Sign Up and Get 10% Off Over 90 Pergola Sizes!
LEARN MORE
Pergola Depot
  • About Us
  • Contact

Call Us

(877) 563-0002

0
00 items
  • Pergola Kits
    • Visor Pergola Kits
      Shop Visors

      • Accent Pergola
      • Base Price Range: $

      Shop Visor
    • Brim Pergola Kits
      Shop Brim

      • Garden Pergola
      • Base Price Range: $

      Shop Brim
    • Fedora Pergola Kits
      Shop Fedora Pergolas

      • Light Sun Coverage
      • Base Price Range: $$

      Shop Fedora
    • CATEGORIES
      • • Solar Ready Pergola Kits
      • • Peak Timber Frame Pergolas
      • • Cedar Pergola Kits
      • • DIY Pergola Kits
      • • Attached Pergola Kit Designs
      • • Accessories
      • • Payment & Financing Options
    • Melbourne Pergola Kits
      Shop Melbourne Pergolas

      • Open Roof Structure
      • Base Price Range: $$

      Shop Melbourne
    • Sombrero Pergola Kits
      Shop Sombrero Pergola Kits

      • Medium Sun Coverage
      • Base Price Range: $$$

      Shop Sombrero
    • Big Kahuna Pergola Kits
      Best Selling Pergola Kits

      • Maximum Sun Coverage
      • Base Price Range: $$$$

      Shop Big Kahuna
    • Next Steps?
      Shop Now
      Best Selling Pergolas
      Shop All Big Kahuna Sizes
      How To Measure
      Contact Us
      FAQs
  • Custom Pergola Kits
  • Patio Accessories
    • Retractable Canopies
    • Patio Sun Shade Sail Canopy
    • Cedar Planter Box Kits
    • Rope Pergola Hammock KitNEW
  • Resources
    • GUIDES & INFO
      • • Pergola Styles Comparison
      • • How to Measure for a Pergola
      • • How to Pick the Best Wood Pergolas
      • • Pergola Dimensions
      • • Pergola Post Guide
      • • Pergola Wood Type Comparison
    • ABOUT
      • • About Us
      • • FAQs
      • • Outdoor Living Blog
      • • Customer Reviews
      • • Payment and Financing Options
      • • Terms and Conditions
    • CONTRACTORS
      • • Contractor Discount Program
      • • Contractor Resources
      • • Installation Information
      • • Installer Directory
    • PERGOLA KITS BUYING GUIDE
      Pergola Kits Buying Guide
  • Specials
  • Buying Guide
  • Pergola Kits
    • Visor Pergola Kits
      Shop Visors

      • Accent Pergola
      • Base Price Range: $

      Shop Visor
    • Brim Pergola Kits
      Shop Brim

      • Garden Pergola
      • Base Price Range: $

      Shop Brim
    • Fedora Pergola Kits
      Shop Fedora Pergolas

      • Light Sun Coverage
      • Base Price Range: $$

      Shop Fedora
    • CATEGORIES
      • • Solar Ready Pergola Kits
      • • Peak Timber Frame Pergolas
      • • Cedar Pergola Kits
      • • DIY Pergola Kits
      • • Attached Pergola Kit Designs
      • • Accessories
      • • Payment & Financing Options
    • Melbourne Pergola Kits
      Shop Melbourne Pergolas

