GRP Pergolas have been around for centuries and their early roots can be traced back to Latin times. Originally, they were used more for walkways and garden-types of uses, like growing grapes and vines. GRP pergola is a backyard feature forming a shaded walkway, passageway, or sitting area with vertical posts or pillars that usually support a roof-type structure of cross-beams and a sturdy open framework.
Today we commonly use them on decks and patios. We mainly use them for shading purposes but we have also used them just to “frame in” an area. This is to give it a sense of height and break up or define certain areas architecturally.
We design them into the original deck design, but more commonly we add them after the fact; after clients have invested in a deck or patio and they start using it. After going through a summer, they start to take notice of the sun and how it shines on their backyard. Some of our clients don’t spend time outside because the sun is just too intense in the summer for them to enjoy their outdoor living space.