Frequently Asked Questions

Purchase Terms

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Discover cards, as well as personal or business checks.

Yes, many customers do. If the range of sizes we offer doesn’t meet your needs, we can create a custom pergola kit for you. Please contact us about the needs you have or look at some of the custom pergolas we have done for ideas and inspiration.

Your use of this site demonstrates your acceptance of the following terms & conditions. If you do not agree to these terms & conditions in whole or in part, please do not use this site.

Disclaimer of Liability

By purchasing any product from Backyard Living Structures, LLC, the customer agrees to our Terms and Conditions, and our Liability clause: Backyard Living Structures, LLC, its owners, employees and representatives are not responsible for the proper use or installation of any product. The products we carry are hand-made and we cannot guarantee the time when the product will be availble, or when it will be shipped. Special order items (including pergolas) will be charged to your credit card at the time you place your order. The customer assumes all liability for any damages to people and/or physical property in the use and installation of all products purchased from Backyard Living Structures, LLC. Backyard Living Structures, LLC are not responsible in any form, directly or indirectly, for damages or injuries to people or damage to personal property arising from the purchase of any products from Backyard Living Structures, LLC. The sole responsibility for the proper use and installation of products purchased from Backyard Living Structures, LLC rests entirely on the customer, or his representative, who purchases our products, or the person(s) who uses or installs our products. By completing your order, you agree that Backyard Living Structures, LLC is not responsible for the accuracy of product descriptions made by the manufacturer of any product and that Backyard Living Structures, LLC does not assume any liability for any damages, directly, indirectly, or incidentally resulting from the purchase or use and product purchased. If you fall off a roof or injure yourself while mounting a weathervane or cupola – it’s not our fault. The customer, his survivors, and assigns agree not to hold Backyard Living Structures, LLC responsible for any damages, and the customer agrees to pay for any and all court costs and legal fees resulting from any litigation or law suits filed against Backyard Living Structures, LLC, its owners, employees or representatives.

Backyard Living Structures, LLC is not responsible for pricing errors and typographical errors or the accuracy of product photographs.

VINYL AND ALUMINUM STRUCTURES LIMITED WARRANTY

Subject to the conditions and limitations listed herein, Backyard Living Structures, LLC warrants its vinyl structures to be free from defective workmanship and materials and, when subject to normal and proper use, against surface peeling, rot, structural damage from termites, splitting, flaking, rusting and blistering, abnormal weathering or abnormal discoloration.

Wind

Backyard Living Structures, LLC warrants its structures, when properly installed with Hurricane Clips, to withstand damage from wind. We will replace or refund the purchase price of damaged materials. Damaged components are subject to terms below and do not include damage from wind-blown objects.

Backyard Living Structures, LLC does not warrant damage from wind without installation of Hurricane Clips

This warranty extends only to the original purchaser. This warranty does not cover the cost of installing any product, the cost of removing or disposing of any product, or the cost of installing any replacement product furnished under the terms of the warranty. The lifetime coverage of this warranty only covers products used on residential property where the owner resides, during the owner’s lifetime. The warranty period for products installed on property that is not residential property where the owner resides, including but not limited to schools, condominiums, apartment buildings, and rental property – or on property owned by other owners including but not limited to corporations, government agencies, partnerships, trusts, religious organizations, and cooperatives will be thirty (30) years following the installation of the products and is limited to the original owner (non-transferable).

Exclusions

Backyard Living Structures, LLC shall not be liable for and this warranty does not apply to any failure, defect, or damage resulting from or connected with the following:

Installation or handling of products after they leave our facility, including any lack of performance or improper performance in any way by the contractor or other installer

Abnormal use of the products

The application of paint, varnish, or other coating or chemical not approved by Backyard Living Structures, LLC or the application of heat or radiation from an external source such as a barbecue grill, another appliance, fire or reflection from windows or doors

Any lack of compatibility between our products and any other product not manufactured by us that causes damage to or failure of our products

Labor, transportation, or installation costs

Color or pattern variance between any new replacement section or piece and other sections or pieces. (We reserve the right to discontinue or modify any product line or color without notifying the original purchaser. If the original product is not available, we retain the right to choose to provide replacement material of equal value or quality.)

