One of the main things you are looking for when deciding on whether or not to have a pergola in your backyard is quality. The quality is in the craftsmanship when it comes to building a pergola or gazebo. While you can get patio cover kits that make these types of things much easier to build, there are some things to look for. If you are examining some work that has been done by the contractor you are looking into hiring, examine the joints. This is where all good tradesman make their mark. If you see quality construction and proper fitting here, then you know you are working with someone who can handle the job properly.
If you find that the joints are sloppy looking or have brackets that aren’t fitting properly and things like that, then you are likely looking at work that was either hurried or not done with the amount of care you are looking for in the first place. If you plan on having your pergola, sometimes called an arbor or trellis by some in the trades, for any length of time, it needs to be constructed well. Because of their simple lines, how to build a pergola is just as important as what material is used. Similarly, the corners and plumb of the structure are dead give-aways for quality. The pergola should be level, plumb and have 90 degree corners.
For the most part, pergolas are constructed of wood. You may also find them made of metal and in some cases vinyl or other composite building materials. Surely, as the technology advances, we are likely to see newer building materials. If wood is what you like, then you’ll need to examine cedar and redwood as the best choices. These are the best weathering woods and if you stain or seal them, they will last even longer. Painting redwood or a beautiful looking cedar is almost a shame because you lose all of that great character of the wood. With wood pergolas, you’ll need to maintain them over time. Restaining and/or resealing should be done every year or two. Depending upon your weather conditions and other climate factors, you might get longer spans between maintenance if you are lucky.