Pergolas and Gazebos are both great outdoor home improvement structures that will add functionality to your yard or patio experience, and value to your home. Both structures have their pros and cons, and the better choice ultimately depends on your budget, climate, and needs. Gazebos are a permanent, sheltered space that has a solid roof.
Pergolas are typically made of less material than gazebos and create an open and breezy space. Gazebos will cost more money to have built as they’re made of more material and will require adequate planning, while pergolas can be built over a weekend and can be built by yourself.
What is a Pergola?
A pergola is an outdoor home improvement structure composed of vertical posts or columns that support a roof that is usually open or partially covered. Pergolas are designed to create a shaded area in your patio, backyard, or garden without completely blocking sunlight from entering the area. You can also find modern pergola designs that have retractable roofs that will offer more shade and rain protection.
Pros and Cons of a Pergola
Pros
- Affordable and customizable
- Open, airy look
- Can support vines or retractable canopies
- Enhances modern landscapes
Cons
- Less protection from rain or harsh sun
- Not ideal in extreme weather
- Required add-ons for full coverage
What is a Gazebo?
A gazebo is an outdoor home improvement structure with a solid roof and open or enclosed sides that is designed to offer full protection from the sun and rain. Gazebos can act as a decorative and functional centerpiece of your backyard, patio, or garden area, as they will create an outdoor room that you and your family can enjoy. Gazebos can be a complicated construction project that requires adequate planning – it is suggested to hire a professional contractor if you decide to have a gazebo installed. Gazebos are highly customizable and can be tailored to fit you and your home’s needs perfectly.
Pros and Cons of a Gazebo
Pros:
- Excellent all-weather protection
- Fully covered shade + wind/rain shelter
- Add value to extensive gardens or event spaces
- Great for relaxing, dining, or even hot tubs
Cons
- Higher cost and complex installation
- Heavier, less flexible in layout
- Bulkier visual presence (not ideal for small yards)
How to Choose Between a Pergola and a Gazebo
Choosing between having a pergola or gazebo built ultimately depends on what you’re trying to resolve by adding this home improvement product, your limitations of your home, and your budget. Keep reading below to understand which structure will work best for you and your home.
Climate
The climate you live in will help dictate whether a pergola or gazebo will be a better home improvement project to invest in. If you live in an area with heavy wind or rain, a solid structure such as a gazebo would be a better option. If you live in an area with lots of sunlight and milder weather conditions, a pergola could be a better option as you don’t need as much protection from the elements. We recommend you consult with your local contractor to learn about the best home improvement solution that will work best for your area and climate.
Budget
Every homeowner has a budget in mind when planning any home improvement project. When deciding between adding a pergola or gazebo to your home, you need to understand the price differences and factors. Due to pergolas being made of less material and being a DIY project, they will be the less expensive option. You can find some modern pergolas on the market with retractable roofs that will increase the cost of your project. Gazebos are typically a larger construction project than pergolas, which will cost more money to construct. To understand the exact price of your desired pergola or gazebo project, we recommend you consult a local contractor.
Purpose
Determining what solution you want your pergola or gazebo to solve will help you make an informed decision. If you want a more open concept structure that is more stylish, a pergola would be the better option for you. Pergolas won’t offer adequate protection from the sun, rain, and other weather elements, but they will create an enjoyable space in your patio, backyard, or garden. Gazebos are a solid home improvement structure that can be used year-round and will offer adequate protection from the sun, rain, and other weather elements. Gazebos take proper planning and construction to build, and they will create an outdoor living room in your backyard, patio, or garden area.
Space Size
When deciding between adding a pergola or gazebo to your backyard, patio, or garden space, you need to consider the size limitations to ensure the home improvement project will fit and work for your needs. Pergolas are the better option if you have a small yard or patio space, as they’re typically smaller and won’t take up as much space. Gazebos, on the other hand, are larger home improvement structures that will need adequate space and work best if you have a large backyard or patio area.
Maintenance Preference
The maintenance requirements of pergolas vs gazebos can be a big factor over time when you are deciding which home improvement structure is best for you. The biggest maintenance factor is the material of your pergola or gazebo. If your structure is made of wood, you will need to re-stain or seal it every 1-3 years to prevent rotting, cracks, and fading. If your pergola or gazebo is made of metal, you will need to rinse it occasionally to prevent dirt and pollen buildup. It is important to understand that gazebos will require less maintenance as they have a solid roof, unlike pergolas.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Pergola vs. Gazebo
Roof Type
The roof of a pergola is typically open with beams running along the top of the structure, but there are modern pergolas that have retractable roof options that can also be made of fabric material. Roofs of gazebos are typically closed and will offer full protection from rain, sun, and other weather elements when you are using the space.
Shade Provided
If you are looking for full shade protection from your home improvement structure, installing a gazebo would be your best option. Gazebos have a solid roof that will completely cover you when using the space and provide adequate shading to the area. Pergolas, on the other hand, can be configured for shading, but are typically constructed of an open roof concept that will allow sunlight to enter the space.