      • Open Roof Structure
      • Base Price Range: $$

      Shop Melbourne
    • Sombrero Pergola Kits
      Shop Sombrero Pergola Kits

      • Medium Sun Coverage
      • Base Price Range: $$$

      Shop Sombrero
    • Big Kahuna Pergola Kits
      Best Selling Pergola Kits

      • Maximum Sun Coverage
      • Base Price Range: $$$$

      Shop Big Kahuna
    • Next Steps?
      Shop Now
      Best Selling Pergolas
      Shop All Big Kahuna Sizes
      How To Measure
      Contact Us
      FAQs
  • Custom Pergola Kits
  • Patio Accessories
    • Retractable Canopies
    • Patio Sun Shade Sail Canopy
    • Cedar Planter Box Kits
    • Rope Pergola Hammock KitNEW
  • Resources
    • GUIDES & INFO
      • • Pergola Styles Comparison
      • • How to Measure for a Pergola
      • • How to Pick the Best Wood Pergolas
      • • Pergola Dimensions
      • • Pergola Post Guide
      • • Pergola Wood Type Comparison
    • ABOUT
      • • About Us
      • • FAQs
      • • Outdoor Living Blog
      • • Customer Reviews
      • • Payment and Financing Options
      • • Terms and Conditions
    • CONTRACTORS
      • • Contractor Discount Program
      • • Contractor Resources
      • • Installation Information
      • • Installer Directory
    • PERGOLA KITS BUYING GUIDE
      Pergola Kits Buying Guide
  • Specials
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Buying Guide

Pergola vs Gazebo

  • Home
  • Pergola Kits and Outdoor Living Ideas Pergola Depot Blog
  • Pergola vs Gazebo
Cedar Garden Pergola – Big Kahuna

Pergola vs Gazebo

Outdoor Living Space Ideas, Patio Structures

There are many options when choosing an outdoor shade structure that also adds beauty to your backyard design. Two of the best choices for offering shade include pergolas and gazebos. Which is best for your space? Pergolas and gazebos both serve similar functions on a patio or in a backyard space. When you compare a pergola vs gazebo, you’ll see 3 main contrasts. The biggest difference is in the shape and overall appearance. Other variations for these popular outdoor structures are price and use.

Choose which structure is right for your backyard, garden, or community space based on your style preference, budget, and available space.

Top Variations in a Pergola vs Gazebo

Cedar Garden Pergola – Big Kahuna

Pergolas are outdoor shade structures offered in a wide range of sizes that consist of vertical posts that support an overhead set of beams, rafters, and top slats. Depending on the desired amount of shade and shelter, the opening can accommodate any number of top slats, a canopy, or other shade covering. Patio furniture, table, and benches can be set up underneath your pergola for an outdoor bird or wildlife viewing area.

While pergolas provide some protection from rain and weather, they can also offer shade depending on your pergola roof selection. Built as square or rectangle shaped structures, pergolas are typically built to highlight the natural beauty of a landscaped area. Maybe you’d like to build a special hideaway in your garden and you’d like a small pergola to be the focal point? Enhance it more by creating a winding walkway that leads to it and add your favorite flowering and vining plants.

Pergola vs Gazebo – Pergola with Vining Plants

Pergolas offer shade, function, design, and character to many different types of landscapes. Pergolas are most easily identified by their partially-roofed design with classic post, beam, and rafters. Posts hold the rafters running one direction, with rafters and top slats running in the opposing direction. 

As with many outdoor structures, you can choose whether you attach your pergola on one side, or stand-alone. Freestanding pergola kits are a very popular choice for completing an outdoor kitchen, a relaxing getaway, or a poolside retreat.

What’s the Difference between Pergola and Gazebo?

Patio covers such as wood pergolas are special because they offer an affordable addition that makes your garden very inviting and welcoming. With a pergola, you can choose the amount of roof coverage you’d like. Great for outdoor kitchens, poolside patio cover, outdoor bar, open air living room, or entertaining space for groups small or large. Pergolas offer expansive views and can create a border to identify a space.

Cedar Freestanding Garden Pergola Kit - Big Kahuna

Cousin to the pergola, gazebos are outdoor shade structures with a solid roof, partially open sides, and a floor (either built-in or on a concrete base).

Typically set at the outer edge of a yard, a gazebo often is placed in a spot to capture a view. They sometimes incorporate built-in seating, and are either round or polygon in shape and have a covered roof.  Gazebos are commonly found in a larger yard, or a community area to serve as a bandstand or pavilion for large or small groups to gather. Gazebos are a bit more restrictive of space and are a little more complex to build. Typically, gazebo structures are found on larger properties and built near waterfront or away from the home or building for privacy.

