Top Pergola Materials for 2025: Choosing the Right Option for Your Outdoor Space

Top Pergola Materials for 2025: Choosing the Right Option for Your Outdoor Space

Key Considerations for Pergola Material Selection

There is a lot for homeowners to consider when selecting a pergola for their space. One of the most important (yet often overlooked) considerations is the material from which your pergola is made. In this article, we'll go over the most common materials, their pros and cons, and what would work best for your space!

Choosing the Right Material for Pergola Projects

Choosing a pergola material can feel complicated - but it doesn't have to be! There are four materials that most pergolas are made of:

• Wood pergolas

• Vinyl pergolas

• Steel pergolas

• Aluminum pergolas

We'll go over each of these in detail, so you can know what the best material is for your pergola!

Wooden Pergolas

Wooden pergolas give that classic look that's hard to beat - they're distinctive, iconic, and customizable to all different shapes and sizes. Wood pergolas also always have the slatted/latticed roof that makes pergola distinctive, so you don't have to worry about wind and snow ratings near as much as you would with al louvered roof.

The problem? Pressure treated wood treatment has changed since the wooden pergola first got really popular in the 80s. It used to be that you could go buy some treated lumber and expect your structure to last (if properly maintained) 40 years or so; but now, most treated wood exposed to the elements (when properly maintained) is going to last only 10 years before it starts to deteriorate. On top of that, wood and lumber is a lot more expensive than it used to be - especially if you're going the cedarwood route.

But ultimately, wood has "that look" that can't be matched by any other material. So if you go with wood, just make sure to take care of, get some good quality stain, and routinely apply sealer to make sure it lasts as long as possible.

Vinyl Pergolas

Vinyl pergolas are often a more cost-effective option compared to other materials. Plus, they can match vinyl siding or trim you have on your house, which can help tie the patio to the home architecture. Vinyl pergolas typically offer less customization than wood pergolas, because they come in preset sizes and kits.

Vinyl is generally low maintenance, but depending on the quality of the vinyl and your climate, it may start warping or peeling over time. Which is... Not great.

Most vinyl pergolas are not going to be completely vinyl: they are actually vinyl wrapped around aluminum or treated lumber. Our advice: Avoid vinyl structures with wooden cores. Often, water will get trapped in between the vinyl and the wood, causing the wood to rot faster than if the vinyl wasn't there in the first place, and the wood was just exposed to the elements.

Steel Pergolas

Steel pergolas are often a very affordable ready made solution that you can get in off the shelf sizes. They will last for a very long time - steel is known for its longevity and strength, after all.

Most steel pergolas have very thin sidewalls in the extrusions, and then are roll painted with a layer of outdoor paint. Eventually, this paint will start warping and cracking, exposing the steel to the elements and allowing it to rust. So while these structures are sturdy and last a long time, they won't look great after a few years of sitting in the snow, wind, and rain.

Aluminum Pergolas

The quality of an aluminum pergola is very dependent on the manufacturing process.

Roll form aluminum is very cheap and very thin. This is the same process they use to make gutters and house drains. It may dent and bend fairly easily. These end up being very similar in quality to the steel pergola option, but sometimes slightly cheaper.

Extruded aluminum pergolas are much stronger and last much longer. They are a popular choice for outdoor spaces due to their sleek and modern appearance. One of the significant advantages of extruded aluminum pergolas is their durability and minimal maintenance requirements. Aluminum pergolas can withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and high winds, without compromising the structural integrity of the pergola. We're a little biased, but we think this is the best material for pergola structures.

Not all extrusions are made equal however: Check with the manufacturer to see how thick their extrusions are. A good rule of thumb is to calculate the "price per pound" of the pergola. The more weight, more metal and stronger the pergola is; and the better price per pound, the better deal you're getting.

Metal pergolas can be powder coated in a variety of colors, allowing homeowners to customize their outdoor living space to match their style. The quality of the powder coating matters too: We use an electrolayer powder coat that will last a lifetime - other powder coats may begin to fade over the years.

Pergola Design and Style

Different pergola materials lend themselves to different styles. Wood corners the market on the traditional and rustic look, while metal pergolas are ubiquitous when it comes to the modern patio and outdoor style.

Most consumer grade pergolas come in kits, which don't offer a lot of size options. Commercial grade pergolas will last a lot longer and meet building codes, and are completely customizable - but often with a premium price tag and a requirement to only work through specific installers and dealers. The Luxury Pergola is the only pergola kit that meets commercial specification and can be completely customizable down to the half inch.

Pergola Installation and Maintenance

Installation of a kit can be very simple or very complicated, depending on the manufacturer. The Luxury Pergola offers a clear step by step manual and an assembly video you can follow along with, and we designed it to be as easy as possible for regular homeowners to assemble even with limited DIY know-how. If you're not sure, consider hiring a professional to make sure your pergola is installed safely and securely.

Different materials require different levels of regular maintenance: Wood requires sealing; vinyl requires cleaning; steel and aluminum with rolled paint require touchups and maybe rust protection; and powder coated aluminum is low maintenance, it only requires and occasional hose-off (and cleaning out of the gutters if you have a louvered system with drainage). Make sure you're performing all maintenance tasks too ensure the longevity of your pergola.

Pergola Accessories and Enhancements

Once you've installed your pergola, there are a lot of accessories on the market you can get to enhance your experience. Here are a few:

• Drop shades/Blinds: These can be pulled down to protect you from the sun’s UV rays, creating a sort of wall on the side of your pergola

• Heaters: These can be mounted in your pergola to extend its use into chilly evenings.

• Fans: These can be installed in your pergola to provide a cool breeze on hot summer days.

In our experience, many homeowners jump into buying accessories too quickly. Often, it's better to set up your pergola and patio space, and then see how you end up using it so that you know for sure which accessories you'll actually get use out of. For example, you may not need drop shades on all four walls - you likely only need it on one pergola wall, which you'll discover when you see how the sunlight interacts when during the times you're outside using the space.

Final Considerations

One key point to consider when looking at different pergola materials is whether the manufacturer backs it with a warranty or guarantee - that says a lot about if they have trust in the quality of their own product. At The Luxury Pergola, our DIY pergola kits come with a lifetime warranty and are built to hold up to most environmental and weather conditions.

Have pergola questions? Give us a call today!