It's Pronounced [PUR] + [GUH] + [LUH]

This article was published on 2/12/2019    and updated on  1/27/2022

 

What is a pergola? Pronounced [PUR] + [GUH] + [LUH], this outdoor shelter solution is the linchpin of successful outdoor living designs. No porch or patio space is fully functional and complete without one. But the true identity of this long-lived structure is marred in confusion, with the word “pergola” used to describe a broad array of outdoor structures.

What is a Pergola, Really?

The Latin translation of the word pergola refers to a projecting roof or vine arbor. In Italian, "pergola" signifies grapes that have overwintered on a trellis. However, its modern-day interpretation refers to an outdoor shade structure that provides shelter and privacy. Though we often use the terms interchangeably, as you'll see below, a pergola is not the same as an awning or gazebo, and its design is distinctly different from an arbor or trellis.

●       Awning

Awnings are permanently affixed to a building’s structure, providing shade with removable fabric panels.

●       Gazebo

These freestanding structures are smaller than pergolas, featuring a round or octagon shape with a raised floor and closed roof.

●       Arbor

These open-roofed structures are specifically designed to support vines, providing aesthetic benefits but little in the way of weather protection.

Getting Specific - What Makes a Pergola a Pergola

Though style and materials have changed, the purpose of pergolas has remained constant for more than 3,000 years. Pergolas offer a captivating blend of open and enclosed space. They bring indoor comfort outdoors. Unlike their smaller, rounder cousin, the gazebo, pergolas are traditionally flat-topped with a semi-open roof held upright by several vertical posts or pillars. They can be freestanding or attached and are used in a variety of applications, such as to:

●       Extend outdoor space

●       Cover walkways, entryways, and exit points

●       Provide shelter for outdoor seating areas

●       And much more

Flash Forward - Modern Aluminum Pergola Design

 Modern aluminum pergolas remain true to their roots but feature advanced technology:

●       Louvered roof pergola design

StruXure pergolas offer up to 170-degrees of rotational flexibility, allowing you to dial-in the perfect amount of sun, shade, or shelter.

●       Fully extruded aluminum construction

StruXure Pivot 6 aluminum pergolas are built to last a lifetime, standing up to hail, hurricane-force winds, and heavy snow loads.

●       Powder coated exterior

Premium powder resists even the harshest environmental conditions with minimal maintenance except for occasional cleaning with soap and water.

●       Built-in pergola accessories

Customize your louvered pergola to meet your needs with:

o   Integrated lighting

o   Ceiling fans/infrared patio heaters for comfort

o   Motorized screens for enhanced weather protection and privacy

o   Aesthetic additions like architectural columns, faux wood wrap, and corbel ends

 ●       Motorized pergola operation

Adjust your aluminum pergola on demand by remote control, program it using your smart device through the Somfy MyLink app, or incorporate weather sensors for on-demand response to changing environmental conditions.

  Improve the functionality of your outdoor space with a modern louvered pergola from Denver Pergola Systems. Take advantage of all the benefits StruXure pergolas have to offer. Contact us at 303-505-6669 to learn more about our cutting-edge outdoor shelter solutions today.

 

Outdoor Dining Ramps Up to Meet the Needs of COVID Era Patrons

Does your current restaurant design offer plentiful outdoor dining space? According to a recent OpenTable survey, Americans are back to dining out. And we literally mean OUT. Diners are enthusiastically embracing eating al fresco. In fact, the vast majority of diners – 82% - want restaurants to increase available outdoor seating. Those not embracing this new normal may be left behind. How can you revamp your restaurant real estate to take advantage of this opportunity?

Take Advantage of New Outdoor Patio Permitting Opportunities

Denver's temporary outdoor dining program to help restaurants and bars stay afloat and safely accommodate guests through the COVID pandemic in 2020 has been made permanent. The program will continue to allow restaurants to apply for permits to use private and public spaces for outdoor dining in settings adjacent to their businesses.

