Send us your plans and timeline. Give us a call to go over any concerns.
We'll generate some photos and drawings to advance the conversation.
Once we're on the right track, we will provide a proposal for your review.
We work with engineers around the country to accomplish the impossible.
We typically install our commercial pergolas to ensure perfect craftsmanship from start to finish.
Designed for assembly with minimal tools and experience
Intersections notched for strength, old world craftsmanship and ease of assembly
No exposed fasteners - Very clean fit and finish
Hollow members can conceal wires for lights and speakers, even water lines
We encourage you to reach out and see how we can advance your current project.
Gallery of recent projects
Curved Pergolas in New York
This was a challenging project at a high end apartment complex in New York.
Commercial Pergolas
Curved Baldwin Pergolas
Here you can see the challenge: Curved zero maintenance pergolas, one of which measuring one hundred feet in diameter! Then five other pergolas of a similar nature. Oh yea, we need them in three months.
Commercial Pergolas
Curved Baldwin Pergolas
The trick to this pergola was finding someone who could curve 4x10" aluminum beams to any radius, give or take 1/10th of an inch. It was a complex process annealing the beams and the logistics of getting it done double time, but with patience and perseverance, everything came together well within specification.
Commercial Pergolas
Curved Baldwin Pergolas
The rafters are all identical. The purlins are actually short sections of straight fiberglass 2x3 pultrusion. The entire structure is notched together which has become the Baldwin Pergolas trademark.
If it's exceptionally high quality, then you can be sure it's a Baldwin. We really don't know how to do it any other way.
Commercial Pergolas
Curved Baldwin Pergolas
The 10x10" square columns stand atop a 16" retaining wall with inner and outer one inch bevels, so there was no room for Tuscan style capitals and bases. After making solid PVC caps and bases out of palight, there was still no room for error. Pergolas must be geometrically perfect (square and plum), or they don't go together.
If you sweat the details early on, things don't get out of control.
Commercial Pergolas
Curved Baldwin Pergolas
Top level architects continually move the goal posts further and further away making it impossible to get by doing the same thing over and over. The pergola industry is cutting edge and that's the way we like it. What's next?
Commercial Pergolas
Curved Baldwin Pergolas
This one pergola has 750 purlins on it. Each one notched at a left angle and a right angle. Let's be careful not to mix them up, okay? The shadows from this pergola are amazing. The regional project manager said he'd never seen a nicer pergola. That was big.
Commercial Pergolas
Curved Baldwin Pergolas
The project called for two of these smaller curved pergolas. After spending some time installing this pergola it was nice to finally see the pool full of water and a family enjoying the day. Quoting Hannibal: "I love it when a plan comes together".
Commercial Pergolas
Curved Baldwin Pergolas
This pergola will host a seating area in front of a large outdoor fireplace. We allow 0.040" inch tolerance within our notches which makes space for the two coats of primer and paint. If the radii were off more then a sixteenth of an inch we would have a problem with no solution. That's faith in your subs.
Commercial Pergolas
Curved Baldwin Pergolas
We like this sort of project, so if you're interested in commissioning us to create a custom curved pergola, please don't hesitate. Pick up the phone and give us a call. We are eager to serve.
Diamond pergola
A large scale pergola
Commercial Pergolas
Diamond Pergola
This pergola is exceptional. The homeowners required a large scale pergola to match their large scale home and patio.
We wish there could have been some people in these photos to give them scale because everything you see is LARGE.
Commercial Pergolas
Diamond Pergola
We refer to this pergola as the diamond pergola because the columns are rotated 45 degrees from square, into a diamond configuration.
The columns are 14" x 14" squares with recessed panels. The beams are sets of 4x12" fiberglass pultrusion. The rafters are also 4" x 12" massives. We used our typical 2x3 purlins on the top layer, but laid them down for added visual weight.
Commercial Pergolas
Diamond Pergola
Notice how the railings bow outward? The patio is an elipse. The pergola matches the elliptical shape by varying the rafter lengths.
Commercial Pergolas
Diamond Pergola
When we were on our first visit to the site owner Max Baldwin dig a charcoal rubbing of the architectural detail above the windows of the home. The rubbing was used to create these keystones.
Commercial Pergolas
Diamond Pergola
We have our beams manufactured with upward crown so that the weight of the pergola is more likely to straighten the beam than cause the beam to sag. That's a 20' free-span.
