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
John MitchellMax, it does look spectacular in the evenings. One of these days, I'll try for a night photo that shows it off.
Jeff LauferMax, Thanks for all your help. Installed pergola yesterday. Looks great.
Mr. EvansMy wife loves the fine details and I love the natural beauty of the cedar. Nice job. My neighbors are envious. Thanks for everything from the Evans in sunny Colorado!
Christine Bullard DBA Complete Building ServicesHello Max, It took awhile but here are some pictures of the beautiful pergola. When were done with the project I would like to send you a better picture. I was great working with you & I’ll e-mail you when it is complete. Thank You.
CharlotteMy installer did a wonderful job, and so did you with both your meeting my design requests and the fiberglass product. We have had several inquiries already from our neighbors. I hope to send pictures this weekend. Thank you again! It came out exactly as I envisioned it and architecturally finishes and complements the house! Sincerely,
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.
Becky HansenThanks Max. I'm glad you like the photos. We enjoyed working with you and your company even though it was long distance! We absolutely love our new outside room and so do neighbors walking by. In fact, I think I'm heading back outside now to enjoy the stars under our pergola. Take care and thanks for an outstanding product.
Dennis Hosler, Hosler's HomescapesYour pergola went together with ease. We were impressed with the precision and craftsmenship of each piece of the pergola. There was minimal work to align the pieces into there proper position. I wanted to also put a plug in for an opportunity to be an installer of baldwin pergolas and other structures if you needed a crew to install in my location (PA). Thanks again!
Jim JohnsonMax, What's the status on the wood that I ordered for the stairs? By the way, the pergola went up without a hitch. Very nice. Looks great and was a joy to assemble.
PaulHi Max The pergola is awesome. It really fills a design flaw and completes the section of the house where it sits. We moved a table out and enjoyed dinner under the pergola facing the garden last night. You guys did a great job and the quality of your work is outstanding. Please let me know if I can ever be a reference. I will also try and get you some pictures when we get some good sun on the project. Thanks again
"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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