There’s nothing we Aussies love more than designing the perfect outdoor living spaces. And there are fewer renovation projects that are funner and more rewarding than adding a pergola to your property.
When built to a high standard and with a design that’s tailored for your property, a pergola truly does offer the perfect mix of privacy, shade, and aesthetic appeal. Your pergola can just as easily be your sanctuary from the oppressive summer sun as well as the focal point for an intimate winter barbecue.
Being an exterior fixture to your home, however, your pergola needs care and maintenance to ensure it can endure. So what steps should you take post-renovation to ensure your brand new pergola looks just as stunning in ten or twenty years’ time? Here are our tried and tested tips for protecting your new pergola over the duration of its lengthy lifespan.
Top 6 Tips for Protecting your New Pergola
1. Update your Home Insurance Policy
As a new addition to your home’s exterior, the first thing you’ll want to do is make sure your new pergola is included in your building insurance policy. Here, make sure you discuss with your insurance provider to ensure the added cost to your premium will provide adequate cover for potential damage to your pergola.
It’s also wise to assess your policy just to equip yourself with a solid understanding of your inclusions and exclusions (i.e. what types of damage are covered versus what’s not covered). For instance, termite and pest damage generally isn’t covered by your building insurance, so you’ll want to prioritize maintaining a proactive approach to pest control for your pergola.
2. Apply a High-quality Stain or Sealant
Did you know that wood stains and sealants can actually help prevent pest infestations? Yes, alongside making your pergola look sleek and shiny, a strong stain or sealant is also your first line of defence against all the most common sources of damage, including heavy rainfall, whipping winds, and even creepy crawlies. Sealing or staining the structural timber used to construct your pergola can also help protect it against UV rays – which is a must for Australian homes.
Which stain or sealant should you use? It really all boils down to personal preference. If you want to highlight the natural wood grain, choose a clear sealant. If you want to enhance the colours, go with a stain.
And when is the best time to apply your wood sealant? Ideally, a few days after the renovation. That way, lingering moisture in your timber can escape before you apply your sealant.
3. Inspect and Maintain Drainage Around the Base
Generally after heavy rainfall, water will settle at the top as well as at the very bottom of a structure. There’s no point arguing over which outcome is more damaging; just make sure you take care of both. You can build the world’s best pergola, but if you neglect any water that pools around its base, it will undermine the pergola’s integrity and possibly cut short its life.
Signs this is already happening include wood rot and rust, so be vigilant. Properly grading your backyard will play a huge role in keeping water away; so will edging, French drains, and gravel beds.
An extra tip: Airflow is as key as water flow, as it helps flush any trapped moisture. This is critical if your pergola stands on a deck or patio.
4. Consider a Installing a Protective Roof or Canopy
While it’s common for pergolas to be open to the sky (it’s one of their greatest charms), a lightweight roof panel or canopy can help strengthen the structure and protect everything beneath it. UV rays, sudden downpours, and even bird droppings can be kept at bay if you can install a roof for your pergola.
It doesn’t need to be a roof as complete as the one that protects your home; we said lightweight for a reason. Breathable fabric shades, polycarbonate panels, and retractable awnings can give you the protection you need without sacrificing natural light.
And if you live somewhere where the weather turns moody in a blink, you’ll have a space that lets you stay outside without being at the mercy of the elements.
5. Clean your Pergola Regularly (& Correctly!)
We’ve already mentioned moisture, but leaves, pollen, dust, and mildew will wreak similar havoc if you walk past them on your way to the herb garden and do nothing about it. The great thing? Your garden hose, combined with a gentle soap and a soft-bristle brush, will often work wonders on a dirty pergola. Make it a once-a-season thing at least, and you’ll find your pergola always looks presentable.
Just avoid harsh chemical cleaners or bleach. And always test cleaners on a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning your entire pergola. Discoloration can be nigh-impossible to reverse.
6. Install UV-Resistant Curtains or Shades
The Aussie sun is as unrelenting as it is wonderful. Over time, given full rein to beam down on your pergola, it will damage everything. Your pergola’s structure will fade, and so will the cushions on the daybed you love reading on. The answer? Curtains or outdoor shades that are UV-resistant. Like the roof, it’s protection you need.
Research the ideal UV-resistant fabrics for your local climate, as the right fabrics will help regulate temperature, increase privacy, and be stylish, all at once.
Keep your New Pergola in Tip Top Shape with these Pro Tips
A pergola is more than just decoration—it’s a lifestyle investment that provides a backdrop to so many activities one can enjoy while at home. But only if you look after it. Keeping it clean, managing drainage, and sealing it properly; these are the measures that keep it looking vibrant and relevant. Make them part of your pergola schedule and you’ll be enjoying it for many years to come.
The key is consistency. A little maintenance every few months goes a long way toward preventing costly repairs and ensuring that your outdoor oasis remains safe, sturdy, and stunning.
