Wood vs Vinyl Pergolas Fair Comparison

Wood Pergolas

Adding certain elements to your house not only adds value and style to your home, but they can also be very practical choices. Garages and carports, as mentioned before, allow for storage space and protect your vehicles from the rain, snow, or anything else harmful that being in the open air can bring. Porches and patios allow for a nice, open space outside where you and your family can relax without dealing with being in the dirt or mud in your yard. You could grow vegetables in a green house to save you the trouble and money from having to buy vegetables from the store every week. In addition, you know the vegetables grown in your green house will be as fresh as possible and organic.

A popular addition for many homes is a pergola. A pergola is a structure supported by beams, creating a pathway or a resting area, with a top covering in a mesh-like pattern. Pergolas are commonly used for climbing plants, such as vines, to grab hold of and climb on. The design of the pergola allows the climbing plants to weave in and out, elegantly meshing within the structure.

In addition to being great for climbing plants, it’s also a great addition as a sitting area on your porch or patio. Pergolas are open structures, so you never lose that feeling of being outside. You can feel the warm breeze on your face, hear the birds chirp, and relax in the outdoors, while being under a nice bit of shade.

Deciding what your pergola should be made of is a concern. With any structure that you plan on making outdoors you need to make sure it can stand up to the elements, can stand the test of time, and won’t succumb to rotting or anything of the sort.

Wood is a nice choice. Wood looks natural, elegant, and is very sturdy. Despite being a lovely choice for a pergola, there are also many negative aspects to it. First of all, wood rots and it doesn’t take very many years for it to start rotting either, depending on how well you maintain it. In addition to rotting, wood can also be eaten away by insects, requiring you to regularly spray your pergola for bugs.

Wood also requires much upkeep in regards to painting, staining or sealing. Even after all of that, most anything created by wood that’s regularly exposed to the elements will deteriorate, break or just need replacing or repairs.



Vinyl Pergolas

A better alternative to wood is vinyl. Vinyl pergolas are not susceptible to rot or insects like wood is and is very sturdy and strong to protect against the outdoors. Vinyl pergolas also do not require nearly as much upkeep as wooden pergolas. They don’t need to be sealed to protect it as the vinyl is strong enough on it’s own to protect against the elements. Vinyl pergolas don’t need to be stained or painted as the material itself is infused with the color of your choice. The only kind of upkeep vinyl pergolas regularly need is a bit of a washing every now and then. Despite vinyl being tough and durable, with no worries of rot and little worry of wear and tear, it still sits outside in the open. Dirt, grime, pollen and more can make it look dirty and unappealing. A bit of time with a hose and a small brush can remedy this, however.

Vinyl also has the advantage over wood in terms of ease of assembly and weight. Wood pergolas need thick beams to support the weight of the covering. In addition, the covering itself is also a frame of many thick wooden pieces. This can make it difficult to build, especially for someone who’s older. Vinyl pergola kits have much lighter pieces, making it easier to assemble.

Vinyl and wood are both fine materials to construct a beautiful pergola. Whatever you may choose, you can be certain that a pergola can be a great, charming touch to your yard. Relax outdoors, chat with friends, read a book, grow some plants around it to create a lovely decoration, and most of all, enjoy it.

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