Are you looking for more extra shade pergola cover ideas for your garden? We’ll show you some of the most popular extra shade pergola cover solution. Add Extra Shade Pergola Cover to protect your Patio space and keep it clean by covering them.
Extra Shade: How to cover your Pergola
There is more than one reason why people add pergolas to their outdoor space. They are a fun architectural piece that adds character to your garden, they are an excellent place for creeping plants to grow and be maintained, and most importantly, they give shade to people, plants, and animals. Most models are built with an open design, so while they offer some blockage of the sun’s rays, they don’t block it completely. If you are looking for pergola shade over an entire area, you will want to cover it. There are plenty of options that will give you the benefits of shade and protection without compromising the look of your outdoor living space. Extra shade Pergola cover is the best choice to protect your outdoor space from getting it dirty.
Pergola Cover Ideas
Permanent Canopies
Permanent Canopies are one of the more common choices to add more shade to your outdoor living space because they completely block out the sun but still allow for air movement. Depending on the canopy’s thickness and material, it may also block rain and enable you to use your pergola in all weather conditions.
Vines
If you are looking for a more natural option, many people choose to grow vines over the top of their pergolas. While this is an attractive option and maintains the natural look of your outdoor space, it does not offer complete sun coverage or total protection from the rain.
Retractable Canopy
These types of canopies are a popular option because they give you the best of both worlds. If rain or sun threaten your good time, you can pull the cover over your pergola. When the sun is what you want, simply retract the canopy. You could even go half and half if you want to have both sun and shade options.
There are many different types of retractable canopy, including single track, multi-track, rolling, and slide on wire canopy options.
Corrugated Metal
This material has become a favorite for all kinds of roofing projects because it is inexpensive, durable, and easy to install. It provides a source of shade and is completely waterproof, but the downsides are that it is permanent, and this material can be deafening in the rain. There are a variety of materials available, but aluminum seems to be the best combination of price and durability.
Lattice
A lattice is an open framework with strips of wood crisscrossing each other. It is a solid roof structure that can be laid over the top of the pergola to offer more shade and protection from larger debris but still let in some sunlight and allow for airflow. The downside of this pergola roof is that it doesn’t offer rain protection.
Shade Sail
Shade sails may be confused with canopies, but they are a slightly different option. The material is excellent for blocking out the shade, and many people like it because while they are not meant for pergolas, they are easy to install on most structures. Shade sails are not waterproof, but they are water-resistant so that they will do well keeping out drizzle but not a downpour.
Louvered Roofs
Louvered roofs are basically like blinds for your pergola. They are a costly option, but they are the best of all worlds. Not only will they keep the sun and precipitation out when you don’t want it, but a quick-adjust gives you full sun over your entire patio. They come in a variety of materials to match your desired function and decor but vinyl is a popular option thanks to its durability and color options. Louvered roofs need to be installed by a contractor in most cases.
Why Cover a Pergola?
Many pergola purists will question why you would ever want to cover a structure designed to be open, but there are plenty of reasons you would cover your Pergola.
Cover From the Elements
Pergolas are meant to shelter your patio or deck from the elements, but the basic structure isn’t meant to keep out everything. For instance, if you have an outdoor kitchen, you will want to protect it from rain or high winds that could threaten your cooking fire.
Keep the Area Clean
All kinds of dirt and debris can fall from above your canopy through the open areas. Whether it is a sitting area, a garden path, or an outdoor kitchen, you don’t want it to be full of leaves and other debris. The more time you spend having to sweep all that stuff up and dispose of it, the less time you have to enjoy your space.
Protection
A pergola will offer a certain amount of protection by itself, but those openings between beams aren’t going to keep out heavy precipitation or hail. Suppose you have items underneath your pergola like container water gardens or outdoor kitchen appliances that could be damaged by something like hail or high winds. In that case, it makes sense to cover your pergola when you aren’t using it to protect those vulnerable areas.
Should I Do It Myself
There is no concrete answer to this question – It all depends on your familiarity with the products you are using, the number of hours you are willing to devote to the project, and your experience doing it yourself. Many people choose to install a cover themselves because there is no extra cost, and something like canopy fabric can be attached to your structure without even using power tools.
