Our Fiberglass Pergolas has become, hands down, our most popular item.
Main benefits of the Baldwin Fiberglass Pergolas:
* Constructed with fiberglass, stainless steel, copper flashing and aluminum plate
* Will last for decades with or without bi-annual cleaning
* Fully customizable to any size rectangle or square
* Designed for assembly with minimal tools and experience
* Intersections notched for strength, old world craftsmanship and ease of assembly
* No exposed fasteners - Very clean fit and finish
* Hollow members can conceal wires for lights and speakers, even water lines
Attached Pergola
Site Layout and Dimensions
The homeowners relayed measurements to us via email and we used that information
to create the working plans. From there a footing layout was determined and footings were poured. Once in place the footings serve to anchor the pergola's structural fiberglass columns providing rigid base for the interlocking rafters and purlins.
Column Mounting Surfaces
Typically attached pergolas require a concrete footing or slab to support the columns. In some cases they can be mounted directly to a deck.
PPG Coatings
The white pergola works well with the existing trim and outdoor decor. We use
a hard semi-gloss PPG coating that repels dirt and soot. Our high quality PPG coatings are available in custom colors!
Custom Connection Methods
This attached pergola was the perfect addition to this client's home. It provides a semi-covered area for entertaining guests while maintaining open space. This pergola utilizes a unique design to attach to the home, the ledger board is not carried the full width of the pergola and doesn't obstruct the masonry. Instead ledger blocks are fastened directly to the masonry wall providing a seamless look.
Baldwin Fiberglass Pergolas
Custom Rafter Outsets
Our experienced design team can make any pergola look just right! In this case custom rafter offsets were calculated to avoid carrying the ledger beyond the house in order to produce an integrated aesthetic.
Custom Pergola With In-Beam Lighting
We Do Custom
This pergola is custom from top to bottom and features our exclusive massive 4x12" double beams.
We Do Custom In-Beam Lighting
Our custom in-beam lighting was designed and developed in-house and offers a lighting option when sconces just won't work. Our lighting is concealed between our double beams and provides a truly clean aesthetic.
We Do Custom Colors
We use highly durable PPG industrial coatings that are available in any color. Pigments can be matched perfectly with a with a spectrophotometer.
We Do Style
Our in-house design team is equipped with decades of experience and will settle for nothing less than perfect. We won't rest until you are completely satisfied.
We Do Deadlines
No matter the deadline or challenges that arise on a project we do our best to get the job done on schedule. We DO NOT cut corners and we DO NOT stop working until the job is done right.
Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor Kitchen
Enjoy your and impress your guests summer with a beautiful custom pergola by Baldwin!
Outdoor Kitchen
This freestanding pergola provides cover for a custom outdoor kitchen and is perfect for entertaining guests all summer long!
Outdoor Kitchen
At Baldwin custom colors are never a problem and we use only the best coatings available. Our AquaCron 200 is manufactured by industry leader PPG and will last for years to come.
Outdoor Kitchen
When it comes to low maintainance the fiberglass is the clear choice. Fiberglass is extremely durable and doesn't require regular refinishing.
Outdoor Kitchen
Here at Baldwin we know luxury. Whether your dream pergola is large or small Baldwin's got you covered. Call us today for a free design consultation with our expert design team.
Pergola notched around fireplace
Pergola notched around fireplace Pergola
Square columns have become very popular recently. In 2014 many of our customers requested square columns with recessed panels. It's a bit more formal and detailed. I think we all want to differnciate our style from anothers style. At Baldwin's we encourage that sort of thing.
Pergola notched around fireplace Pergola
I really like the beefiness of the 10x10 columns as they stand upon the stone wall. A pergolas job it to create a sense of security. The columns appear to be doing their jobs well.
Pergola notched around fireplace Pergola
Our client sent careful measurements to our designer and we were happy to customize the pergola top to accomodate the fireplace. Baldwin Pergolas are geometric. They only go together one way. The design stage is important.
