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Pergola for shade design


Top 3 Pergola Designs for Shade | Discover the Best Pergola Designs for Shade

Pergola Designs for Shade

Outdoor Living Space Ideas, Patio Structures

There are few moments more relaxing than sitting on your outdoor patio on a warm summer day sharing stories with your loved ones. The grass is green, the flowers are in bloom, and life is beautiful. Backyard pergolas are the perfect complement to these happy afternoons. Pergolas are how we sit outside comfortably in the height of the sun’s busy day. So what are the best pergola shade designs to keep the sun from burning up the nicest moments of summer?

Best Pergola Shade Solutions

A lot of consideration goes into adding a pergola to your patio or yard. As the main focus of your overall landscape design, both the look and function of your pergola will alter the way you feel about your yard and how you use it. Whether it’s an attached pergola that creates an artificial ‘roof’ over your deck or a freestanding pergola creating a calming oasis in your yard, the need to control how much sunlight pours through is paramount to the comfort of your outdoor living room during the warm months of the year.

Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous architect once said, “Form and function should be one.”  At Pergola Depot, we echo those sentiments. If your pergola is going to function as an outdoor living and entertaining space, its stylistic beauty should match its excellence in keeping you and your friends comfortable as the sun shines.

Pergolas are highly modifiable when it comes to shade solutions. Between all of the different sizes, colors, and materials, the act of shading your patio becomes one of the more important decisions you can make for the overall aesthetic of your backyard. Let’s go over some of the options you have with our pergolas, as well as other ideas we’ve seen that showcase some of the best pergola designs for backyard shade.

Built-in Pergola Shade Designs

Our pergola kits are designed with varying amounts of shade. The pergola’s “roof” can be built with maximum top slats to create your shady spot. Our Big Kahuna pergola is crafted to create optimum shade from the roof components of the pergola. With the most rafters and top slats of all of our pergola designs, the Big Kahuna gives you a shade solution without needing pergola accessories to cool off! Maximum rafters and top slats on the pergola roofing provides ample protection from the sun in many locations, making any size of this sturdy pergola #1 on our top 3 designs for pergola shade.

Ranking a close second place for shade design optimization is the Sombrero. The Sombrero pergola style has half the rafters and top slats for an outdoor patio cover offering moderate shade. Built strong like all of our pergolas, this style offers much greater coverage for your outdoor seating area than many other pergolas for sale online. The top slats perched on top the pergola create a wonderful “dappled light” effect on your patio floor when the sun shines through. If you like the price point of this popular wooden pergola but want a little more shade, the Sombrero freestanding pergola kits make a great candidate for our newest pergola accessory, the Pergola Depot Shade Sail!

Coming in at #3 for Top 3 pergola shade designs is a backyard bundle! When paired with our new shade sail, the Sombrero is an outdoor patio package you can assemble yourself in a weekend. This combo is offered for our freestanding Sombrero or Big Kahuna styles that are sized 10×10 up to 20×20. Decorate your outdoors with a pergola and colorful shade sail!

Using A Shade Sail to Shade your Pergola 

Sail shades or fabric sails can be a stunning and creative way to shade your pergola from the summer sun. You’ve probably seen these in use before. Rectangular or square fabric sails offer elegant geometric design options when added to your pergola. The frame of your pergola is a natural fit for this type of pergola shade design. Attaching the sail to the posts of your pergola with high-quality stainless steel brackets allows you to easily attach and detach your shade sail with ease for unannounced bad weather or for seasonal storage.

Considering that these fabrics come in many colors and sized to fit our pergolas, the possibilities to tie in your landscaping theme with your pergola shade are endless. Keep it simple and use our sunshades to cover your new outdoor room. Our quality hand-made sails are smart, economical ways to achieve the most comfortable experience on a bright day on your patio.

A shade sail is truly a beautiful marriage of form and function. Using durable, water-resistant fabric a sail allows the pergola to become a more private and protected space free from direct, overhead sunlight. Additionally, on those cozy fall nights where you might be enjoying a moment outside, a shade sail could protect against a slight change in weather or light rain.

