DIY Patio and Pergola Kits

A patio or pergola adds beauty to any home and when attached to the side of your home, it can also extend living space to the outdoors. Whether in the form of a gazebo, patio cover or entry way, this type of structure easily provides style and function, making it a popular home addition. Building one is easy with the help of a professional builder or you can install one of your own after choosing from among a wide variety of kits.

Advantages of patio/pergola kits

Many homeowners prefer to install pre-manufactured pergola kits as a sensible compromise between building your own from scratch and having one built for you. Homeowners choose kits because these are:

€ convenient
€ inexpensive
€ easy to set up with or without professional assistance and
€ are available in many styles and materials to suit your home

Materials

1. Natural wood: Wood is mo st often used for patios and pergolas because it has "character", is pleasing to look at and adds warmth to a garden or outdoor setting. Wooden materials also complement most home designs and look great with colourful climbing plants around them.

2. Metal: Steel (generally powder-coated) is used to complement modern homes or to achieve domes, pyramid and curved shapes. Metal kits are generally easy to install as they come cut to length and with specific connectors for the joints



Styles

Lean-to or attached Patios and Pergolas: A lean-to style appears as an extension of a home when it is attached to one side of the house for support. It can be used to build:

€ a carport
€ an outside porch
€ utility area
€ entertaining area
€ garden seating area


Stand alone styles: These are ideal for adding aesthetic touches to any part of your property and are often used as a gazebo in a garden, a shed by the swimming pool, and with a swing in it, it can also complement a playground.

Stand alone patios and pergolas allow you a bit more design freedom:

€ Circular with round arches
€ Asian or oriental such as a pagoda
€ Garden type with a bench or swing

Patio and Pergola kits typically contain:

€ Necessary framing
€ Screws and connectors
€ Roof sheeting
€ Flashings and gutters
€ Simple instructions

All structures require basic carpentry skills to assemble, basic knowledge of building codes and the correct tools. If you are not comfortable with your DIY skills or do not have the necessary tools, you could still buy a kit and have a licensed contractor construct it for you

diy patio - diy pergola

Special Thanks to Reliatex Construction 817.231.0423 Reliatex Construction - Fort Worth's Top Deck Builder - Home Remodeler and General Contractor