myfloridapergolas

Pergola Lighting Ideas For the Perfect Ambiance

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 23:19:12 GMT

Pergolas create highly aesthetic, airy, and inviting outdoor spaces to cook, dine, or just relax in.

Warm evenings in the pergola are especially lovely when soft lighting is available. This creates a wonderful ambiance to enhance every mood. Specially selected lighting also adds to the beauty of the pergola. There are numerous pergola lighting ideas to suit every taste. Here is a pick of the top five:

Hanging Lights

These can be either simple or elaborate light fixtures. The hanging lights can be large, and hang over an outdoor dining table in the pergola. Smaller light fixtures may be used alone or as part of an array, to keep the lighting softer for a more relaxed ambiance. There are numerous light fixtures to go with this design. However, areas with windy conditions may not be suitable for pendant chandeliers which may swing too much.

Mounted Lighting

These are mounted on the posts of the pergola. They help outline its structure while providing soft lighting. Mounted lights can be designed for a contemporary or retro look. Different lantern designs are available for every fashion. Mounted lights require elaborate wiring, which is best done during the erection of the pergola.

String Lights

These are similar to the small and bright outdoor lights commonly used on trees and buildings during festivals or parties. They are easy to install especially on freestanding pergolas, but require nearby electrical outlets. You may use solar powered hanging lights too. Stringing lights are installed around the beams or even posts of the pergola. Different colors or twinkling lights can also be combined to create a party or flowery effect. Stringing lights can be used without the need for wiring. This is great for retrofitting pergolas.

Built-in Lights

Built in lights are affixed to the beams to create soft ambient lighting. The wires are laid along the top of the beams, so that they are invisible from below. The wiring required is best suited to pergolas that are next to buildings, for easier installation. Built in lights are usually small bulbs fixed along the underside of the beams. The size, design, and brightness of these lights can be varied to suit every atmosphere.

Up-lighting

These are lights built into the flooring around the posts of the pergola. Up lights are usually dim and soft, and can also be installed in the ground around the structure. They are ideal for background lighting, which creates a relaxed atmosphere for laid back evenings.

Whichever of these pergola lighting ideas you choose, it is important to do it during construction of the pergola. This makes it easier to do the wiring, and match the lighting design to your pergola.

Pergolas…and more!

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 20:44:52 GMT

We may specialize in Pergolas, however we also take on other types of projects.

We may specialize in Pergolas, however we also take on other types of projects. Such as fireplaces, and outdoor entertainment areas. Contact us and let us work together to complete the projects you’ve always dreamed of!

Take a look at some of our past projects in the gallery section to see what other kinds of projects we have completed in the past.

Tips on Choosing the Right Pergola Plants

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 23:28:22 GMT

We live in a world and age where everybody wants to have a perfect-looking garden that stands out in the neighborhood.

This is where wood pergolas come in, enabling homeowners to transform their gardens into secret havens. A wooden pergola can provide shelter, shade, and a place of solitude, while also improving your property value and curb appeal. This beautiful, natural-looking structure is also amazing at greening up your garden or patio area.

However, when it comes to sprucing up your pergola, it is paramount to know which pergola plants are most suitable. You see, living, breathing plants can beautify your wooden pergola, enhancing the shade and privacy, while also adding color, freshness, and romantic fragrances.

Vines for Patio Covers

Growing vines on top of your pergola improve shade and cool off the patio area, especially during the hottest summer months. Some other benefits of growing vines on your patio cover include enjoying nature’s beauty, having more fresh aromas to take in, and adding color to further enhance the aesthetics of your property. Moreover, vines can easily attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The drawbacks of vines are that they are messy and require a lot of trimming and sweeping.

In the case where you would like to give vines a try, here are some types that would grow nicely on a pergola:

Passion Flower: looks amazing and may produce the “passion fruit”
Bower Vine: very clean and nice looking
Royal Trumpet Vine: a unique red throat that adds variety and color
Chinese Jasmine: easy to maintain and very fragrant
White Potato Vine: snowy-white flowers that look fantastic all year round
Climbing Roses: a multitude of colors, fragrances, and sizes

Climbers for Your Pergola

Climbers are perfect for forming a unique link between your house and garden. Not only that, climbers give color and exotic fragrances, while they also provide shadow and privacy for seating areas. Growing a number of climbers at the same time guarantees year-round interest. Here are some climbers you should choose for your wood pergola.

Annual Climbers:

Sweet Pea: scented flowers in a wide range of colors
Chilean Glory Flower: spikes of orange flowers
Black-eyed Susan: black-centered orange flowers and heart-shaped leaves
Purple Bell: amazing tubular purple flowers

Fast-growing Climbers:

Boston Ivy: brilliant crimson color, suitable only in fall
Rubens: late spring, masses of gorgeous white flowers
Glasnevin: evergreen in mild areas, boasting purple star-shaped flowers
Passionflower: from summer to autumn, beautiful orange fruits

As a top-quality, reputable company in Florida specializing in wood pergolas, My Florida Pergolas builds and installs custom pergolas and other wood structures for your home and property. If you do not have a pergola yet, fill out the form on the right for a quote today!

