The sun can become a bit overwhelming at times. Therefore, it’s a great idea to have a pergola or gazebo in your backyard to provide a bit of sun protection. Whether you want to get either a pergola or a gazebo is a matter of personal preference. Both have a slightly different structure. A pergola has a plain appearance and is primarily designed to provide shade. On the other hand, a gazebo is more of an elaborate structure and has a decorative appeal to it, although it provides some shade as well. You must consider various factors before getting one for your backyard. To make it easier for you to decide, we have narrowed down the best pergolas and gazebos in 2024 that you can set up in your yard to give your outdoor space an instant makeover, starting with Backyard Discovery's All-Season Steel Pergola as our top choice. We’ve also included a helpful buying guide that will provide you with plenty of gazebo and pergola ideas so you can start planning your new outdoor area.
Our Top Picks For Gazebos and Pergolas
The Best Gazebos and Pergolas
Best Overall
The Backyard Discovery Steel Pergola is an attractive and durable addition to any patio, deck, backyard, or garden. With a heavy-duty 100% galvanized steel construction, this pergola is stronger than aluminum or vinyl structures. With its high-performance powder coating and galvanization, it is fully protected against rust, corrosion, and UV harm. In addition to its durability, the Stratford Pergola has a modern design. The thick gauge steel post and stylish black finish deliver popular appeal while hidden internal joints add to the supreme strength and create a sleek exterior. It’s important to remember pergola size is based on the upper canopy dimensions and not the location of the legs.
The pergola is wind tested and certified to withstand up to 100 mph winds, so you can feel good knowing your investment is safe in most conditions. The structure also features an exclusive removable PowerPort that includes three electrical outlets and three USB ports, which can be transferable to any post on the structure. It’s a great feature if you want to incorporate lighting or charge devices in your outdoor space.
Pros
- Heavy-duty, galvanized steel and rust-resistant construction
- Maintenance-free, no need for painting or staining
- Easy to use 3D instructions with BILT app
Cons
- Risk of item damage with shipping products this big
Most Functional
The Sonoma Outdoor Gazebo is the perfect tool to add a functional feel to any outdoor environment. The polyester covering offers the perfect shade solution and its sturdy frame guarantees that the gazebo stands tall. It offers the perfect shade to relax in peace, for entertaining guests, or for lighting up your garden space.
This beige and light brown gazebo is made up of polyester and stands strong because of its steel frame. It measures 118” x 118” x 107.25” and serves as a lively addition to your perfect yard. You can even attach canvas wall panels and zip them together for complete privacy and shade! While it’s a bit expensive for a polyester gazebo, it still offers a great deal of value and makes your outdoor space feel more like home.
Pros
- Solid gazebo that comes with curtains, screened walls, and can even be zipped closed with canvas
- Easy to set up; tools are included and installation instructions are clear
- Has a classic design that looks good in all kinds of surroundings
Cons
- There’s no support for the curtains to prevent them from flowing air through the bottom
Honorable Mention
This dark brown-colored gazebo lets you bring the comfort and glamor of a resort to your backyard. It’s made up of non-rusting aluminum material that adds an element of luxury and sophistication and is bound to impress your guests!
This gazebo is built for stability – the material used for the frame is metal, aluminum, and alloy steel. For netting, it has extremely durable PBV-coated polyester that adds privacy to your gazebo’s sidewalls.
Pros
- Aluminum frame is rust-proof, the anchoring stand is super sturdy, making this gazebo a permanent glamorous addition to your lawn
- Has a privacy sidewall as well as a water gutter design
- It comes in three sizes, so you can pick one that best fits your yard
Cons
- The installation requires attention to detail and can take more time than expected
Best Design
The Erommy Hardtop Gazebo is a budget-friendly, beautiful-looking, double roof polycarbonate Gazebo! If you’re a little tight on the budget and you still want to go for a high-end product, this is what you need! It comes with a modern minimalistic design and is equipped with all the essentials of a long-lasting gazebo.
The Erommy’s Gazebo’s overall dimensions are 13.1’ x 10’ x 9.1’ and it comes with a brown frame, beige canopy, and netting. The frame is made up of aluminum and the height of edges is around 6.5’. When it comes to features, it has a zippered mesh netting, powder-coated frame, UV-resistant polyester canopy top, and includes eight ground stakes. The installation process may take you anywhere between 3-5 hours and that’s only if 2-3 people are setting it up.
Pros
- Top aluminum frame is rust-proof
- Double roof/polycarbonate roof defends against UV Rrays
- Netting/curtains for a cozy environment and bug protection
Cons
- Could provide more shade
Buying Guide: Gazebos and Pergolas
Learning More About Gazebos and Pergolas
Gardens are beautiful extensions of our homes. As much as possible, we want to keep our lawns attractive, and building either a gazebo or a pergola can do just that. Many gardens have gazebos, and many have pergolas. But which garden structure suits you best? Continue reading to discover key factors to know about these structures, and to gain some gazebo and pergola ideas for your outdoor living space.
What Is a Gazebo?