Pergola shade sails give you control over how you want the light to enter your patio space. Perhaps their most intriguing quality, however, is their abundance of colors that can turn a simple protective fabric roof into a work of art or a complementary theme to enhance your landscaping.

These are one of the most popular choices for a pergola cover since they’re easy to install and provide a breezy beautiful fabric to enjoy year-round. A DIY pergola with sunshade is a backyard shade solution that’s fun to assemble!

What are Your Pergola Shade Ideas?

We’ve shared a number of ideas here and we’d like to know what you think!  What creative pergola shade ideas have you thought of that we should add to this post?  We know there are more than we could list in this article. A few notable mentions might be adding a fixed fabric cover or thin corrugated roofing. If you’re pulling a permit for your pergola, be sure to get the sign off/approval for the added roofing before installing it to your pergola. Check out our beautiful DIY outdoor pergolas and dream up your perfect patio!

 

 

 

10 ways to use a pergola for shade |

(Image credit: Simon Scarboro/David Cleveland/Real Stone and Tile Co))

There are plenty of pergola shade ideas that will increase the usability of your backyard during the summertime. Ranging from simple fabric coverings through to more substantial solid roofs, they can suit every style of garden, too. 

Traditionally, a pergola is a frame, usually wooden, the consists of four posts and a roof. Typically, these roofs are an open slatted design, and while they’re aesthetically pleasing, they don't offer much shade – something that is essential in the warmer parts of the country.  

But there are a whole host of pergola shade solutions you can combine with your pergola ideas to make yours a comfortable place to sit even on the hottest days. We’ve put together the best to inspire you. 

Pergola shade ideas

Pergola shade ideas make this garden structure a more versatile addition to a yard. 'Pergolas are perfect for providing filtered sunlight as well as shade,' says Tammy Sons, founder of Tree Nursery Co . ‘They are a nice addition to decks for putting hot tubs, swings, lawn chairs, and picnic tables under. Outdoor lights work exceptionally well strung around pergola tops for nighttime enjoyment. Pergolas can also be decorated with all types of climbing plants and vines for added beauty in the spring and summer seasons.' 

To make the most of any location and look, consider these ways to build a pergola for shade.

1. Add a rustic roof

(Image credit: Real Stone and Tile Co)

A rustic design can be one of the best pergola roof ideas to create shade in a backyard. However, since natural daylight will fade more quickly under a pergola designed for shade, ensure you include backyard lighting to illuminate it. 

This shaded garden space is utilized for outdoor lounging surrounded by beautiful architectural plants – and the pergola is built as an element of the deck ideas. 

2. Hang curtains on a pergola

(Image credit: Simon Scarboro)

While shade from above is important, shade around its sides can be crucial for day-long comfort.  

In this idyllic setup, weighted sheer curtains are hung from the rails installed below the wooden framework of the pergola. As well as offering shelter from the sun, these pergola shade ideas give the space a softer edge and add both color and pattern.

3. Layer up roof materials

(Image credit: Alistair Nicholls)

If you're designing a pergola it’s worth considering layering roof materials to provide sufficient shade. 

In this spacious scheme, a structure of wooden beams creates an airy roof. To provide extra pergola shade when the sun is at its highest, above is a second roof structure comprised of loose willow branches that offers an escape from the sun while still letting in pretty dappled beams.

4. Grow a living pergola roof for shade

(Image credit: Future / David Cleveland)

Think about growing climbing plants over the roof of a pergola to make a seating area that’s wonderfully cool during the hottest times of the year. It’s an especially appealing pergola shade option if you want your structure attached to the house as it creates an attractive view from upstairs windows.

There are plenty of different plants that you can use but you might favor fast-growing flowering vines as these will provide both shade and interest in a relatively short period of time – typically just a few years.

5. Opt for a retractable pergola canopy 

(Image credit: ShadeFX)

For maximum flexibility, take a look at a retractable canopy that enables you to create a pergola for shade when you want it – or not when you don't – perfect for achieving the perfect balance between light and shadow.

A retractable canopy has a soft, laid-back aesthetic like a fabric roof, but increased durability. It could also offer both sun and rain protection, which will help to preserve your furniture as well as providing a relaxing space in all weathers.