Since there are so many variations due to material used, kit, or custom pergolas or gazebos, it’s difficult to compare price with a pergola vs gazebo. For a standard comparison, a 12×12 wood gazebo kit ranges from $3,500-8,000 and a 12×12 wood pergola kit ranges from $2,200-5,000.

Preferences in Pergola or Gazebo

When considering a backyard structure, choosing the right style to fit your needs can take some time. Use, location, and design are all things to consider. No matter what size or style you choose, you’ll add value to your home when you incorporate an outdoor structure in your outdoor living area.

If you’re looking for a visually appealing way to create a shady spot and add some flair to your landscape, a pergola can provide both. Enhance your home or landscape and capture that feeling of privacy and beauty. If you’re leaning towards choosing a pergola vs a gazebo, prefab pergola kits offer a simple way to make that dream into a reality. Contact the Pergola Depot team today with your pergola questions!

Share this post

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email

Related Posts

outdoor wood structure kit

Planning a Spring or Summer Garden Party?

Now's the time to get your patio plan in place, starting with an outdoor wood structure kit! Perhaps you'll be... read more

what do homebuyers want? outdoor amenities

What Do Homebuyers Want? The Best Outdoor Amenities That Buyers Love

If you're thinking about selling your house in the next few years, you'll want to consider the question, "What do... read more

backyardholidayparty2

Festive Backyard Christmas Party Ideas & Holiday Decoration Tips

While you may be dreaming of a white Christmas, if you live in a spot on the map where real... read more

custom cedar BK with flowering plants

Easy and Low-Maintenance Patio Plants to Grow Under and Around Your Pergola

You've just installed a Pergola Depot pergola — congratulations! Or perhaps you're still planning out your perfect custom pergola or... read more

staycation ideas

Summertime Staycation Ideas

Sometimes all you want is to take a well-deserved vacation from the realities of everyday life, especially with summer rolling... read more

Pergola Designs Shade

Pergola Designs for Shade

There are few moments more relaxing than sitting on your outdoor patio on a warm summer day sharing stories with... read more

uses for pergola poolside retreat

Top 5 Uses for a Pergola

Are you trying to make your outdoor space usable year-round? Have you heard people talking about pergolas and gazebos and... read more

Winter Pergola Prep Guide: How To Protect a Pergola in the Winter

Even if it's winter, a pergola needs a little bit of love. We know that in the spring, summer and... read more

Vegetable and Flower Raised Garden Bed Ideas for Cedar Planters

Have you heard of the old saying, "carrots love tomatoes"? According to this phrase, growing these two vegetables together will... read more

patio decoration front_door

Most Inviting Colors for Front Door and Patio Decorations

One surefire (and easy!) way to liven up your entryway is to welcome visitors with a new splash of color... read more

Get in Touch!

Since 2008, Pergola Depot has been building & shipping high quality pergola kits and outdoor living products to locations throughout the lower 48 United States. Made in the USA.

Pergola Depot Reviews

CONTACT US

Address

1600 Cooling St, Melbourne, FL 32935 USA

Phone

(877) 563-0002

Email

info@pergoladepot.com

Hours

Mon - Fri / 9:00AM - 5:00PM

SALES & SUPPORT

  • Specials & Offers
  • My Account
  • Payment Options
  • Affirm Financing
  • Outdoor Living Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Call Us (877) 563-0002

Sales & Special Offers

SHOP

  • • Big Kahuna Pergola Kits
  • • Sombrero Pergola Kits
  • • Melbourne Pergola Kits
  • • Fedora Pergola Kits
  • • Brim Pergola Kits
  • • Visor Pergola Kits
  • • Solar-Ready Pergola Kits
  • • Big Kahuna - All Sizes
  • • Sombrero - All Sizes
  • • Fedora - All Sizes

Pergola Depot © 2023. All Rights Reserved

</s