6 Free Pergola Plans (Plus: Pavilions, Patios and Arbors) - Building Strong (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to build a pergola or buy one? ›

Purchasing A Pergola Kit

In contrast to building a pergola yourself, you will not only you save money and time, but you will also get a high-quality product at a similar price, maybe even cheaper considering the additional costs that may be spent on building a pergola.

It's cheaper to buy a DIY pergola kit. These kits cost between $1,000 and $2,500 on average, and you won't have to pay for labor. However, you're limited to specific designs and sizes; a more customized pergola designed for your home's unique landscape may look and function better (and have a higher ROI).

You'll find a wide variety of shapes and styles for pergolas here as well as plans for both free-standing and deck pergolas. Building a pergola can be a simple to challenging building project depending on what plan you pick so make sure you know your skill level before starting.

European Green Oak ticks all the right boxes. Strong, sturdy and durable, with excellent natural resistance to insect infestation, moisture and decay — everything you want from a pergola. This wood is essentially maintenance free, and can be left to age gracefully to a classy silvery-grey.

Do you want a cozy outdoor living space? Expect to pay $2,100 to $6,000 for a professionally installed pergola. The average cost of a pergola is $4,000, but they can cost as little as $1,050 and as much as $11,000. The total cost depends on several factors, including size, material, and features.

The best and most durable pergola material you can go with is aluminum. It has the best price to performance ratio when you're trying to build pergolas that last a lifetime. The main factors that make aluminum the most durable pergola materials are: Aluminum is HIGHLY weather resistant.

Gazebos are more robust constructions than pergolas. Pergolas tend to be less expensive and easier to build. Both pergolas and gazebos add shade and flair to your yard. Both structures can increase your home's value.

A freestanding pergola is also called a 'self-supported' pergola. Supported by four posts, it is totally independent from the house. In contrast to lean-to pergolas, freestanding pergolas are not attached to the house, which will avoid damaging the exterior walls.

Other types of footing can be used depending on the pergola material. You need no concrete if the pergola is made from light materials, like aluminium or wood, and on a levelled surface. However, a pergola made from heavy materials or installed on an unlevelled surface needs a concrete footing.

How do you stabilize a freestanding pergola? ›

This could involve anything from tightening a few screws to adding an entirely new beam. Adding a crossbeam will help hold the posts in place and help distribute weight more effectively, preventing significant problems such as cave-ins. Adding brackets or corbels may also be worthwhile to provide even more support.

It costs $3,780 to build a 12×12 wooden pergola and about $5,270 for a vinyl one. So for a high-end 12×12 pergola, you are looking at around $3,500 to $5,500.

add diagonal bracing. 45 degrees is the strongest but for the pergola, likely not a requirement. If 45 degrees brings the braces too low, you could consider a different angle.

Footings are vital for a sturdy pergola. They provide stability and support against the elements. Essentially, footings are concrete blocks buried underground to anchor your pergola, preventing it from toppling over during wind or bad weather.

The correct depth can be determined by checking with your local building code department or online resource. In warmer climates you may be able to use 10′ posts, which would be buried 2′ in the ground, and colder climates will most likely use 12′ posts which would be buried 3-4′ in the ground.

But before investing in one, many homeowners wonder if a pergola will add value to their home. While there are many caveats, in short, the answer is yes. A pergola has the potential to add value to your home, with many estimates putting the return on investment at somewhere around 50% to 80%.