Attached VS Freestanding Pergolas

Should a pergola be attached to your house? This is a question that many homeowners have asked themselves. There are benefits and drawbacks to attaching the pergola to the house, so it’s essential for you to make an informed decision about whether this is something you want in your backyard!

A pergola that is anchored close and connected has a greater chance of withstanding strong winds or heavy rainfall due to its proximity, which makes it more liveable and appealing for homeowners who live in the Western Cape where we experience heavy rainfall in winter and gale-force winds during certain times each year!

Outdoor living can add value to your home. A pergola can create a shaded sitting area, entertainment space, or a walkway.

There are various options when it comes to Pergolas and no “one size fits all”, attached pergola, a wall-mounted pergola, or a freestanding pergola. While they all can have similar functions, the design can look quite different, and they all can serve very different purposes.

If you’re torn between which pergola would work best for you, read on for everything you need to know about pergola designs.

What Is an Attached Pergola?

An attached pergola is a lattice structure that is held in place by beams on one side and the other side is affixed to the wall of a home or building structure.

With attached pergolas, there will typically be a beam that is screwed directly into the wall of a home. If the home is concrete or brick, we use masonry anchors to attach it.

When a pergola is attached to the house it can become an extension of your home. One of the perks of an attached pergola is that you can just walk outside and enjoy your covered area.

Pergola designs attached to house walls or structures create an outdoor living area that’s completely accessible from your home. This is great for entertaining and bringing the outdoors in.

Since they don’t require as many support posts, attached pergolas may also be less expensive than a freestanding pergola.

What Is a Freestanding Pergola?

A freestanding pergola is one that stands alone and is supported by posts. You’ll usually see these anchored on a surface such as a patio deck or in a yard mounted to concrete footings of some kind.

A freestanding pergola on concrete patios may require that the pergola is sunken right into the concrete.

One benefit to having a freestanding pergola is that there are fewer design restrictions. Since you don’t have to worry about attaching it to a structure you have a lot more flexibility in terms of size and design.

Since you have a lot of creative freedom with a freestanding pergola, you can use it for any number of purposes.

A free-standing pergola with canopy shade, for example, is great for an outdoor lounge area or dining space. The canopy provides shade, and the pergola is a great architectural element to anchor your entertainment space.

Deciding Which Pergola Is Right for You?

An attached pergola is great for bridging your indoor and outdoor living spaces. Creating an extension to your home without the building plans! All you have to do is walk outside and enjoy.

With a freestanding pergola, you have a lot of creative freedom. You can create a separate outdoor space, maximizing your yard.

When deciding which one is right for you, think about how you’d like to use the pergola. Depending on the structure, some homes might not make sense for one type over the other.

Whichever way you decide a Pergola is a great addition in adding value to your home. With so many options to build with let us help you design and implement your pergola, for a free no obligation site survey and quotation contact us direct from our website or email us at info@pergolapro.co.za.

Material options for both Freestanding and attached Pergolas.

• Aluminium
• Balau wood
• Clado Calyx
• Composite
• Garapa
• IPE
• Jatoba
• Meranti
• SA CCA Pressure treated pine
• Salinga wood gum