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.