Retrofitting a StruXure Pergola to Your Existing Patio

How hard is it to retrofit a louvered pergola system to your existing patio? At Denver Pergola, we do this all the time. In fact, 98% of our residential pergola installations are retrofitted to existing homes, rather than newly constructed residences. The process of incorporating a new StruXure adjustable louvered pergola is easy, offering many benefits.

 Incorporating a Pergola Into Your Existing Patio Design Adds Value & Function

With strict deadlines and tight budgets, home builders don’t typically put a lot of thought into patios. Even on properties with gorgeous views, they often fail to address the functionality of outdoor spaces. Many quite lovely yards are rendered useless in the afternoon due to the intensity of the sun, turning the home’s location into a negative asset. 

When homeowners move in, they often look to simple solutions like patio umbrellas. However, these don’t work in the bright, windy Denver climate, and are frequently seen soaring off like a child’s lost balloon into neighboring yards. Fortunately, with a StruXure louvered pergola, you can address many issues common to the Colorado region:

●       With a louvered roof pergola, you can easily manage the intensity of the afternoon sun.

●       A pergola system with motorized pergola screens is the perfect solution to combat glare from the angle of the rising/setting sun.

●       The interlocking louvers of StruXure aluminum louvered pergolas provide leak-free rain protection, ensuring a space that’s useful despite Denver’s frequent pop-up thunderstorms.

●       Designed to withstand hurricane-force winds, you never have to worry about strong mountain gusts with StruXure aluminum pergola systems.

The Process of Attaching an Aluminum Pergola to Your Home

Louvered pergola systems are easily attached to your home over your existing patio or deck. Depending on your preferences and county code requirements, we can top mount posts or seamlessly integrate your pergola into the angles of your existing walls or architecture, working around pools, fountains, and other features as necessary. We offer a variety of pergola colors to complement your modern or traditional home design. We can build your home pergola as large as your budget allows to nearly any dimensions.

When fastening your aluminum pergola to stamped concrete, a popular choice, modifications may be required. Concrete must be thick enough to surface-mount the system, requiring a 36-inch case depth (below the frost line) to meet county code requirements.

Straight walls, without “bump-outs,” make it easier to install your pergola system, helping you avoid the need to design your pergola around home extensions. Pergola components are securely attached to the side of your house, using structural supports within the walls of your home, such as studs, every 12-16 inches, according to code. We can work with wood, stucco, and other common building materials, however, installations on brick are not possible. In this case, a freestanding pergola design is necessary.

 Freestanding Home Pergola Installations

Freestanding installations are also easy to accommodate.  In some instances, we can also add a louvered pergola roof to your existing wooden pergola structure, turning the once static, open structure into a flexible shelter that can be opened or closed on-demand to accommodate changing weather.  Your wood pergola must include thick posts and a robust, structurally sound construction to accomplish this. Otherwise, structural improvements or a complete pergola renovation may be required.

  

Maximize use of every square foot of your home, from indoors to out, with a custom residential pergola. Contact Denver Pergola Systems to schedule a design consultation today.

This article was previously published at: http://www.denverpergolas.com/adjustable-residential-pergolas/retrofitting-a-struxure-pergola-to-your-existing-patio

Create A Baby-Friendly Outdoor Space

How can you create a backyard space that's safe for your baby? Your yard will likely require some adjustments to become a welcoming environment for your child. This investment will pay you back many times over, nurturing your budding toddler's body, mind, and soul. To meet your baby's changing needs and ensure their safety and enjoyment outdoors as they transition from sitting and crawling to walking, the flexible shelter of a louvered pergola, soft surfaces, and child-safe plants that attract wildlife, encouraging outdoor discovery, are essential.

How to Create a Safe, Inviting, Baby-Friendly Backyard

1. Provide the Right Mix of Shade & Sunlight
   While brief exposure to sunlight is healthy for your baby, stimulating Vitamin D production, it doesn't take much – only about 10 minutes. Ample shade is crucial to protect your infant from sunburn in the first six months, when they're too young for sunblock.  StruXure adjustable louvered pergolas help you tend to your growing child's changing needs, offering 170-degrees of flexibility so you can dial-in the perfect amount of shade or sunlight.
   
   
2. Choose a Soft, Smooth Flooring Surface
   Smooth paving with solid joints is ideal, providing a flat surface for bouncers, making it easier to crawl, and reducing the risk of tripping with baby’s first steps. Place soft surfaces over top, such as large rugs, mats, cushions, and blankets that will remain safely in place. These are safer for the soft, thin skin on your baby’s hands, elbows, and knees, cushioning falls. Avoid rocks and gravel, which can hurt the knees and feet of babies as they learn to become mobile.
   
   
3. If You Prefer Decking, Inspect it Regularly
   Decking can also be a safe choice for your child, particularly composite decks. If you choose wood, which is softer and warmer than stone, inspect it frequently. This is essential to addressing potential splinters and identifying widening gaps that could trap the fingers/toes of your baby. Algae should also be addressed regularly to prevent slips and falls.
   
   
4. Plan Your Furnishings Around Your Baby
   Large tables can hinder walkers, or turn into a dangerous obstacle for bouncers. Consider folding tables you can easily slide into and out of use until your baby is more seasoned pedestrian.
   
   
5. Incorporate Outdoor Toys to Entice Your Child Outside
   Pop-up tunnels, castles, and more are inexpensive and easily stowed away. Foldaway toddler slides and folding mini-trampolines are also fantastic additions for inspiring outdoor activity.
   
