What Is the Difference Between Veranda and Pergola

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If you asked the average homeowner to describe a veranda or pergola, you’d probably get some pretty similar answers. While, at first glance, these structures appear to be similar, there are some key differences between them that can influence the design of your home’s exterior and increase the value of your home.

Depending on how you want to arrange your outdoor space, you’ll probably only want to pick one of these structures to adorn it. To give you a better idea of the similarities and differences between a veranda and a pergola, we’ve decided to compare them in great detail.

A veranda is attached to your home

Generally speaking, a veranda will always be attached to one side of your home. In many ways, it’s like an extension of your interior space. The great thing about verandas is that they can be placed anywhere adjacent to your home, and they’ll still look good. Whether you want to attach one to the front, back, side or wrap it around the whole house, it’s going to work just fine.

A pergola can be more of a standalone structure than a veranda. You can make it an extension of your home or put one in the middle of your garden. They’re great additions to any yard or outdoor space that’s close to greenery.

Pergolas complement natural surroundings

The word “pergola” comes from the Italian word for an outdoor structure designed to support climbing plants. The roof beams and rafters of a pergola make for great climbing surfaces that allow vines and other plants to take hold.

While adding greenery to your pergola isn’t mandatory, it’s a great way to add extra charm to your outdoor area. You can get a custom roof to create shade or let plants grow into it and get the same results, though it may take a while for the plants to get the job done. A custom roof made of durable materials might be the more practical choice if you want to stop rain and snow from getting in.

Veranda and pergola designs differ

The designs of either structure can vary depending on your tastes, but there are some key differences between them. A veranda is usually designed to be long and narrow, especially if it’s supposed to wrap around a structure. It makes it a great extension for the exterior of a home.

A pergola, on the other hand, can come in many shapes and sizes. No matter where you place it, you can choose from countless different designs or make one up yourself. Since it can act as a freestanding structure, there’s no real limitation to its design.  You can even choose whether or not to add cover for the structure to protect it from the weather. In addition, a durable pergola roof can make it a more pleasant location for harsher seasons. Best of all, many pergola roofs are adjustable, and you can open or close them as you please.

A veranda is always covered

Speaking of roofs, a veranda can be considered a sizable extension to your roof in many ways. First, it should always have some form of cover over the head, no matter where it’s placed. Because of this, the structure is generally placed on the ground level to match the height of the roof.

A pergola or patio, on the other hand, doesn’t necessarily have to be on the same level as the ground floor. You could even place a pergola on a terrace if you wanted to.

An open or closed space

All things considered, pergolas and verandas mostly differ in how open they are. If you prefer a completely open space that you can lounge around during the summer, a pergola might just be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you want to extend part of your home and create a cozy environment for every season, a veranda will do just fine.

Of course, there are no absolutes when it comes to verandas or pergolas. You can choose to add walls or temporary covers for your pergola whenever you need them. A veranda can have thick walls that can brave the harshest winter or light coverings to keep it from getting too warm. Either way, you can enjoy both structures in many different ways.

Conclusion

A pergola or veranda can make a fine addition to any home. With the amount of versatility in the design of either structure, it can be difficult to choose which one to get. We’ve covered the small and major differences between them to make it an easier choice, but you should still consider checking out existing ones to see which one might suit your tastes more. In the end, either structure will contribute to the overall look and feel of your home and make it more beautiful than before.

Author: Sarah Sadie