4 Reasons to Choose a Pergola Over a Pagoda
Posted on: 18 January 2019
As you might imagine, the terms pergola and pagoda tend to get mixed up. They sound similar, and there are similarities between how they're constructed, but pergolas and pagodas are still quite different structures.
Both are freestanding structures, but a pergola does not have a dedicated roof. Instead, it has beams fitted across the top that leave a little space, usually for climbing plants to wind around. In contrast, a pagoda is constructed with a solid roof to keep off the rain and provide complete coverage. Many have tiered roofs that take inspiration from traditional Far Eastern designs.
Pergolas and pagodas each have their own pros and cons, but here are just four reasons you might want to choose a pergola over a pagoda.
1. You Want to Spend Less
The most obvious benefit that comes with choosing a pergola over a pagoda is spending a little less money. Pergolas are simpler structures that don't require as much in the way of raw materials or labour—they also go up a lot faster. If you want to build something that provides a shaded area while enhancing your outside space but don't want to break the bank, opting for a pergola is a good idea.
2. You Want an Airier Shelter
A pergola is focused more on providing shade than keeping out the rain. You might think that having a pagoda would be the better option, since you can sit out during any type of weather, but it's actually far nicer to sit within a pergola when the sun is beating down hard. You get plenty of shade from the roof, but the heat doesn't get trapped in as much as it does in a pagoda, and the whole structure feels airier and more open with breeze coming in from above.
3. You Want Climbing Plants
Both pergolas and pagodas can support climbing plants, but pergolas are better since they can hold them along the roof as well as across the supporting pillars. If you like the idea of surrounding yourself with plants as well as the structure itself, pergolas will probably appeal to you.
4. You Want Reduced Maintenance
Finally, keep in mind that having a covered roof does mean more maintenance. Leaves and other debris will collect on the roof instead of falling through, and the structure will be more affected by the wind. In contrast, a pergola will demand very little in the way of maintenance.
To learn more, contact pergola builders in your area.
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