wall-Mounted - These can attach to your fence, a building wall or the side of your house
• Folding - These are forms of trellis that can be folded, but then extended when in use. You can determine how far the trellis stretches
• Expanding - You can expand this trellis to fit the size you require. It can also act as a garden divider

A trellis is similar to a pergola in the sense that a pergola adapts the trellis-style work, but instead of it being attached to a wall, it is supportive of the head by beams. Traditionally, a trellis is also used for plants, but a pergola is more used as a feature that provides shade protection within the garden setting.

A trellis is an open framework that does not provide any protection and is considered to be much more symbolic of the visual representation that they offer rather than a practical one. A trellis will also be much cheaper than a pergola.

What About a Pergola Swing?

If you already have a pergola or you are thinking about getting one and you have children, a great additional feature is to have a pergola swing.

Providing the swing is attached to the beams, a pergola will support the weight of the swing. Ensure that you discuss the matter further with the construction team that is putting together the pergola to ensure that the structure is strong enough to support the swing.

You will also need to take into account the size and weight of the swing, along with those who are using it. You cannot just hook up a swing to a pergola and sit down, it needs to be properly installed to ensure that it is safe. Concreted posts are a great way to add that extra bit of durability to the pergola, but this doesn't mean it is automatically safe. If you are ever in doubt, turn to a professional for an expert opinion.

Alternatively, if you are yet to have a pergola installed, you can buy ones that will come with a swing incorporated into the design.