- 9 March, 2004 -

Many homeowners are dressing their decks and back yards, plus adding much needed shade with a decorative pergola. Sometimes referred to as an "arbor," pergolas can provide the perfect combination of shade, style and simplicity. These stylish, open-roofed structures can be free-standing or attached to a home. Shade is the most common reason homeowners give for building a pergola. "You'd be surprised how many people have a deck on the South side of the house that is just too hot to enjoy," explains Vicki Kiger, Marketing Director for Archadeck, whose company designs and builds outdoor structures. "But if you install a pergola, you can create a beautiful, comfortable and shady place to relax, read, dine, or even host a summer afternoon cocktail party." Overhead wood slats or lattice panels stretched across a variety of column styles offer shade and an ever-changing play of light and shadow across nearby walls and floors. They also provide a place to grow vines or hang potted plants, which add color, increase shade and enhance light play. Good climbing plants include Wisteria, Morning Glory, Passion Flower, Carolina Jasmine and Climbing Rose. "Wisteria is one of the most popular, but it can get really heavy," points out Kiger. "You'll need a strong pergola to hold it up." For additional protection from the elements, tinted polycarbonate materials can be installed on top of a pergola to screen out harmful UV rays and keep the space cool underneath. Besides standing up admirably to solar beatings, this strong plastic keeps the rain off, protecting deck floors and furniture from the weather. Even a simple overhead structure can create a sense of privacy and also convert a deck or a section of a deck to new outdoor room. Pergola designs are limited only by imagination. Wooden columns topped with crown molding lend a Victorian flavor to a pergola. Homeowners can further enhance the desired feel by choosing complementary furniture and plants. "Many of our clients are pleased to discover that low-maintenance materials like vinyl and aluminum are also available," says Kiger. "That means less upkeep and more time spent enjoying the shade of their new outdoor structure." About Archadeck Founded in 1980 in Richmond, Va., Archadeck is ranked as the top Deck & Porch Builder in the United States by Qualified Remodeler magazine (Sept. 2003), and has designed and built more than 50,000 projects across North America, including decks, screened porches, sunrooms, gazebos, pergolas, arbors, and many other outdoor structures. Archadeck offers the strongest warranty in the decking industry.

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