Deeper Look At Pergola Covers

It’s been about a year since we’ve touched upon the subject of patios and updates you can do to raise the ROI for your home. As mentioned in our last post, Patio Planning 101, “there’s nothing like a pergola to create a semi-shaded spot in your yard.” Whether you already have a pergola installed in your yard or are considering this fantastic addition, a cover is an important accessory to have, and a high-quality pergola cover can give you a stunning shaded area!

As happydiyhome.com says, there are six main components you need to keep in mind when you are looking into purchasing a cover.

Material
What material is your pergola cover made from? They come in woven and knitted patterns with polyethylene fabric. This fabric will withstand wear and tear very well, and it has some built-in resistance to mold and mildew growth. Knitted patterns are usually more sturdy than woven, and this can help them last longer. Double-check what materials the company uses and the pattern type. This will give you a good idea of whether or not your new pergola cover will last.

Size
Pergola covers come in a huge range of sizes, and you have to decide which one will fit your area the best. If you have a larger rooftop garden with a pergola, you’ll need a bigger cover to fit. For smaller areas, you can get away with smaller covers. Whatever size you need, make sure you take into account the additional length you need to curve it around your pergola. Usually, this is an additional 1.5 to 2 feet. It’s a good idea to get more than you need than to pick out one that is too small.

UV Protection
Many pergola covers come with UV protection built-in. This protection helps prevent the cover from fading away with direct sunlight exposure. No matter what cover you get, it should have a protective layer on it. In general, polyethylene fabric will resist damage, but it’ll eventually cause it to fall apart. Your pergola cover will also provide UV protection for your skin and eyes because it’ll screen out a significant amount of the UV rays.

Breathability
Almost every pergola cover has a higher amount of breathability to it. Unfortunately, this breathability also means that water will slip through and it won’t be 100% waterproof. The knit fabric allows hot air to escape while keeping the cooler air trapped. You want to check the breathability rating on the cover before you buy it. If you don’t, you could get something that is too hot in the summer.

Flexibility
If you want to get a cover to shade your kid’s game area, you’ll need a higher degree of flexibility. Generally, all covers stretch, and this gives you a couple of inches of more shade, but you should ensure that it’s flexible enough to cover the area you want. Some have rigid poles that reduce their flexibility but allow you to decide how much area you want to cover. Others use metal grommets with ropes to stretch over the pergola.

Warranty
Even though this doesn’t have to be a huge purchase, you want it to have a warranty attached to it. Many companies offer three or five-year warranties against defects or damage. See how long the warranty is and what it covers. Limited warranties are far more restrictive than full warranties, and companies can offer both on the same product.

If you are interested in upgrading your shade spots in your backyard, here is a great list of the Top 10 companies out there right now, ready to supply you with the perfect cover for your pergola.

---