A pergola is a great place to relax throughout the year. You can sit and enjoy your backyard when the skies are clear, the sun is shining brightly, or even when it’s raining. However, the weather conditions can be harsh during hurricane season, especially if you live in areas prone to storms. For times like these, you must ensure your pergola is storm-ready. Here are some ways to check if your pergola is storm-ready or not.
Why You Should Care
When hurricanes strike, they bring along strong winds, heavy rain and flying projectiles that can damage your property and any structures that are left unprotected, including your pergola. Although pergolas look light and open, depending on the way they are built and maintained affects whether they would be able to withstand the storm pressure or collapse under it. Thus, preparing your pergola for hurricane season is a must.
Start With the Build
Every pergola has a different build. If yours was installed a long time back or came with your home, it might not meet today’s hurricane safety standards. You can get a new pergola installed, like aluminum and vinyl pergolas that are built to meet today’s hurricane safety standards. They are popular choices as they are rust resistant, don’t rot like wood and can handle tough weather conditions. If you are feeling confused about which material to choose for your home, you can get professional recommendations to gain more clarity. Pergola installers can inspect the pergola installation site and give recommendations accordingly.
Secure Everything
Before storm season begins, some preparations and inspections need to be done even for sturdy, high-quality pergolas. Here are a few simple steps you can take to secure your outdoor space:
- Remove accessories – While hanging plants, string lights and outdoor curtains add to the beauty of your outdoor space, they can turn into flying hazards during storms. Before hurricane season begins, store them indoors safely.
- Inspect the fasteners – Check the bolts and screws, ensure there are no signs of rust and they are tightly fastened. Loose fittings are often weak points during strong winds, which is why it’s essential to inspect all fasteners.
- Reinforce the structure – Your pergola can be strengthened more by using extra brackets and support beams. By reinforcing your outdoor structure ahead of time you can be worry-free knowing your pergola will remain safe and sturdy even in the toughest of storms.
Consider Getting a New Pergola
If you feel your existing pergola is not strong enough, then now is the right time to consider installing a new pergola. At 1st Choice Outdoors, we offer customized, durable pergolas that are designed especially for storm-prone areas. Our expert team is here to help you explore pergola options and provide recommendations based on your home’s unique needs. Get in touch with us today to talk about how we can help hurricane-proof your pergola in Cape Coral, FL, or make it into a safer, more secure model.