Damage caused by, among other things, weathering, oxidation, mold, mildew, settling of the building, failure of the structure (including foundations and walls), use of incompatible accessories, fire, flood, lightning, ice, wind-borne objects, earthquake, sun, acts of God, intentional acts, unreasonable use, misuse, physical abuse, vandalism, riot, insurrection or civil disorder, accidents, or corrosive atmospheres (such as those contaminated by acid rain, harmful chemicals, or vapors)

Color change due to weathering that is even and equal when exposed to the same or similar sunlight and other environmental conditions is excluded from the warranty because weathering will cause any colored surface to gradually lighten, darken, chalk, or accumulate dirt or stains (the severity of these conditions depends on air quality, the geographic location of the property, and other local conditions over which Backyard Living Structures, LLC has no control)

Other defect not caused by Background Living Structures, LLC

Ordinary wear and tear

Warning

Backyard Living Structures, LLC and its employees are not qualified to approve, recommend, or advise as to the suitability of Backyard Living Structures, LLC products for all possible uses or applications.

The local building code authority or fire marshal’s office should be consulted on the safety and suitability of any Backyard Living Structures, LLC product for a proposed use.

Claims and Remedies

A claim under this warranty must be reported in writing, with proof of purchase, to Backyard Living Structures, LLC, within thirty (30) days of the date that the defect is first discovered or reasonably could be discovered. Backyard Living Structures, LLC will then have a reasonable time to inspect or, at Backyard Living Structures, LLC’ option, to have the product shipped to Backyard Living Structures, LLC for examination of the alleged defect. Backyard Living Structures, LLC may require photographs of components or the structure to ascertain misuse or improper installation. Backyard Living Structures, LLC shall be the sole judge of whether the product is defective and whether the defect is due to manufacturing or installation. If, after its inspection, Backyard Living Structures, LLC determines the claim is in accordance with the terms of this Limited Lifetime Warranty, then Backyard Living Structure, LLC will, at its option, replace the defective section or part or provide a refund according to the following schedules:

Residential property where the owner resides (limited to original owner)

0 to 25 years, full purchase price of products.

25+ years, 50% of purchase price of products.

All other owners and uses (limited to original owner)

0 to 15 years, full purchase price of products.

15 to 25 years, 50% of purchase price of products.

THE FOREGOING EXPRESS WARRANTY EXCLUDES ALL OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OF MERCHANTABILITY, IS LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE EXPRESS WARRANTY CONTAINED IN THIS WARRANTY DOCUMENT, UNLESS A SHORTER PERIOD IS PERMITTED BY LAW. IN NO EVENT WILL BACKYARD LIVING STRUCTURES, LLC BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY OR THE PURCHASE, INSTALLATION, OWNERSHIP OR USE OF BACKYARD LIVING STRUCTURES, LLC BUILDING PRODUCTS. YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND BACKYARD LIVING STRUCTURES, LLC’ EXCLUSIVE LIABILITY FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY IS LIMITED TO WHAT APPEARS IN THIS DOCUMENT. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS OR THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY HAVE OTHER LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

This warranty shall only be applicable & enforceable in the United State of America and Canada.

Due to the custom nature of our product, we cannot accept returns. All pergola kits are made to order specifically for your space and requirements.

Care and Cleaning

The durable vinyl exterior of your Backyard Living Structures pergola will maintain its beauty for years to come. For spring cleaning of dirt and grime, mix a basic all-purpose cleaner such as Simple Green® with hot water, then scrub with a soft bristle brush. You can also tackle hard-to-clean stains with a Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser®.

Yes. A power washer is an excellent way to avoid any brush cleaning. Please take into consideration the power of your machine. There are commercial power washers that are strong enough to remove the paint off your new car. Too much pressure, or moving the spray nozzle too close to the vinyl can damage it. It has been our experience that a hose with a spray nozzle works the best.

Absolutely. We recommend Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint® (exterior acrylic latex) for a durable finish.

Unfortunately, no. Our pergola kits are designed to provide shade and sun protection but are not built to handle a moving force like a swing or hammock.

Yes. Vines can increase the amount of shade your pergola provides and enhance the natural beauty of the structure. It is suggested that you avoid woody vines such as wisteria as they can undermine the structural integrity of your pergola.

General

The dimensions of a pergola are measured by area of the roof. The roof normally extends past the support columns. Reference the picture below.

Pergola width is the length of the beams that sit directly on the support columns. Depth is the length of the rafters that run cross ways on top of the beams.

Know that width and depth are not interchangeable dimensions. For attached pergolas, the width side attaches to your home(or structure), and the shade purlins run with the width of your pergola.