How To Find The Best Builder For Your Pergola

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 23:23:00 GMT

Builders deliver different standards and styles of pergolas at varying costs. Selecting the right pergola builder ensures you work with the best team.

Only then can you have a pergola that perfectly complements your home’s architecture, and satisfies your requirements. Additionally, a good pergola builder will stay on budget, without cutting corners or delivering substandard work.

Be prepared

An idea of the design of the pergola should be determined before selecting a builder, but it is not completely necessary. This can be done by comparing various designs in catalogs or online. The pergola should fit your every need as much as possible. This may be outdoor dining, cooking, entertainment, or relaxation. Your ideal design should also be within your budget range. This will prevent you from unknowingly accepting high estimates from aggressive builders. It will also make it easy for your builder to suggest affordable options for materials. Knowing what you want also makes it easy to communicate ideas to the builder.

Check references

This is important when hiring any type of professional. Check their history by asking for references and testimonials from previous clients. Avoid builders with a history of complaints, legal disputes, or suspended licenses. You should be able to see their previous work, as proof of their expertise and experience. Builders unwilling to offer references should never be hired.

Avoid unrealistic quotes

Get quotes from good builders and narrow these to the ones you are impressed with. However, avoid estimates that appear too low when compared to fair market value. Quotes that are too good to be true are usually used to lure unsuspecting clients. The pergola builder will then invent extra costs as work progresses, do a shoddy job, or use substandard materials.

Agree on time frames

Hire contractors with a history of delivering on time. You do not want to have construction work going on for too long. This will inconvenience you, and interfere with your daily routine. Furthermore, you will be granting access to your home to strangers. However, avoid a pergola builder who gives unrealistic time frames. They may end up rushing the job and deliver a poor structure.

Have a range of options

A good pergola builder should have a large repertoire of skills and experience to execute different designs. This is the mark of expert contractors. Avoid builders with a narrow choice of options. This not only limits your choices, but indicates inexperience or a poorly trained crew.

Finally, do not hire any pergola builder you feel uncomfortable speaking to. Select one who pays attention to your needs, and is comfortable accommodating your ideas. He should also be willing to keep you informed on progress. Above all, the whole crew should be friendly and helpful at all times.

My Florida Pergolas is pleased to work on your next construction project. Get a quote today by filling out the form in the upper right.

Why Wood Pergolas Are The Best Choice For Your Home

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 23:33:08 GMT

The choice of building material is very important when construction.

Although several options are available, none can match the qualities of wood. Houses, pergolas, decks, patios, and walkways have traditionally been built from wood. Timber from yellow pine, cypress, and cedar are the best choice for pergolas. Building a pergola from wood is preferable for the following reasons:

Beauty

A wood pergola is unmatched when it comes to aesthetics. The natural variation in wood creates beautiful effects on wood pergolas. The grain, knotting, and natural shades of wood present an almost unlimited choice of finish. This is unlike metal (for instance), which has a plain and less aesthetic look. Wood also blends naturally with plants and gardens. Creepers, vines, and other plants on your pergola will look more natural than on metal pergolas.

Insulation

Pergolas need to remain cool in the daytime heat. Wood is a poor conductor of heat due to the air pockets within it. This makes it ideal for insulating the summer heat and keeping the wood pergola cool at all times. Metals transmit heat from the sun, making them less comfortable for outdoor use. Wood is also remains cool to the touch in hot weather, compared to metal.

Eco-friendly

Wood is sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable. The supply from well-conserved forests is almost unlimited, making it the only renewable building material. Yellow pine and cypress, for example, are readily available and come at a low cost. Metals used in making pergolas require a lot of energy to mine and process. This gives them a larger carbon footprint than wood.

Durability

Wood can be preheated and treated to make it resistant to pests, warping, and rot. This increases its durability even though wood is already naturally very strong.

Flexibility

A wood pergola can be easily crafted to suit any look you want. This makes it easy to match your pergola with the architecture of the home and and other structures on your property. You can worth with a builder to select the type of wood that perfectly matches the color of your home and landscaping. Wood can also be easily customized on site, to suit any design or finish. A wood pergola can be painted, stained, or left to weather naturally. Cedar for example, is easily stained or painted for a smooth or rustic finish. Yellow pine is suited for a smooth finish, while cypress is more preferable for a rough and rustic look.

For a top quality wood pergola, contact My Florida Pergolas for the best craftsmanship and materials. We are a trusted and reliable company with a proven track record of building and installing pergolas in the Southeastern US, Florida, and Caribbean Islands. Through our experience and expertise, we create the best crafted and durable pergolas for every home.

5 Ways to Decorate a Pergola

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 23:35:19 GMT

Pergolas are the perfect outdoor additions to any home.

They are easy to maintain and can withstand the summer heat or harsh, beach-side climates, whether you are in sunny Florida or the Caribbean. If you have a pergola and are planning on sprucing it up a little bit for an outdoor occasion such as brunch or an outdoor cocktail party, here are a few ideas to get you started.

