A patio roof or gazebo not only protects friends and family from the elements like sun and rain, but it also extends your home’s living space and adds to your home’s visual appeal and value. The following article discusses various roofed structures with reference to design features and installation suggestions. From pergola to gazebo to open-framed arches, your home will be dramatically enhanced by these terrific accents.
Ideal structures will meet your family’s particular needs. Structures may be plant-friendly and double as supports for climbing plants and vines or they may cover the patio area where entertainment is likely to occur. They should, in any case, provide some relief from intense sun and also provide protection against rain (unless they are open-framed models). Depending on your household’s specific requirements, these structures can be adapted to suit any lifestyle as well as any architectural style.
There are many installation considerations when it comes to overhead structures in the garden. Generally, you will want a model that compliments your home’s style. In some instances, your structure may not even be attached to the house in the case of a pool or pond further off in the landscape. You may need to consult soil experts, landscape professionals or a professional designer for help when it comes to your specific site. Also, take into consideration the sun’s path—it may influence your choice of location. While in your planning stage, consulting with your town’s building department and obtaining the necessary permits are essential parts of any construction project.
During the planning stage you will want to decide on your choice of materials. Many garden structures are built from wood—generally surfaced lumber or woven woods in some cases. Preassembled lattice panels are widely available at home improvement centers. Your design may combine wood with fabric or employ screens or fiberglass. Your roof may be traditional and light blocking or it may be completely clear. An alternative might be to incorporate skylights into the structure. In any case, again, when it comes to material choice, in some cases it makes good sense to take your design ques from the home itself.
There is a wide variety of designs when it comes to overhead structures—from airy models to brick and window productions. Most homeowners truly want their overhead structures to form the bridge between the house and the landscape. By incorporating the structure with the patio or pool, you offer protection against the elements and allow your guests to continue their stay out of doors.
Two-tiered roofed structures and simple pavilions provide a good amount of shade while still maintaining an outdoor atmosphere. They may cover only a portion of the patio for instance where shade will prove useful—for a table and chairs or grill for example or cover the entire patio expanse. Because they are open roofed structures they are perfect supports for climbing plants. They can be greatly enhanced by container plants as well and are useful to gardeners, as some plants may need to be removed from direct sunlight during the day.
Similarly, pergolas really don’t offer protection from the rain and depending on the design, may not give altogether much protection from the sun. However, many homeowners install them for the wonderful dimension they add to a patio and they can be installed with a ceiling fan and lighting fixtures for guests to enjoy the outdoors. When landscaped with plants, they truly form a dynamic bridge between the garden and the home itself.
The shape of a pergola structure may vary between simple rectangles or squares or may even be shaped as an octagon for a sophisticated design. A roof of latticework may add more shade as opposed to the traditional planks. Alternatively, rather than basic posts, consider columns of stucco for a more reinforced look. If you prefer more open air, consider a large-scale corner trellis that will provide structural delight without inhibiting guests from the great outdoors whatsoever; these are practical solutions for relieving a flat landscape.
On the other hand, if more shelter is needed, a covered cabana with a flat roof and latticework sections of siding will protect garden guests from the harsh sun for meals of lounging. Or, the gardener may simply require shade for a favorite type of planting in which case a simple overhang with posts and latticework roof might be contrived right off the house for a small shady oasis.
Gazebos may be more elaborate constructions depending on the style and design you choose. Thomas Jefferson made his brick and window model famous. Most homeowners prefer something lesser in scale however. From Victorian gazebos to Oriental style pavilions, these roofed structures are an ideal way to entertain guests outdoors. Whether you employ a kit or a custom design, gazebos can form a part of your patio of deck or be built elsewhere in the landscape—ideally near a great focal point like a terrace garden or pond.
From rustic to classical, overhead garden structures provide the finishing touch to a great landscape. Investing in quality materials and aesthetically pleasing designs can only enhance the value and look of your home. And of course, your dinner guests will appreciate a bit of shade now and again as they admire your home’s attractive garden and landscape.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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