What is the Best Wood for a Pergola?

The best wood for a pergola is a type of wood that would last long. Pergolas are outdoor structures that are exposed to various weather conditions. If you use the best type of wood available to build a pergola, it will make the structure last for a long time. 

How to Pick the Best Wood for a Pergola

You can pick the best wood for a pergola by examining the various kinds of wood available in your locality. Make a research on the different wood types and select the best for your pergola. Since your pergola will be exposed to the elements, you will want to select a wood type that can thrive in different weather conditions. You will want to choose a wood type that will not decay or rot in winter, a wood that can repel moisture. 

Homeowners also will want to choose a kind of wood with good texture and smooth edges. Choosing the best wood for a pergola will save you the cost of replacing the wood yearly, and it will also reduce maintenance cost.

The Best Wood For a Pergola

 Wood is the most common building material used by homeowners in making a pergola; wood has a naturally appealing look that makes it blend well with the environment.  Timber is readily available in the environment; it is durable, making it easy for a builder to work. 

There are various wood types you can use to construct a pergola, but choosing the best wood for a pergola should be your foremost concern. Pressure-treated pine, redwood and cedar are the best and common wood type used by builders in making a pergola. Each of these woods has its drawbacks and advantages; you can choose the one that suits your taste.

Pressure-Treated Pine

The pressure-treated pine is one of the best woods for a pergola. If you want a type of wood that would not rot or crumble, pressure-treated pine is the best type of wood to make a pergola. If you use pressure-treated pine in making a pergola, you won’t need to worry about replacing the pergola parts because they’re getting rotted. 

Aside from its ability to resist rot, the pressure-treated pine also has a natural insect repellent. Wood-boring insects like termites, wood wasp, carpenter ants, beetles and goat moth will not be able to damage your pergola. Pressure-treated pine is affordable and readily available in wood stores. 

However, one disadvantage of the pressure-treated pine wood is that the wood’s chemicals can be toxic to humans and animals. And also, since the pressure-treated pine wood is less attractive, it requires a high maintenance cost in staining the wood. 

Cedar Wood

Another type of wood you can use in making a pergola is cedar wood. Cedar is one of the best woods for a pergola because of its properties. There are various kinds of cedar wood; you can choose the white or red cedar in building your pergola.

 Like the pressure-treated pine wood, cedar wood also repels insects naturally.  The oil in the wood repels insects like termites, carpenter ants, moth, beetles, cockroaches and mosquitoes. Homeowners who use cedarwood in making a pergola don’t need to bother about termites or ants penetrating through the pergola. 

Apart from that, cedarwood also can withstand moisture and dampness; it does not swell, warp, shrink or decay in damp climates. Another outstanding quality of cedarwood, which makes it an ideal wood choice, is that it can absorb sound. Cedar wood is resistant to noise; you can enjoy your leisure time in your pergola without being disturbed by loud sounds. 

The drawback of cedar is that it is expensive and will require regular maintenance due to its softness. As years passed, the colour of cedarwood fades, it fades to a grey colour.

Red Wood

Redwood is one of the best wood choices for making a pergola. Although it is expensive compared to pressure-treated pine and cedarwood, redwood also has natural repellents for insects. It also possesses the ability to withstand various weather conditions.  Like cedar and pressure-treated pine, redwood can not rot or decay when exposed to dampness. Redwoods are extremely durable; they can last for several years with proper adequate maintenance.

 Thus, One disadvantage of using redwood for making a pergola is its softness. Because of its softness, redwood makes it prone to dents. Apart from that, a pergola made with redwood will also require regular maintenance.

Conclusion

The best wood for a pergola is a wood type that will last for a very long time. Cedar wood, redwood, and pressure-treated pines are examples of the best wood you can use for building a pergola.