String Lights and Lanterns

Lights can take the look of any space a notch higher, whether you use string lights or colored lanterns. For a fun, festive Hawaiian feel, use colored lights wrapped around the beams for illumination and added ambiance. If you want low key, subdued yet elegant lighting, clear, colorless lighting along with candles and a few white lanterns will give you that soft, intimate feel.

Climbing Plants and Vines Create a Leafy Canopy

Pergolas are perfect for outdoor summer gatherings. A leafy canopy, which you can create by planting creeping vines along the base, will provide the right amount of coolness and shade that will keep you and your guests comfortable, even in hot and humid weather. The flowers that these vines produce in season will also make your pergola look more beautiful and more inviting.

Outdoor Flooring

There are many flooring options for pergolas, and you can find options that are designed especially for outdoor spaces. Opt for Spanish tiles for that Mediterranean feel or a stone floor for durability, no matter what the weather. Flooring can help you define the space, make the entire space more pleasing to the eye, and adds a solid base for your furniture.

Outdoor Furniture

Opt for outdoor furniture that has been treated to withstand rain, heat, dust, extreme sunlight, and the rest of the elements. Furniture must be sturdy and space-conscious so it won’t take up too much of the space in your pergola. You want enough clear space to to able to walk around when the furniture has been added. Wicker or bamboo are very popular for outdoor spaces, but wrought iron and hardwood for chairs and sofa frames are also very functional and attractive.

Additional Furnishings and Decor

You can hang flowy curtains to protect the inner space and the furniture from the rays of the sun when it’s really hot and sunny. Throw pillows, drapery, and blankets can make your outdoor sofa more inviting. Statues and vases displayed on the corners add more depth and interest to the space. A fire pit in one corner or at the center can provide much needed heat for outdoor barbecues during the cooler evenings.

With so many options, you can easily create an outdoor area that matches your sense of style and needs for an outdoor gathering space. Choosing to hire a professional company like My Florida Pergolas to construct your pergola will guarantee a long-lasting structure for you to enjoy. Not only can we create sturdy, professional-quality pergolas, but we can also help give you more pointers on how to decorate your outdoor living space.

5 Ways to Enjoy a Pergola

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 23:38:17 GMT

Our backyards can be beautiful and there is no better way to enjoy that beautiful yard than with a comfortable place to relax while viewing the landscape.

Comfort is important as well as style to compliment the scenery and what better place to have somewhere to relax than under an attractive, professionally-built pergola.

What is a Pergola?

A pergola is a structure added to the outside of a home that offers partial coverage from the elements while remaining open so one can still admire and enjoy the outdoor setting. There are many types of pergolas and many ways in which having one can enhance their outdoor enjoyment. The following are five of many ways a pergola can help you enjoy your outside living space:

1. Dining and Entertainment: When the weather is right and the company is good, a well-cooked meal outdoors adds a sense of warmth and togetherness that seems different than even the nicest indoor setting. You may include torches, a fireplace, or other things added to this space that will allow the enhancement of social gatherings. Perhaps even a few good friends and a nice bottle of wine are all that’s needed to create the ultimate outdoor evening.

2. Relaxing: Sometimes it just feels better to curl up with a book or a cup of coffee or tea outside, rather than inside. You can bring home-living and nature together by enjoying your favorite relaxing activities beneath the shelter of a nice pergola.

3. Cooking: There is an ambiance to an outdoor-cooked meal that cannot be achieved on a regular stove top or in an oven. Having a nice grill offers many different flavorful meal options and is fun for the cook when entertaining friends and family. Who wants to be cast off to the indoor kitchen when all the guests are enjoying the outdoors? Having a kitchen area under a pergolas is also very handy for hot days when you don’t want to overheat the indoors by cooking in the kitchen.

4. Extended Living Space: Does it sometimes feel like your home could use another room but you are short on ideas? Maybe you’re just bored with your indoor living space. Adding a pergola will not only expand your home, it will add more appeal to it. You can have the best of the outdoors and the indoors in one setting, merging yard and home to create a kind of living space on another level.

5. Property Value: A professionally-built and well-maintained pergola will add value to your property. Even if you do not intend to sell, it’s nice to know that our homes can increase in value just with simple and elegant add-ons.

Benefits of Having a Pergola

Wed, 25 Dec 2019 23:40:03 GMT

Pergolas are the perfect addition to any property, making the outside environment more appealing to spend time there.

The setting that a pergola creates is perfect for relaxing or entertaining guests, especially in the warmer climates of the southeastern U.S. and Caribbean Islands.

One great benefit of a pergola is the light and the airy space it offers, without feeling closed in or cooped up. One gets to enjoy fresh air while having a beautiful view of nature, whether it’s a garden, pool, the moon, backyard, or community park. They also make a property look more beautiful, especially when they are installed by professionals. My Florida Pergolas is such one great company that can bring the beauty of pergolas to your home or property.

Once the pergola is installed, it automatically increases the value of your home, as well as curb appeal. This is beneficial in many ways to a homeowner or property owner/manager. The partial shade they provide helps residents to enjoy the fresh air even on a summer night.