Pergola notched around fireplace Pergola
Baldwin Pergolas started as an outdoor furniture company in 1986. We've sold about a thousand market umbrellas and of those about 950 were Hunter Green - like this shade system. The shades are available in almost a millions colors, so you get exactly what you setting calls for.
Pergola notched around fireplace Pergola
You design it. We built it. 30 days is all it takes.*
Pergola notched around fireplace Pergola
This is a different pergola, but was added here because of its similarities. In this
case the rafter was severed and fit into the stonework to create the illusion that
the rafter passes through the fireplace. Also notice that the top layer, the purlins,
are cedar with a semi transparent white wash. These were also customized for the
fireplace.
Freestanding Pool Pergola
Freestanding Pool Pergola
These homeowners embody the American dream coming true. The gentleman is a retired
banker who now builds homes for needy folks by way of the Habitat For Humanity
organization. He created this patio then Called Baldwins for the pergola which
we installed.
Freestanding Pool Pergola
A year later we went back and added an Easy Shade Overhead Canopy. The shade system
is supported by a central aluminum rail with roller bearings inside. Because there
is only one support, the shade cannot bind as it extends and retracts. The motion
is fluid. We like that it can be locked at any point along the way by tightening
the pull handle clockwise.
Freestanding Pool Pergola
There's a good feeling associated with selling high quality products. The customers
are happy and the feeling spreads. We are blessed with rewarding, productive occupations
here. We're happy to be a part of our customers successes. We didn't make this
shade system, but we were careful to select the highest quality shade system to
supply to our customers.
Freestanding Pool Pergola
The square columns with recessed panels are distinctive. The ones in the photo are
8" x 8". There is a boarder all around the recess which must always be considered
and never overlooked. If this pergola were to be built on an uneven surface, then
these columns would have to be special ordered and cut to exact lengths at the
factory in Chicago. These cuts allow the perimeter around the recesses to be consist ant
among the columns.
Freestanding Pool Pergola
Without the pergola, the patio would not appear nearly as inviting. Pergolas were
all the rage during the victorian era of the late nineteenth century. Around the
1920's the "Naturalist" movement gained popularity among garden designers and most
garden structures were removed. With all we've learned about the damaging rays
of the sun, I don't think we'll be repeating that bit of history.
Freestanding Pool Pergola
Thank you in advance for allowing us to work with you and create beautiful backyard
structures. It honors us to be a part of your project. Thank you, Max Baldwin and
company.
Angled pergola, custom shade
Angled pergola, custom shade
Expert designer George Stumpf led the design process by meeting with us on site. We considered
an attached pergola but ended up with a tall freestanding pergola.
Angled pergola, custom shade
The design is the fun part. Balancing all the potential pros and cons of each concept
takes time, but the results are always worth the effort.
Anytime a pergola is taller than eight feet, we pretty much insist that you go with the 12" diameter or larger columns. Things need to be kept if proportion for appearance as well as for structural reasons. See our Spans section below.
Angled pergola, custom shade
We drew the location of each column on the stamped concrete patio. We set up our laser
level and took elevations. We documented the overhangs and gutters then drew up a
master site plan, on paper.
Angled pergola, custom shade
The challenge was designing the shade system to meet the clients criteria: All the
patio must be shaded. We solved this problem with the triangular section of fabric.
Our fabric shop did an amazing job.
Angled pergola, custom shade
Because of the height of the pergola and the scale of the job, we suggested using the
massive 4" x 12" fiberglass beams. The cut is called Windsor. These are Tuscan style
capitals.
Angled pergola, custom shade
Installation lasted two or three days. In the end, what matters most, is that the criteria
was met and the clients were pleased.
Details Make Baldwin the Obvious Choice
Why Baldwin?
Our Planning and Design Team
Max Baldwin founded Baldwin Pergolas over 30 years ago and is considered a leading expert in the industry. With decades of experience you can count on Baldwin to get the job done right the first time! At Baldwin we care and we have an experienced design and sales team that is prepared to guide you through the process of creating your perfect pergola. Mike Hurlburt is our project manager and is ready to help you design and build your dream pergola TODAY!
Why Baldwin?
