A pergola is typically made up of columns supporting a slatted roof. It’s designed to create dappled shade and define a beautiful outdoor space, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors. Here’s why it’s one of the best outdoor living improvements you can make, plus key need-to-knows before you buy or build one.
The Benefits of Adding a Pergola
These attractive structures have many aesthetic and practical advantages.
Visual Appeal and Property Value
A pergola instantly upgrades your home’s curb appeal and backyard beauty. Outdoor living is a top buyer priority, so it also adds resale value to your property. According to the latest edition of the What Buyers Really Want report from the National Association of Home Builders, 86% of people would like a patio, and a pergola makes your patio even more attractive and practical.
Functional Outdoor Living
The structure provides some shade, as well as framing that can support lighting or climbing plants. It defines a living zone in an open yard or on a larger patio that’s perfect for dining, lounging or entertaining.
It also provides privacy and protection when paired with drapes or shade covers. Modern designs featuring louvered roofs or retractable covers provide sun or rain protection on demand, extending the usable months for patios in most climates.
Family Well-Being
Having a pergola makes it easier to host guests or enjoy hobbies like gardening or grilling. It also encourages the family to spend more time outdoors, relaxing and connecting with nature, which numerous studies have shown to be beneficial for both mental and physical health.
Common Types of Pergolas
There is a huge variety of styles and materials to choose from. Each has its own merits, so what you choose will depend on personal preferences, budget and your aims for the space.
- Traditional wood: Timeless, customizable, needs routine care
- Aluminum or metal: Sleek, modern, low maintenance
- Vinyl: Durable, never needs painting, budget-friendly
- Louvered or motorized: Premium, adjustable slats for shade or rain control, ideal for tech-savvy families
Pergolas can be freestanding or attached to your home, depending on the available space. Once built, you can accessorize it as you wish, perhaps with curtains, string lights, mosquito screen, climbing plants or planter boxes, patio heaters and outdoor furniture.
Pergola Cost Considerations
You can buy DIY pergola kits from as little as $600, but unless you are a highly confident DIYer, most people prefer to hire professionals. For a professional installation, you can expect an average cost of $4,242, but remember that this will vary significantly depending on the design, structure size, material and your location.
If you would like a motorized version, you should budget considerably higher — around $13,700 on average. In some areas, you may also need a permit, which adds to the pergola cost.
Where to Find Pergola Ideas and Inspiration
Browse supplier galleries or showrooms, or search your favorite home magazines for real-world visuals. To get you started, think about what you’d most likely want to use the space for. Here are some suggestions:
- Entertaining hub: Add a dining set, a bar or an outdoor kitchen to showcase your culinary skills.
- Garden getaway: Use lots of planters and climbing foliage with integrated benches, and site the structure well away from the house.
- Poolside shade: Build a cool, stylish respite near the water with tropical plants, stools and a handy bar.
- Outdoor tech haven: Add smart lighting, ceiling fans, Bluetooth speakers, an outdoor TV and retractable shades for a luxurious experience when working, streaming or gaming.
- Romantic retreat: Style with soft drapes, climbing flowers, gentle solar lamps, lots of string lanterns, candles and cozy seating for two.
The Pergola Installation Process
Many of the best companies streamline the installation — from design consultations to turnkey builds — minimizing your stress. If, however, you intend to do this yourself, you will first need to assess your space, intended use and sun position. Select the location carefully, measure up, and choose the style, size and material of your kit.
Check local codes, obtain permits if necessary and seek HOA approval if required. Then you can begin your site prep, including leveling, foundation work and post anchoring. Once the pergola is in place, you can then turn your attention to landscaping, decorating and accessorizing as finishing touches.
What You Should Consider When Choosing a Pergola
To ensure this investment adds value to your home or brings you joy for years to come, it pays to do your research. These are the key things to think about:
- Weather and climate: What kind of conditions does the structure need to withstand? For example, in Denver, you would need to consider snow load, whereas in Florida, your primary concern might be UV or high winds.
- Maintenance: How much work are you prepared to do to keep the structure in good condition? Wood needs staining or sealing, whereas aluminum or vinyl are mostly maintenance-free.
- Warranty and support: What is the scope of coverage for materials, installation and finish?
- Customization: Would you like a bespoke design or are you happy with a kit? If you are planning to move soon, a smaller kit-style investment is probably better, but if you are staying in place and want the yard of your dreams, a custom pergola is a great choice.
- Financing and budget: How much can you afford? Many vendors offer payment plans or seasonal discounts.
It helps to jot down your thoughts and must-haves before you start shopping online, and prepare questions for showroom visits or calls.
Where to Buy Custom Pergolas or Pergola Kits
Having decided what type of structure you want, the next step is to research suppliers. Here are some of the top pergola companies to choose from, with information about what sets each one apart.
1. Colorado Sunroom and Window Company
Colorado Sunroom and Window Company has been delighting customers with custom pergola designs in Denver since the 1970s. The firm specializes in transforming patios with structures built for Colorado’s climate. Homeowners receive support through every step, from free design consultations and site visits to full-service pergola installation by in-house crews.
Award-winning, thoughtful design pairs with the latest technology. For example, you could choose a Louvered LifeRoom, featuring a remote-controlled adjustable louvered roof system that can instantly be adapted to sun, shade or rain. The showroom allows clients to visualize projects, while strong local partnerships ensure design compliance with HOA and city codes. Colorado Sunroom and Window Company’s ethos is “Your project is our pride,” making it a standout choice for custom pergola solutions in Denver.