A gazebo is a beautiful and large pavilion structure that is typically formed into an octagonal shape, as well as turret-shaped. This incredible structure is usually built in a garden, park, or expansive public or private location. A gazebo is designed to be either connected to a wall in a garden or left freestanding in the garden. It is used as a shelter, shade, or ornamental that is featured in a lawn and garden landscape for relaxation purposes. Many public gazebos are used as rain shelters or bandstands. They are great for providing a whimsical feel to any event that involves outdoor entertaining.
Gazebos were constructed in the 18th century on the hillsides in order to highlight the magnificent views of the countryside, as well as for the purpose of keeping an eye on intruders. Traditional gazebos have open sides, but in recent years many gazebos are built with protective screens to prevent insects from coming inside.
Typically, permanent gazebos are created using natural wood but this is a more expensive route. A wooden gazebo offers the advantage of enhanced aesthetics and longevity. Affordable gazebos are made similar to a screen tent, and though this type is less permanent, it can still add beauty to your yard. The less permanent gazebos commonly have aluminum frames and can be put together in a matter of hours. These gazebos are normally in square shapes, which technically does not make them real gazebos, but they are marketed as such.
What Is a Pergola?
A pergola is a garden structure equipped with vertical pillars or sturdy posts that provides support for and foundation of crossbeams and a strong open lattice on top. Pergolas are strategically formed into a passageway, shaded walkway, or sitting area where woody support vines are usually planted to grow over the pergola’s roof. Pergolas are mostly found in desert climates, but these garden structures are also built in other parts of the world, especially in warm regions. The designs for the latest freestanding pergolas use vinyl, natural wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) compared to the traditional stone or brick pillars. Old-fashioned pergolas are expensive, and modern ones are affordable and more well-known in the world. Freestanding pergolas are commonly found on pool decks, as they provide shade for guests while they experience some outdoor entertaining. Generally, a wooden pergola is the most common choice for pool decks and outdoor patios. You can construct a wooden pergola out of light or dark wood. Or, you could even construct a black pergola if you want a sleeker, more modern look. There are so many pergola ideas out there to consider.
Gazebos Versus Pergolas
Gazebos and pergolas are both visually attractive garden structures, but they both differ in some ways. Gazebos are mostly octagonal or round in shape, and pergolas are typically rectangular or square in shape. Gazebos are designed to have a roof for sun and rain protection, while most pergolas have no roofs, but only have cross beams. Another difference between gazebos and pergolas is their placement. Gazebos are built alone and there is usually only one in a garden, while the latter can be constructed as freestanding pergolas or can join two structures as one.
Choosing a High-Quality Gazebo for Your Garden
Having a gazebo in your property is an excellent choice, but you must understand your purpose for having one. Do you intend to use your gazebo for decorative purposes or simply for quiet relaxation? You must also decide the location for the gazebo, considering the size of your free space.
There are many factors to consider in building a gazebo, and that includes the material you want to use, like wood or vinyl, and what type of gazebo you need. You can opt for an octagon gazebo, oval, large, hexagonal, pop-up gazebo, hot tub gazebo, and other selections. Decide on the sidings and railings of your gazebo, what kind of roof or flooring you prefer, and what additional features you like to include like lighting, pathways to your gazebo, moldings, flora arrangements, windows, and many more.
Choosing the Right Pergola for Your Garden
If you decide to build a pergola in your garden, you must consider a lot of factors including the material you want to use. Many affordable pergolas these days can be made out of natural wood, wrought iron, aluminum, or powder-coated steel. Choose your design as well–a classic look or a modern style–and select your shape of square or rectangle. A rectangular, wooden pergola offers the most traditional look. Your freestanding pergola can be a neatly organized garden structure with the same height of plants all around, or you can have a beautifully disorganized pergola with plants of varying heights (or avoid plants altogether).
It is also very important that you figure out exactly what value you wish to derive from the pergola. It is smart to consider different pergola ideas when decorating your space. Do you want to create a gorgeous pathway in your garden, or do you want to build a peaceful and romantic place to have dinner or hang around? This will allow you to add other features such as molding, curtains, and lighting that make it into the space you envision.
How To Decorate a Gazebo
If you want your gazebo to look as nice as your garden, you’re going to want to invest a little energy into decorating it. Lowe’s shows you how to decorate your pergola with potted plants and more in their video below!
Conclusion
Choosing a gazebo or a pergola for your garden is easy enough to do as long as you know what you want. It all comes down to personal preference and your specific purpose you need a garden structure. However, if you have a huge property space, you can definitely have both. You can build a gazebo in your garden, and create a pergola that leads to your gazebo, with sufficient space between the two structures. But if you have room for only one, consider your options and decide depending on your needs, wants, feasibility, and of course, your budget. There are many affordable gazebos and pergolas on the market, and it’s up to you to choose one that will fit your taste and budget.
People Also Asked
Is a pergola/gazebo weatherproof?
Yes, pergolas/gazebos have a weatherproof structure that is perfect for the outdoors. The material is waterproof and they usually come with net curtains that can prevent bugs from entering the gazebo.
Can I install a pergola/gazebo on my own?
Yes you can, although it might take you a long time to set one up especially if you have not assembled something of this size before.
Should I opt for a pergola or a gazebo?
For most people, either a pergola or a gazebo should work just fine as they are essentially very similar with only a few minor differences. You should opt for one that best suits your needs, and also appeals to your decorative eye. Both will provide you with sun protection, so you really can't go wrong.
