Nothing calls to mind romantic summer nights more than watching the sunset, drink in hand, under a beautiful, vine-draped pergola. Pergolas, or overhead arbors, are typically freestanding, though they can be attached to a structure such as your home or other building. While it is not necessary to cover them with greenery, they are traditionally adorned with flowering vines or hanging plants.

A pergola adds visual interest and can define the space of your outdoor entertaining area. Depending on the spacing, width and angle of the rafters, your pergola can also offer some shade. Additional protection from the elements can be had by adding outdoor fabric or lattice to the sides or even the top of the pergola. Today, manufacturers have extended the usage of pergolas even further by incorporating retractable canopies into their design. These shade pergolas can be designed to cover large areas, giving them many applications for commercial properties, outdoor cafes, seating areas at marinas and golf courses, senior living facilities and other large-scale locations where patrons seek sun, shade or protection, but are still affordable for the private homeowner. Shade pergolas give outdoor environments the best of all possible worlds – a traditional look with a retractable awning that is waterproof, windproof and fade resistant.

So if you like the look of a romantic Italian villa, love the smell of climbing roses or honeysuckle, or simply want to add a distinctive look to your outdoor entertaining space, a pergola may be the right choice for you.