Guide to Clean a Pergola and Pergola Maintenance

Our fully-customized modern aluminum pergolas can turn any outdoor living space into a luxurious resort-like relaxation destination. By working with our Delray Beach-based team, you can create a one-of-a-kind pergola perfectly suited to your unique outdoor living. Once installed by our team, your pergola will deliver years of enjoyment. As with any outdoor structure, your pergola will require some minimal maintenance. Though there is no truly maintenance-free pergola, our low maintenance pergola is a breeze to keep pristine for years. Here, we’ll walk through some maintenance tips and how to clean a pergola.

Aluminum Pergolas Make for Less Maintenance

Pergolas can be fabricated from an array of materials. The most common materials include wood, vinyl and aluminum. One of the key differentiators in your material selection will be long-term durability and the maintenance needed to keep your new pergola looking pristine.

1. Wood pergolas are prone to drying in the hot sun and can rot in rainy and wet conditions, as we see in South Florida. If you live in coastal communities like Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, etc., the salty sea air can also cause wood to decay faster, a process known as delignification. To guard against these elements, wood pergolas require annual painting or sealing.
2. Vinyl pergolas, most commonly seen in smaller DIY kits, are less impacted by environmental conditions. The downside to vinyl is their colors can fade in the sun and develop cracks. Vinyl structures can also be brittle, making them especially prone to damage in high winds.
3. Aluminum pergolas, on the other hand, are lightweight and strong. This combination means they will last a lifetime. Our aluminum pergolas are also powder coated to protect against oxidation and designed to withstand a hurricane. While a custom aluminum pergola does command a slightly higher initial investment, the extended life of the structure, the ability to totally customize the design, and the reduced maintenance demands make it the preferred material choice.

If you’ve chosen an aluminum pergola, here is the best way to clean a pergola and some pergola maintenance tips.

Bringing Protective Patio Shade to the Backyard

Following the American Cancer Society’s advice by creating ample shade in your outdoor living space doesn’t mean you need to settle for a humble umbrella or retractable awning. Modern pergolas have become feats of innovative engineering. The custom pergolas we design offer the style and luxury that seamlessly complement the architectural wonders seen throughout South Florida.

For homeowners seeking permanent shade on their patio, we can design a solid fixed roof pergola that can be attached to the home or stand as a freestanding structure in the yard, garden or on the pool deck. For the ultimate control over the sun/shade balance on your patio, motorized louvered patio covers allow you to adjust the louvered roof as the sun moves throughout the day. With the louvers closed, the roof completely blocks the sun and prevents rain showers from interrupting your day. Adjusting the louver angle allows some light into the patio while still providing ample shade for you to enjoy. During the mornings and evenings when the sun is less intense, the louvers can be adjusted to a full 90-degree angle, allowing you to bask in the full sun exposure.

Our motorized adjustable louvered roof pergolas offer more than just shade. They also lower the temperature on the patio, helping to ward off heat exposure. By angling the louvers, airflow is increased throughout the living space, making these louvered designs excellent patio cooling solutions. For inland areas unaffected by coastal breezes, we can incorporate additional technological assistance. We can integrate a fan beam into the design of the pergola roof to accommodate a fan for patio covers. These outdoor patio fans not only provide added airflow to cool the space but also enhance the overall aesthetic of the outdoor living area.

Conclusion

Safeguarding yourself and your family from the harmful effects of UV rays on humans does not mean compromising your outdoor living experience. The right patio shade solutions can offer the necessary protection while enhancing the overall appearance of your backyard. If you are considering adding a luxurious custom pergola to your patio, deck or garden, please contact us today, and our design team will help you envision a new backyard oasis.