Capitalize On Existing & Adjacent Patio Dining Real Estate

Take full advantage of available space on the property you own or lease, as well as nearby public plaza space and adjacent natural or wooded areas:

●       Go big, extending your existing patio dining space beneath the versatile shelter of a large, permanent Pivot 6 XL commercial pergola from Denver Pergola Systems.

 ●       Build up with a second-story deck. Adjustable aluminum pergolas from Denver Pergolas are the perfect shelter solution for upper-level decks and rooftop dining additions.

 ●       Start small and expand with StruXure Cabanas. These portable 10x10 cabanas are perfect for temporary additions and meeting social distancing guidelines, allowing your restaurant to start slow, then easily add on to accommodate guest demand.

Set the Stage for a Good Time

Deck out your pergola or cabana-covered space with private tables, built-in color-changing LED lighting, and twinkling lights, creating a luxurious, resort-like atmosphere. Incorporate infrared patio heaters and ceiling fans for comfort and year-round use. Consider gas fire pit tables to generate warmth and a buzz for your newly renovated outdoor seating area. Creature comforts and stunning features keep guests happy and engaged, ensuring a longer stay, higher tabs, and positive word of mouth. No matter what size patio dining space you add, you’re sure to see an overwhelmingly positive response. Al fresco dining isn’t going anywhere – so start cashing in.

Don’t Neglect Social Distancing Guidelines

Create a layout and service plan that protects patrons and ensures repeat business, keeping local COVID safety measures including distancing and sanitation protocols center stage. Over 70% of dining patrons rate these as extremely important, even in outdoor areas perceived as lower risk (compared to indoor dining). Use 10x10 StruXure cabanas to delineate space for each party or zone your larger, commercial pergola-covered patio dining space, incorporating motorized screens to create zones or seating "bubbles" that reduce contact while still facilitating fresh airflow.

 Don’t Assume You’re Guests Know the Process

COVID best practices are constantly changing, and every business supports different measures. Educating guests on what to expect at your establishment is essential. Inform diners on rules you’ve implemented for their safety with highly visible signage, developing a script for your staff to explain how your COVID safety protocols work. Overcommunication beats leaving these details to chance, reduces confusion and frustration, and increases compliance and safety.

Don’t Skimp on Seating and Comfort

As we’ve previously stated, uncomfortable guests aren’t going to stick around – or return. Long wait times likewise equate to lost sales. Investing in plentiful seating and outdoor comfort will pay off in additional sales. Make it an experience. Teach your staff how to make a show of catering to outdoor guests. Light a fire, turn on nearby patio heaters, pass out cozy throw blankets, and adjust your louvered roof pergola to seal out rain or snow or let in the sun’s warmth– guests will eat it up, savoring the unique experience. Your success will pay off in a rapid return on your pergola investment - in some cases, as little as a day. 

Uphold Your Brand Image

Make sure your restaurant patio seating area reflects your brand. Successful designs typically reflect the feel of interior dining spaces. Deliver the whole package. Make your outdoor seating area a special destination people want to frequent – not just a cheap substitute to replace indoor seating for guests looking for a safer dining experience.

Adjust Your Menu for the Season

 Seasonal dishes are easier to execute and more enjoyable outdoors, such as cool, summer fare and warm, nourishing winter dishes. Limiting the menu to these seasonal selections is also a great way to reduce waste and scale down, controlling costs until your  COVID-weary regulars return in earnest.

Spread the Word & Boost Restaurant Patio Traffic

Post photos of your newly revamped space and exciting new menu items on social media, sending an email blast to regulars. Turn in a press release to the local paper or radio station about your new outdoor dining area, or get the word out with direct mail, offering discounts for your patio grand opening.

Adapt to al fresco. Refresh your restaurant patio design and capitalize on new trends in outdoor dining. Contact Denver Pergola Systems’ restaurant patio design experts at 303-505-6669  to schedule a consultation today. 