Our Materials
All of our columns are high density FRP fiberglass and will last for generations. Our competitors use high density foam or hollow plastic column capitals and bases. We do not. Rather, we use the same high density FRP that is found in our columns to ensure durability and longevity.
Why Baldwin?
Our Rafter Tails
Our rafter tails are precision crafted by utilizing cutting edge CNC technology.
Why Baldwin?
Their Rafter Tails
Many of our competitors employ a substandard rafter tail design. They achieve their rafter tails by attaching countoured block of foam to a square cut fiberglass tube. We epoxy high density polyurethane foam inside of our fiberglass pultrusions and then precisely cut our contours directly into the fiberglass with a CNC machine.
Why Baldwin?
Our Tie-Downs
Max Baldwin and company pioneered the industry standard column mounting system which
uses threaded rods to tie down columns to slabs or concrete footings. We use 5/8"
inch diameter stainless steel threaded rods that attach at the footing, run the length of the column and are fastened to a structural aluminum assembly at the top of the column. Each threaded rod provides approximately 6000lbs of downward force to prevent uplift.
Why Baldwin?
Stainless Steel Hardware
We use only stainless steel hardware in our pergolas because we believe in using the highest quality materials available. If it's not perfect, it's not a Baldwin.
Why Baldwin?
Notched Intersections
We carefully design and notch our pergolas to make the structure more beautiful,
stronger and easier to assemble. You just match the notches up and it slides together.
No measuring is required.
Why Baldwin?
More Shade
We offer a variety of options from canopy shade systems to vertical curtains.
Why Baldwin?
Concealed Wires
All of our fiberglass pultrusions and columns are hollow and act as conduit allowings us to conceal any and all wiring. Please be sure to coordinate your lighting, A/V and other electrical needs in advance with one of our design consultants.
Why Baldwin?
Color selection
We use PPG industrial grade exterior paints and we are able to match any color. In each case, we purchase screw caps to match your preferred
color of paint. Our pergolas are built with a designers eye for quality and none of our fasteners are exposed.
Options - Decisions you will need to make when ordering
Options
Attached or Freestanding?
Our typical attached pergola consists of a set of main beams running parallel to
the house as well as a ledger that connects to the side of your the house. They
require less columns, less footings and ultimately a lower price tag. Freestanding
pergolas are more popular.
Options
Depth and width
Our pergolas are available in standard sizes for ease of pricing, but we can custom
tailor the size of your pergola down to the exact inch you require. Our order
form makes this simple, but you'll need to tell us exactly where you want the
centers of your columns. The best way to do this is to place pots or plates where
the columns will be. Measure. Custom drawings will be created for your review
and approval. 10" inch round and square columns have 13" inch base trim. 12"
inch diameter columns have 15 1/2" base trim.
Options
Height
We encourage our customers to design short pergolas because they provide more shade.
A perfect height is seven and a half to eight feet. Many projects require taller
columns for a variety of reasons. The taller the pergola, the more stress on
the columns and footings, so we require any pergola over eight feet tall be built
with 12" diameter columns and larger footings.
The pergola in this picture needed to be very tall to preserve the views from the
house and the scale of the house was large, so this pergola was a perfect fit!
Options
Choice of column size and shape
Your columns can be round or square. Typically, if your house already has columns,
the pergola is designed to share that architectural detail. In recent years,
square columns have been gaining in popularity. Recessed panels are an option
if you choose square columns. Flutes are an option if you choose round columns.
If a pergola is larger then 180 square feet, large columns are recommended.
Options
Column Capitals
Almost all of our customers choose the Tuscan style capital and base as their preferred
order of architecture because it has a clean, simple, somewhat modern look. On
occasion someone might desire a more formal or distinctive architecture. Most
popular among the many choices are the Ionic, the Corinthian and the Composite.
The Composite combines the architecture of the Ionic and the Corinthian.
Options
Rafter tails
The cut on the rafter tail determines the architectural style of the pergola. Years
ago everyone chose the Baldwin style. Last year everyone chose the Windsor style.
