20 Beautiful Pergola Ideas That Will Create Shade in Your Yard, Patio, or Garden (2024)

FAQs

20 Beautiful Pergola Ideas That Will Create Shade in Your Yard, Patio, or Garden? ›

Gazebos are more robust constructions than pergolas. Pergolas tend to be less expensive and easier to build. Both pergolas and gazebos add shade and flair to your yard. Both structures can increase your home's value.

Gazebos are more robust constructions than pergolas. Pergolas tend to be less expensive and easier to build. Both pergolas and gazebos add shade and flair to your yard. Both structures can increase your home's value.

But how much shade does a pergola provide? Because pergolas are four or six-column open structures that have a partial roof created by interlocking beams that form a horizontal lattice, they are open-roof structures that don't provide much shade.

Frankly, you can put anything you'd like under a pergola—rugs, chairs, tables, toys, exercise equipment, and more—the list is endless.

A cosy pergola may feature items such as plants, cushions, sun loungers or hanging chairs. At night, you can make a pergola feel cosy by lighting a fire pit or setting up lanterns or solar lights.

It's cheaper to buy a DIY pergola kit. These kits cost between $1,000 and $2,500 on average, and you won't have to pay for labor. However, you're limited to specific designs and sizes; a more customized pergola designed for your home's unique landscape may look and function better (and have a higher ROI).

Aluminum Pergolas

Also long lasting and almost maintenance free, your aluminum pergola is sure to last through a lifetime of both rain and shine.

While there are many caveats, in short, the answer is yes. A pergola has the potential to add value to your home, with many estimates putting the return on investment at somewhere around 50% to 80%. That makes pergolas one of the more valuable additions homeowners can put on their homes.

In most cases, you want to orient your pergola to target the mid-to-late day sun, as this is when you're most likely to need shade. A contemporary aluminium pergola is a great option for houses with bifold doors, reducing light and glare into the home as well as temperature during the hotter summer months.

What are the cons of a pergola? ›

Outdoor furniture under a pergola is susceptible to sun damage, and the pergola structure itself can fade over time and take a beating during storms and harsh winters. Bad weather will most likely limit the amount of time you're able to use a pergola.

Outdoor room pergola

Bring the inside out with a pergola that feels like another room in your house, by adding plants, ornaments and patterned cushions and rugs. This stylish design features bamboo pergola beams as well as bamboo furniture, red metal support walls and large-leaved plants for a tropical look.

If you're looking to create a cozy atmosphere in your gazebo or pergola, adding lights is an easy way to do it. You can either add solar-powered lights or ones that plugin. Solar-powered lights are great because they don't require wiring up to your house, but both can be fun if you use dimmable LED options.

Open Roof Slats 12”, Rafters 18”: If you prefer more shade you can increase the amount of roof slats to 12" apart on center or closer. Pricing is higher to cover the added timber involved. The least expensive route to add shading is to add roof slats and leave the rafters at 18 inch spacing.

Standard Pergola Rafter Spacing

The measurements are 12 inches and 16 inches off center rafter-to-rafter. This is a centerline measurement from the center of the board, so about three-quarters of an inch from the side of the board on its narrowest face.

Get exactly what you want in a pergola or patio cover design - the sky's the limit! It's like having your own personal designer. These custom plans are simple enough for the home DIY-er to follow and robust enough that any builder will have no problem installing your pergola or patio cover.

Measure the distance between the screw eyes on either side of where you will be hanging your pergola cover. This will determine how you will measure and cut your fabric and where you will place the drapery rings, so it is important to have an accurate measurement here.