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.
Lynn TempleThank you Max! You and your team are awesome and we are proud to have a "new" Baldwin Pergola!
Troy GordonThe guys just left and the pergola looks great! Thanks so much! ... The guys were great and everything looks super!
John MitchellI was worried that the joints would swell and be difficult to assemble in the rain. I had very little difficulty. They went together very well. The workmanship on the parts was excellent.
Lynne HanrahanThe construction went flawlessly. Everything fit together perfectly, we didn't have to "tap" one purlin or rafter into place, they just seemed to fit. Thank you for all the help and instruction. We absolutely love, love, love it. It seems to fit perfectly on our patio and I know that we will enjoy it for many years to come. We would do this again in a heartbeat! I'm sending you pictures of the process and the finished product.
Steve FlintI set this up by myself in two days (using sawhorses to brace the uprights) and although I'm reasonably handy, I'm no carpenter! All in all it was an excellent experience and my hat's off to you for being able to construct and ship such a good kit. Even considering the shipping costs, there is no way we could have purchased lumber and paid people to construct something like this for the same money. We're considering doing another identical unit in the opposite corner of our courtyard. Well done. And good luck in this economy!
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.
Joe and Pat PifkoYou are wonderful! The pergola is spectacular, and we are thrilled. We promise to send pictures of wedding guests enjoying our new "outside room." Thanks again.
Glenn Scott of ArizonaAgain I would like to say thanks, dealing with you has been a distinct pleasure. In my line of work it is really refreshing to know there are honest reputable people still around.
Lyra V.We couldn't be happier. My wisteria is going up the columns, and its just stunning. We removed the trees and its just stunning. Thank you so much for all your time and hard work. Sincerely,
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.
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.
