The Aussie love affair with indoor-outdoor living has seen the once humble timber pergola evolve into something more elaborate.

Traditionally, they were a wooden structure with an open roof. Now the concept of a pergola has expanded to include semi-enclosures and roofing.

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And an interior designer with a major home builder has some tips for those who want to create a pergola to enhance their outdoor entertaining area.

Location

Metricon’s Hannah Joosse says because a pergola provides privacy and relief from the sun, it’s important homeowners don’t build it in a place that is already shaded.

“You should take into account the drainage and suitability of the site in relation to your home,’’ Ms Joose says.

“A north-facing pergola will catch the sun all year round while a south-facing one will probably need a transparent roof to let the light in.

“The perfect pergola should lead to a patio, court yard, pool or barbecue area because that’s where you want to spend time with your family and friends, right?’’

Ensure your pergola is placed to allow maximum sun exposure.

Construction

The Metricon spokesperson says a basic timber pergola comprises posts supporting beams and rafters.

“If you’re pretty confident about your building skills, you may want to consider using use steel/aluminium or concrete columns,’’ she advises.

Ms Joosse says there are plenty of options when it comes to shading materials. They include battens, shade cloth or vines or climbers.

The latter add greenery while translucent polycarbonate stops the rain ruining your barbecue but still allows UV filtered natural light through.

Other options include a roof made of Colorbond or other metal roofing material and decorative screens used as roofing.

Sizing

“The size and design of your pergola really boils down to your budget, how frequently you want to use it and whether you decide to build it yourself (either from scratch or a pergola kit) or hire an expert,’’ Ms Joosse says.

She points out that some structures require a building permit, so homeowners should contact their council first to see if they need to comply with any local regulations.

“If you get started now, by the time summer rolls around you’ll have a beautiful new space to enjoy,’’ Ms Joosse says.

Double check you don’t require a building permit for your pergola.