Pergolas in Nashville TN have been used in dwellings for centuries, classically, to add a shaded walkway, to link pavilions or to allow a sitting area which allows the breeze and sun to filter through. This amazing addition to a home will not only add to comfort, it can be an attractive bonus to the resale value of the home. Any open space around the home may be used as an invitation for a pergola. Over the years, pergola structures have adapted to the area so that there is a large variety in designs. While traditional pergolas were intended mainly for beauty and comfort, the current designs place more emphasis on providing protection from the harsh elements of nature such as rain and snow and ultra-violet radiation.

The design of a pergola depends on the geographical location. Depending on the area, the grade or the direction of the sun, a Custom Pergola Builder may be a gazebo, an extension of a building, an open terrace or a veranda that has grapevines criss-crossing a latticed roof. One of the most important considerations when designing a pergola is the roofing structure and shape

The roof design on a pergola depends on the availability of direct sunlight as well as the geography and natural features of the region. Although, in earlier times, pergolas were constructed using brick and stone pillars, modern designs employ weather resistant woods such as western red cedar or coast redwood. Pergola roofs may range from simple, flat, traditional roof, elaborately curved roof, pitched roof, gabled roof or a gazebo style roof.

Roofing materials

There is a variety of materials that may be used to roof a pergola. The choice of roofing materials depend on the size, shape and style of the structure. The durability and robustness of the construction depends on the materials that are selected for this purpose. Currently the materials that are used for roofing include metals, plastic, fibreglass, polycarbonate, fabric, etc.

Metal Roof

The advantage of a metal roof is that it can be adjusted to the exact size and shape of the structure. A choice of metals such as copper, aluminium or tin also helps to make an easy decision. Metals not only easy to cut and shape, they also provide excellent protection from the weather conditions. However, they also have some disadvantages such as disallowing light to enter the area or enabling the temperature to get too hot inside the area.

Plastic and Fibreglass

Another variation of roofing for pergolas includes using plastic or fibreglass. The advantage of these options is that they are lightweight and inexpensive. They may also be easily cut to size and allows the light to filter in depending on the colour of the roof. They also protect the pergola from the harsher elements of the weather including the rain and snow. Also, ultraviolet radiation may be reduced when using these two options. Although plastic may not be a green choice, Fibreglass can be manufactured from recycled materials.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonates are thermoplastic polymers which can be easily moulded and has a high impact resistance along with other advantages such as heat resistance, ease of shaping, flame retardancy and toughness. They are available for varying needs of heat transmission and transparency. Polycarbonates are also highly reputed for their protection from ultraviolet radiation. Along with a wonderful combination of colours to choose from, Polycarbonate can be manufactured to resist very specific and harsh environmental conditions in Australia. The two popular brands that are in use are Astrolite and Laserlite.