What Is Pergola Flooring?

Pergola flooring needs to provide people with a comfortable surface material that matches the feeling of relaxation the outdoor pergola structure should provide. Pergola flooring should offer a number of features, including:

• Weather resistance
  
• Rainwater drainage
  
• Non-slip surface texture
  
• Durability
  
• Ease of installation
  
• Color options
  
• Support for furniture
  
• Reasonable price

Does the Style of Pergola Affect the Flooring Choice?

Pergolas are available in several different designs, and the design in use could affect the flooring choice for a customer.

A pergola is an open air outdoor structure that often sits on a deck or patio. Although a freestanding pergola structure appears occasionally, many people install a pergola structure with an attachment to a home or building.

Contractors can build a pergola out of wood, creating a unique design, or they can purchase a DIY kit that contains all of the pieces, which simplifies the design and the assembly.

The pergola design primarily consists of a frame and a grid of beams across the top that allow some sunlight to penetrate the surface under the pergola. Some designs will stretch a roof canopy fabric over the top of the grid, providing protection underneath from direct sunlight and rain.

If the pergola will not have a roof fabric over the beams, the seating area is exposed to rainwater from above. A perforated tile that allows standing water to drain away is a good selection in this use case. If a roof fabric protects the area underneath from precipitation, the flooring doesn’t necessarily need perforations.

Does the Surface Under the Pergola Affect the Type of Flooring to Use?

The pergola can go over the top of a concrete slab, creating a sitting area for relaxing in the backyard, at a private club, or near a pool. People also can build the pergola over gravel, grass, stone pavers, bricks, or a hard packed sand area.

To add comfort and a bit of color to the drab cement slab or gravel, pergola flooring can go over the top of the sitting area, creating an inviting gathering place.

If the pergola flooring will go over cement, a firmer style of flooring is appropriate, as the cement should be flat and able to support the firmer flooring. If the flooring is going atop an uneven surface, such as gravel or grass, having a bit of flexibility in the flooring is ideal, allowing it to match the contours of the subsurface.

What Are Some Pergola Flooring Ideas Made From Flexible PVC Plastic?

An interlocking PVC plastic tile works especially well as pergola flooring, as it has a slight flex to it that ensures it will fit over the top of an uneven surface. It also often has perforations that extend through the entire thickness of the tile, allowing rainwater to drain away quickly.

For areas that have excessive amounts of rainwater, the 1/2-inch thick Patio Outdoor Tile product is an excellent choice. It has large perforations that drain the water during and after a storm. These tiles are easy to install, featuring a hidden tab and loop system on the underside. Colors available include terra cotta, blue, and gray.



For those who prefer a basic black look in the PVC plastic tile for use underneath a pergola, the StayLock Perforated Tile is a good choice in areas with heavy rain. The large perforations will drain water off the surface in a hurry. Each 9/16-inch thick tile has a hidden interlocking system that simplifies installation. This outdoor flooring system also offers a bit of cushion for fatigue relief.



Customers who want bright color options in the pergola flooring will appreciate the choices in the Ergo Matta Perforated Outdoor Tile product. It measures 9/16 inches in thickness with large perforations to drain water from the surface. It uses rectangular shaped tiles with a hidden interlocking system, so the DIY installation will go fast.

The available color options include:

• Blue
  
• Yellow
  
• Green
  
• Red
  
• Gray
  
• White
  
• Black
  
• Beige

Will Rubber Work As Flooring Underneath a Pergola?

For those who want the most durable and thickest material underneath a pergola, the 2-inch thick Sterling Athletic Rubber Tile is a cost effective choice. The Sterling tiles are available in black, dark gray and other solid colors.

When placing furniture with narrow legs underneath the pergola, the solid construction in these rubber tiles will support the weight of the legs without resulting in damage or gouges. These tiles do not have perforations, so they will work better underneath a fabric roof pergola.