what can i use to cover my pergola
In the summertime, I love to grill and entertain outdoors. But since I live in an area that often gets lots of sunday and afternoon rainstorms, my outdoor cookouts are either actually hot or getting rained out. To fix that result, I went on a hunt for ways I could cover the patio around my outdoor kitchen and came up with these DIY pergola cover ideas – some that just provide lots of shade, and some that are waterproof.
Dorsum in the jump, I did a deck and patio makeover that included sprucing upwardly my outdoor kitchen area.
Now that information technology's looking good, I've been doing a lot more grilling out there.
And while I love my new updated cooking space, at that place's 1 matter missing. And that's a cover for the pergola that goes over my outdoor kitchen area.
While the pergola provides some shade, it isn't very helpful during the day when the sun is directly overhead (prime cookout hours!) And it doesn't provide any protection at all when it's raining.
Not that I expect to be standing out there all solar day in the pelting. But hither in Southward Carolina, we tend to get a lot of xv minute pelting storms in the afternoon. Which always seem to occur right after I accept put the nutrient on the grill.
So I would beloved to be able to stay out there and not get soaked.
Which is why I've been searching for DIY pergola cover ideas (ideally that are waterproof) to provide some extra shade and pelting protection for my picayune grilling area patio.
DIY Pergola Shade Ideas
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These first few pergola encompass ideas provide a lot of shade and some protection from rain only aren't totally waterproof.
i | Abound Vines Over The Elevation
When I outset congenital my pergola, my shade thought was to grow vines over the top of information technology. Specifically, Wisteria.
I beloved the expect of those beautiful purple flowers in the jump.
And it provides lots of shade.
Vines aren't quite as good at rain protection equally some of the other options in my pergola cover ideas listing. But if you institute something like grape vines (or wisteria) that have a lot of leafage, they will keep you relatively dry out as long as it'due south not pouring.
You may ask, if I planted vines over the height of my pergola, why am I looking for another shade solution at present?
Well…in my neck of the woods, Wisteria is quite invasive (it'south at present on my invasive plants list). Then trying to become it to stay just over the pergola was (and to be honest…nevertheless is) a nightmare.
Plus, it drops a lot of leaves. I was constantly having to clean up the grill area before I could use it. Which was more work than I wanted to exercise.
Just I'm leaving information technology on the list because growing vines over your pergola could work well in other situations.
two | Brand A DIY Stationary Pergola Canopy
The next one of my DIY pergola cover ideas is to use outdoor canvas to create a stationary canopy over the patio.
If you are never going to desire sunday on your patio, then a DIY stationary pergola awning is probably the way to get.
It uses outdoor fabric to create some shade and rain protection…and is the easiest way to encompass your pergola.
Because there are however some gaps in the fabric, these options may not keep you completely dry out in a down pour, but volition provide some protection from getting soaked.
Stationary Pergola Canopy Option ane
For this stationary canopy, all yous need is some heavy-duty outdoor fabric (detect information technology Hither)*, 1/2″ upholstery staples and a staple gun.
And so hang the material upwards by stapling it onto the bottom of the pergola beams every two feet or and so.
The principal fob is to get them fifty-fifty so well-nigh the same amount of fabric is hanging down in each section.
1 note: If yous become a lot of really heavy rainfall or snow, this blazon of awning may not stay put. So you might want to consider one of the other options.
It looks really pretty from outside the pergola, as well.
I of the great things virtually using outdoor fabric, is that it comes in many dissimilar colors and patterns. So yous don't have to stick to plain white if you don't desire to.
Stationary Pergola Awning Option 2
The second DIY stationary canopy is very similar to the get-go, only loops the outdoor fabric over the superlative of the pergola beams.
This is however relatively easy to put up merely makes the canopy a little sturdier.
In this case, staple the awning fabric to the top of each of the beams to agree it in place.
This pick may not piece of work as well in areas with a lot of air current, since it may tear the cloth off the top of the pergola.
Stationary Pergola Canopy Choice 3
The 3rd stationary pergola cover makes utilize of the beams again, merely pulls the cloth tight across them.
