When you’re considering building a pergola, there are two options you can choose from. You can either get a custom pergola built with the help of a pergola contractor or you can opt for those time-saving kits that you can assemble like Lego. Here is how they differ.
The Differences Between Pergola Kits And Custom Pergolas
The Assembly
First things first, you need to understand that a custom pergola and a pergola kit are completely different from one another. Even though the end result is a pergola, there is still quite a lot of difference between the two.
Custom Pergolas
A custom-made pergola is exactly what it sounds like. You have a certain pergola design in mind and you want exactly that in your backyard. So, you hire a contractor and have them build a pergola from scratch.
You have to decide on things like the size, the material, and all of the other things that are involved in making a pergola from scratch. This is going to take time, but you’ll have a pergola that you’ve pictured in your mind right in front of you.
Pergola Kits
Now, building a pergola from scratch can be super taxing and not everyone has the time and energy to deal with contractors and figure out what they want. So, in this case, a pergola kit is perfect.
It is literally a prefabricated pergola that is dismantled and all you have to do is build it together using an instruction manual and a couple of tools you might have lying around. This is really easy and the result will be a pergola that took almost half the time to get done.
Time Required To Build
Speaking of time, you have to consider the time it will take for the two pergolas to stand ta and ready to show their beauty off.
Custom Pergolas
You have to keep in mind that installing a custom pergola will take a lot of time and all of it depends on you at the end of the day. You have to go through days to select a design, the material, and then you have to hunt down a contractor who will bring your dream design to life. It can be really hard and it is going to take weeks if you’re not taking things by plan.
Pergola Kits
As for a pergola kit, everything is ready to go. All you have to do is allocate a couple of hours and get down and dirty with the pergola construction. Well, not exactly. Since everything is ready and you just need to follow instructions, you will have a pergola up and standing without even breaking a sweat, which is awesome, considering what you’ve just built.
Creative Freedom
There are plenty of ways in which you can design a pergola, but that is only possible with a custom-made pergola.
Custom Pergolas
With a custom pergola, even though they can be super tedious to work with, and they’re not the easiest when it comes to designing and building, there is still a lot of creative room for you to change up the design. The design will not be finalized until you say it is.
There are a lot of ways that you can make a pergola. It can be a basic design and it can be the most detailed of detailed pergolas. When you go for a custom pergola, it is going to be a sight for the eyes.
Pergola Kits
You don’t have creative freedom with pergola kits. There is little to no room that you can wedge your own ideas in and you just have to settle for a basic design that will make your pergola dreams come true.
Now, for most people, that is not an issue and they like the design as it is. But if you are someone who absolutely needs to design the pergola by yourself and you are unable to do so, then it will be a huge bummer for you.
The Design Choices
Next up is the design option of pergolas. There are lots of pergolas out there that differ in design. There are basic pergolas, there are pergolas with slotted roofs, no roofs, full roofs, and even perimeter pergolas that have walls around them too.
Custom Pergolas
When building a custom pergola, you can choose any design you want. A custom design pergola is basically a blank canvas. You can draw any shape, design, and style of pergola in your mind and what you want is what you will get in the end. It is that fun and exciting.
Pergola Kits
As far as a pergola kit is concerned, it doesn’t come in a lot of design options. You have a few designs to choose from and that’s pretty much it.
Think of a pergola kit as a fabricated design. You can only choose from the designs offered, and if that is what you want, then you can buy it. Otherwise, you’ll have to go down the custom design route if you really want the pergola to look and feel personalized and authentic.
Cost
The cost of the pergola you’re building is also crucial to figure out.
If you’re going to go down the route of building a pergola from scratch, then it is obviously going to cost you a lot. You have the labor cost, the material cost, and everything in between. Whereas, when you go for a pergola kit, the only expense is the kit itself and other than that, everything is pretty much the same.
However, the quality and the final result will still be poles apart, so that is something to remember when building pergolas.
The Quality
Next up is the quality of the pergola you’re building. The better the quality is, the longer the pergola will last and the easier it will be to maintain.
Custom Pergolas
So, for a custom pergola, you are literally choosing everything on your own. If you choose high-quality materials and a good and experienced contractor, then the results will speak for themselves.
This is why, if you can, always try to choose good quality materials, because the pergola will literally be outside 24/7 and you want it to stand tall and in a pristine condition every single time.
Pergola Kits
Pergola kits can be a hit or miss when it comes to quality. They are made out of sound materials, but they’re no way near as amazing or durable as the materials you choose yourself. Pergola kits are centered around convenience more than anything and that is it.
If you want quality in a pergola kit, then hate to break it to you, but you’re looking in the wrong place. Sure, it won’t fall apart by the slightest gust of wind, but it also won’t last as long as a custom-made pergola, so take your pick.
Conclusion
A pergola is more than what meets the eye. You can decide whether you want your imagination brought to life with a custom pergola or you want to go down the easy and affordable route. Both have their own merits and demerits. You can discuss your requirements with a custom pergola builder Long Island to get a quote.