Commercial Pergolas
Diamond Pergola
We cherish projects like this because they allow us to use our artistic abilities. This project displays our craft and it's potential.
Marriott Pergola
This is the Grande Dunes pergola in Myrtle Beach
Commercial Pergolas
Grande Dunes
You want an 12'x88' pergola that's 8' tall connected to a 20'x24' pergola that's 10' tall? Sure, no problem. Max flew down there, took some measurements and voila! A custom solution.
Commercial Pergolas
Grande Dunes
When Max Baldwin was young many jobs were being lost to Japan and overseas competition. He made up his patriotic mind to work harder and better than his peers in hopes of preserving American pride and our Americam way of life. Ironically he studied Japanese architecture, Japanese furniture design and Japanese joinery.
Does this pergola remind you of a Japanese temple?
Commercial Pergolas
Grande Dunes
How do you like those apples?
You can't get that at Walmart.
Commercial Pergolas
Grande Dunes
When building cedar pergolas, we offer a choice of lumber grades: Clear or Knotty. Our Architectural knotty second growth Western Red Cedar comes from planted trees. These trees may be 60-80 years of age. Our clear grade of cedar is typically cut from tree which are between 1000 and 2000 years old. We're not really proud of that, but certain jobs require certain materials. This pergola will last fifty years or more, even on the Atlantic Ocean.
Commercial Pergolas
Grande Dunes
It's all about shade and architecture.
We've got that.
Collegiate Pergola
This job provided some challenges. Three pergolas in total each with a special twist.
Baldwin Fiberglass Pergolas
Collegiate Pergola 1&2
We were provided with an architects conceptual drawing showing a "soon to be built"
student center. The layout was circular and was radiating from the buildings lobby.
Max Baldwin scaled the drawing and create a working CAD model. Each rafter would
radiate at the appropriate angle.
Baldwin Fiberglass Pergolas
Collegiate Pergola 1&2
Our rafters notch down over the tops of the beams. In this case, the beams were positioned
at angles, so we notched each rafter at a unique angle, as required to create the
semi-circle. This photo shows one of the pergolas laid out on the floor while the
other pergola is upside down on the work bench.
Baldwin Fiberglass Pergolas
Collegiate Pergola 1&2
There you see one of the pergolas framing an outdoor fireplace. I wonder if the architect
noticed that we create a Hexastyle structure. Hexastyle: Having six frontal columns
in the pergola, as in some Greek temples. [Greek hexastūlos, having six columns
in front.
Baldwin Fiberglass Pergolas
Collegiate Pergola 3
This is the Commencement Pergola where graduation ceremonies take place. It's 20'
deep and 60' wide and needs to repel water. Our first design incorporated a pitched
roof with fabric, but was beyond the budget restrictions.
Baldwin Fiberglass Pergolas
Collegiate Pergola 3
We hired an awning shop to create a massive cover with grommets every four feet.
We then fastened special twisting grommet fittings to the top of the pergola. The
real challenge was designing the beams to withstand the anticipated weight of the
fabric, wind and water.
Baldwin Fiberglass Pergolas
Collegiate Pergola 3
Within the 2x8 beams are arched steel support assemblies designed like large leaf
springs which supply constant upward support to the long spans. These sort of challenges
drive us crazy and drive us forward simultaneously. Beaubian construction did the
installation and reported back a full success.
Details which make Baldwin the obvious choice
Why Baldwin?
Our planning and design team
Max Baldwin and Matt Crescimano have worked for decades manufacturing and installing
pergolas. These are NOT your typical salespeople. All of our "hands-on" experience
plays to your advantage as we can foresee potential issues!
Why Baldwin?
The materials we use
You will not find any hollow plastic capitals and bases here. Everything we do is
with the highest quality materials which are intended to last generations and longer.
Our resin cast parts are thick, heavy and dense: Like stone. There is no reason
to play around with cheap materials.
Why Baldwin?
Our rafter tails
All fiberglass pergola manufacturers that we know of add a block of foam to the ends of a square fiberglass board. We put the foam on the inside then cut the profile with a diamond coated router bit. This technique is far superior because our rafter tails are orders of magnitude stronger and don't get damaged in shipping or installation.
Why Baldwin?
Their rafter tails
All fiberglass pergola manufacturers that we know of add a block of foam to the ends of a square fiberglass board. We put the foam on the inside then cut the profile with a diamond coated router bit. This technique is far superior because our rafter tails are orders of magnitude stronger and don't get damaged in shipping or installation.