   
6. Keep Your Baby Away from Dangerous Areas
   A large, flexible wooden or plastic configurable baby safety panel system can keep your child contained, while still allowing some freedom of movement.  
   
   
7. Be Careful to Choose Child and Wildlife-Friendly Plants

Friendly Plants

Many beautiful plants, flowers, and berries are toxic to children if ingested. Using taste as a means of discovery, your baby will likely put found items in their mouth. It is crucial to research all plant selections thoroughly before purchase. In addition to toxins, watch out for thorny, spiky, sharp foliage, choosing softer plants. Fruit and sweet-smelling flowers that attract bees and wasps are also best avoided with very young children. As they grow, help your child learn safe distancing, and what is/isn't safe to touch, without inducing fear, updating plant selections as they age.

8. Don’t Let Rain Limit Outdoor Play
   With a louvered roof pergola, you'll never have to worry about rain putting a stop to outdoor play on a cold fall or winter's day. StruXure pergolas feature a leak-free roof with a built-in gutter system, directing rain away from your patio space and preventing pooling. When the weather is warm, open louvers to allow your child to embrace playing in the rain, encouraging an exciting new outdoor adventure.
   
   

Create a patio space that grows with your family through every stage of your life. Contact Denver Pergola Systems to schedule a complimentary custom pergola design consultation today.

This article was previously published at: http://www.denverpergolas.com/patio-ideas/create-a-baby-friendly-outdoor-space

Low-Maintenance Potted Plants Under Your Pergola

Do you love colorful foliage, but impress yourself with your capacity to kill patio plants? Did your last additions take over your space, rather than compliment it? Denver Pergola has the help you need to enhance your outdoor space, with a formula for low maintenance greenery additions that pair well with your residential pergola, beautify your patio, and minimize maintenance.

Refresh Your Patio and Nurture Your Green Thumb with these Easy-Care Plants

Beautiful, low-maintenance potted plants do exist.  You can add color, texture, and visual interest to your outdoor space with little more than weekly watering. These low-maintenance options are perfect for your patio or deck, particularly when paired with stylish and colorful containers and hanging baskets.

1. Heucheras – “Coral Bells”
   Small but mighty, the flamboyant foliage of Heucheras packs a visual punch, with flat or frilly leaves boasting shades ranging from bright lime green to sunset orange and merlot. Hummingbirds and butterflies love their long spikes of flowers. Choose evergreen varieties for year-round enjoyment.
   
   
2. Dichondra Argentea – “Silver Ponyfoot”
   The striking silver foliage of this southwest native spreads and cascades quickly, making a beautiful hanging basket or interesting addition to tall, upright planters, particularly when paired with plants with dark or colorful foliage. Note: It can overwinter in your home, but will not survive outdoors.
   
   
3. Cordyline
   Tall and bright, Cordylines are visually striking, flourishing in full sun. They don’t survive cold winters, however, so be prepared to replace them or bring them indoors before it frosts.
   
   
4. Agave Macroacantha
   Unlike its mammoth cousins, this unique, black-spined agave is known for its diminutive, 18-inch size. It makes a beautiful sculptural addition – just be sure to tuck it out of the way to protect passersby from its sharp spines.
   
   
5. Sedum
   Sedum encompasses a very large and variable plant family, offering a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, though all variations require minimal care. Sedum is an excellent way to add color and texture, flowering annually. Look for cold-hardy varieties for year-over-year beauty.
   
   
6. Blue Oat Grass
   This festive, fountain-shaped grass thrives in full sun, and can survive winter. It will easily fill any container, growing to 2-3 feet tall. It is fantastic for flanking entryways or anchoring your patio space.
   
   
7. Angelonia Serena – “Summer Snapdragons”
   This homeowner favorite thrives in full sun, withstanding the high heat and humidity of southern climates. Its fragrant purple, pink, or white flowers last for months, making lovely flower arrangements.
   
   
8. Geraniums
   The cheerful blooms of geraniums come in many colors. Locate them where they’ll get at least 6 hours of direct sun daily to encourage their fragrant blooms.
   
   
9. Pansies
   These colorful, easy-growing flowers thrive in sun or part shade and are surprisingly durable, though they hold up best in spring and fall. They come in a rainbow of hues to accent your patio or pergola design, allowing you to customize your color scheme.
   
   
10. Flowering Kale
    This hardy, rugged annual tolerates sun or shade, dry soil, and sub-freezing temperatures. Plant it in early spring, fall, and winter for lasting color, pairing it with other burgundy foliage and design accents to add color and texture to your patio.
    
    

 Avoid Impeding Pergola Function with Proper Plant Selection & Placement

Shopping on the fly can be tempting, but it can produce unexpected results. Shop carefully. Be mindful when selecting plants to pair with your louvered pergola system. Though the recommendations above are low-maintenance, each has unique care requirements. Consider sun exposure requirements and placement, particularly when placing plants beneath your residential pergola. Do you normally leave the louvers of your adjustable pergola open or closed? Steer clear of rapidly growing, bushy or vining plants, which can impede louvered pergola function, opting for better suited, slower-growing options instead. 

Spruce up your patio with the season's most beautiful foliage. Create a low maintenance backyard oasis with plants that are as easy to care for as your StruXure aluminum louvered pergola system. Contact Denver Pergola Systems to learn more today.

This article was previously published at: http://www.denverpergolas.com/patio-ideas/low-maintenance-potted-plants-under-your-pergola