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.
Joe HollandThe Pergola is GREAT! What a difference it makes to the house ... inside and out. The height (for this sized Pergola) seems like it is matched up perfectly. The effect is a room outside the house. Let's see how many 'Wow's' we get Friday night. You should have left some of your business cards. My daughter (Sarah) loved the butterfly joint!
Sonja Hansen and Dennis Szabaday in Nashua, NHGreetings! 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!
Tom PetrelliIt is awesome.
Douglas RoseFinished pergola is beautiful. Neighbors have commented very positively. View of yard from inside the pergola is difficult to describe. Can 'look through' the pergola lattices, but also 'look' out the 'windows' onto the garden. Very three-dimensional experience. One neighbor said that if he lived in our house, he would sit and read every day in the pergola.
Monica NakelskiAs I mentioned to you, we never thought we would be discussing another pergola within 7 years but it is a testament to the quality of your product and service that we did not even consider contacting anyone else. Should we ever build another house, it will be pergola #3 ! Thanks again
Dan HarmonMax - i'm forwarding you some pics of the assembled pergola for (address). I am very pleased with how it came out, and all of the friends and neighbors who have seen it have given it rave reviews.
Steve and Rhea SchappacherWe love our house and greatly enjoy the pergola. Every evening is spent under our new outdoor room that the pergola has created. A few photographers have already approached us for use in magazines, I think we will wait until all work has been completed and when the landscape grows in more. All the best, Steve
Calvin and Elizabeth GoodrichChari, Thanks so much for working with us yesterday! My father dropped the chairs off to our home in Ri yesterday, and this morning we sat out there drinking our coffee discussing future home projects. Just wanted to share a photo of the chairs on our porch. While our porch is not quite completed, lattice, some garden work etc, the products we bought make our home that much nicer of a place to be and relax! Thanks again and have a happy Memorial Day!!
Joseph and Kathleen MulcahyThe pergola looks great, dont you think. I'm really glad everything worked out so well and appreciate that you worked so hard to deliver on time. The system installed well, it took only 7 hours working alone. And, my customer is pleased.
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.