For this canopy version, staple the cloth to the end of the pergola, so weave it in and out of the cross beams. Pull the fabric tight at the other end and staple it in place.
Go along the fabric rows closer together to provide more sun and rain protection.
Because at that place isn't any loose fabric, this option should piece of work improve in wind and heavy pelting than the other two stationary options. Which is why these are often used as patio covers in the tropics.
Stationary Pergola Canopy Selection 4
The last of the stationary pergola canopies is a fiddling less DIY than the balance. It comes in a kit which yous tin notice Hither*.
Nevertheless, it isn't terribly expensive and you tin can order custom pergola covers in pretty much any size you want.
Then it installs over the meridian of your construction with grommets.
Once more, because it is held tightly to the pergola frame, this awning should stand up better to wind and heavy rain than some of the others.
You'll have fewer color choices, but information technology might be worth information technology for better coverage and immovability.
3 | Build a DIY Retractable Canopy
If you want to be able to control when y'all accept sun on your patio, then a DIY retractable pergola canopy may be what yous want.
They work similarly to the stationary canopies above but are installed on guide wires that let yous open up and shut the canopy as y'all please.
Sentinel this video for the pace-by-step instructions on how to brand one:
Of course, if you adopt, you can get for the not-then-DIY arroyo, and buy the retractable canopy already made.
They come up in custom sizes, merely a very express option of colors. You tin notice them Hither.*
DIY Waterproof Pergola Covers
These next few options on the list are waterproof pergola covers which can also provide shade but may take a little more work to install.
1 | Put Upward A Shade Sail
The next one of my DIY waterproof pergola cover ideas is to apply a shade sail over your patio.
Shade sails are not usually associated with pergolas, however they actually make really good pergola covers. Especially if you lot get a rectangular one that is the right size (y'all can find them in a few different sizes Here*).
Then all you need is the shade-sheet installation hardware (find it HERE)* and yous're all set.
Shade sails are already made for providing shade and rain protection. And attaching them to the pergola posts is much easier than the usual shade sheet installation methods (trying to find a costless-standing mail service or screwing it into the side of your business firm).
Plus you tin take them downwardly easily for the winter if you lot need to.
In my case, I would install the shade sail right under the beams of my pergola. That style it provides the shade without irresolute how the pergola looks.
ii | Install A Tin can Roof On Your Pergola
The next few options are more expensive than the last few, but they are longer lasting and provide the best shade and rain coverage.
This homeowner used tin roofing (notice it Hither)* installed on superlative of their woods pergola to continue the sun and rain out.
Information technology adds an industrial vibe to the pergola that looks great with the rest of the eclectic decor.
Note: Installing it on a bit of a slant will foreclose the water from pooling on top.
If y'all desire to become artistic, y'all could purchase galvanized steel roofing panels* in different colors and create a pattern.
Brand a solid roof if you don't want whatsoever water or sun to get in. Or leave some openings for some extra ventilation (if you don't heed getting a little moisture).
3 | Add Pergola Roof Panels
Along the aforementioned lines as using tin roofing, plastic pergola roof panels (find them HERE*) provide good protection from the sun and rain.
You can put them down correct over the top of your pergola like a roof.
Like the tin panels, installing information technology on a bit of an angle will aid the h2o run off.
And if yous don't need the shade only still want to stay dry, yous can even install clear ones, similar I did over my outdoor bar.
You can find the step-by-stride tutorial HERE.
four | Install Wood Planks
The concluding i of my DIY waterproof pergola embrace ideas is to install wood planks.
This is pretty much like building a deck…but on summit of the pergola.
Be sure to utilise boards that will last outdoors, like pressure treated wood or cedar.
Creating a slight angle volition help with the water run-off, which prevents the wood from rotting.
Well, that'southward information technology for my list of DIY pergola encompass ideas. Now I but need to decide which one I want to use for my outdoor kitchen!
Hopefully y'all've found some inspiration to build your own pergola patio encompass.
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Source: https://www.gardenersoasis.com/diy-waterproof-pergola-cover-ideas/
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