We don’t have to tell you that the sun is bright; one step outside your door or car announces that simple fact rather loudly! In the summer, the sun provides a heat that can make outdoor life unbearable if you don’t have the proper equipment to help shield your body from the fiery orb in the sky. Umbrellas on dry days are quite common, dark sunglasses are a necessity, and a pergola in the backyard, although not required, definitely makes a sunny day something to enjoy, not to dread! The many perks of pergolas give homeowners choices they may not have in other sun blocking devices. If you’re not convinced that a pergola is the right choice for you and your Arizona backyard, it’s ok—we think this guide may just change your mind!
Size Matters
Just as people come in all shapes and sizes, yards do as well, and while a gabled pergola may work for a large yard, some yards may only have room for a basic open rafter structure. An open rafter type isn’t the best for blocking out the sun, but planting a fast growing ivy that will block the light is the perfect solution; star jasmine has a sweet fragrant scent that grows quickly and offers a little extra something to the pergola experience! Perfect for the more enclosed spaces that often count as backyards in townhomes and condos, the open rafter pergola can also be a budget saver.
Gabled pergolas, also called gazebos in other areas of the country, can also be made smaller, but work best in a decent sized yard. Designed to hold furnishings that make outdoor living comfortable, many homeowners have included a small television under the rafters and an outdoor kitchen nearby, eliminating the need to go inside ever again—especially when the yard has a pool! Obviously, we are trying to be funny, but one of our favorite perks of pergolas is how they easily allow us to bring the inside out. Blocking the sun, protecting us from the weather, and offering teens a place to hang when their noise levels rise too high, the pergola—no matter what style or size—is the perfect addition to a desert dweller’s backyard oasis.
Designed for You and Your Arizona Backyard
There are ready-built pergolas you can buy, but in our humble opinions, designing one that matches your style and needs is much more fun! Give us a call today and let New Image Landscape and Pools help make your Arizona backyard dreams come true!