Notice where the foam stops and the fiberglass tube starts? This is a very weak way to build. Not good.
Why Baldwin?
Strongest mounting system
Max Baldwin and company pioneered the industry accepted column mounting system which
uses threaded rods to connect columns to slabs or concrete footings. We use 5/8"
inch diameter threaded rods to basically bolt the column to the concrete. In this
case, the bolt is over eight feet long!
Why Baldwin?
Stainless Steel Hardware
We use only stainless steel hardware in our pergolas. It costs more, but we don't
make second rate pergolas. If it's not perfect, it's not a Baldwin.
Why Baldwin?
Notched intersections
We carefully design and notch our pergolas to make the structure more beautiful,
stronger and easier to assemble. You just match the notches up and it slides together.
No measuring is required.
Why Baldwin?
More shade
We space our fiberglass rafters and purlins 20" inches on center. Online only pergolas
are typically 24" on center. Our rafters are a true 2x8 which means that they are
actually 2" inches by 8" inches on the tape measure.
Why Baldwin?
Concealed wires
All of our components at hollow which means running wires within the parts is not
hard to do. Doing this after the pergola is complete is almost impossible, so be
sure to plan ahead and coordinate your lighting plans with our design team.
Why Baldwin?
Color selection
We use Sherwin Williams industrial grade exterior paints and there are no restrictions
to your color selection. In each case, we purchase screw caps to match your preferred
color of paint. Our pergolas are built with a designers eye for quality. You will
see nothing that is not eye pleasing.
Options - Decisions you will need to make when ordering
Options
Attached or Freestanding?
Our typical attached pergola consists of a set of main beams running parallel to
the house as well as a ledger that connects to the side of your the house. They
require less columns, less footings and ultimately a lower price tag. Freestanding
pergolas are more popular.
Options
Depth and width
Our pergolas are available in standard sizes for ease of pricing, but we can custom
tailor the size of your pergola down to the exact inch you require. Our order
form makes this simple, but you'll need to tell us exactly where you want the
centers of your columns. The best way to do this is to place pots or plates where
the columns will be. Measure. Custom drawings will be created for your review
and approval. 10" inch round and square columns have 13" inch base trim. 12"
inch diameter columns have 15 1/2" base trim.
Options
Height
We encourage our customers to design short pergolas because they provide more shade.
A perfect height is seven and a half to eight feet. Many projects require taller
columns for a variety of reasons. The taller the pergola, the more stress on
the columns and footings, so we require any pergola over eight feet tall be built
with 12" diameter columns and larger footings.
The pergola in this picture needed to be very tall to preserve the views from the
house and the scale of the house was large, so this pergola was a perfect fit!
Options
Choice of column size and shape
Your columns can be round or square. Typically, if your house already has columns,
the pergola is designed to share that architectural detail. In recent years,
square columns have been gaining in popularity. Recessed panels are an option
if you choose square columns. Flutes are an option if you choose round columns.
If a pergola is larger then 180 square feet, large columns are recommended.
Options
Column Capitals
Almost all of our customers choose the Tuscan style capital and base as their preferred
order of architecture because it has a clean, simple, somewhat modern look. On
occasion someone might desire a more formal or distinctive architecture. Most
popular among the many choices are the Ionic, the Corinthian and the Composite.
The Composite combines the architecture of the Ionic and the Corinthian.
Options
Rafter tails
The cut on the rafter tail determines the architectural style of the pergola. Years
ago everyone chose the Baldwin style. Last year everyone chose the Windsor style.
Maybe 2015 will be the year of the Kensington rafter tail? If you would like
a custom rafter tail, we can do that, just send a drawing or a photo. We'll design
an proof and once you approve it, it's yours. We use diamond coated router bits
and a computer controlled router to make the cuts, so they all come out exactly
the same.
Options
Color
White is the default color for pergolas. White is the classic color. Look at the
ancient temples of Rome and Greece: White. Banks, universities, courts, municipalities,
churches: White, most especially white when examining the columns, capitals and
bases. Above that you have beams, rafters and purlins which might be a color
to match your home or trim colors. It's your canvas so you get to decide how
you want your pergola. All fiberglass pergolas get painted at the factory. White
is the default color and the cost of the paint job is included in the price.
A custom color adds 5% to the project.