There are a few situations where you may want to get a professional involved to help with installation. Suppose you have a custom pergola with difficult angles or irregular beams. In that case, you will want someone who has some experience if you are installing any canopy that needs to be permanently installed. Retractable awnings and louvered roofs are permanent structures that are great examples of roof options that require professional installation.
How to Install a Pergola Cover
If you have a few spare hours and the DIY spirit, you may want to install your own cover. These instructions are the basic steps that it takes to install most pergola patio covers.
- The first thing you want to do is measure the space to know how much material you will need. You want enough fabric to cover the top of your pergola plus a little more overhang with which to work.
- Then, you will have to decide how you want to connect the cloth to your pergola. A few options are grommets, fabric ties, or construction staples. Keep in mind that you will want to wash your cover every once in a while, so you want something that will make it easy to take down, so construction staples maybe for a more permanent structure.
- Next, you’ll have to choose the type of fabric you want for your pergola cover. They come in multiple fabrics, including thin cloth and sails to solid fabric like a canvas that provides better rain and sun protection. Prices vary depending on the thickness and quality of materials.
- Decide the design look you want the cloth to have – some people like to have it hang from the beams while others like to weave it in and out of the beams. If you choose the latter, you will need a little more fabric. Once you’ve done a dry test to see how much fabric you need, you can cut the fabric to your desired size.
- Once you know where and how you will attach your cover, it is time to connect the fasteners to the fabric. Then you can attach the fasteners to the pergola structure and enjoy your newfound shade.
Other Ways to Spruce Up Wood Pergolas
Adding a roof of some kind to your pergola is not only functional but is a way to show your personal design taste. Once you have your pergola cover ideas, consider these other ways to make your pergola pop.
Lighting
When thinking about pergola cover ideas, you have to consider lighting. Most people want to enjoy their pergola space as much as possible, which means outdoor pergola lighting is a must, and you don’t want the lighting to interfere with your cover.
Container Garden
The whole reason you have created this shady spot is to have a comfortable place to relax in your backyard. What better way to relax than with a water garden? A water garden with a few fish and maybe a fountain will add some peace and white noise to your tranquil landscape setting.
Seating Areas
To really relax, you need a comfortable place to sit. Depending on the space you have under your pergola, you may want to think of some out-of-the-box seating options, so there isn’t a lot of furniture blocking foot traffic.
Rug
A rug under a pergola or on a patio is polarizing because it adds charm and protects the patio, but it is fabric that gets dirty, especially if you have kids or use it in an outdoor kitchen. It is an option to look into to add character to your space but be aware that it comes with some extra work.
Plants
There are so many plants that you can add to your space to make it blend in with the surrounding landscape. Adding some shade-loving trees to the pergola’s corners is a great way to add some extra shade and give the area a more elegant look. Another option is to choose a vine that can grow up your pergola and even serve as the roof. The trumpet vine is an excellent option, but grape vines are probably the most popular option.
Curtains
Curtains have many benefits aside from adding a decor element. When curtains are made from quality materials, they will double as a screen that keeps out bugs while allowing natural light and air to continue to move through your pergola.
Decor
How can you have decor if you don’t have walls? You have to hang it. Windchimes, hanging lights, or even a decorative fan mounted to one of the beams are a few ideas of decor you can add to your pergola frame.
Fireplace
As long as you have allowed enough open air for smoke to escape (this is very important because a buildup of smoke will cause carbon monoxide poisoning), a fireplace is a cool feature to have under your pergola. A built-in fireplace with a chimney is even better because not only does it give a place for the smoke to escape, but it can also be used as an outdoor kitchen.
Umbrellas
Umbrellas are an underappreciated accessory for any pergola. Unlike other shades that are usually static, an umbrella can be moved in any direction offering the ultimate rain protection. The same goes for UV protection since it can be adjusted throughout the day to protect from the sun. A few umbrellas near seating areas under your outdoor structure will offer protection from rain for you and your guests while adding a pop of color and texture to the space.
Get Started
If you think that a pergola is a perfect addition to your outdoor space, there is no better time to get started. There are many steps to installing a pergola, including the consideration of foot traffic and the best place for your pergola, prices, models, any extra material, and assembly. It may sound intimidating, but when you take it step by step, it all comes together, and in the end, you get a perfectly serene space that you and your family will love to make memories.
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