Best Pergola Kits: How to Find the Right One for Your Home
A pergola kit is a pre-engineered, pre-cut outdoor shade structure that is shipped to your home for assembly. It all comes with labels and you simply bolt it together. No cutting. No welding. No fabricating. Most homeowner installations take a single day with 2 to 3 people.
You can find a wood pergola kit at a big box store for $1,500. You can also get a commercial grade aluminum pergola kit delivered to your site for over $25,000. Not only is the product different, but the longevity of the product will be different. What you buy will determine if your pergola looks good in 5 years or 25 years.
This is a review of the various types of pergola kits available, their differences, and how to select the best kit for your region, budget and needs. If you are still deciding between a pergola and a gazebo, read our pergola vs gazebo comparison first.
Pergola kits are available in a wide variety of styles. Here are a few of the more popular types.
Related: garden pergola: the perfect outdoor space
Aluminum Pergola Kits (Adjustable Sun Louver) - Louvered Roof Systems
These are the high end versions. Aluminum framed with motorized louvers that open from fully open (allowing sun and air to pass through) to fully closed (forming a waterproof roof). Controlled by remote, wall switch, or rain sensor.
Best for: Folks who want year-round outdoor living and instant access to sunshine, shade, and weather protection.
- Price range: $2,000 to $25,000+ depending on size and build quality
- Lifespan: 15 to 25+ years (commercial-grade)
- Maintenance: Minimal (hose off a few times per year)
- Weather: Best-in-class. Commercial-grade units handle up to 200+ mph wind and up to 65 psf snow load.
Read our complete louvered pergola guide.
Aluminum Pergola Kits (Fixed Roof) – WOOD FREE!
A solid roof that is not adjustable, providing full shade and weather protection, but cannot allow sun to shine through. Essentially an aluminum patio cover in the shape of a pergola.
Ideal for: Homeowners who desire fixed full-shade coverage, but don’t need or want a louvered system.
- Price range: $3,000 to $12,000
- Lifespan: 15 to 20+ years
- Maintenance: Minimal
- Limitation: No adjustability. Always fully covered or you need a separate uncovered area for sun.
Wood Pergola Kits
Classic appearance, solid wood beams (cedar, redwood or pressure treated pine). Open beam, partially shaded classic appearance. No moving parts. No protection from rain
Ideal for: Those who want the look of real wood for their patio or garden furniture, and don’t mind maintaining it.
- Price range: $1,500 to $8,000
- Lifespan: 8 to 15 years (with regular maintenance)
- Maintenance: High. Requires staining or sealing every 1 to 2 years. Will eventually rot, warp, or crack.
- Limitation: No rain protection, no adjustable shade, degrades over time regardless of maintenance.
Vinyl Pergola Kits
PVC/vinyl frames with a maintenance-free coating. Resists dirt and remains white. Open-beam design, similar to that of wood pergolas.
Ideal for: Those who desire the appearance of a white wood pergola, but don't want to mess with staining or painting.
- Price range: $2,000 to $6,000
- Lifespan: 10 to 20 years
- Maintenance: Low (wash with soap and water)
- Limitation: Limited structural strength. Can become brittle in extreme heat or cold. Cannot support motorized louver systems. Limited color options (mostly white).
What to Look for in a Pergola Kit
1. Material and Weight
For aluminum kits, total unit weight is the most honest indicator of build quality. A 10x13 commercial-grade aluminum pergola weighs 1,800 lbs. A mass-market import weighs 250 to 450 lbs. You cannot fake weight. More weight means thicker extrusions, larger posts, and more structural integrity.
For wood kits, look for the wood species and treatment. Cedar and redwood are naturally rot-resistant. Pressure-treated pine is cheaper but requires more frequent sealing.
For a deeper dive into why aluminum is the top choice for durability, see our aluminum pergola comparison guide.
2. Wind and Snow Ratings
If you live anywhere with thunderstorms (most of the US), a wind rating under 80 mph is a liability. Commercial-grade aluminum kits are rated for 150 to 200+ mph. Wood and vinyl kits are rarely rated at all.
For snow, any kit rated under 20 psf will struggle in a real winter. Commercial-grade aluminum handles 65+ psf. See our hurricane-proof pergola guide for more on weather ratings.
3. Warranty
Warranty length correlates directly with build quality. Here is the landscape:
- Mass-market import kits: 1 to 5 years
- Mid-range aluminum: 10 years (often frame-only)
- Commercial-grade aluminum: 15-year to lifetime (frame, louvers, motor, electronics, finish)
- Wood kits: 3 to 10 years (frame only, does not cover natural degradation)
4. Ease of Installation
All pergola kits are meant to be assembled by the homeowner, though some are more complicated than others. Consider the following:
- Do components arrive pre-cut and pre-drilled, or do you need to cut and drill?
- Are video installation guides available?
- Is phone support available during installation?
- How many people are needed? (Wood kits: 2 people. Heavy aluminum kits: 2 to 3 people for the weight.)
5. Free-Standing or Attached:
Freestanding kits sit atop four posts and can be positioned anywhere on a concrete slab. The most versatile pergola kit. More on freestanding pergolas.
Attached. These kits attach to your home on one end. It provides a smooth integration between your home and yard but does need a solid wall to attach to.