Options
Copper Flashing
Its the finer details that distinguish a fine home. Baldwin Pergolas allows one
to make that distinction with subtle copper flashing. Historically the columns
were made of wood and their tops required protection from rain and sun. A sheet
of copper would be custom bent to protect the capital. Only a quart inch of flashing
can be seen from ground level, but for people that care about architecture and
appreciate craftsmanship, this flashing seals the deal.
Options
Installation
Our pergolas were specifically designed to make installation easy. If a task can
be done at the factory, it gets done at the factory. After completing thousands
of installations, we can confidently say that no job is every easy. Unexpected
site conditions are the primary reason. We bring every tool known to man and
use most of them during the installation. You will see installation service on
the order form, but it is only available if you live within 100 miles of our
factory located in 06457, excepting special conditions.
Options
Shade systems
Overhead fabric sun-shades have become more and more popular in recent years. Our
preferred shade consists of one large sheet of fabric which extends and retracts.
More information is available in our Shade Systems section of the web site.
Terminology
Footing: A concrete anchor which holes the pergola to the earth. They
need to be deeper than the front line, but also large enough and deep enough to hold
the pergola to the Earth during a strong wind. Footing size should never be less the
42" deep and 12" diameter.
Pier: This in a small stone wall on which a pergola can be mounted.
The pier is always supported by a footing or a concrete slab.
Column: Our columns are hollow, cast fiberglass, vertical supports which
and load bearing. They stand atop the footing or pier and support the pergola. At the
top of the column is the capital. At the bottom is the base.
Main Beams: The beam which sits atop the columns and supports the rafters.
The main beams consist of a set of two parallel 2x8's which are spaced 5" apart. The
beams are hollow and may contain wires for lights or speakers. Some beams are built
to conceal water lines as well.
Rafters: These are the primary shade creating members make up the pergola.
They are 2" thick by 8" tall. They notch down over the main beams and support the purlins
Purlins: These make up the top layer of the pergola. Each purlin measures
2" thick by 3" tall. They notch down over the rafters and keep the rafters in a perfect
grid.
Overhang: This is the distance from the center of a column to the tip
of the rafter or purlin.
Spans and height limits
We specially manufacture our fiberglass members to include a subtle upward curve, otherwise known as a crown. This allows us to span greater distances without any sagging of parts. Extreme spans require engineering and custom solutions such as internal aluminum reinforcement or other advanced techniques.
Spans are measured from center of footing to center of footing. Often the design calls
for large open spans so a beautiful view can be unobstructed. This causes two design
concerns: The beam must be built in such a way that it can support the weight of
the rafters and purlins without sagging. The larger concern is this: The wind loading
of the entire pergola must be divided by the number of columns. Fewer columns means
more stress on each column. We solve this wide span problem by placing two columns
close together on either end of the span.
Especially large spans and commercial projects call for our massive 4" x 12" fiberglass beams. We use them in sets of two, so the resulting beam is tremendous. These are also crowned and a single beam can receive over 1000 pounds of load and still have a gentle upward crown! We often use them on projects just for the visual effect, so please be sure to ask us about our large beams. They are not an option on the web site pricing tool yet.
Height is also a structural concern because each column has mechanical advantage like
a lever. When you apply ten pounds of force to the side of the top, you exert eight
times that amount of force to the bottom, assuming that the column is eight feet
tall. If the column is ten feet tall, then the stress at the bottom is ten times
greater then the initial ten pounds. Our typical offerings are designed to endure
high winds, but large residential pergolas and commercial jobs may require engineering.
These are things which get discussed.
Easy Shade Canopy
Our easy shade system work very well with our fiberglass pergolas. We have a entire
page of information about the Easy Shade system which you can link to here. The
information on this page is specific to combining an Easy Shade system with a Baldwin
Fiberglass Pergola.
The Easy Shade has a main, central beam which wants to be centered and run perpendicular
to the rafters. When you order a pergola with a shade system, we create three of
your rafters with lumber inside which allows one to attach the mono beam securely.
The fabric is hung from cross-bars which roll back and forth within the centered
mono beam. We restrict each end of the cross bar from being blown upward with shade
rails. These shade rails attach to the inner face of the main beams. If your pergola
is attached to your house, then the inner shade rail is attached to the bottoms
of the rafters. By lowering the outermost shade rail, we can get rainwater to flow
away from the house.
The pergola ordering process
Measure
Determine where you want the center of your columns. Measure distance in width
and depth. Determine how much overhang you would like on each side. Overhang
is measured from the center of the post to the tip of the rafter or purlin.
