So you want to build a garden pergola.  Deciding to purchase or build a pergola for your home is an exciting experience. A pergola will add a special element to your home whilst also adding more value to the house when it comes time to sell. Putting a pergola in your garden will bring an air of tranquility to the area and provide a special space for people to gather. There are many pergola designs available or you can design your own if you are experienced. When choosing a pergola design you should consider several factors including:

Budget

Pergolas can be as extravagant as you can afford. They can also be simple yet stylish without breaking the bank. If you are building it yourself then your pergola can be built for under $500. You could also choose to pay $4000 for a contractor to design and build your pergola. It totally depends on how much you wish to spend.

Location

Try not to build your pergola near any utilities that are underground. You may also need to find out if there is any piping or other obstructions in the prospective location of your pergola.

Sun position

This is an important factor especially if you think you will use the pergola at certain times of day. Do you want it to catch the morning or afternoon sun? Do you want a lot of shade? Consider also the roofing in regards to shade.

Materials

Wood is the cheapest material to use (well depending on what time of wood!). It will obviously need to be waterproofed and pressure treated. Other materials to consider building your pergola from include vinyl or aluminum.

Size

It is vital to draw out the size of the pergola before starting. Make sure it fits well in your garden and does not cause an obstruction. Mark the pergola on the ground as well as measured on paper.

Shape

Many pergolas are round however it is cheaper to build a square or rectangular shape due to there being less manipulation of the materials to get rounded edges. You can also make a triangular pergola if you wish! Hexagonal is also becoming a popular pergola shape as it looks round but is easy to create.

Pergolas are a fantastic focus point for the garden so consider that when choosing a position for you. There is little point having a pergola tucked up the back of the yard or garden. Instead make it the defining feature when you walk outside. Decorating the area with pot plants is a great idea to liven up the space.

Pergola plans can help you build the perfect pergola. Whether you are building it yourself or hiring contractors to make the work easier, you will want to browse and study several plans before deciding which one is right for you.

A pergola is an excellent way to give your home some extra character and they can also add value to your house if it ever comes time to sell up. A nicely designed pergola will compliment a patio area or a decking outside your house. Once you have the pergola built you will think just how bare the area once looked without it. It will become a focus point for your visitors too who will no doubt comment on how great it looks!

So where do you get pergola plans and how do you choose the right one? The three main places to find quality pergola plans are:

- The internet

- Home improvement books

- Magazines

The above three sources for pergola plans provide all you need as far as inspiration goes. There are many things to consider when choosing pergola plans such as:

- The size of the pergola – make sure it can fit in your desired location

- The materials – What the pergola is made of should depend on climate conditions, purpose and aesthetics as well as budget

- Your budget – there is little point at looking for pergola plans that are beyond your budget. Decide how much you want to spend before you start searching

- Location of the pergola – will it be part of a deck or patio, or entirely separate? Designs will differ greatly depending on where your pergola will be built.

Most people choose a pergola that covers a porch or deck as this gives a highly inviting and practical purpose to the pergola. It can shield people from shade and can turn an ordinary deck into a full scale entertaining area. Consider add some lattice and climbing plants to add to the effect.

The most common pergola material is wood. You can choose between wood composite and natural timber depending on budget and preference. You should also consider the look of your home when deciding on materials. If your home is older style then natural timber can suit perfectly.

Browsing pergola plans make for exciting times as you plan out your new pergola, so make sure you look through enough plans and designs before making your final decision.

To build your own pergola is a satisfying experience. Not only can you save substantial amounts of money, you can also design the pergola from scratch to make it exactly as you wish. Of course it is always wise to use an existing pergola design as a base and then work on it from there to form it into your dream pergola.

Building your own pergola is one of the easier building tasks you can take on, and it can also be one of the most inexpensive provided you do your research and planning correctly. The simplest pergola self build design is the dome shaped garden tent. This design has an umbrella like dome on top fit with a hook.

One of the most time consuming and detailed pergola self build designs would be the porch extension, particularly those which are made with quality wood and incorporate vines and other details into it. It is your choice how much you wish to spend when self building your pergola and how long you want the process to take.

