Pergola or Patio Cover, Which Is Better In Sacramento?
The following article will help describe some of the differences between a patio cover and a pergola and which may be a better choice for your Sacramento home.
First lets describe what each one is.
Patio Covers (according to: Lawinsider.com)
Patio Cover means a single-story shade structure covering a patio or deck area consisting of a solid or open roof and structural supports, attached to or detached from the primary dwelling, which is used only for recreational, outdoor purposes and which is not used as a carport, garage, storage room, or habitable living space.
Pergola (according to: Wikipedia)
This is a more outdoor garden feature that forms a shaded passageway or walkway. It usually supports cross-beams and can be used as an extension to a building, or protect an open terrace.
The Difference Between a Patio Cover and a Pergola.
A pergola, or an arbor or a trellis as some people call it, is a shade structure that’s in your backyard. Typically, pergolas are of a lattice type structure (partial shade) installed away from the home. And sometimes installed just outside of where your patio cover might be, as a place or a destination to retreat to.
A patio cover, on the other hand, is a roof structure that can create an extra living space outside your home built with either partial shade or completely covered. Either of these structures can be attached to the home or a detached patio cover away from the house known as freestanding patio covers.
Types of Aluminum Patio Covers
1) Lattice Style Patio Covers
These are typically 2×2 aluminum square tubes spaced 2″ apart creating roughly 50% shade
2) Solid Patio Covers
As the name implies, these roof are a solid roof cover providing the most shade and protection from the sun and rain
3) Combination Style Patio Covers
These patio covers combine both the the lattice style and the solid. Providing the most shade and protection where you want it most while also have more of a screen effect in other adjacent areas, great for an area that has potted plants in need of “some” sum light
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What Kind of Fixtures Can They Have
Both patio cover can allow for things like electricity, outdoor rated fans and lights that would be able to handle the damp or sometimes wet Sacramento weather.
In fact, you can decorate a patio cover a lot like you do inside the home with rugs, outdoor furniture etc.
And if you think you’d how you use your living room or your kitchen inside the home you’re entertaining, you’re watching TV, you’re enjoying some time by the fire. You can do all those same things under a patio cover.
Patio Cover vs Pergola
Some properties in the Sacramento area such as Gold River CA, Elk Grove CA etc. can have rather large backyards and can accommodate one or even two large structures. A pergola as described on Wikipedia, is a structure that typically has lattice sides to suppourt climbing plants. The result can add to the beauty of your homes landscape and and overall aesthetics of your home.
Usually, installing them separate from a patio cover to create a transition piece from the patio (covered) area adding even more beauty and curiosity to everything that you’re doing outdoors.
Maintenance Requirements
The maintenance on both a patio cover or a pergola will be very little, given that these structures are are made of aluminum.
Just a simple rinse with a garden hose once in a while will do the trick. Aluminum patio cover and pergolas will not rust, rot, peel or crack like most other materials will and are designed to last the life of your home.
Many people will have holiday gatherings and that outdoor living space is just that extra space that they need to entertain a large group whether it’s family or friends.
Conclusion
Weather you choose a pergola, a patio cover, or both really depends on the desired outcome for your outdoor living space. If you’re looking to have more entertaining space near the house, an aluminum patio cover is the way to go. If you’re wanting something less functional but more appealing from a distance from the home with live plants and crawling vines, a pergola may be the way to go.
Getting a Design Estimate
Five Star Home Improvement is committed to creating the outdoor oasis of your dreams. Doing so can maximize the functionality of your outdoor living space that your family and friends can enjoy for many years to come. Give us a call at: 916-224-2712
See for yourself the many designs and styles of aluminum patio covers
Serving Greater Sacramento Area
Service Type: Patio Covers
Service Area: Sacramento, CA
Sacramento Resources:
– City of Sacramento Permit Division
– Sacramento, CA Wikipedia
– Things to do in Sacramento, CA
