The most important part of a pergola is the post.
If the post is not secure, the entire fixture is going to come crashing down. This is why a lot of time is spent on securing the post and making sure it works as intended.
If not, you are going to have a real concern with how well the post works and how it continues to do as time goes on.
One comparison that has to be made is deciding between pergola posts in the ground or on concrete.
Pergola posts in the ground are cost-effective and easier to set up. In comparison, pergola posts in concrete are more robust and secure making them ideal in earthquake-centric zones.
For those who know there are several weather-related issues in their area, it’s always smart to install pergola posts on concrete. This will keep the posts in place and the inclement weather is not going to damage them to the point of everything falling.
This article will look at comparing pergola posts in the ground vs on concrete.
Table of Contents
Comparing Pergola Posts In Ground Or On Concrete
1. Cost
Most people are going to start with the basics, which will include the underlying cost.
You are going to have a budget and this will play a role one way or the other.
You will want to make sure the cost does not get to the point where it is hard to control as to how much you are paying to set up the pergola.
In general, if you are looking to save money then it is best to look at setting up pergola posts in the ground. This is going to be far cheaper and the main reason has to do with the amount of time it takes to settle the posts into the ground.
You are also going to be using fewer materials, which makes it easier to reduce the costs of installing the pergola.
If the budget is an issue and the region is not known for having earthquakes then it is okay to go down this path.
The savings will be worth it and you are not going to worry about inclement weather as other parts of the world might.
2. Stability
You will also want to look at overall stability when it comes to installing pergola posts.
Which one is going to be more stable?
This is easy to answer.
Pergola posts in the concrete are essential when it comes to keeping the posts secure. They are not going to budge as easily, which is key when you live in an area where earthquakes are common.
The posts in the ground are just not going to hold up well when everything is moving. This is going to cause them to wilt or fall.
Having the pergola posts on concrete will provide peace of mind and that stability does matter in several regions around the world.
3. Labor Requirement
It’s important to think about what the labor requirement is when it comes to installing pergola posts.
You will not want a situation where the pergola posts are difficult to set up and things don’t work out as you want them to.
The costs tend to rise because of this too.
You are going to have a situation where the labor requirement is through the roof due to the amount of time it takes to let the concrete settle.
This is why a lot of people will let specialists install the pergola in the ground. it saves time and it gets the pergola ready to go as soon as you want it to be.
4. Slope
Have you taken the time to think about where the pergola is going to be set up?
This does matter.
If there is a noticeable slope where the pergola is going to go, this will get in the way of everything. You will want to make sure this does not become a problem because the slope is going to be difficult to manage over time.
You will want to ensure the slope is not too aggressive.
It might be harder to install the pergola in the ground when the slope is aggressive. For such a case, you will want to install the pergola posts on concrete.
Final Thoughts
Should you have pergola posts in the ground or on concrete?
Pergola posts in the ground are known for being more cost-effective and easier to set up. In comparison, pergola posts on concrete will be far more secure and are going to do well in regions where earthquakes or other types of inclement weather are common.
It’s best to think about the long-term and how much pressure is going to be exerted on the pergola posts. You don’t want the fixture to come crashing down.
If you feel like the pergola will do fine without concrete then it is okay to go down this path.
