Top Pergolas Indianapolis: Enhance Your Outdoor Living Space Today

Are you looking for pergolas in the Indianapolis area? Look no further! We've compiled everything you need to know on your search.

In this post, we'll tell you everything you need to know to begin your pergola purchase:

• Different types of pergolas to consider

• Different materials of pergolas (and their pros and cons)

• Things to keep in mind for the Indianapolis area

• Pergola features to look out for

Without further ado, let's dive right in!

Types of Pergolas

There are a lot of different types of pergolas on the market, and Indianapolis is no exception.

There are two main pergola designs that are common today: First, is a traditional wooden style pergola; the second is a modern metal pergola. But within these two styles, there are various types, depending on your budget and project type.

We've broken it down into 5 main types:

• Traditional wooden pergola

• DIY wooden pergola

• Imported pergola kit

• American made DIY pergola kit

• Custom pergola installation

Let's briefly go over what each of these are, and discuss the pros and cons.

Traditional Wooden pergola

The classic "pergola" look that's been around for hundreds of years.

Pros: Timeless look. Solid construction.

Cons: With traditional pergolas, regular maintenance is necessary to ensure longevity. These can be expensive to build and get installed.

DIY Wood beam connector pergola kit

These are brackets and hardware packs you can get online or at your local garden/hardware store that combine with off the shelf lumber to become a clean and simple wooden pergola.

Pros: DIY, budget friendly.

Cons: Not always as easy to build as expected, wood requires maintenance.

Imported DIY pergola kit

These are the budget friendly pergola kits you can find at places like Costco, Amazon, etc. They're typically made from aluminum, and imported from factories overseas.

Pros: Easy to assemble, budget friendly, adjustable louvers, low maintenance.

Cons: Don't usually last more than a few years, often don't meet building codes. Limited size options. Adjustable louvers are manually operated instead of being a motorized smart pergola.

American made DIY Pergola kit

We might be bit biased (okay, a lot biased) but we think this is the best option on the list. With this, you get the quality and customization of a completely custom/commercial grade pergola, with the savings and do it yourself option of a pergola kit.

Pros: Meets building codes, can be customized to fit the unique style and design preferences of your Hoosier home. Pergola kits can be installed over a patio, freestanding in your backyard space, or even attached to your house. Easy to assemble.

Cons: More expensive than imported kits. Requires do it yourself assembly, or hiring a contractor to do it for you.

Custom Pergola installation

These are pergolas purchased through dealer networks, often (but not always) manufactured in America, and built to order and custom designed to each space. These can be good for large commercial projects or high end patio makeovers, but the way the business model works means that there's little leeway to cut costs and you end up with huge markups for the quality of product you're getting.

Pros: Completely customizable to your project, professional installers.

Cons: Much more expensive, will cost tens of thousands up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Complete package means you can't save money by doing DIY or hiring an independent contractor.

Pergola Materials - pros and cons

Pergolas can be made from various materials, including wood, steel, aluminum, and vinyl. Not only do these each lend a different aesthetic to

Wood Pergolas

Pros: Cheaper, classic traditional look.

Cons: Lots of maintenance, quality lumber + coating and labor can end up being more expensive and a hassle.

Aluminum Pergolas

When judging the quality of an aluminum outdoor structure, check what the cost is per pound of extruded aluminum. A good rule of thumb is that the more aluminum per square foot, the higher quality (and longer lasting) the structure will be!

Pros: Long lasting, low maintenance, modern look.

Cons: Slightly more expensive.

Vinyl Pergolas

Vinyl pergolas are actually not entirely vinyl, but another material (usually wood) coated in vinyl.

Pros: Budget friendly, customizable aesthetic.

Cons: Not particularly sturdy. When water gets trapped behind the vinyl, the structure can begin to rot from the inside - ideal for very dry climates.

Pergola Installation Indianapolis

Most areas around Indianapolis will require that any outdoor structures can withstand a snow load of 20 lbs/sq. ft, and a wind load of 115 mph (When checking the specs of a particular pergola, make sure they're measuring wind and snow load with the louvers closed, because that's the stat that matters for building permits). Speaking of which:

Do I need a permit to build a pergola?

It depends on the scope and dimensions of your particular project. Smaller projects might not require a building permit, but most things over 200 square feet will almost certainly require a permit. Check with your local building department if you're unsure. Even if you don't need a permit, not meeting the local building codes means the pergola is in danger of not holding up to the elements in the long term.

Some pergola manufacturers will market/designate their product as "not a permanent structure" or a "temporary structure" to try and get around building codes. This ends up being as advertised, the product won't remain standing and functional over the years; so be sure to read the fine print!

If you're interested in the Luxury Pergola but aren't sure about assembling it yourself, give us a call and we can get you connected with a local Indianapolis contractor that has experience installing our product!

Luxury Pergola Features

Obviously the most important feature of a pergola is the shade and aesthetic an outdoor structure can bring to your outdoor living space - but there are lots of features and and accessories that can bring your pergola from simple a patio ornament to luxurious centerpiece that is both fashionable and functional.

Motorized Louvers

Sometimes called a "smart pergola", a pergola with motorized louvers allows you to adjust the roof to allow in more sun and air with the touch of as button! These pergolas typically use a remote control or integrate with a smart home app so that you can adjust the louvers easily and without leaving your chair.

Integrated Gutters

Integrated gutters and drainage ensure rain isn't an issue for your pergola - and that you can still comfortably sit under it even while it rains.

Some pergolas will drain rainwater out of every post, which can be fine for freestanding pergolas in the middle of your yard, but if your pergola is integrated into your porch or deck, then you may need more control over where the water drains. The Luxury Pergola is an example of a pergola kit that allows you to choose which post is your drain post.

Color Options

When purchasing a pergola, it's important that it matches the aesthetic of both your house and your backyard. The Luxury pergola offer four colors for the frame: Black, bronze, and alpine; in addition to these three colors, we also offer a fourth option for the louvers: sandstone.

Accessories and add-ons

There are a lot of cool accessories you can get for your pergola. Lights, drop shades/blinds, fans, heaters, speakers, slat walls - a lot of them are very functional and cool. Our advice when considering what accessories to purchase for your outdoor space?

Don't. Buy. Anything. YET. Especially when it comes to big investments like drop shades.

Buy the pergola, set up the space, and use it for a little bit, and figure out how every feels and is used. Then you'll have the knowledge going in: "The sun hits here, so I just need a drop shade on this side - not all four sides like I originally thought." or "This is my favorite spot to sit, so if I want to mount a heater, it should be on this side of the patio."

Delaying this part of the process is the best way to save your budget and make sure you're actually going to use everything you buy.

Conclusion: Enhance Your Outdoor Space with a Pergola

Pergolas are a great way to take your space to the next level. However you enjoy your outdoor living space - fun with family, BBQs, resting by the pool, or dinners and get togethers - a little bit of shade can go a long way to creating a comfortable, inviting space.

If you're looking for a luxurious pergola in Indianapolis that can withstand the elements, and will last a lifetime, don't hesitate to reach out!