Pergolas vs. Gazebos: What’s the Difference?
Your backyard is your sanctuary for enjoying the outdoors and gathering with friends and family. To make this area even better, you can designate a spot for relaxation. Create a leisurely gathering space with a pergola or a gazebo. While you have likely heard of both, you might wonder if there is a difference. These structures cultivate the ideal outdoor environment, and they have some key distinctions that set them apart.
Structure: Focus on the Roof
Builders use beams of various materials, including wood, aluminum, and steel, to construct a pergola. These beams will interlace, creating a unique roof. While they typically grant minimal shade, they provide space for plants to grow, making pergolas excellent additions to a backyard garden. Louvered, or mechanical, pergolas are also great options because their adjustable roofs allow for year-round use.
A gazebo, on the other hand, contains a solid roof. The roof is often made from tiles, steel, or fabric, and it’s pitched (angled) to promote water runoff. The gazebo floor is usually finished and raised off the lawn or patio, giving homeowners a half-inside, half-outside space to enjoy.
Price: Determine Your Budget
A pergola is a more affordable option for a permanent garden edifice. It requires less materials and labor than a gazebo, making it ideal for homeowners looking to save money. While a gazebo may be a pricier undertaking due to its more complex architecture, the results are worth it. Gazebos cost more than pergolas since builders must prep the ground, which can be labor-intensive.
Location: Consider your Yard Space
You can place your pergola in a variety of spots in your backyard, such as nudging it up against your house, fitting it into your landscaping, or dropping it in the middle of your patio. A pergola installation allows for flexibility and customization, such as a louvered pergola with an adjustable roof. Gazebos, however, need a bit more space. Their sheer size and design make them stand-alone structures that occupy a greater surface area.
Uses: Practicality vs. Aesthetic
A gazebo provides full sun coverage thanks to its sturdy roof and optional walls. A pergola is more open, resulting in sunlight shining through the top and sides. That said, a gazebo offers a better space for relaxing since it shields you from the weather. However, a pergola might be the better choice if you find tranquility in gardening. While they aren’t as useful for providing shade unless you opt for a louvered design, pergolas are attractive structures to improve your landscaping.
When you are ready to design and install, consider Kona Contractors. Our outdoor living contractors in Denver use high-quality products and practices! Adding a permanent structure to your backyard can improve your time spent outside and enhance your outdoor gatherings. Regardless of the differences between pergolas and gazebos, both will help you create a backyard sanctuary.