Maybe 2015 will be the year of the Kensington rafter tail? If you would like
a custom rafter tail, we can do that, just send a drawing or a photo. We'll design
an proof and once you approve it, it's yours. We use diamond coated router bits
and a computer controlled router to make the cuts, so they all come out exactly
the same.
Options
Color
White is the default color for pergolas. White is the classic color. Look at the
ancient temples of Rome and Greece: White. Banks, universities, courts, municipalities,
churches: White, most especially white when examining the columns, capitals and
bases. Above that you have beams, rafters and purlins which might be a color
to match your home or trim colors. It's your canvas so you get to decide how
you want your pergola. All fiberglass pergolas get painted at the factory. White
is the default color and the cost of the paint job is included in the price.
A custom color adds 5% to the project.
Options
Copper Flashing
Its the finer details that distinguish a fine home. Baldwin Pergolas allows one
to make that distinction with subtle copper flashing. Historically the columns
were made of wood and their tops required protection from rain and sun. A sheet
of copper would be custom bent to protect the capital. Only a quart inch of flashing
can be seen from ground level, but for people that care about architecture and
appreciate craftsmanship, this flashing seals the deal.
Options
Installation
Our pergolas were specifically designed to make installation easy. If a task can
be done at the factory, it gets done at the factory. After completing thousands
of installations, we can confidently say that no job is every easy. Unexpected
site conditions are the primary reason. We bring every tool known to man and
use most of them during the installation. You will see installation service on
the order form, but it is only available if you live within 100 miles of our
factory located in 06457, excepting special conditions.
Options
Shade systems
Overhead fabric sun-shades have become more and more popular in recent years. Our
preferred shade consists of one large sheet of fabric which extends and retracts.
More information is available in our Shade Systems section of the web site.
Terminology
Footing: A concrete anchor which holds the pergola to the earth. They
need to be deeper than the frost line, but also large enough and deep enough to hold
the pergola to the Earth during a strong wind. Footing size should never be less the
42" deep and 12" diameter.
Pier: This in a stone wall on which a pergola can be mounted.
The pier is always supported by a footing or a concrete slab.
Column: Our columns are hollow, cast fiberglass, vertical supports which
anr load bearing. They stand atop the footing or pier and support the pergola. At the
top of the column is the capital. At the bottom is the base.
Main Beams: The beam which sits atop the columns and supports the rafters.
The main beams consist of a set of two parallel 2x8's which are spaced 5" apart. The
beams are hollow and may contain wires for lights or speakers. Some beams are built
to conceal water lines as well.
Rafters: These are the primary shade creating members that make up the pergola.
They are 2" thick by 8" tall. They notch down over the main beams and support the purlins
Purlins: These make up the top layer of the pergola. Each purlin measures
2" thick by 3" tall. They notch down over the rafters and keep the rafters in a perfect
grid.
Overhang: This is the distance from the center of a column to the tip
of the rafter or purlin.
Spans and height limits
We specially manufacture our fiberglass members to include a subtle upward curve, otherwise known as a crown. This allows us to span greater distances without any sagging of parts. Extreme spans require engineering and custom solutions such as internal aluminum reinforcement or other advanced techniques.
Spans are measured from center of footing to center of footing. Often the design calls
for large open spans so a beautiful view can be unobstructed. This causes two design
concerns: The beam must be built in such a way that it can support the weight of
the rafters and purlins without sagging. The larger concern is this: The wind loading
of the entire pergola must be divided by the number of columns. Fewer columns means
more stress on each column. We solve this wide span problem by placing two columns
close together on either end of the span.
Especially large spans and commercial projects call for our massive 4" x 12" fiberglass beams. We use them in sets of two, so the resulting beam is tremendous. These are also crowned and a single beam can receive over 1000 pounds of load and still have a gentle upward crown! We often use them on projects just for the visual effect, so please be sure to ask us about our large beams. They are not an option on the web site pricing tool yet.