Weather Protection
Pergolas won’t offer as much weather protection as a gazebo due to the design of the structure. Pergolas are a more open concept, with most models having an open slatted roof and open sides, which will cause rain, sun, and other weather elements to enter the area where you install it. Gazebos, on the other hand, can be made as an outdoor living room with a fixed closed roof and can offer good protection from the sun, rain, and other weather elements.
Style & Aesthetic
The style and aesthetic differences between pergolas and gazebos are one of the biggest reasons homeowners choose one over the other. Pergolas are clean, linear, and architectural structures that fit well with modern or contemporary home designs. Gazebos are decorative, sheltered, and timeless structures that become an extension of your home in your backyard. Gazebos have closed roofs that turn the space into a stand-alone outdoor room or pavilion that you can use for a multitude of activities. Gazebos can come in many different styles and have customization options to make them perfect for your home’s existing aesthetic.
Customization
Customization is one of the biggest practical differences between pergolas and gazebos. Both structures can be tailored to your style and needs, but pergolas are typically much more flexible due to their open-concept nature. Pergolas are more adaptable for customizations, such as a retractable fabric canopy for sun blocking, a motorized louvered roof for sun and rain protection, and retractable screens or drop shades. Gazebos are a more permanent and enclosed structure that offer fewer customization options, but you can still add screens or curtains, lighting and ceiling fans, decor, and even a hot tub or dining setup.
Best For
Pergolas and gazebos both elevate outdoor spaces, but they each serve different purposes for certain needs. Due to pergolas being a more open concept home improvement structure, they are best for creating an outdoor space that’s not fully enclosed to allow for adequate sunlight and airflow in the space. Some pergola application examples are patio and outdoor dining areas, outdoor kitchens, or a poolside relaxation zone. Gazebos, on the other hand, are a fully enclosed outdoor structure that are intended for relaxation or gathering areas.
Installation & Cost
The installation process and costs involved with having a pergola or gazebo added to your backyard, patio, or garden space vary based on multiple factors. Pergolas are generally less expensive home improvement structures compared to gazebos, due to being composed of fewer materials and having a simpler installation process. For pergolas, prices can range from $1000 USD to $6000 USD, depending on model, customizations, materials, etc. The cost of having a gazebo installed can range from $3000 USD to $12000 USD and sometimes much more for premium/custom builds. The installation process of a pergola is much simpler than a gazebo and can even be done by yourself. Gazebos require proper construction planning, and we recommend that you consult with a contractor to ensure the structure is built properly with safety standards in mind.
Can You Combine Elements of Both?
Yes, you can absolutely combine elements of both pergolas and gazebos to get the desired outcome for your needs. Combining elements of both structures will be the best of both worlds, creating an open, airy aesthetic of a pergola and the weather protection and enclosure of a gazebo.
Some combination details you can consider are a motorized louvered pergola that can open and close the roof depending on the weather, so you can allow the sunlight into the space when you want, and close it if you want to block the sunlight, rain, or other weather elements. You can also install an aluminum pergola with retractable screens for a minimalist pergola frame that still has the functionality of a screened-in gazebo room. We recommend that you consult with your local contractor and Mirage retractable screen specialist the determine what the best hybrid solution is for your needs.
Enhance Your Pergola and Gazebo with Mirage Retractable Screens
Adding retractable screens to your pergola or gazebo structure will elevate the home improvement products and add functionality that will be worth the investment. Mirage screens are versatile screen systems that can be installed on pergolas and gazebos, and can protect you from insects and shade you from the sun when using them. Mirage retractable screens are an industry-leading product that is sold through our professional network of installers across North America. If you are interested in learning more about retractable screens or obtaining pricing for your pergola or gazebo project, please visit this page, and your local Mirage retractable screen specialist will follow up with you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, generally speaking, a pergola is cheaper than a gazebo, but the exact cost difference depends on factors including size, features, materials, and how it is installed on your home. A pergola is typically composed of posts and beams, compared to gazebos that have walls and a solid roof.
No, a pergola on its own cannot provide full shade coverage like a gazebo, but you do have some options to upgrade your pergola to provide adequate shading. A retractable canopy made of a blackout material that can be pulled out for full shade or retracted to protect from the sun can be added to your pergola.
If you’re looking for an outdoor structure that will protect you from rain, then choosing to have a gazebo installed over a pergola would be the better option. Gazebo’s are a better option for rain protection due to having a solid full roof, unlike a pergola, which can be open at the top. You do have options for making your pergola more efficient at protecting you from rain, but a gazebo is still the better option.
Generally speaking, a pergola is much easier to build than a gazebo due to the amount of material needed to build a pergola and the time it will take. Gazebos are more of a construction project and will require more planning and time to complete.
Both pergolas and gazebos will add value to your home. The structure that will add more value to your home will depend on the design, features, and functionality. Generally speaking, gazebos are a more expensive home improvement structure and will increase your home value more than a pergola.