Designs like this Oakville canopy from Shade FX are controlled by a motor, although there are also more affordable options that are operated by a rope pulley system or a manual drive.

6. Relax in a pergola tent

(Image credit: Raj Tent Club)

If you're hosting a garden party, adding a decadently dressed pergola for shade to the lawn creates a focal point for gathering and the perfect spot to escape the heat of the day. 

Ideal for summer celebrations, this 9 foot (2.8m) pergola from Raj Tent Club is able to seat up to 10 guests. As well as offering shade from above, the delicately tied curtains at each post can also be untied and closed to create an intimate setting. Just add lighting to linger in the yard after dark.

7. Introduce scent and color as well as shade

(Image credit: Jo Thompson Garden Design)

Planting climbing roses is one of our favorite pergola shade ideas, introducing beautiful blooms and fragrance, along with extra cool to the area. They can provide privacy for a yard that‘s overlooked, too.

There are lots of different climbing rose varieties that can be used to create pergola shade. 

'Theo Clevers roses work well planted next to pergolas or porches where they will give a great display in combination with climbers,' recommends Marcus Eyles, horticultural director at Dobbies , 'This variety has a gentle aroma of strawberries and has beautiful rosette-shaped flowers in large, tight clusters. They are also suitable for growing in larger pots if you only have space for containers on the patio.'

8. Install a louvered roof 

(Image credit: Caribbean Blinds)

If you’re looking for pergola shade ideas with maximum flexibility, a louvered roof is a sound solution, allowing adjustment throughout the day.  

'Designed for those who want to “live life outdoors”, modern pergolas with rotating aluminum louvered roofs permit the user to play with light and shade, offering an open-air alfresco feel when left fully open, and ensuring a completely water, wind and even snow-tight roof when closed,' says Stuart Dantzic, managing director of Caribbean Blinds . 

9.  Create temporary shade with vintage fabrics

(Image credit: Dan Duchars)

Pergola shades don’t need to be permanent additions to the structure. On a sunny day, simply drape a minimalist metal pergola with pretty fabric to create welcome cool and privacy. Use mismatched fabrics to create a laid-back boho vibe, then pair with rattan garden furniture and plenty of pillows for a cozy spot in which to relax. 

10. Benefit from natural shade

(Image credit: Grange)

If you are looking to erect a new pergola in your garden, consider positioning it in an area that is already shaded. This beautifully simple wooden carousel design from the Oxford Garden Centre has a completely open roof which enables it to feel bright and airy but, since it is positioned under the boughs of a willow tree, is perfectly shaded. Dressed with bunting, pillows and picnic blankets, it is ideal for al fresco dining. 

How do you add more shade to a pergola?

You can add more shade to a pergola with coverings at the sides. Fabric panels are a simple addition, and can be hung, like curtains, from railings fitted just below the perimeter of the roof structure. They will soften the lines of the pergola, too. 

Alternatively, use large foliage plants in pots, positioned around the sides of the pergola to cool and green the area.

What can you use to shade a pergola?

To shade a pergola, use fabric hung as curtains or draped over the roof, patio planting ideas, and different roofing materials either alone or in combination. Your choices might depend on the permanence of the pergola, and the style of your yard. 

If you have erected a temporary pergola to provide shade over the course of a few sunny days, then fabric provides an excellent source of shade. As permanent solutions, consider adding blinds or even building a solid roof.

Having graduated with a first class degree in English Literature, Holly started her career as a features writer and sub-editor at Period Living magazine, Homes & Gardens' sister title. Working on Period Living brought with it insight into the complexities of owning and caring for period homes, from interior decorating through to choosing the right windows and the challenges of extending. This has led to a passion for traditional interiors, particularly the country-look. Writing for the Homes & Gardens website as a content editor, alongside regular features for Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors magazines, has enabled her to broaden her writing to incorporate her interests in gardening, wildlife and nature. 