Key Features
| Full design-to-installation service by local experts | Ongoing promotions and free consultations |
| BBB A+ rating and recognized Guildmaster Award for quality | Focus on green building and energy efficiency |
2. StruXure Outdoor
StruXure Outdoor is a pioneer of the smart pergola movement, making outdoor living adaptable and effortless. Its flagship model is a motorized, louvered aluminum structure that can be remotely operated or integrated with home automation systems. Its range features watertight louvers in clean, modern design lines, available in various sizes and custom colors.
StruXure’s products are American-made and engineered to withstand hurricane-force winds and heavy snow loads. The brand’s ICC certification ensures easy code compliance and permitting. Installation is managed via a nationwide network of authorized dealers, who guide homeowners through design and completion.
Key Features
| Smart pergolas with app, remote or voice control | Corrosion-resistant aluminum for longevity |
| Nationwide network of dealers | ICC certification |
3. Barrette Outdoor Living
Barrette Outdoor Living has been designing and manufacturing outdoor living products since 1975, providing homeowners with robust, stylish and easy-to-maintain pergolas. Its Freestyle™ kit is ideal for smaller spaces, made of matte black aluminum with a compact 8’x8’ footprint. It can be customized with your choice of decorative screen panels and comes with easy assembly and installation instructions.
Barrette’s pergolas emphasize longevity and low maintenance and are designed to integrate seamlessly with other brand products, such as fencing and decking. Homeowners benefit from detailed installation resources and a strong retailer network.
Key Features
| Weather-resistant colors and finishes | Modular system for integration with decks, screens and fencing |
| Easy DIY installation | Low-maintenance aluminum structures |
4. Luxury Pergola
Luxury Pergola offers homeowners high-end, remote-controlled American-made aluminum pergola kits that are both visually striking and engineered for longevity. Kits are fully customizable in size and color and are handmade to order. It is the only direct-to-consumer supplier offering extruded crown molding for an elegant aesthetic.
The firm’s structures are built to withstand hurricane-force winds and heavy snow loads and are backed with a lifetime warranty. This family-owned entity has been in business since 2014 and can create custom sizes, exclusive colorways and specific architectural adaptations to meet bespoke customer needs.
Key Features
| Lifetime warranty | Made in the USA |
| DIY-friendly with extensive video and phone support | Customizable, made-to-order kits |
5. Biossun California
Biossun California specializes in bioclimatic pergolas designed for energy efficiency, comfort and sustainability. Its offering centers around motorized recycled aluminum structures with adjustable, patented “S”-shaped louver blades for natural ventilation and sunlight management.
Designed and manufactured in France, its range includes optional integrated lighting, rainfall sensors and home automation integrations. The company serves customers in California, Nevada and Arizona and provides fully bespoke installations, with design support and your choice of over 100 colors and finishes.
Key Features
| Energy-efficient louvered designs | Optional solar-powered automation |
| Sustainable materials and manufacturing | Patented design to optimize air flow and thermal comfort |
6. Renaissance Patio Products
Renaissance Patio Products creates durable, engineered aluminum pergolas and patio covers that are built to withstand hurricanes, high winds and snow loads. Its products offer a versatile mix of shade solutions, with decorative styling ranging from modern to Mediterranean.
They are manufactured in the U.S., and installation is available through a network of qualified contractors. All structures are backed by a lifetime warranty. Choose from freestanding or attached models, some of which feature translucent polycarbonate roofing or optional screen walls.
Key Features
| Engineered for durability | Multiple design aesthetics |
| Professional installation via local vetted contractors | Comprehensive warranties |
Comparing the Top Pergola Companies
Each of the listed companies has its own strengths.
| Company | Types of Pergolas | Customization and Installation | Distinct Value |
| Colorado Sunroom and Window | Louvered/motorized, LifeRoom, traditional styles and patio covers | Fully custom design with local in-house installation and a consultative showroom experience | Local Colorado climate expertise, full-service from permit to build, award-winning support |
| StruXure Outdoor | Smart louvered pergolas with app/voice control and rain/wind sensors | Highly configurable via dealer network, compatible with home automation systems | Industry leader in smart pergola tech, premium and modern aesthetic |
| Barrette Outdoor Living | Modular, weatherproof aluminum and vinyl structures | Wide DIY and pro-install network, made to integrate with Barrette decks and fences | Extensive finish and modular options, low maintenance, budget friendly |
| Luxury Pergola | Premium U.S.-made kits designed for DIY | Custom sizing, shipper for DIY or the installer of your choice | Lifetime warranty, DIY-focused with strong customer service |
| Biossun California | Bioclimatic motorized louvered pergolas with eco-friendly features | Project-specific design, installed by in-house or approved professionals | Emphasis on eco, solar and energy efficiency, luxury Euro-modern design origin |
| Renaissance Patio Products | Engineered for extreme climates | Dealer and contractor install, semi-custom style, and color options | Stylish options with a focus on structural safety |
To select the top pergola providers, expert round-ups and customer-voted awards were used, together with verification from official company websites. Reviews and ratings were considered, and firms with major industry certifications, honors or long-standing reputations were prioritized.
The selected enterprises offer different value propositions to give homeowners a wide view of what is available. A mix of large-scale manufacturers, luxury brands and regional specialists was included to showcase variety and for practical comparison.
Your Perfect Patio Awaits
A thoughtfully chosen pergola is an investment in your home’s value, beauty and year-round potential. Whether you prioritize advanced automation, eco-friendly solutions or easy-care durability, today’s suppliers offer something for every space and lifestyle. Start your outdoor living journey and see how the perfect pergola can transform your space.
