Thinking ahead to the summer entertaining season: Does your outdoor cooking experience usually result in a sunburned neck? Do you have a habit of inadvertently scheduling parties that include rainfall, which leads to a quick scattering of guests toward the indoors? Now is the perfect time to look into adding the finishing touch and protect your outdoor kitchen with a pergola, cabana, or gazebo in Port Jefferson, NY. Not only will a permanent shelter enhance summer entertaining, but it will also protect your investment in an outdoor kitchen.
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Differences Between Shade Structures
A pergola is a permanent square or rectangular outdoor structure that’s made of an open roof supported only by four columns. A pergola is often freestanding, although it can also be attached to the house. The roofing grid is typically left open to allow for air circulation; this classic pergola style offers shade but no protection from the sun. If you want to add shelter from the rain, consider clear or tinted roofing. Or, for part-time weather protection, add a retractable awning. This solution gives you a cool, breezy space on hot days along with the flexibility to add rain shelter.
Gazebos have a solid roof and are rounded structures—either a completely round turret shape, hexagonal, or octagonal. A gazebo is open on all sides, but the solid roof provides shelter from sun and rain.
A cabana also features a solid roof. It is typically small in size, square or rectangular, and is partially enclosed using outdoor curtains on three sides.
Which Landscape Feature Should You Choose?
Since it’s possible to add roofing to a pergola, the main difference between a pergola, cabana, and gazebo is style.
Pergolas are stylish and elegant and can be constructed of wood, metal, or a combination of the two. Pergolas fit in with any architectural style. They add an inviting, almost Mediterranean flair to your outdoor space whether they are placed on an existing paver patio or they’re a stand-alone feature. They add a distinct sense of luxury. A pergola creates visual interest, especially if you add flowering vines and allow them to climb over the roof. A pergola can accommodate a ceiling fan for even more cooling. Add all-weather curtains or a trellis for even more sun protection and to give your pergola a romantic and sheltered appeal. Pergolas could be viewed as the most elegant solution for backyard weather protection.
Gazebos are widely associated with romance. Decorate a gazebo with string lights and hanging flower baskets, or add curtains for additional privacy. A gazebo can be simple or ornate, and tends to favor traditional architectural styles rather than modern. You will need a fairly large gazebo to comfortably house a well-functioning outdoor kitchen.
Cabanas could be the most fun option of the three when it comes to relaxed style. If you love the grass-roofed vibe of a beachfront tiki bar or the serenity of a luxury spa, you can adopt this style in your own backyard and enjoy a resort-like cooking experience. Cabanas are typically best suited for smaller kitchens or a simple grill/bar combination and look great next to suburban, rustic, or cottage homes.
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