beautiful ideas for home and garden

Such a word as "pergola" is extremely rare in everyday life. Therefore, many people are not even aware of its meaning. Often the building is identified with a standard gazebo, but this is not entirely true. About what this part of the exterior is, as well as how it can transform the atmosphere of your garden - read our article. nine0005

The role of the pergola in garden design

It is almost impossible to establish when and where exactly pergolas were used for the first time. However, it is safe to say that they were used to facilitate the harvest of grapes and protection from the scorching sun. Some time passed, and the aesthetic appeal of such buildings could not but interest people, and in the end, these canopies became separate decorative components of the architectural ensemble of landscape gardening art, which did not necessarily carry a certain functional load. Captivating simplicity of execution, elegance, practicality and functionality have proven the building from the best side not only among landscape designers, but also avid gardeners and gardeners. nine0005

Today, the main purpose of wooden and metal structures is to create a plant passage to various areas of the garden. In this case, the pergola can serve as a kind of separator between the garden and the garden or the playground and the recreation area. At the same time, the original purpose of the structure has also not lost its significance, and it is successfully used for growing grapes and creating a darkened corner for outdoor recreation.

In the summer, entwined with climbing vegetation, the coating forms a secluded place with pleasant freshness and shade, and also protects from gusts of wind and dust. In addition, the building can perfectly disguise nondescript utility spaces. Thus, no matter what role the pergola plays, it serves as an excellent decor for the site. nine0005

What is the pergola made of

In the production process, the following materials are used individually or in combination: wood, metal pipes, stone, polycarbonate, plastic.

Wood is undoubtedly the most popular raw material. Pine, oak, acacia and larch options are best suited - thanks to their aesthetic and practical characteristics. When decorating the exterior of an aged wooden building, roughly cut boards will organically fit into the general context. It is appropriate to add a canopy of processed beams to modern-type buildings. Wooden parts must be covered with antibacterial agents. In order to protect against decomposition and damage, the surface of the pergola should be covered with a solution of nitro enamel or linotex. nine0005

The combined variation of oak beams with columns or on a brick support looks very attractive. Untreated birch logs are ideal for creating a rustic setting.

Pergola designs

In addition to building materials, pergolas also differ in the type of device:

Awning. This variety is a shelter made of a lattice, a set of flat or bulky bars. It will protect from the sun's rays, but will not prevent the ingress of raindrops. It can be installed as an adjoining part to another building, or stand apart. nine0005

Visor. This canopy comes from the southern territories. The device allows you to get a shadow for window openings on the south side of the house or the organization of a recreation area.

Screen. Has a vertical shape, serves as a support for climbing plants. It is also used to separate or combine individual zones on the site.

Corridor. Forms a romantic green tunnel of climbing plants, which are supported, as a rule, by a metal support. nine0005

All types of buildings are conditionally divided into two main groups - secluded structures (located separately from other buildings), as well as adjacent to buildings. Represent the outer part of the summer kitchen, sauna or home.

Pergola can be square, rectangular, triangular, arcuate and even wavy. The choice will be determined by the personal preferences of the owners and the arrangement of the remaining details of the yard, as well as the size of this building and other buildings.

The arched structure is more whimsical in the production process, and therefore may cost a little more than the rectangular modification. However, its appearance is incredibly graceful and elegant, which eliminates any costs. The openwork of thin lines transforms even the most uncomplicated design, bringing unobtrusive notes of luxury and nobility. nine0005

When choosing the type of pergola, it is necessary to determine the correct size. Too large a structure in a small area will be inharmonious, too high will create a small amount of shade, and too small may not withstand the load of plants. In any case, everything will depend on the dimensions of the entire site and the scale of other buildings that form the landscape composition. The pergola should be in the context of the overall idea, not out of it, but on the contrary - to complement and decorate.

nine0006 Pergola color scheme

As in the case of the selection of the device of the building, the choice of color should be made based on the need for a harmonious ensemble of the entire design. The color of the canopy can share the overall color palette, being its organic continuation, or it can be a separate accent that stands out from the rest of the background, but it must be combined with it and echo.

