One of the best ways to enjoy your yard is by creating an outdoor living space. There are numerous options that you could consider such as patios, decks and pergolas. A common misconception that some homeowners have is that all you need to do is hire contractors and they will erect a pergola for you. The truth of the matter though is that there are several designs that you could choose from. Knowing what is available to you makes it easier for you to make an informed decision on what type of pergola would be best suited for your individual family's needs. Here are some of the pergola designs that you could consider for your home.

Cladded pergola designs

This type of pergola design is closed, which is unlike the conventional pergola design that comprises of beams and posts with spaces in between them. With cladded pergola designs, you have the freedom of choosing an array of materials as your cladding. Some of the materials that you could consider is shade cloth (which is typically used for shade sails), vinyl, plastic, PVC and even steel.

It should be noted though that your choice of cladding would affect the temperatures inside the pergola, as some materials may not allow proper ventilation inside the structure. However, cladded pergolas are a great choice if you are looking to create a living space that will be completely protected from the varying weather elements throughout the year. Additionally, cladded pergolas can provide some degree of sound insulation when hosting guests there depending on the material you select.

Open pergola designs

As the name suggests, these types of pergolas do not have any materials that cover the walls or the roofing. This the traditional design of pergolas if you would prefer something more conventional for your yard. There are an array of benefits that come with opting for an open pergola. Firstly, this type of pergola can add an ornamental aspect to your yard as it blends in naturally with the outdoors.

Secondly, you can opt to have climbing plants intertwined into the pergola, which would give the structure some form of privacy depending on how dense the plants are. Open pergolas are a great option for homeowner who would like to feel one with nature while they are outdoors. It should be noted though that since this pergola design does not have full coverage roofing, you might only be able to make use of it dependent on the prevailing weather.