A patio pergola is a structure that is used to cover outdoor leisure areas. In most cases, the structure is made out of wood that is treated so that it can withstand the elements. In order to keep a patio pergola in good condition, it may be necessary to retreat the wood from time to time. The structure may be connected to the exterior of a building or it may be freestanding. Freestanding pergolas usually have four columns that support the roof while those that are connected to the exterior of a building may only have two columns.
The roof of a patio pergola usually has an open framework of interlocking pieces. This means that the roof offers a certain amount of shade, but does not entirely block out the sun. Many people who have patio pergolas find that they can successfully grow certain types of plants underneath them, especially if the plants are types that enjoy a moderate amount of sunshine. While most pergolas are made entirely of wood, there are some that have columns made of stone, brick, or concrete. This is usually done so that the structure blends in aesthetically with the adjacent home or building.
The size of a patio pergola varies quite a bit. A modestly-sized pergola could be used to outfit a small urban backyard. On the other hand, a large, almost rambling patio pergola could be used to cover the patio of a restaurant with a large outdoor dining area or an outdoor area on the grounds of a museum. This type of structure, while popular in residential garden designs, is also useful in public spaces and on the grounds of other non-residential properties.
The area under a patio pergola is often used for outdoor leisure and dining. In some of these cases, a patio pergola functions almost like a large umbrella for the furniture underneath. There are also people who use a patio pergola to cover a special feature on their grounds such as a rock garden or a hot tub. In all of these cases, it is common for people to choose materials and patterns that work well both with the building to which the pergola is connected and the aesthetic of the area underneath. White outdoor furniture, for example, might be complemented with a white patio pergola.