Yes. We are happy to provide free samples of our vinyl and aluminum construction materials to homeowners, DIYers, and trade professionals. If you need to see a sample of something larger (specific column or post style), we do require a small deposit, which will be fully refunded if you decide to purchase a pergola kit from us.

Extremely well, the best on the market. We are so confident your pergola will handle heavy winds that we offer a warranty against any damage caused by wind, with the purchase of the hurricane clips. With correct installation of the pergola with the hurricane clips, we will replace the damaged components and ship them to you free of
charge. For more details about our limited lifetime warranty, review our Pergola Warranty Information.

Yes. Our pergolas kits have been put through FEA(Finite Element Analysis) testing, that was performed by an independent structural engineering firm. This helped us to design and engineer our pergolas to withstand high wind speeds. We are so confident in the structural integrity of our pergolas, we provide a warranty against wind damage. You can find out more about our warranty by reviewing our Pergola Warranty Information.

I’m an architect or trade professional. Whom should I contact for discounted pricing and information?
Please reach out to [email protected] or call us at 800-352-1672.

Yes. Many customers install our pergolas at businesses, parks, civic areas, campgrounds, restaurants, or any outdoor venue that wants to have a gathering place. Our pergolas are designed and engineered to withstand the heavier use that is typical of public areas.

Don’t even worry about it. All Backyard Living Structures products have tested by a licensed professional engineer from Architectural Testing company in Pennsylvania. For a stamped copy of the report, let us know and we’ll forward it on to you. Our pergola kits are built with an internal aluminum frame which means they won’t sag, bend, break, twist, warp or rust in extreme weather. The vinyl exterior is thick and durable enough that you don’t have to worry about it deforming in heat or cracking in the cold.

Yes. A plexiglass or lexan roof is an easy way to protect your outdoor space from rain, but still allows sunshine in. It is suggested that you add a slight slope to the pergola roof in the direction you want your water run off. Be aware that the solid roof will retain snow, and while our testing has shown our pergola roofs to be very resilient under load, we will not warrant against damage caused by extreme snow accumulation.

Yes, we think it is a great idea, that is why we offer fan mounts. Adding a fan to keep air moving on a hot day is the perfect way to continue getting enjoyment in your outdoor living space. Lights and speakers are also a great way to enhance your pergola. Review our Pergola Gallery for photos showing lights and speakers. And for ease of installation, our aluminum frame allows for chasing wires and adding light switches. Try doing that with a wood pergola.

Yes. We suggest using Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint® (exterior acrylic latex) for the best, most durable finish. Keep in mind that our pergolas come white or tan.

Assembly

We have the most comprehensive installation documentation and videos for installation. You can find this information on our Pergola Installation page. You will find step by step instructions for the entire installation.

It will take 2. Ask a friend or member of the family to help you. Occasionally, some customers hire a local contractor or even a handyman.

It is not very complicated or difficult. We have the most comprehensive and detailed pergola installation documentation and videos you will find. Your pergola kit will come with detailed instructions and our installation videos are an option for you to watch as well. There is nothing mechanical about our pergolas, there are no moving parts. Anyone with basic assembly skills can put together a pergola. Just have the necessary installation tools, and a free day and you can do it.

If you have one person helping, you should be able to get it put together in about a day, sometimes less for small pergolas, sometimes more than a day for larger(20 feet and above) pergolas. If you put it together by yourself, plan for two days. Also, if you have an attached pergola, or need to prepare pillars or cement bases, you will need to add some additional time. Either way, in one weekend you can have your pergola up and ready to enjoy.

You will need a few basic tools you probably already have……..a level, measuring tape, ladder, drill with a 6-inch extension, drill bits and drivers, and a circular or miter saw. That is it.

Normally the answer to this is No, but it depends on where you live, where you are installing the pergola, and the size of the pergola. Each locality has its own regulations and most pergola kits that are less than 150 square feet do not need a permit. If your pergola is part of a commercial structure, a permit and full engineering calculations are usually required. We suggest contacting your local building inspector’s office before installing the pergola.

All of our standard pergola kits include CAD drawings which show detailed dimensions. If the building code official requires an engineer’s stamp, we can assist you in getting this for a fee of $150.

Contact us if you would like a CAD drawing prior to ordering your pergola. We’ll be glad to send you one.

Most individual pergola components weigh between 10 and 40 pounds. Pergola beams, however, typically weigh between 50 and 85 pounds, depending on their length. Again, we recommend having two people unload the shipment and assemble the pergola.

If we haven’t answered your question, feel free to call us at 800-352-1672 or email us at [email protected]. We’ll be glad to help you.