There are multiple ways to shade your deck, and from retractable canopies to sun sails, all deck shading options have their pros and cons. If you want a seamless, versatile, functional option, consider adding a pergola to your deck. Here's a look at the top five benefits of pergolas over decks.

1. Perfect Match

If you opt to use a canopy or a sunsail, these shading devices typically have metal frames, and as a result, they don't create a seamless look with your decking material. A pergola, in contrast, traditionally features wood, and you can opt to use the same timber for your pergola as you have on your deck.

You can also integrate fun architectural elements, and this fact makes it easy to work with a deck builder and create a pergola that complements the style of your home. For example, if you have circular pillars on your front porch, you can mirror those pillars with the pergola that you put over your backyard deck.

2. Versatility

Whilst you can opt for a pergola that perfectly matches your deck, you can also play with contrasting materials as well. For example, you could put up a pergola with masonry supports and a wood top that matches your deck. That is just one of the ways that a pergola offers versatility.

You also enjoy a lot of other options both whilst choosing your pergola and after you own it. While choosing your pergola, you can integrate open walls, lattice walls or even built-in benches. You can also choose the width and spacing you prefer for the top slats.

Finally, once your pergola is in place on your deck, you can add fun, colourful canvas material to the top of it to create more shade on your deck. Alternatively, you can brighten up your outdoor area with twinkling lights, you can throw mosquito netting over the pergola to keep the guests on your deck safe from bugs, or you can train vines around your pergola to create a jungle feeling on your deck.

3. Open Roof for Outdoor Cooking

As indicated above, you can cover the top of your pergola to create extra shade on your deck, but you can remove the cover as needed. The open-roof concept of a pergola is ideal for decks because it makes it easier to cook outside. In particular, you can safely use your grill under a pergola because smoke and cooking fumes can travel out the slats in the roof. In contrast, if you have a canopy over your deck, the cooking fumes may get trapped under it.

4. Sturdy, Supportive Deck Roof

In addition to being open, the roof of a pergola is sturdy and supportive, and that offers you the opportunity to easily attach things to it. Want to make your deck more comfortable and inviting for guests? Then consider hanging hammocks, porch swings and other seating spots from your pergola.

If you have active young kids, you could even attach swings or trapeze bars to the roof of your pergola, and make your deck into a shady area for your kids to play.

5. Potentially Inexpensive But Value-Filled

Whether you are adding a pergola to an existing deck or putting both elements in at the same time, your pergola may have a range of price tags. Ultimately, your final price depends on its size, the type of wood you use, the architectural complexity of the project and a few other details. However, you can build a pergola for your deck for as little as $500, taking into account the wood and a bit of canvas to create a shade across the top.

This simple addition has the power to add an immediately $3,000 in value to your property, and presumably if you spend more on your pergola, it will add even more value to your property.

For more details on adding a pergola or any other type of shade to your deck, contact a deck builder.