Pergola

A pergola is an outdoor structure featuring vertical posts and an open lattice roof, perfect for defining your patio, garden, or deck space while adding architectural interest. Whether you want a cozy spot for climbing vines, a shaded dining area, or a stylish extension of your living space, the options are wonderfully flexible. Angi helps you find local pros and inspiration to bring your pergola vision to life.
Pergola Service Articles and Advice
If you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor living space, a pergola is a great feature. We discuss five types of pergolas as well as the best materials to use.
Improve your DIY skills and create new ones by learning how to build a pergola of any kind using your knowledge of a few universal steps.
A pergola on deck upgrade can bring extra style and shade to your outdoor space. Find out how to build a pergola on a deck.
Climbing plants range from flowering morning glories to the colorful bougainvillea. Here are 13 top annual and perennial picks to climb up your pergola.
If you’re considering adding a new pergola to your deck or patio, review this guide first to find the best wood for pergolas.
The purpose of a pergola is to provide shade and a space to gather. Different types of pergolas can enhance your backyard entertaining game. Explore more here.
Talk about having it made in the shade, check out one of these 14 pergola ideas to stay cool all summer long.
Looking for a covered structure to add to your garden or patio? Find out whether an arbor vs. a pergola is right for your dream backyard.
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Common Pergola Service Questions

You can add any number of fun design elements to your attached pergola, including:

  • Shade structures

  • Retractable awnings

  • Waterproof televisions

  • Fire pits

  • Trellis flowers and vines

  • Sheer curtains

  • Hammocks

  • Hanging string lights

On average, a prefabricated pergola kit takes one to four hours to build. Prefabricated pergolas are the fastest to install and could save you money, while custom pergolas can take several days to install, ranging from eight to 16 hours. The number of workers on the project can also impact how long it takes to install a pergola. 

If you need to build a concrete slab, level your property, or remove obstacles from your yard before building a pergola, then your project could take several weeks to complete.

Typical pergola kits include four support columns, several rafters, top runners, support beams, and a base for bolting the structure to a concrete surface. The types of pergolas vary by manufacturer and feature. Some have only two support columns, with the rest of the structure leaning against a carport or patio. Others have retractable shade canopies to keep cool in the summer. 

The average cost to build a pergola ranges from $2,200 to $6,400, whereas the average cost of an awning ranges from $1,400 to $4,400, meaning that an awning tends to be less expensive to build or install than a pergola. Ultimately, the less expensive option depends on a few factors, including size, quality of materials used, and location.

While your municipality may have its own regulations requiring pergolas or other structures to be a certain height above a fire pit, the standard recommendation is that the pergola should be at least 10 feet above the fire pit. A taller pergola allows the heat from the flames to dissipate before reaching the structure.