Pool Company in New Franklin, OH: How Pergolas Can Enhance Your Backyard Pool Design
A backyard pool is a lifestyle upgrade. And the right design can turn your outdoor space into a true retreat. As a leading pool company in New Franklin, OH, Tournoux Landcare helps homeowners create custom environments that feel like an escape just steps from the back door. One of our favorite ways to elevate a pool project? A pergola. It adds shade, style, and a place to relax when you’re not in the water.
Related: Extend Your Swimming Season With a Heated Inground Pool in Plain Township, OH
Why Add a Pergola to Your Pool Project?
A pergola does more than look good. It transforms how you experience your pool area. By adding partial shade, it creates a comfortable place to relax out of the sun and makes your outdoor space usable for more of the day. Whether you want a spot to cool off after swimming or a shaded lounge for conversation, a pergola adds comfort and flexibility.
It also brings structure and balance to your design. Pergolas help define outdoor “rooms,” guide how you move through the space, and create natural hubs for dining or unwinding. You can add features like ceiling fans, curtains, or soft lighting to personalize the space even further.
In the warm, humid summers of New Franklin, OH, a pergola isn’t just a design upgrade. It adds real function to your backyard and enhances the time you spend by the pool.
Pergola Placement: Smart Positioning for Comfort and Flow
Where you place your pergola is just as important as how it looks. The right location helps everything feel connected, comfortable, and easy to use. Some of the most effective placements include:
Adjacent to the pool, where it can offer shade for lounge chairs or a post-swim hangout space
Over an outdoor dining or kitchen area, turning meals into relaxed, shaded experiencesAt the edge of the pool deck, where it can serve as a graceful transition to lawn, garden beds, or additional seating zones
Proper placement is about more than aesthetics. It affects how the space functions throughout the day. We take into account sun angles, wind exposure, and how the pergola will be viewed from the home and pool. These details help ensure the structure supports both your lifestyle and your layout.
At Tournoux Landcare, we don’t guess. We carefully map sun patterns, traffic flow, and how you plan to entertain or relax outdoors. That way, your pergola doesn’t just look great—it works beautifully too.
Pergola Design Options That Complement Your Pool
A well-designed pergola should feel like a natural extension of your poolscape—not an afterthought. Matching the materials, finishes, and scale to the surrounding hardscape, water features, and architecture helps create a seamless, cohesive look.
At Tournoux Landcare, we offer a variety of pergola styles to match your vision:
Traditional wood pergolas, crafted from cedar or pressure-treated lumber and stained to coordinate with decking or trim
Modern aluminum or steel structures for a sleek, clean-lined appearance that pairs well with contemporary pool designs
Custom post-and-beam pergolas, perfect for rustic, lodge-style spaces that call for heavier textures and natural materials
Once the structure is in place, enhancements can take your pergola to the next level. Consider adding:
Built-in outdoor lighting for evening ambiance
Overhead fans or misting systems to stay cool on warm days
Climbing plants or privacy curtains to soften the look and create more enclosure
Retractable canopies or motorized roofs for adaptable shade throughout the day
With the right design choices, your pergola becomes more than just a structure. It becomes a key feature that ties your entire outdoor space together.
How Pergolas Shape Pool Layout and Usability
A pergola plays an active role in shaping how you use and move through your backyard. By defining zones, creating structure, and adding vertical interest, a pergola helps your entire outdoor space feel more intentional and inviting.
For example:
A pergola over a sunken lounge creates a cool, shaded retreat where you can relax after swimming
Placing one above a bar or grill station turns that area into a natural hub during poolside gatherings
A pergola positioned opposite a spa or water feature can create visual balance and symmetry, tying the space together
At Tournoux Landcare, we design with purpose. Our team uses 3D planning tools to lay out how your pergola will relate to the pool, hardscape, plantings, and key sightlines from the home. This allows you to see the space before it’s built—and ensures every element is working together to support the way you want to live outdoors.
Pergola Materials That Work in Ohio’s Climate
Ohio’s weather brings everything from summer humidity to winter snow, so choosing the right pergola material is key to long-term beauty and performance. At Tournoux Landcare, we help you select materials that not only match your design vision but also hold up to the local climate and your lifestyle.
Some of the most popular options include:
Cedar: A classic choice with warm tones and a timeless look. Naturally rot-resistant, cedar brings character and can be stained to coordinate with other features in your space.
PVC or composite materials: Ideal if you want a low-maintenance structure that resists moisture, insects, and fading. These materials are especially well-suited for humid environments like New Franklin and surrounding areas.
Powder-coated aluminum: Sleek and modern, this option is strong, lightweight, and rust-resistant. It works well in contemporary spaces and can be customized in a range of finishes.
No matter the style or structure, we consider how the materials will look, feel, and perform as your space evolves. Our goal is to give you a pergola that elevates your pool area today—and continues to look great season after season.