There are many designs and instructions for building your own pergola online, in magazines and in home improvement books. There are so many possible designs and materials to use that the hardest part is often deciding what you want your pergola to look like. The first decision you need to make is about the size of the pergola. Will it be small or large? Map out the prospective position in your garden or backyard and ensure that it will easily fit there. Leave a little extra room just in case of mis-measurement, plant and tree growth and the covering which may stick out further than the pergola itself.

Before you start building, check with your local council whether you need a permit. Generally small pergolas will not but large ones attached to the house may. Ask around with friends if they would also like to build a pergola or similar structure and if so, pitch in together to buy materials in bulk and save.

It is entirely possible to build a small pergola in one weekend if you have a helping hand. It will take at least three, but preferably more, people to assist in the building and assembly process. A pergola self build project brings much satisfaction to the home owner as you can completely match the pergola to the existing look of your home and yard.

A pergola gives your home elegance and character. It can also provide an excellent focal point. If you’ve always wanted to grow a vine but weren’t sure where or how, consider growing it on your pergola because climbing plants love the design of a pergola. Hanging baskets also make a great decorative and natural looking addition. It doesn’t need to be difficult to learn how to build a pergola.

A pergola can be built in a weekend with two or three people helping. You don’t require a lot of materials and the cost is quite small considering the overall effect and value it can add to your home. If you ever decide to sell your home, a pergola will make it look incredibly attractive to prospective buyers.

Knowing how to build a pergola only takes some research and reading. It is a good idea to pick up some home improvement magazines and browse websites which provide pergola building instructions and tips. You can also ask family and tradespeople for tips on building your own pergola. By building it yourself you are saving significant amounts of money compared with paying hundreds of dollars per hour to hire several tradesmen to undertake the job. It can also give you a great sense of accomplishment building it yourself whilst allowing you to maintain complete control over the process from start to finish.

Some materials you will need include cement, foundation tubes, stock of various sizes, anchors for posts, bolts and screws, nails and paint or stain (depending on the material you are using). The main tools required for most pergola building jobs are a hammer or nail gun, drill, wheelbarrow, shovel, tape measure, stakes, ladder, paint brush, table saw and ratchets. You will most likely already own most or all of these tools, meaning there is no added expense.

The basic process of building a pergola include drawing up the layout, laying the foundation, installing posts and headers, painting, cutting cross members, flooring (if you are making a patio) and cross members. The process will vary depending on the size, type and purpose of your pergola but the basic structural process is similar for all types of pergolas.

Once you learn how to build a pergola you will have no trouble completing the project. You might also choose to use your newly found expertise to help friends and family build their own pergolas or even turn it into a side business for some extra weekend income.

Pergolas make a perfection addition to your home and garden. Pergola kits make it easier than ever to build a pergola as they cut the process down and can have your pergola up in no time. Pergola kits can be found online as well as in home improvement stores. Pergola kits are inexpensive and provide many benefits including:

- helping you save time on finding materials

- use the provided plans

- Home delivered materials

- DIY = huge savings!

Pergolas create that outdoor living area you’ve always wanted, without spending a fortune. They provide a great spot to entertain or just relax in the sun with a book. More and more people are building pergolas in their home, but many people are not aware of the ways you can save money and time, particularly with regards to use pergola kits.

Pergola kits cut out the problem of researching, finding and buying all of your own materials for the pergola. The pergola kits are equipped with everything you will require to build your pergola, including everything already cut to size. It can be confusing tracking down all the materials you need, and often people forget one or two things which can hold the whole project up. Instead, pergola kits provide it all for you so you can get on with getting that pergola built sooner.

Not only do you receive materials in your pergola kit, you also receive the plans for the pergola. The plans provide step by step instructions on erecting the pergola. It makes it difficult for anything to go wrong when you have detailed plans laid out in front of you. Following the plans exactly will give you a result of a perfect pergola.

Pergola kits help you save money as they provide everything you need to do it yourself. It can be daunting building something yourself but if the materials and instructions are handed to you, it becomes a whole lot easier.

Pergola kits are priced anywhere from $400 to over $3000 depending on type, size and design. It is ideal to look through many of the designs before deciding on the right pergola kit for you. There are many websites now offering photos of the end result of their pergola kits. These sites and photos give you a great idea of what to ask for when you go out searching to buy your pergola kit.