Height is also a structural concern because each column has mechanical advantage like
a lever. When you apply ten pounds of force to the side of the top, you exert eight
times that amount of force to the bottom, assuming that the column is eight feet
tall. If the column is ten feet tall, then the stress at the bottom is ten times
greater then the initial ten pounds. Our typical offerings are designed to endure
high winds, but large residential pergolas and commercial jobs may require engineering.
These are things which get discussed.
Easy Shade Canopy
Our easy shade system work very well with our fiberglass pergolas. We have a entire
page of information about the Easy Shade system which you can link to here. The
information on this page is specific to combining an Easy Shade system with a Baldwin
Fiberglass Pergola.
The Easy Shade has a main, central beam which wants to be centered and run perpendicular
to the rafters. When you order a pergola with a shade system, we create three of
your rafters with lumber inside which allows one to attach the mono beam securely.
The fabric is hung from cross-bars which roll back and forth within the centered
mono beam. We restrict each end of the cross bar from being blown upward with shade
rails. These shade rails attach to the inner face of the main beams. If your pergola
is attached to your house, then the inner shade rail is attached to the bottoms
of the rafters. By lowering the outermost shade rail, we can get rainwater to flow
away from the house.
The pergola ordering process
Measure
Determine where you want the center of your columns. Measure distance in width
and depth. Determine how much overhang you would like on each side. Overhang
is measured from the center of the post to the tip of the rafter or purlin.
Our standard overhand is 24” inches. Rafter length is your depth from center of column to
center of column plus your front and rear overhangs. Purlin length is your width from
center of column to center of column plus your left and right overhangs. Consider height and sight
lines. Remember, short pergolas give more shade under the pergola. Consider
the time of day you will use your pergola and the angle of the sun at that
time. We'll be better able to assist you if you take a few photos and send them to us.
Go online
We have an online pergola pricing tool you can use to configure your pergola.
When you are using the pricing tool, you will need to select your options such
as: The cut on the ends of the beams and rafters, column size and type, color,
fabric color.
The pergola pricing tool will give you a price for the pergola, your electrical
options, drapery and even a trucking quote. It’s easy to modify your pergola
until it is exactly what you desire. You can feel comfortable using this no
dicker, always accurate pricing tool. We do reserve the right to adjust prices
due to lumber costs without notice.
If the pergola you desire cannot be built using our system, please enter the
pergola as closely as possible then describe what you would like done differently
in the notes section. You can also call our sales team during business hours
at 800 344-5103x1 and they will do all of this for you.
When you are pleased with your pergola and are ready to talk to one of our designers,
click the “Submit information” button. Your data gets sent to us.
On our side
We review your pergola choices and call you to answer any questions you might
have. We suggest making changes that would either make your pergola more useful
or more beautiful, but we also look for ways to reduce the lead time and your
cost.
Deposit then Drawings
Along the way you can request an elevation drawing of the front, back, or either side so you can see what pergola will look like. Based on this visual, you may request changes. We adjust your file and explain the change in price. We also create another visual for your approval. We do require a 50% deposit before working plans are created. When you get your plans, you confirm every detail and we begin production.
Scheduling & Logistics
During production you may get a call or email from the production team asking about your ceiling fan height or what color light switches you want. When the pergola kit is complete, we require final payment before shipping. If you are within 300 miles, we offer you our in-house, white glove delivery service.
If you are more than 300 miles from our factory, we use Yellow Freight as our over the road trucking company. In case of a freight company delivery, you will be responsible for physically removing the pergola or pavilion from the truck. Unless you have a forklift, this requires entering the truck, unpacking the structure and physically unloading it from the truck, member by member. You are also required to remove all the pallets and packaging from the truck. A freight forwarding service could be hired to preform this service for you, but that expense is typically $700 or more.
Installation
Baldwin Pergolas are designed to be very easy to put together, but there are
still difficult aspects such as using a level to determine the lengths of the
posts, cutting the posts to length, drilling the concrete and anchoring the
mounting brackets. If this sounds like more then you want to do, we may be able to suggest experienced pergola installers in your area.
Testimonials
"First, man defines his architecture. Forever after, his architecture defines him."
