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
Sonja Hansen and Dennis Szabaday in Nashua, NHGreetings! Attached are photos of our Baldwin Pergola which we love. We are very happy. Here are photos showing what it looks like when we hang the colored sheets up for added shade - very festive and inexpensive. Thank you again!
Elizabeth CarneyDear Max, Thanks again. We love the pergola. It's beautiful. We hope everything goes well for you.
Tim, Cathy, and Elizabeth.It was such a beautiful day on Sunday I had my coffee under the pergola and Sunday night we ate dinner under it. We never spent any time out on the patio in the past.
Kevin ToomeyHi Max, The pavilion is looking excellent. We're really happy with our choice and your guys have worked very hard to get things just right. Thanks
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!
Jeff RiddellAs a cabinetmaker and woodworker, I send you kudos on your system, the communication that we've had, the quality of the product. It's a pretty simple kit that arrived and it installs just about as easily as your website suggests. On a personal level, it's really cool to make connections with other people that have the same sense of pride in their work. This stuff is as much about service as it is product.
Terry CleavelandYou had asked me to send you some photos and I'm just getting around to it. Installation was smooth and we weren't missing any pieces. Good instructions. We love it. I installed rope lighting and it really pops at night.
John GribokWant you and your staff to know how pleased we are with the entire process and product delivered. Your techs were not only professional but very concerned with every detail of delivering a perfect product. We will consider other products in the near future. You should take great pride in the product and staff your developed. Thanks again!
Kent WarkentinWow, Chris. I really appreciate your help on this effort. These plans are excellent and will definitely make my job easier. Again, thank you so much for your help. I will send you pictures when we get it all done. This pergola is the centerpiece of the Rosa Parks elementary school's outdoor classroom so it is a big deal to them that we are helping them out.
Glenn ScottMAX!!!! You are unfriggin believable! This thing went together so easy I still can't believe it. Especially when I went to measure down 28 inches on the posts to set the gussets and found that you had already put lines there.....Your attention to detail was great. This whole thing slid together. I didn't have to touch one piece with anything but my hands. The most labor intensive part was screwing down all the purlins at the end.
"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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