Fiberglass vs Plastic Pergolas
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.
Fiberglass
* 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
Vinyl
* 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
Azek
* 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
Comparison Chart
| 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. |
Azek Pergola Fail
Mildew
This Azek pergola was poorly constructed. It experienced yellowing, excessive rot and sagging as a result of the manufacturer cutting corners.
Beams
This what the main structural support beam looked like when the Azek fell off and the remainder was removed.
Baldwin to the rescue!
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.
Testimonials
Mara CruzWe love it! Your assistance and patience during our installation was greatly appreciated.
Lynn and JimFirstly, the pergola is the focus of our garden and patio area. It succeeded in bringing it all together as we had hoped. The shade is more than ample. I do not believe that I would change any of the specs or proportions if I had a chance to alter the order. As you can see by the shot of our boys sitting on the steps, that it worked out marvelously... All in all, we have received tons of compliments. Your attention to detail and quality construction is to be commended. Given the intricacies of this project and the need for it to be assembled, areas which were tight and snug needed squeezing here and there, but that is all. I'll be in touch soon.
John MitchellThe finished pergola is stunning. We've already received many complements.
LisaHi Matt I just wanted to tell you how happy we are with the pavilion. The installers you sent today were wonderful. They did a fantastic job. It truly looks amazing! It's exactly what we wanted and we are so impressed with the quality of the structure. Thank you for the attention you gave to our project. It was a pleasure doing business with you. Thank you.
Charlotte LambertoMax, 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!
Pat and Joe PifkoTo Max and all the folks at Baldwin Pergolas who contributed to the creation and installation of our beautiful pergola - Thank you, thank you, thank you! Not only did you get the job done right on schedule and in time for our wedding, but the craftsmanship is impeccable. You are all very talented and deserving of great success.
Missy SiennaI thought I would share with you some of the photos I took tonight of the grape arbor! It looks beautiful--I almost hate to cover it with grapes!
Ralph DeFalcoHello Max and Matt, I ordered a pergola from you in 2013 and have been just delighted with it. Looks great and is very easy to maintain with an annual pressure wash. See the enclosed pic of the pergola in the 'Low Garden.'
Lynn & JimThe pergola is the focus of our garden and patio area. It succeeded in bringing it all together as we had hoped! The shade is more than ample. I do not believe that I would change any of the specs or proportions if I had a chance to alter the order. It worked out marvelously and have received tons of compliments! Your attention to detail and quality construction is to be commended. Thank you for a job well done.
Tim, Cathy, and Elizabeth.The Pergola looks wonderful! The arches came out great. This is exactly what we were looking for. We spent most of the day yesterday putting it together and finished late afternoon. It went together smoothly and everyone helped. We had fun setting it up. Thanks for spending the day with us and working with us through all of this. We love it!
"First, man defines his architecture. Forever after, his architecture defines him."
It's been a tremendous honor to design and build these fantastic structures for our customers. We look forward to upcoming challenges and the beauty they bless us with.
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