Which Comes First… The Patio Or The Pergola?
A lot of steps are involved in completing your dream backyard retreat. Our goal is to help you plan those steps so you can save yourself time and money. Thinking ahead when determining your backyard layout is crucial to know what needs to be constructed and placed on your property first. Not only is the construction of your backyard retreat important to note, but also the timeline in which your patio and outdoor structure should be ordered and installed.
Thinking Ahead
Looking out at your property to determine if you have any shade is the first crucial step that most of our clients miss. If your area is full sun, this is the perfect time to decide if you would like a structure to provide shade. You should think of both the present and the future when determining if you would like a shaded spot in your backyard, and which of our pavilions or pergolas would be a good fit. Our pavilions and pergolas are mounted with reinforcements called footers, which provide a stable and secure foundation for the structure. These footers need to be placed within concrete, so when building a patio, this is a crucial consideration to take when building your oasis.
Based on previous client experiences, the Stoltzfus Structures sales team finds that clients often realize they need shade after constructing the patio and then will place an order for a pavilion or pergola. This would cause more issues if your patio does not include footers, as parts of your new patio will need to be dug out to place footers for your structure’s installation. Determining this before building your patio will reduce the stress of digging out the patio concrete or stone, as well as save on the costs of digging this material out to place the footers. If you would rather the patio be built first, then let your contractor know that a structure will be placed on top, so they can place the footers in preparation for your pavilion or pergola. The process of building your backyard retreat will be much easier if the footers are installed before installing your pavers, concrete, etc., so no excavating is required when placing your structure.
How Your Structure Is Placed
As mentioned above, pergolas and pavilions are mounted using footers. Footer locations differ based on the structure, style, and manufacturer. Where these footers are placed will also differ based on the project, but for a very basic one, footers come first, the pavilion, and last, the pavers or concrete patio. Since we offer a site prep service, we can install your footers, or you can have another contractor do this step, such as who is installing your patio.
Determining Your Timeline
The biggest question that you will need to ask yourself is when you want to start creating your backyard retreat. If you are looking to have your pavilion or pergola installed in spring, then we suggest ordering sometime in the Winter. Order in late Winter or early Spring if you wish to have your structure in early Summer, but if you’d rather later in Summer, then order in the Fall. April is our busy time where our lead times typically jump, so if you plan on ordering in April, your structure would be installed in late Summer or early Fall. Contact us to request information on lead times and a possible timeline for your project.
Our Recommendation
Our sales team has worked with hundreds of clients, and each project is different, meaning they need to vary their recommendations to fit the project at hand. Based on their experiences, they can recommend picking out your structure, whether that’s a pavilion or a pergola, before starting the patio. This is to make sure our team has adequate drawings and gets any required permits if needed. This is especially recommended if your backyard project is customized. Pavilions tend to have a longer lead time, which in most cases is longer than the patio would take, specifically depending on when the order is placed. If you wanted your patio placed first, it is easier to order your pavilion ahead of time while they work on the rest of the project, so your chosen patio contractor or our site prep team knows where and how the footers should be placed while building your patio. Below is what most people think is the best option, with the patio coming first, then the pergola. Depending on your project, the pergola or footers should be installed first, followed by the patio around it.
What Structure Is Best For You?
Now you may be asking, which structure is best for what you need, a pavilion or a pergola? If you are looking for full shade, a pavilion is the best choice since it provides you with a fully covered top, blocking the sun and rain. It is the perfect addition to a pool area and looks spectacular with a nicely landscaped patio. Pavilions not only add beauty and value to your property but also give a relaxing space to get a break from the harsh sun. These are even commonly used in the Winter, so children can shake off snow before tracking a mess into your house. Hosting a winter party with the heat of a fire pit in the center is also a great option for a pavilion. We offer several different varieties to choose from, including our Traditional style, A-Frame, Alpine, Hampton, Santa Fe, Bellavue, Timber Frame, Classic, and the Grand Estate.
 |
 |
Another option that we offer is a pergola, which lets sunlight in while keeping some shade in your area. Pergolas have a lattice-style roof, which can provide shade during hot days while still letting some light through. Consider stringing lights and hanging greenery through the lattice roof of your pergola to add more flair and give it a cozy, aesthetic appearance. We offer a Traditional style, Artisan, Hollander, Arched, Kingston, and the Santa Fe. All these pavilion and pergola styles provide your area with shade and beauty, adding value to your property and to your time spent outdoors with friends and family.
Contact us or call – 610-593-7700 – for any questions or recommendations from our team about how your project and patio timeline should fit in with ordering a pavilion or pergola. The Stoltzfus Structures team is always willing to offer suggestions and collaborate with your wants and needs to build your dream structure for your backyard retreat.
Jada Morris
Recently graduated from college, I take advantage of having more free time and spend those moments catching up on my love of reading, brainstorming ideas for design projects, and spending time with my family, friends, and furry companions. I have two Golden Retrievers that are complete opposites, one who has enough energy to run three marathons a day if he could, and the other who would be happy to stay in bed all day! I might relate a bit more to the later but am always up for an adventure.