This article was previously published at:https://denverpergolas.com/adjustable-commercial-pergolas/outdoor-dining-ramps-up-to-meet-the-needs-of-covid-era-patrons/

 

Among Hot New Trends in Restaurant and Hospitality

 

This article was published on  11/6/2018   and updated on  1/19/2022

 

COVID 19 has hit the restaurant industry hard. Many dining establishments are turning to outdoor dining to manage customer health concerns, meet CDC and National Restaurant Association safety guidelines, and keep doors open and cash registers busy. Given COVID 19 is expected to stay with us, this trend will likely be the new standard in restaurant dining.

How to Maximize Restaurant Patio Real Estate with a Commercial Pergola

The desire for people to connect through the sharing of food and the increase in customers looking for unique dining experiences offers tremendous opportunity for Denver area restaurants. You can stylishly accommodate social distancing and increased ventilation necessary in the COVID area with al fresco dining with StruXure Pivot 6 XL commercial pergolas. Our commercial aluminum pergolas allow you to use restaurant patio space in any weather.

Revamp Your Restaurant Patio Design for Year-Round Use with a Louvered Pergola

Pivot louvered roof pergolas allow you to use restaurant patio space in any weather, providing on-demand protection so you can make the most of what every season has to offer.

 ●       Dial in the ideal amount of sun, shade, ventilation, or shut out the rain, rotating pergola louvers up to 170-degrees

●       Improve weather protection and comfort while preserving airflow with motorized screens

●       Incorporate built-in lighting for 24/7 use

●       Add ceiling fans and infrared patio heaters to your pergola, ensuring comfort year-round

 With a well-outfitted pergola, you can create a space where patrons can enjoy the dining experiences they miss while feeling safe and socially responsible. When customers feel comfortable, they stay longer and return more frequently, keeping your restaurant full and ticket prices up.

StruXure Louvered Pergolas Turn Heads at Leading Restaurant and Hospitality Trade Shows

Louvered roof pergolas from Denver Pergola Systems generate fantastic feedback when experienced in exhibits by commercial architects, designers, and developers, restaurateurs, hoteliers, and other hospitality entrepreneurs. Experienced first-hand, it’s easy to see the appeal of using and relaxing beneath our louvered roof systems. Our displays leave quite an impression on industry professionals, especially the Pivot 6 Slide, with its automobile sunroof-style sliding roof.

Boost Patio Dining and Maximize Return on Investment with an Aluminum Pergola

StruXure commercial-grade pergolas are built to last a lifetime. They are engineered to stand up to all types of weather, from intense sunlight to heavy snow loads, hurricane-force winds, and the brutal seaside climate. Aluminum pergolas from Denver Pergolas are a low-maintenance addition to any business, requiring only occasional cleaning with a hose. Program them to automatically adjust throughout the day, operate via remote control or smart device, or incorporate weather sensors for on-demand response to rain, wind, and ice.

Perfect for an Array of Hospitality Settings

Louvered pergolas are an excellent way to expand usable space, entice new customers, and increase guest ticket prices. They also offer opportunities for use as rental space for private events, such as family gatherings, weddings, holiday parties, business meetings, and more. Lightweight and versatile, they are easily incorporated over:

●       Restaurant patios

●       Upper and lower deck seating

●       Rooftop dining locales

●       Balconies

●       Verandas

●       Lanais

●       Courtyard seating

●       Entryways

●       Swimming and spa areas

 

Custom Designed to Seamlessly Blend into Your Architecture or Reflect Your Brand Image

We’re experts in the art of commercial patio design. We can design your pergola system to your exact requirements, no matter how unique or eccentric. Choose from custom colors, faux wood wrap, decorative columns, corbel ends, and more. Incorporate fire and water features seamlessly into your restaurant patio design. Your stunning, newly revamped outdoor space will not only serve as added seating but as a powerful advertising statement.

Ensure your restaurant does more than survive the COVID pandemic. Grow and thrive, creating an exceptional outdoor dining experience. Entice new customers with a pergola-covered restaurant patio. Contact Denver Pergola Systems at 303-505-6669 to schedule a complimentary commercial pergola design consultation today.