6. Size Options
Typical dimensions for a standard pergola kit are 8x8 to 12x20 for a single pergola. Commercial-grade brands are designed for linked pergolas to extend the overall length. Measure your patio, and add 2 to 3 feet on each side for the structure overhang and footings for posts. Use our size guide to find the right fit for your space.
Pergola Kits by Price
| Feature | Commercial-Grade Aluminum Louvered | Import Aluminum Louvered | Aluminum Fixed Roof | Wood Kit | Vinyl Kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (10x13) | $15,000 - $25,000 | $2,000 - $5,000 | $3,000 - $12,000 | $2,000 - $8,000 | $2,000 - $6,000 |
| Weight | 1,500 - 1,800 lbs | 250 - 450 lbs | 300 - 800 lbs | 400 - 1,000 lbs | 200 - 500 lbs |
| Adjustable shade | Yes (motorized) | Yes (motorized) | No | Partial (fixed beams) | Partial (fixed beams) |
| Rain protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Wind rating | 150 - 200+ mph | 55 - 80 mph | 60 - 100 mph | Unrated | Unrated |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 3 - 5 years | 5 - 10 years | 3 - 10 years | 5 - 15 years |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | High (annual) | Low |
| Lifespan | 25+ years | 5 - 10 years | 15 - 20 years | 8 - 15 years | 10 - 20 years |
| Install time | 1 day (2-3 people) | 4-8 hours (2 people) | 4-8 hours (2 people) | 1-2 days (2 people) | 1 day (2 people) |
# Pergola Kit Ratings by Application
Year-Round Outdoor Living at Its Best
Commercial grade aluminum louvered roof kit. The automated louvers will give you full sun when you desire, full shade when you need it and a leak proof roof when it rains. If you want to use your patio year round and regardless of weather conditions, this is the only system that will meet your needs.
# The best budget patio shade for people on a budget.
Wood pergola kit. If you are looking for partial shade for a patio or garden seating area and you do not need a waterproof roof, a cedar pergola kit in the $2,000-$4,000 range will provide it. Be prepared to stain it every year and to replace it at some point.
Great for Outdoor Kitchens
Aluminum louvered kit (commercial-grade). You will need to protect your outdoor kitchen from rain — with electrical and a lot of surfaces that shouldn't be drenched — and smoke when you grill. Motorized louvers can do both. Check out our outdoor kitchen pergola guide.
Ideal for High Wind & Hurricane Zones
Commercial-grade aluminum (over 200 mph rated). No other material even comes close. See our hurricane-proof pergola guide.
Best for Pool Decks
Aluminum louvered kit. Aluminum won't corrode with the chlorine or the water. Open up the louvers to get some sun when you're swimming, and close them when you need shade when you're lounging. No wood to deteriorate under a constant blast of water.
# Things to Consider When Purchasing a Pergola Kit
- What is the total unit weight? (The single best quality indicator for aluminum kits.)
- What is the wind rating? (Match to your local weather conditions.)
- What does the warranty cover? (Frame only? Or frame + motor + electronics + finish?)
- What is the powder coat / finish process? (Single-stage vs. multi-stage determines longevity.)
- Where is it manufactured? (Affects quality, warranty service, and replacement part availability.)
- What installation support is provided? (Videos, manuals, phone support during install?)
- What accessories are available? (LED lights, screens, heaters, rain sensors?)
- What foundation is required? (Concrete pad, footings, or can it go on pavers?)
# Common Queries
What is the difficulty level of building a pergola kit?
No. Better pergola kits come pre-cut, pre-drilled, and labeled. You are bolting things together, not building from scratch. The skills required are similar to assembling a really big piece of furniture. The only trick with commercial-grade aluminum pergola kits is the weight. Beams can weigh 50 to 100 pounds or more, so you have to have enough bodies to lift. Check out our DIY pergola kit guide.
Do I need a concrete slab?
Aluminum pergola kits: Yes. The posts must be set on a concrete patio or footings to make the pergola solid. Wood pergola kits: It depends. If you have a small pergola, sometimes it can be placed on compacted gravel, using post anchors. However, it is never as solid as concrete.
Can you make a pergola kit larger? Yes
Some manufacturers have custom size options. Most commercial-grade manufacturers have a standard size or two but you can connect units together to make the awning longer. If you are in need of a particular width, ask if the manufacturer has custom size options.
What is the shipping time?
Lead times differ from one manufacturer to another. DIY kits from a big box store usually takes 1-2 weeks. Direct from the factory commercial kits can take 2-6 weeks, depending on the demand. Plan ahead, especially for spring and summer installation.
Related Guides
- How to Build a Pergola
- DIY Pergola Kit
- DIY Louvered Pergola Kit
- Outdoor Kitchen Pavilion
- 16 x 16 Pergola
- The Best 24 x 12 Pergola Kits Available
- Best Aluminum Pergola: A Complete Guide
- Pergola vs Gazebo: Which Should You Choose?
# Your Pergola Kit
The Luxury Pergola designs and builds commercial-grade louvered pergola kits in Indiana, and sells direct from the factory to any location in the country. Every kit features up to 200mph wind rating, up to 65psf snow load, ElectroLayer powder coat, and lifetime warranties on the frame, louvers, motor, and electronics.
