When you’re pricing up pergolas, the first call is usually between timber and metal, then whether you need a freestanding frame or a wall-fixed run. Timber suits jobs where you want a warmer look and easier cutting on site. Metal gives a cleaner finish and less maintenance, but it is less forgiving if the base is not right. Freestanding models need more room all round, so tight access can catch you out.
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Return to homeStart with what the space has to do, because that usually decides the spec before anything else. A simple frame to define a seating area often calls for a standard pergola. More cover, or a tighter fit against a wall, changes the layout straight away. Check the span, the fixing points, and how much headroom you can keep once the posts are in. Most call-backs come from choosing on appearance first, then finding the footprint is wrong for the site.
If you’re narrowing pergolas down at the counter, the first split is usually attached or freestanding. Attached pergolas work when you want to run off the building line and keep the footprint tight. Freestanding pergolas suit jobs where the structure needs to stand on its own and read as a feature.
Freestanding pergolas need enough clearance to keep access and the standalone look workable. In a tight space, they can feel awkward fast. Wooden pergolas are the usual pick when you want a softer finish. Metal pergolas suit a cleaner spec and less upkeep. Pergola accessories come in when you need to finish the job off. Garden Buildings is the parent range if you’re comparing this against other outdoor structures.
Start with what the structure has to do, then the material and footprint usually follow.
Timber suits jobs where you need easier cutting and a bit more give on site. The trade-off is upkeep. Metal works better when the spec calls for a cleaner, lower-maintenance finish, but you lose some flexibility on awkward dimensions.
If the brief is mainly shade control rather than a full frame, look at Awnings instead. When storage needs to sit alongside the build, Garden Storage is often ordered at the same time, so the layout is settled before anything goes in.
Once the pergola is chosen, the next call is usually what finishes the run - screens, side panels and the pergola accessories that stop it feeling half done.
If the brief needs more shelter from wind or overlooking, solid or louvred sides are the bit that changes how usable it is. If it is tying into a patio or deck, you may only need the fixing and trim details. Check what sits underneath and around it as well. A neat finish is often lost to poor edging or a missed storage point nearby.