Why Your Pergola or Patio Cover Should Include a Plastic Roof?

[caption id="attachment_312" align="alignright" width="300"]Custom plastic roof installed on a patio cover[/caption] Whether you call them pergolas, arbors, gazebos, or just patio covers you have probably run across one of these structures that forms a semi shaded walkway or sitting area either in backyards, resorts, or even in garden parks. Pergolas are often added to an outdoor space as a design feature and they can be decorated with flowers, plants, and lights. The space below the pergola can be used for a number of things such as: you may find a collection of chaise lounge chairs accompanied by a side table to hold your drink of choice, or to house an outdoor grill and kitchen perfect for an evening barbeque. But what happens when the weatherman’s forecast does not take into account that Texas summer afternoons often are accompanied by an unexpected downpour? I know this is rare, but what if? Your perfect day lying in the sun has just been moved indoors. Your rest time has turned into a mad dash into the house. And your outdoor barbeque has been moved into your kitchen where you certainly weren’t expecting to entertain and cook at the same time, in the same room. These are only a few of the scenarios.

So What is the Solution?

All these situations could have been avoided with one solution, a cover over the pergola. I can hear some of your thoughts now… "A cover takes away from the pergola’s appearance." "My pergola was constructed so the slats would block the sun at the right times of the day." There may be some truth to these thoughts, but what if there was a way for a pergola to provide shelter, allow sunlight in, AND still look like a gorgeous piece of outdoor design? There is! Multiwall sheets, often referred to by the brand name of Polygal, are a structured sheet product available in double and triple layered configurations and manufactured in various colors and degrees of transparency. Polygal allows sunlight in but provides protection from unwanted elements, such as rain. Thermogal, a specially designed polygal sheet is commonly used in bronze or clear when covering an outdoor area. Clear Polygal is less noticeable because of its transparent nature. It also provides protection from rain and allows sunlight in. Bronze Polygal also provides protection from rain but is tinted and keeps the temperatures under the material cooler. The real question now is: why would you build a pergola without a cover?