Add Shade and Beauty by Building a Pergola on a Deck

building a pergola on a deckAre you interested in building a pergola on a deck? Here at Structurally Speaking, we love helping families turn ho-hum decks into beautiful backyard spaces. You can set up a free consultation to learn more about building a pergola in your backyard.

What is a Pergola?

Pergolas are wooden structures over a walkway or sitting area. They have wooden posts with a roof made of slats or open lattice. You can train plants to climb over the pergola for additional beauty and sun protection or simply leave the structure plant-free for a clean look.

Pergolas can be attached to the side of your home. This is common if you want to create a protected area over your door. You can also choose to build a pergola on a deck more centrally, unattached to any other structure.

Pergola Benefits

Why might you want to build a pergola? Homeowners love these structures for a variety of reasons:

  1. They provide protection from the sun. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. and sunburns drastically increase your risk of developing melanoma, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. So, not only does it make your deck more comfortable on sunny days, but it can also help prevent health problems.
  2. Pergolas give you some privacy from neighbors. If you have close next-door neighbors, even a fence won’t provide complete privacy, since they may be able to look down into your backyard from a second story. Our clients especially love pergolas over a hot tub deck, so you can relax in your hot tub with a higher level of privacy.
  3. You can grow plants using a pergola. Some climbing plants that do well here in North Carolina include trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, wisteria, and cross vine.
  4. A pergola can help to define a space on your deck. Large custom decks can be big open spaces, and homeowners sometimes don’t make good use of that space. With a pergola, you can create a cozy sitting area without blocking your view with railing or half-walls.

Of course, pergolas also look beautiful even if you don’t have a huge budget to redo your entire backyard. We build custom pergolas that add an elegant flair to even a simple deck design. When you choose a pergola builder like Structurally Speaking, you’ll love the end result.

How to Design the Best Pergola for Your Deck

We specialize in building decks and pergolas that look like they were part of the original design of your home. Don’t worry; if you aren’t sure exactly what you want, we can walk you through the process of building a pergola on a deck.

Here’s how it works:

First, we meet with you for a free initial consultation. We’ll come to your home to see your deck and talk about what you want in your new pergola. We’ll also discuss your budget at this point. We never want to design a pergola outside your preferred budget. More importantly, we feel like it is unethical to present you with a surprise bill at the end of a project. We’ll talk about price upfront and that is exactly what you’ll pay.

After your initial consultation, we’ll design your pergola, including mock-ups so you can visualize what it will look like on your deck. During your design presentation, you can make any final changes before construction. We won’t start building your pergola until you are completely happy with the size, design, and colors.

While you can add a pergola to an existing deck, as long as it is in good condition, we can also design one from scratch for you. Additionally, we talk about roof extensions for your deck if a pergola doesn’t give you the complete coverage you want. Our custom decks perfectly fit your home and backyard. Check out our gallery to see the wide range of styles and sizes of custom decks we’ve built in the past.

FAQs About Building a Pergola on a Deck

We’d be happy to answer any question you might have about building a pergola on a deck. Here are a few frequently asked questions we hear about this kind of construction project:

Do I need a permit to build a pergola?

In some cases, you will need a permit if you are building a pergola on a deck. This depends on a number of factors such as where you live and how big the pergola will be. We handle this part for you if you work with the Structurally Speaking team. Keep in mind that you may need permission from your HOA as well, depending on your specific HOA rules and where you’ll be building the pergola. We can also help with this process to ensure you comply with all HOA rules.

Can I build a pergola myself?

While you can build your own pergola, many homeowners find this process to be time-consuming, frustrating, and expensive. They may look simple to build, but constructing a well-built pergola takes experience, not to mention the correct tools. Most homeowners find it much easier to hire professionals. Plus, you know the job will be done right when you work with our team.

What’s the difference between a pergola and a gazebo?

Pergolas and gazebos are similar. However, pergolas have a slatted or lattice “roof” while gazebos have a true roof (and often also have a floor). Typically, you would have a gazebo separate from your deck, while a pergola is the perfect structure to add to a deck. While pergolas offer less protection from rain, they are generally less expensive.

Are you ready to learn more about adding a pergola to your deck or building a new custom deck that has a pergola? Contact us today for a free consultation.