What’s the Difference Between a Gazebo and a Pergola?
WHICH OUTDOOR STRUCTURE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
What’s the Difference Between a Gazebo and a Pergola?
In the past few decades, there have been a plethora of outdoor living designs to come about thanks to the rise in popularity of homeowners wanting to spend more time enjoying their backyard and nature. While this has made the variety and uniqueness factor spectacular, it has also led to some homeowners feeling a bit overwhelmed with the choices, as well as perhaps a bit confused by it all. One instance where we’ve found confusion is the difference between a gazebo and a pergola.
Compass Outdoor Design is an outdoor living area design company based in Dallas/Fort Worth. Our passion is creating beautiful outdoor designs for your home that you can enjoy for years to come, from a pool and spa to an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven. There are so many options to choose from for your outdoor living space designs that the sky truly is the limit. Below, we’ll clarify the difference between a gazebo and a pergola. Partner with our outdoor design company today!
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GAZEBO AND A PERGOLA
A gazebo
Gazebos have been around at least 1,000 years longer than pergolas. Gazebos were found in ancient Egypt as far back as 1400 BC and have traditionally been outdoor spaces to relax in. Gazebos tend to be walled in, featuring the shape of a polygon (the most popular being six or eight sides). Some gazebos have half walls or railings, while others have full walls. The roof looks like a traditional roof on your home, and many are constructed off the ground so that the floor stays dry from the elements. The feel of a gazebo is a bit more refined since it’s a closed-off space that promotes an air of seclusion.
A pergola
Pergolas get their names from the Latin word “pergula,” which means “projecting eave.” Pergolas are distinguished from gazebos by the fact that they have an open, slated roof, which allows for sunlight to shine through. However, some pergolas have retractable roofs in order to keep the sun off entirely. Pergolas can be free-standing or attached to homes, as their name implies. Walls (if any are added) are usually very minimal, giving pergolas a more open and welcoming feel. Pergolas also are more modern with the emphasis on simplistic rather than stylistic. Pergolas often accompany pools, gardens, and flowerbeds, and they offer a very contemporary look and feel. Vines are often planted around pergolas to give them a more naturalistic feel as well.
Which Outdoor Structure is Right for You?
When choosing between a gazebo and a pergola, the choice is very much up to you, what look you hope to achieve, and the use of your structure. Both a gazebo and a pergola are meant to be places of respite from the hustle and bustle of your day. You can put comfortable chairs and tables under them and visit with friends or family. Both make great places for family gatherings and parties as well.
Our outdoor living design company recommends that you spend some time sitting in both and using both. Perhaps you have a friend or neighbor who has a pergola and/or a gazebo that you can spend an afternoon under. You can visit these structures in public parks, as well as some home improvement stores that sell DIY pergolas and gazebos. If you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s worthwhile to spend the time to find the right outdoor structure for you.
CHOOSE COMPASS OUTDOOR DESIGN FOR YOUR DFW OUTDOOR LIVING DESIGN
Our designers at Compass Outdoor Design in DFW understand that you may be feeling overwhelmed by the choices you are facing when deciding on your outdoor living space. When you partner with our company, we’ll help you plan the perfect outdoor space for you.
First, you’ll go through our discovery phase where our designer will sit down with you to find out what you are looking for in an outdoor living area and what your goals, uses, and features you want to see are. Then, you’ll enter the design phase, where we will put your ideas on paper and draw up a design. Once agreed upon, the pre-construction phase begins. Here, we’ll gather all the appropriate permits and materials and plan the timing. Then, our expert designers, carpenters, tradesmen, and craftsmen get to work, putting all of the pieces in place for your outdoor living space oasis. You’ll get to see your idyllic space come to life. Once we’ve finished with your outdoor living design project, we’ll perform a walk through and wait to see what you think. Our mission is to ensure you are 100% satisfied, and we hope it’s love at first sight!
If you are interested in having your outdoor living space in the Dallas/Fort Worth area transformed by our outdoor living design company, schedule a free consultation today!