Related: It’s the Season for Lounging by the Inground Pool in the Lake Township and Uniontown, OH Areas
What Can You Put Under a Pergola? A Whole Lot
The space beneath a pergola can be as flexible and creative as your lifestyle. Whether you're planning for laid-back lounging or poolside parties, the options are nearly endless.
Some of our favorite uses include:
Outdoor dining: A shaded dining table keeps meals comfortable and relaxed—even on hot afternoons.
Grill station or full kitchen: Create an open-air cooking space where you can prep, serve, and entertain with ease.
Lounge area: Add plush seating, fans, and lighting for a resort-style vibe right in your own backyard.
Vertical greenery: Use trellises, potted plants, or climbing vines to bring softness and color to the structure.
Hot tub or spa: A pergola adds just enough privacy and shelter to create a calming soak zone.
Fire feature: Position a pergola near a fireplace or fire pit to create an all-season hangout zone.
At Tournoux Landcare, we help you plan what will live under your pergola from the start—so it becomes a truly useful part of your pool design, not just a pretty structure.
Pergolas vs. Other Shade Structures: Why They Stand Out
If you're looking to add shade to your backyard pool area, pergolas aren’t the only option—but they are one of the most flexible and design-forward. Compared to shade sails, awnings, or gazebos, pergolas strike the perfect balance between form and function.
Unlike a retractable awning, which needs to be attached to your home, a pergola can stand alone or frame a specific area like a pool lounge or outdoor kitchen. Shade sails are more affordable but lack the permanence and visual impact. Gazebos offer full coverage but take up more space and feel more enclosed.
Pergolas give you partial shade with airflow, and when paired with enhancements like a canopy, climbing vines, or outdoor curtains, they offer even more control. At Tournoux Landcare, we love them for their ability to define space without closing it in—and for how easily they adapt to the rest of your landscape design.
Working With a Pool Company That Designs the Full Experience
Most pool companies focus on the pool and leave everything else to someone else. At Tournoux Landcare, we take a different approach. Our landscape architect-led process treats the pool as just one part of a custom outdoor living environment, thoughtfully designed to fit your property, your goals, and your style.
With one expert team, we handle it all:
Site planning and grading
Pool construction
Patios, retaining walls, and plantings
Custom pergola design and installation
The result is a cohesive backyard that feels planned—not pieced together. With Tournoux Landcare, every element works in harmony, and every detail is designed to bring more beauty and ease to your everyday life outdoors.
How Long Does an Inground Pool Last?
With proper installation and maintenance, a concrete or fiberglass pool can last 30 years or more. Regular upkeep, winterization, and surrounding drainage all play a role. When built by experienced professionals like Tournoux Landcare, your pool is designed for longevity from the ground up.
Is It Difficult to Maintain an Inground Pool?
Not when it’s designed right and maintained regularly. With automated systems, proper drainage, and seasonal service, pool care becomes simple and predictable. Tournoux Landcare builds low-maintenance pools and offers guidance on upkeep, so you spend less time maintaining—and more time enjoying.
What Type of Inground Pool Lasts the Longest?
Concrete pools are renowned for their longevity, often lasting over 40 years with resurfacing required every 10–15 years. Fiberglass pools also offer excellent durability and require less upkeep over time. At Tournoux Landcare, we help you choose the right pool structure based on your lifestyle, site, and design goals.
Do I Need a Permit for a Pergola in New Franklin, OH?
Yes, in most cases. Local building codes in New Franklin require a permit for permanent pergola structures, especially those with electrical components or attached footings. Tournoux Landcare handles all permitting as part of our full-service approach—so you never have to worry about paperwork or compliance.
Can I Build a Pergola Over an Existing Pool Deck?
Absolutely. Many pergolas are installed over existing paver or concrete pool decks. It’s a great way to add function and style without starting from scratch. We’ll assess your site to ensure proper anchoring and recommend materials that complement what’s already in place.
When’s the Best Time to Build a Pergola in Ohio?
Spring and fall are typically ideal in Ohio—mild weather allows for faster installation and lets you enjoy the structure by summer or cozy it up by winter. That said, Tournoux Landcare builds pergolas year-round and can schedule your project around seasonal needs or upcoming events.
Design for the Way You Actually Use Your Backyard
A pool brings the fun. A pergola adds comfort, shade, and structure that extends that enjoyment all day long.
Together, they create a space that works from sunrise to sunset—and from everyday moments to special celebrations.
At Tournoux Landcare, we bring decades of experience designing complete outdoor environments in New Franklin, OH, and nearby communities. When you're ready to elevate your pool project with thoughtful design and timeless structure, we’re here to help it all come together.
Related: 5 Ways a Custom Inground Pool Turns Every Summer Day Into a Vacation in Plain Township, OH