Both fiberglass and plastic pergolas offer the benefit of a low maintenance outdoor structure. There are two types of plastic pergolas currently available, the first and most common is constucted from vinyl(also known as PVC). The second type of plastic pergola is constructed from a material similar to composite decking(Azek or Palite). These are low maintenance materials, however they differ significantly in terms of quality, lifetime and finish. Below is a detailed comparision of these materials.
* Maintenance free
* Available in any color
* Structural material with free-spans of up to 20'
* Will not mildew, mold or yellow
* One piece CNC rafter tails
* Low maintenance but will mildew and yellow over time
* Non-structural vinyl tubes
* Pressure treated lumber is inserted into the vinyl and can sag, twist and rot
* Available in a limited number of colors
* Snap-on rafter tails
* Requires bi-annual painting
* Yellows and mildews over time
* Sheets of Azek are glued to either aluminum or lumber for structural support
* Azek will delaminate and fall of over time
* High cost of ownership
| Fiberglass | PVC(Vinyl fencing) | C-PVC(Azek) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance: | Maintenance free. | Maintenance free. Will yellow & mildew. | Requires bi-annual painting. Will yellow & mildew. |
| Finish: | Available in any color | Limited color options | Limited color options |
| Durability: | Hard industrial coatings. Durable cast fiberglass column bases. | Scratches easily. Plastic post bases break easily | Azek delaminates and fall off over time |
| Lifespan: | Designed to last a minimum of 15 years | Minimum of 5 years | Minimum of 5 years |
| Structural Properties: | Structural fiberglass pultrusions will not sag or warp. | Structural pressure treated core. Prone to sagging and warping. | Structural pressure treated core. Prone to sagging and warping. |
This Azek pergola was poorly constructed. It experienced yellowing, excessive rot and sagging as a result of the manufacturer cutting corners.
This what the main structural support beam looked like when the Azek fell off and the remainder was removed.
The client's contractor reached out to us and we replaced the existing structure with a fiberglass pergola that will last for years to come.
Glenn Scott of ArizonaAgain I would like to say thanks, dealing with you has been a distinct pleasure. In my line of work it is really refreshing to know there are honest reputable people still around.
Jon & BethanyUploaded the final pictures. Came out great! My neighbor is now pricing out a patio so he can have a Baldwin Pergola on his property. Thanks again guys - very impressed with the quality and service of your company. The fit and finish is impeccable and we couldn't be happier. I'll be sure to recommend Baldwin in the future!
MichaelHello Matt, This could not have been easier, and it looks absolutely beautiful! took us just shy of 6 hours to put it up, and my wife is already priming the mahogany caps. wish i had another one to put somewhere! thanks again
Tim AurthurThese columns are beautiful. They'd look great in any setting, no matter how splendid. Thank you!
Joe TanYou guys are awesome. Very impressed with the product so far: quality, thoughtfulness, engineering, form and fit and everything. Thank you so much again for taking care of the shipping issue for me - it really speaks volumes to your business integrity.
Susan HallHey Max, I thought you would enjoy these. Feel free to use them. Anytime you have someone in the area that would like to see a pergola. I am happy to show them ours. Thanks so much it is absolutely beautiful!!! I just added it to HGTV. I am sending you a link so you can see. Enjoy!
Found on Yelp.comhere is nowhere to buy wooden outdoor furniture of the same quality and for the same price. Nowhere! I own at least 8 pieces of Baldwin lawn furniture: two picnic tables with benches, a loveseat, two gorgeous adirondack chairs and a couple of other misc. tables and chairs by the pool. This furniture is so sturdy and dependable - and the design is fabulous! Check out their website, or sit in the furniture in person at North Cove Outfitters in Old Saybrook or at Baldwin in Middletown. You will be 100% sold. Our pieces have weathered wonderfully, and we leave them out year round. In the spring we pull them into the driveway one day and give them a good wash and put a quick restain on them. This is MINIMAL work, I assure you. And the furniture receives compliments from our guests year after year. This is a great family company with a great product. GREAT!
Wendy NeeseI had been working with Diane on having some custom draperies made for our tropical patio covers which are called Palapas. She made one set last summer, and we liked them so much we had another set made this summer. They turned out quite nice and I thought you might want to see some of the pictures I took. I was so glad to have found your website on the internet. We can now actually use our outside table to eat dinner. Prior to having our draperies we had the setting sun right in our eyes. Thank you for the awesome product! Diane does really great work!
Lee HausmanGood to hear from you. My pergola is doing fine and continues to be a great addition to my house. I had a lot of nice parties under it this year and I'm still collecting compliments about it. I hope you and the business continue to prosper and I look forward to adding some more Baldwin furniture to my collection next spring. Cheers,
Duane DottaWe are extremely pleased. If there is any picture that I haven't taken and you need one a special way, Don't hesitate to call or write. Max made everything easy for us, make sure he sees these pictures.
We realize that we cannot build every pergola in the world, so we've decided that we'll be the company that builds all the really nice pergolas in the world.