The bulk of the variations in the execution of any landscape structure made of wood is associated with the use of its attractive natural tone. Indeed, in itself it is beautiful and organic on a natural canvas, especially if other details are executed in a similar way. Of course, wood products still need to be treated with special means in the form of antiseptics and varnishes that protect against decay and dampness. nine0005

White version looks incredibly beautiful surrounded by flower beds, lawns and trees. The fresh and clean image of white buildings creates a great festive impression from the entire backyard decoration.

You can choose a combination of textures and shades for pergola cladding. If the canopy is made using several materials at once, for example, from stone and wood or metal and wood, then it is reasonable to stop at different color schemes for a particular material. Landscape designers prefer to use no more than two colors in this case. For example, white columns can be combined with any shade of wood in the form of beams and battens. Deep metal tones harmonize perfectly with bright woody notes. nine0005

Saturated variations of contrasting gray, black, dark brown are able to distinguish the building from the general calm halo. The design looks especially stylish next to garden furniture in the same dark design.

Where should the pergola be placed?

The location of a building depends primarily on its purpose. Therefore, first you need to decide what role the pergola will play - it will be an addition for decorative elements, or it will be a support for plants, or still create a shadow like a gazebo or canopy. nine0005

One of the most popular locations is a detached structure above the dining and lounging area. After all, having your own home, it would be a great loss not to have a special place for eating outdoors. Of course, such a building is not able to protect the dining space from heavy rain, but it is quite capable of protecting it from the summer sun.

It is quite popular to install a pergola as a continuation of building . Often, the design involves a large visor, which allows you to form a zone for eating right next to the home. This is a fairly convenient and practical solution, and by the way, it is perfect for homeowners with a small area of ​​​​land. nine0005

A specially designated area for barbecue will be an honor to any owner of a private house. The process of cooking in the open air can bring no less, and even more pleasure than actually eating it. A pergola can not only darken a place for a barbecue or stove, but at the same time be an exquisite component of landscape design.

Rest area by the pool also needs to be shaded. Even a small canopy can accommodate several sunbeds, trestle beds and even a small sofa. You will get the opportunity to relax by the water for a long time, without fear of getting burns and sunstroke. In addition, the pergola will provide unhindered ventilation, which is not capable of a standard gazebo. nine0005

If you have a summer cottage, which is conditionally divided into several functional areas , then the pergola will be a good option for creating a decorative passage between them. The design will also provide shade for plants that need it, a playground, horizontal bars and swings. Similar tricks are applicable to organizing a small backyard in an urban private household.

Among other things, the canopy can become an element of the balcony private house. If the loggia is located on the south or east side, then during the day the sun's rays will break through and heat the space not only on the territory of the balcony, but also in the rooms, which creates the need for blackout. It will provide a strong, but lightweight and unobtrusive design. The appearance should organically fit into the general idea of ​​​​the stylistic and color scheme of all adjacent objects.

Video: DIY Pergola

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✅ Pergola attached to the house

✅ Pergola attached to the house - buy at low prices on the website with delivery in Moscow

Pergola - an extension to the house of various shapes and sizes to accommodate an additional place of rest or other domestic purposes. Such a canopy is involved not only in the decorative design of the exterior, but also allows you to retire with nature in the natural shade in the open air. The shelter is slatted wooden slats, plant hedges, awnings and more modern aluminum slats. nine0005

A spacious and cozy extension is always a practical and versatile option to diversify the site. In addition, the facade of the building will acquire a more respectable and attractive appearance. A pergola is most often installed on the sunny side of the house. With the help of weaving plants and other shelters, not only a shadow is created, but also a corner of privacy in an open suburban area.

Pergola or extension to the house can perform the following functions:

The pergola attached to the house has many varieties: from the classic canopy on two supports to the ultra-modern terrace with automatic equipment.

Advantages of ordering from Pergolas and Awnings LLC

The pergola attached to the house is selected depending on the exterior possibilities and the client's wishes. In our catalog you will find hundreds of great solutions for your site. What we offer:

Pergola attached to the house under the order

Our company is a leader in its segment, which manufactures and installs turnkey pergolas for commercial and private real estate. We cooperate with leading suppliers of materials and components from Europe and guarantee prompt execution of orders of any complexity.

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