Our standard overhand is 24” inches. Rafter length is your depth from center of column to
center of column plus your front and rear overhangs. Purlin length is your width from
center of column to center of column plus your left and right overhangs. Consider height and sight
lines. Remember, short pergolas give more shade under the pergola. Consider
the time of day you will use your pergola and the angle of the sun at that
time. We'll be better able to assist you if you take a few photos and send them to us.
Go online
We have an online pergola pricing tool you can use to configure your pergola.
When you are using the pricing tool, you will need to select your options such
as: The cut on the ends of the beams and rafters, column size and type, color,
fabric color.
The pergola pricing tool will give you a price for the pergola, your electrical
options, drapery and even a trucking quote. It’s easy to modify your pergola
until it is exactly what you desire. You can feel comfortable using this no
dicker, always accurate pricing tool. We do reserve the right to adjust prices
due to lumber costs without notice.
If the pergola you desire cannot be built using our system, please enter the
pergola as closely as possible then describe what you would like done differently
in the notes section. You can also call our sales team during business hours
at 800 344-5103x1 and they will do all of this for you.
When you are pleased with your pergola and are ready to talk to one of our designers,
click the “Submit information” button. Your data gets sent to us.
On our side
We review your pergola choices and call you to answer any questions you might
have. We suggest making changes that would either make your pergola more useful
or more beautiful, but we also look for ways to reduce the lead time and your
cost.
Deposit then Drawings
Along the way you can request an elevation drawing of the front, back, or either side so you can see what pergola will look like. Based on this visual, you may request changes. We adjust your file and explain the change in price. We also create another visual for your approval. We do require a 50% deposit before working plans are created. When you get your plans, you confirm every detail and we begin production.
Scheduling & Logistics
During production you may get a call or email from the production team asking
about your ceiling fan height or what color light switches you want. When the
pergola kit is complete, we require final payment before shipping. If you are
within 300 miles, we offer you our in-house, white glove delivery service.
Other then that, we use Yellow Freight as our over the road trucking company.
Installation
Baldwin Pergolas are designed to be very easy to put together, but there are
still difficult aspects such as using a level to determine the lengths of the
posts, cutting the posts to length, drilling the concrete and anchoring the
mounting brackets. If this sounds like more then you want to do, we may be able to suggest experienced pergola installers in your area.
Pricing chart
Use the following chart as a guideline to learn what a Baldwin fiberglass pergola
might cost. More precise pricing can be found by designing your pergola using
our custom pergola pricing tool. See Pricing link below.
Pricing of freestanding fiberglass pergolas with four columns:
* Note: These pergolas include 10" inch diameter round columns. All other columns
are 12" round.
Testimonials
Thank you my friend, we just got done with the big pergola, it took longer to run the wires than it did to put the pergola together. It is freakin sweet Max, oh and by the way Deana Martin, Dean's daughter lives next door we did a three story add on for them but she said it looks spectacular. Thanks again Max, I'll be sending some pics.
Jeff Veasman
The pergola looks great!
Nathan Mroz
These columns are beautiful. They'd look great in any setting, no matter how splendid. Thank you!
Tim Aurthur
There is still landscaping to do but I thought you would like to see the completed pergola on location. The quality and packing were quite excellent and I've received rave reviews about the pergola from neighbors.
Minh Vu
Max, it does look spectacular in the evenings. One of these days, I'll try for a night photo that shows it off.
John Mitchell
We couldn't be happier. My wisteria is going up the columns, and its just stunning. We removed the trees and its just stunning. Thank you so much for all your time and hard work. Sincerely,
Lyra V.
I 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!
Wendy Neese
Greetings! Attached are photos of our Baldwin Pergola which we love. We are very happy. Here are photos showing what it looks like when we hang the colored sheets up for added shade - very festive and inexpensive.
Thank you again!
Sonja Hansen and Dennis Szabaday in Nashua, NH
As a cabinetmaker and woodworker, I send you kudos on your system, the communication that we've had, the quality of the product. It's a pretty simple kit that arrived and it installs just about as easily as your website suggests. On a personal level, it's really cool to make connections with other people that have the same sense of pride in their work. This stuff is as much about service as it is product.
Jeff Riddell
Max, Thought you'd like to see the finished product. We are extremely pleased with our new pergola, and enjoy it almost every evening. Thank you, and have yourself a great rest of the summer!
Charlotte Lamberto
"First, man defines his architecture. Forever after, his architecture defines him."
